Ducati.Net Photo Gallery - Vicki's View
This is what heaven looks like....
Motogiro d'Italia. 5 days of magic in the Italian countryside, where time runs backward and everywhere you look it could be 1959. 2006 was my 6th wonderful adventure among friends gathered worldwide. Perfect weather, challenging roads, staggering sceanery, it was everything you could hope for, a moto-junkies dream come true. This years route took us from Rimini at the sea to the Marche region, Umbria (Ancona and Ascoli)to the top of the highest mountain in Italy, past snow caps and wildflowers, every mile bathed in sunshine. The photos and captions in this gallery reflect the event as well as an attempt to document the types and variety of motorcycles that participated in an effort to help others considering the event better understand the many choices.
Vicki Smith
Motogiro d'Italia. 5 days of magic in the Italian countryside, where time runs backward and everywhere you look it could be 1959. 2006 was my 6th wonderful adventure among friends gathered worldwide. Perfect weather, challenging roads, staggering sceanery, it was everything you could hope for, a moto-junkies dream come true. This years route took us from Rimini at the sea to the Marche region, Umbria (Ancona and Ascoli)to the top of the highest mountain in Italy, past snow caps and wildflowers, every mile bathed in sunshine. The photos and captions in this gallery reflect the event as well as an attempt to document the types and variety of motorcycles that participated in an effort to help others considering the event better understand the many choices.
Vicki Smith
That's "Vicki 5". Owned by Rino Caracchi it was my pleasure to ride it for 5 days. Over that time it needed one chain adjustment and 2 rear brake adjustments and a battery at the finish. That's it. The bike literally got better every day. Geared for speed it was a little slow in the steep stuff but flew on the switch backs and open roads. (You can't have both, I prefer the speed but it makes it harder in the skill tests). The time I spend on Rino Caracchi's motorcycles is the best quality seat time I have ever known. Thanks Rino!
Only in Italy. This is a stop at a vineyard, a "CT"stop so you could arrive 15 minutes before of up to 30 minutes after your 30 second window. It meant there was time to enjoy the food and wine being served. This stop served some of the best stuffed and roasted pork I have ever tasted.
That's pesto in the center..
The food just kept coming.
The start of day 5, lots of pictures, lots of smiles, the media is out in force. Everyone is swapping phone numbers and e-mail address's. That's me with the other hall of famers. (OK, they have all actually won the event and I haven't) But I managed to squeek into the 'giro Hall as well as the first woman to ever compete in the event. While it may be a dubious achievement compared to winning "back in the day" it's a tremendous honor to be in this photo with these men, nothing dubious about that.
That's Rich and Giuliano Maoggi who raced a Mondial in the Milano - Taranto race in the 50's. You may remember Giuliano as the racer in the famous picture with the ciggerette in his mouth taking the start of the Motogiro.
Chris Jenson and I await the final start.
Hugh Schink from California races a Motobi prepared for him by the Zanzani brothers. These guys are the best in the world at Motobi's and Hugh's bike gets better every year.
Some of the "Vicki Group", American's who participated in the event this year in Touring, Vintage and Taglioni. I am the unofficial organizer for the N. American contingent and host a Yahoo internet group to help smooth the details for those who have never been before as well as those who have. Here's the link for the Motogiro group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/motogiro/
