Welcome to the Maine European Motorcycle Enthusiasts Site!

Welcome to M.E.M.E. I am Robert Dentico, a Moto Guzzi owner/rider for twenty years and member of the MGNOC (Moto Guzzi National Owners Club). I will try to keep you informed of Guzzi happenings both in the State and the region as well as Moto Guzzi news from around the U.S. and yes, even Italy. We are an active riding group, the following is a synopsis of some of the group rides we enjoyed this past riding season.

A June meeting

Back during the last days of Winter, that time between skiing and riding, when my thoughts are always on when I can start to ride again, I got to thinking about how many Guzzi riders there are in the State. An email was sent to John P. Smith, the Maine Rep for the MGNOC, to chat with him, find out how the Winter had treated him and ask him that question. John came back with a list of the registered Moto Guzzi National Owners Club members in Maine and where they were located. Now we are not a huge group but I for one did not know most of the folks on the list, only people in close proximity to me or other Guzzi riders that my wife Sue and I would meet on the road. We decided that a Maine Guzzi Gathering was in order.. John sent an email to the owners of a campground that he had been to thinking it would make a good, centrally located meeting place and set up a date for the Meet & Greet Campout. The next few correspondences were to finalize and confirm the dates with all that would attend the June 21st weekend at the Two Rivers Campground in Skowhegan. Our hosts, the Dunbar Family, owners of the campground, extended a warm welcome to the group and gave us a greatly reduced rate for the weekend at their facility. As the Winter finally gave way to Spring and we got on the road once again we were anxiously awaiting the weekend in June to meet the other Guzzi folks. Sue and I packed up the Bassa with our camping gear early Friday morning and headed for Skowhegan, a leisurely hour and a half ride along the Kennebec River. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day, warm, light breeze, Summer in Maine. John P. and some others had already made camp and the Moto Guzzi banner was flying by the time we rolled in mid morning. We started to unpack the tent and set up camp but turned to meeting people instead.. Galen Burke and Faith Lefler rode in from Lovell on a dressed out G-5, Brian O'Grady from East Hiram on his Red Roadster T-3, Mike Justiss rode over from Sweden on his 650 / Something BMW. Mike is a long time fan of the Guzzi and came to the Gathering to broaden his knowledge base of them so as to purchase just the right one for him. Roy Woods and his son Dan were riding two up on the EV, they had just heard of the gathering through the state's only Moto Guzzi dealer, Don McMains in Westbrook. Bill Hammond, a fellow that builds three wheelers from Guzzis and other motorcycles, brought one of his Cal III versions to show us, what a neat piece of engineering these are. We all had a great visit, sat down to a good meal together at the restaurant across from the campground and came back for the campfire. At that time we decided to head up towards Jackman in the morning and come back down around Moosehead Lake for about a 200 hundred-mile ride. About one AM I heard a Guzzi chuffing into the campsite at idle and then go silent. Some body puttin' in. We woke up to Charlie Brackett from Rockport MA introducing himself and showing us his Jackal. That morning the day-trippers, those that could not camp both nights, showed up for the ride around the lake. Bill Hamilton with the SP1000, Pete O'brien riding a 907 Ducati, his LeMans was not ready for the ride yet and Troy Hodgton on a Honda Nighthawk. The weather forecast promised a perfect day for riding and sightseeing. We traveled in two packs, one running just a little faster than the other, always regrouping at the coffee shop, gas stop or scenic overlook. A break for lunch in Greenville at the lakeside restaurant, Kelly's Landing, then the last leg back into camp and the evening meal and campfire. At the gathering around the campfire Mike Justiss awarded John P Smith the newly created and now coveted, "Loud Pipes Award" based on John's performance from the sleepy beyond the night before. Our son Michael and friend Nykola had been running the Kennebec River as whitewater rafting guides so they could not be with us for the weekend. After the run they did find time to come by the campground to say hello to all the folks at the Guzzi Gathering, have some refreshments around the campfire and promise to meet up with their new friends again in New York. Sunday morning we all met at Charrier's Restaurant for breakfast, offered our thanks to John for putting the meet together, swapped phone numbers and e-dresses and said our good-byes. Agreeing that this meeting had been a great successwe made plans to head for the National in New York in August as a group and set the date for the next Maine Guzzi Gathering, September of thisyear, same place.

