Recently back from Rome…

I recently returned from a business trip that had taken me to Rome (Italy, not Georgia). It was my first trip abroad since getting my motorcycle license and as a result I was acutely aware of just how many more two-wheeled machines are on the streets compared to North America. Bikes play a role in everyday life for many practical reasons. Price, fuel costs, parking and the sure ease they add to navigating a city that is thousands of years old. Though I think many of us would have some challenges understanding and accepting the rules of the road in Rome, what doesn’t seem to change is the passion riders have for their machines, the culture and the respect they have for one another– at least for the most part. As I mentioned sometimes it is just about practicality, but they don’t count.

I had decided before my trip that I was going to do one thing… Bring back some European motorcycle gear. I managed to make it to a small shop called “Good Guys Racer Store“. It is a small, but well kept shop that had some really great gear. Simone is the owner/operator and a former racer who was happy to share stories about everything from his time on the professional circuit to riding a bike in the center of Rome. As a side note, while he was riding professionally the team owners forbid him from riding in Rome due to the high risk of injury. As our conversation continued Simone let me know that the annual Rome Motorcycle Show was happening this weekend, much the dismay of my colleagues who don’t share the passion. I decided I needed to figure out how to get there at any cost.

Motodays, March 11-14 – Rome, Italy

Our Friday night thank-you dinner for our hosts was about half over when the subject of bikes and the bike show came up. I had learned earlier in the week that one of the people we had been working with was also a Triumph owner and passionate rider rather then one of the “its more convenient” types. In fact, he wasn’t just a rider, he has an entire business outside of his day to day. He restores vintage bikes, imports them, shows them www.ggarage.it generally, a whole lot more than I do. Long story short, he invited me to go with him to the show. The event took place just outside of Rome. As we approached the convention center the first thing I see is thousands of bikes in the parking lot. Bikes of all kinds. American, Japanese, Italian, British, German old and new. It was nice to see that the diversity of riders runs deep in Europe. The event itself address fans of all kinds– they had new bikes, tons of gear, even a swap meet where you could pick up vintage gas tanks, license plates and even old parts you might be looking for.

By the end of the day I can hardly wait to get home and take my bike out for a ride. My friend offers to lend me one of his for the afternoon, but after spending a fair amount of time avoiding the drivers in Rome on foot I wasn’t about to put myself in harms way.

Recently back from Rome…