[Ducati] Motogiro D'Italia 2008?

[ray tubach]

Hi Scott,

funny thing, I was talking to George yesterday too! He gets around, doesn't 
he? ;)

Anyway, I've been to Motogiro in 2005 and am trying to go back next year 
also. All I can say is, if you have ANY possible way of doing this, DO IT! 
it was a dream come true for me, as my parents were first generation 
immigrants and I got to visit my heritage. Now is not too early to start 
planning, reading books about it, learning the language, etc. It will make 
everything much more real for you during this time and will surely pay off 
in enjoyment of the whole experience in the long run.

I don't know what the costs are as when I went, I stayed an extra two weeks 
in Italy and it's all jumbled up with that. someone else can tell you better 
than I.

If I could, I would bank extra time to absorb more of the country both 
before and probably after the Giro but definitely arrive early. Whatever you 
do, you must get to Bologna and check out the factory. While there you can 
pick up your rental bike, buy stuff at the Ducati outlet store, and ride 
through Italy to the Motogiro destination - this was well worth half the 
cost of the trip IMO!

Your lodging while riding will be included but check to see how many days 
that covers in advance. I chose to double up on the room and if you sign up 
with someone, you can share. If not, they will assign you a roommate. This 
was a good deal for me as I ended up with a guy from Netherlands, AND his 
mechanic, AND his wife in the room - long story but seriously, it was great!

These people who do the vintage thing are the real deal but I did not want 
to have the trip ruined if I had mechanical failure, etc.  I rented a bike 
and I would recommend this for anyone on their first (possibly only) 
Motogiro. If the bike has trouble, Ducati is there for repairs or 
replacement. Trust me, it was still VERY much worth it riding in the Tourist 
class. I rented a Multistrada and it was possibly the perfect bike for this 
event. Now that I've sold my 996, I may get one. But I really am holding off 
for the Hypermotard :))

Don't worry about the language. I spent weeks brushing up on my Italian 
before I went. It was practically my first language when I was young but I 
lost a lot over the years of being Americanized. However, while at the Giro, 
everyone you meet will speak English. Since I spent most of my time with 
other Americans, I did not have to speak it, so I lost a lot of what I had 
crammed for. I've got the language discs playing in my car right now so I 
can absorb more as a second language before I return next year :)

The only other advice I have is to wear your riding gear (with a toothbrush 
and spare underwear in the pocket) with you on the plane. The people who 
were with me that year can relate the story but basically, it involved lost 
luggage and the Chinese fire drill I had to get to the ride on time... 8(

Good luck, bro.

DO IT!!!


Ra2bach





>From: "Scott Cloninger" <scloninger at astecinc.com>
>
>Yesterday I was talking to George Betzhold and we thought it would be a 
>great idea to attend next year's Motogiro.  "You only live once" and "You 
>can't take it with you" were bantied about, but when it comes down to it we 
>both want to experience riding in Italy sometime before we shuffle off this 
>mortal coil.
>
>To that end, we had questions.
>
>1)  When should we begin planning this trip in earnest?
>2)  How much time off (from work) would be required for the trip?  I'd have 
>a difficult time with more than a week (that's nine contiguous days 
>including bookend weekends)
>3)  How much money is involved to ride in the touring class including 
>airfare, transportation, food, motorcycle rental, fuel, Motogiro entry, 
>incidentals, and mememtos?  Basically, how much should I budget?
>4)  Is lodging included in the Motogiro price?  Is rooming individual or in 
>pairs?
>5)  Where is next year's Motogiro?  I hope northern Italy, but I'm not real 
>picky!
>6)  When are any sorts of deposits due?
>7)  How much Italian should I learn before I head that way?  Do any, some, 
>most of the people understand any, basic, most English?  What's Italian for 
>toilet?
>8)  How can I have NCR build me a shiny new bike and call it Ms. 
>Scotty...or Mr. Scotty...or something cool like that?  OK...this part was a 
>joke, but I couldn't resist asking it!
>
>Basically, what's the scoop on the Motogiro?!?
>
>All help is greatly appreciated.
>
>Scott Cloninger
>Chattanooga, TN....transferring the flag to Albuquerque, NM in August!

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