The Euro-Meet

For the past couple of years Mike Stackhouse from the Bethel area, actually Mason Township, has put on the excellent Euro-Meet at the Sunday River Ski Resort, this, the third annual, would prove to be just as good as the first two. Sue and I motored up through the hills from Farmington on to Rangely and over to Erol NH on through Grafton Notch and then on to Bethel to make the 75 mile putt from our home a nice little 250 mile ride.. That's better. We had reservations for a slope side suite for the night, Mike and Nykola would be coming along after, that's right, rafting.. We met up with Mike Stackhouse and his son Josh and wife met some other folks doing the over night thing and had a nice meal back at the suite and refreshments by the pool. About 0-Dark-Thirty Sue started to get a little nervous as to where Mike and 'Kola could be, it's a Mom thing you know. We went out for a stroll around the grounds and I kept an ear open for the Guzzi to come booming up the hill. Not long afterwards I could hear the sound of the twin from what must have been three miles away, great vantage point up there on the mountain. Sure enough the echo of the LeMans got closer and at the time that they pulled into the upper parking lot, Sue smiled and could now relax. We all went back up to the room and talked about the riding for tomorrow while the kids sat down to eat. The next morning after breakfast we headed down to promenade at the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel, the walkway into one of the main lodges, to view motorcycles as they came in and to visit with the folks that we knew that owned them. There were British, German and Italian motorcycles wherever one would look, good conversation with old friends and greetings to the new ones. The only thing needed was a ride. Dave Percival in Andover has an extensive collection of BMW motorcycles in a beautiful facility at his home. We decided to talk a blast over to visit with him for a bit. Dave's knowledge of early BMWs until about the mid seventies is just incredible as well as his connections to people with race history. He never tires of telling people about the collection and how it all started and what model began a certain trend and which one had what type of equipment fitted and on and on...! And, he is truly a nice guy. The ride back to the mountain found us there in time to vote for our favorite motorcycles in each class which was a dollar per vote with the proceeds going to The Maine Handicap Skiing Program thanks to Mike Stackhouse. Soon the tallies were in and the awards were handed out for each of the winning cycle categories, all of them perfect examples of their class. It was time to say the good-byes and head for home, we again used the indirect scenic route.

MGNOC National Rally

The much anticipated National Meet was fast approaching, vacation plans had been made, the Bassa had been equipped with a trailer hitch from Luap McKeever, webmaster for the MGNOC and wildguzzi.com sites, so that we could haul the new trailer, we were ready to ride. Sue and I arranged to meet up with Mike and Nykola in Farmington and travel across to Vermont on Wednesday staying at Kola's folks ski retreat near Killington that night and that would afford us a leisurely putt to Seranac Lake N.Y. the next day. Thursday morning we got a good start towards the rally crossing Lake Champlain on a ferry at Port Henry and moving into the Lake Placid area. Rolling into camp we met up with the rest of the Maine group and more came in later that afternoon and evening. Paul Smiths College was the location for the Rally and the registered participants enjoyed meals at the college as well as the use of the bath and shower facilities throughout the weekend. There were many different scenic rides to go on anywhere from 60 to 200 mile loops, beautiful country, rolling hills and twisty roads. Luigi Riva made the trip from Italy to be with us, he is the European Rep for the MGNOC. He had ceramic tiles made up as a commemorative to the 31st Annual MGNOC Rally that he had sent over in advance to John P. Smith, the Maine MGNOC Rep. Moto Guzzi North America brought several new Guzzis for demo rides of which there were many participants. My son and I tried out the new six speed, 1100 LeMans. the guy that gave us the pilots talk prior to departure told the people on the sport bikes to be sure and ride them between 4-7 grand. I looked at Mike and he at me and nodded in approval, we rode them just the way he said most impressive power in the new models. Sunday found us one of the last to leave, people had packed up and were gone before we finished breakfast. You should hear the rumble of a few dozen Guzzis fired up and ready to ride on a Sunday morning, you can't help but stand there and watch a few pass, just as if it would help you to hear better. We broke camp and hit the road about nine. August in New England can bring some of the hottest, muggiest days of the year. It was just that type of humidity that we had to cope with riding back to Maine that day. Frequent stops for water and shade was the rule. The good thing about cow-pathing through Vermont is some of the twisty mountain roads. I recommend the Mad River Glen Mountain road for a real thrill, even with a trailer on back; of course, you've got to enjoy scraping the pegs once in awhile.! Sunday night found us exhausted, satisfied with the ride and home. A good time had by all.

Sept Rally

At the first gathering of the year the Core Guzzi Group, now known as The Eagle Squadron, had unanimously decided on and planned for a September Rally at the same location. We also vowed that every Guzzi owner that we could find will know about the event and are welcome. Before leaving for the National we had been in contact with the Dunbar clan in Skowhegan to make sure all was set for the 1st Annual Maine Guzzi Rally. We were very pleased with the numbers that had pre-registered, many new names from as far away as Massachusetts and Canada! John P. Smith saw to it that there were plenty of handouts and Guzzi related items in the admission packet given out by Faith at the registration table. Mike Dentico went to the effort to have some very nice shirts made up to commemorate the 1st annual event and they sold out. Friday night found us around the campfire as usual, Darryl Dunbar brought over an old dilapidated picnic table that he could not use for campsites any longer so that became fire wood. Everyone talked about the up-coming Poker Run and the next days activities and got to know one another. As was pre-arranged, Darryl got up good and early to get breakfast going for the group and he knew enough to put the coffee on first. We've got to take Darryl with us wherever we go. After the great spread some headed out for the Poker Run while others did their own ride plans. It was a perfect Autumn day, colors beautiful, temps just right, we could not have asked for a better way to show off the State of Maine to our guests. Later afternoon found folks in and out of camp from various rides and adventures, the Staff recorded everyone's returned Poker Run results. Another well prepared meal by Darryl, this time BBQ, chicken, pork, veggies and home made pies by his mother-in-law, a real family business. We managed to get a group photo just before the sun went past the tree line that evening. . Mike Justiss organized a 50-50 Raffle drawing to help support the Land Speed Record effort, Team Cooked Goose. The drawing was won by a fellow on a Beemer that had wandered into the campground on Friday afternoon thinking that a BMW Rally was going on that weekend, seems the organizer for that event supplied the wrong date to him. Without hesitation turned his half of the winnings back to send all of the money too the race team.! Thanks Steve. Awards and door prizes from the likes John Smith, Galen Burke and a few vendors that we had beg stuff from of were followed by, you got it, a great campfire. Darryl found another table to donate, the evening was filled with good conversation and potent potables. All in attendance were busy exchanging phone numbers and e-dresses so that we could stay in touch and ride together some more.

As the Moto Guzzi community grows in Maine and we add members to this great family of like-minded riders, it just serves to cement the feeling of good will toward each other and subsequently to all persons we come in contact with on a daily basis. We always come away from a gathering like this with a renewed sense of being. Life is good.. The feeling has lasted all season long.

Ride often, Ride far..
Later,
Robert Dentico

The journey is the reward. - Chinese Proverb



	HOME THE SHOP PRODUCT ARTICLES TRIUMPH GUZZI DUCATI BMW MAINE EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLE MEET MEME FORUM MEME GALLERY LINKS CONTACT US		Moto Guzzi Review Welcome to M.E.M.E. I am Robert Dentico, a Moto Guzzi owner/rider for twenty years and member of the MGNOC (Moto Guzzi National Owners Club). I will try to keep you informed of Guzzi happenings both in the State and the region as well as Moto Guzzi news from around the U.S. and yes, even Italy. We are an active riding group, the following is a synopsis of some of the group rides we enjoyed this past riding season. A June meeting Back during the last days of Winter, that time between skiing and riding, when my thoughts are always on when I can start to ride again, I got to thinking about how many Guzzi riders there are in the State. An email was sent to John P. Smith, the Maine Rep for the MGNOC, to chat with him, find out how the Winter had treated him and ask him that question. John came back with a list of the registered Moto Guzzi National Owners Club members in Maine and where they were located. Now we are not a huge group but I for one did not know most of the folks on the list, only people in close proximity to me or other Guzzi riders that my wife Sue and I would meet on the road. We decided that a Maine Guzzi Gathering was in order.. John sent an email to the owners of a campground that he had been to thinking it would make a good, centrally located meeting place and set up a date for the Meet & Greet Campout. The next few correspondences were to finalize and confirm the dates with all that would attend the June 21st weekend at the Two Rivers Campground in Skowhegan. Our hosts, the Dunbar Family, owners of the campground, extended a warm welcome to the group and gave us a greatly reduced rate for the weekend at their facility. As the Winter finally gave way to Spring and we got on the road once again we were anxiously awaiting the weekend in June to meet the other Guzzi folks. Sue and I packed up the Bassa with our camping gear early Friday morning and headed for Skowhegan, a leisurely hour and a half ride along the Kennebec River. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day, warm, light breeze, Summer in Maine. John P. and some others had already made camp and the Moto Guzzi banner was flying by the time we rolled in mid morning. We started to unpack the tent and set up camp but turned to meeting people instead.. Galen Burke and Faith Lefler rode in from Lovell on a dressed out G-5, Brian O'Grady from East Hiram on his Red Roadster T-3, Mike Justiss rode over from Sweden on his 650 / Something BMW. Mike is a long time fan of the Guzzi and came to the Gathering to broaden his knowledge base of them so as to purchase just the right one for him. Roy Woods and his son Dan were riding two up on the EV, they had just heard of the gathering through the state's only Moto Guzzi dealer, Don McMains in Westbrook. Bill Hammond, a fellow that builds three wheelers from Guzzis and other motorcycles, brought one of his Cal III versions to show us, what a neat piece of engineering these are. We all had a great visit, sat down to a good meal together at the restaurant across from the campground and came back for the campfire. At that time we decided to head up towards Jackman in the morning and come back down around Moosehead Lake for about a 200 hundred-mile ride. About one AM I heard a Guzzi chuffing into the campsite at idle and then go silent. Some body puttin' in. We woke up to Charlie Brackett from Rockport MA introducing himself and showing us his Jackal. That morning the day-trippers, those that could not camp both nights, showed up for the ride around the lake. Bill Hamilton with the SP1000, Pete O'brien riding a 907 Ducati, his LeMans was not ready for the ride yet and Troy Hodgton on a Honda Nighthawk. The weather forecast promised a perfect day for riding and sightseeing. We traveled in two packs, one running just a little faster than the other, always regrouping at the coffee shop, gas stop or scenic overlook. A break for lunch in Greenville at the lakeside restaurant, Kelly's Landing, then the last leg back into camp and the evening meal and campfire. At the gathering around the campfire Mike Justiss awarded John P Smith the newly created and now coveted, "Loud Pipes Award" based on John's performance from the sleepy beyond the night before. Our son Michael and friend Nykola had been running the Kennebec River as whitewater rafting guides so they could not be with us for the weekend. After the run they did find time to come by the campground to say hello to all the folks at the Guzzi Gathering, have some refreshments around the campfire and promise to meet up with their new friends again in New York. Sunday morning we all met at Charrier's Restaurant for breakfast, offered our thanks to John for putting the meet together, swapped phone numbers and e-dresses and said our good-byes. Agreeing that this meeting had been a great successwe made plans to head for the National in New York in August as a group and set the date for the next Maine Guzzi Gathering, September of thisyear, same place. The Euro-Meet For the past couple of years Mike Stackhouse from the Bethel area, actually Mason Township, has put on the excellent Euro-Meet at the Sunday River Ski Resort, this, the third annual, would prove to be just as good as the first two. Sue and I motored up through the hills from Farmington on to Rangely and over to Erol NH on through Grafton Notch and then on to Bethel to make the 75 mile putt from our home a nice little 250 mile ride.. That's better. We had reservations for a slope side suite for the night, Mike and Nykola would be coming along after, that's right, rafting.. We met up with Mike Stackhouse and his son Josh and wife met some other folks doing the over night thing and had a nice meal back at the suite and refreshments by the pool. About 0-Dark-Thirty Sue started to get a little nervous as to where Mike and 'Kola could be, it's a Mom thing you know. We went out for a stroll around the grounds and I kept an ear open for the Guzzi to come booming up the hill. Not long afterwards I could hear the sound of the twin from what must have been three miles away, great vantage point up there on the mountain. Sure enough the echo of the LeMans got closer and at the time that they pulled into the upper parking lot, Sue smiled and could now relax. We all went back up to the room and talked about the riding for tomorrow while the kids sat down to eat. The next morning after breakfast we headed down to promenade at the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel, the walkway into one of the main lodges, to view motorcycles as they came in and to visit with the folks that we knew that owned them. There were British, German and Italian motorcycles wherever one would look, good conversation with old friends and greetings to the new ones. The only thing needed was a ride. Dave Percival in Andover has an extensive collection of BMW motorcycles in a beautiful facility at his home. We decided to talk a blast over to visit with him for a bit. Dave's knowledge of early BMWs until about the mid seventies is just incredible as well as his connections to people with race history. He never tires of telling people about the collection and how it all started and what model began a certain trend and which one had what type of equipment fitted and on and on...! And, he is truly a nice guy. The ride back to the mountain found us there in time to vote for our favorite motorcycles in each class which was a dollar per vote with the proceeds going to The Maine Handicap Skiing Program thanks to Mike Stackhouse. Soon the tallies were in and the awards were handed out for each of the winning cycle categories, all of them perfect examples of their class. It was time to say the good-byes and head for home, we again used the indirect scenic route. MGNOC National Rally The much anticipated National Meet was fast approaching, vacation plans had been made, the Bassa had been equipped with a trailer hitch from Luap McKeever, webmaster for the MGNOC and wildguzzi.com sites, so that we could haul the new trailer, we were ready to ride. Sue and I arranged to meet up with Mike and Nykola in Farmington and travel across to Vermont on Wednesday staying at Kola's folks ski retreat near Killington that night and that would afford us a leisurely putt to Seranac Lake N.Y. the next day. Thursday morning we got a good start towards the rally crossing Lake Champlain on a ferry at Port Henry and moving into the Lake Placid area. Rolling into camp we met up with the rest of the Maine group and more came in later that afternoon and evening. Paul Smiths College was the location for the Rally and the registered participants enjoyed meals at the college as well as the use of the bath and shower facilities throughout the weekend. There were many different scenic rides to go on anywhere from 60 to 200 mile loops, beautiful country, rolling hills and twisty roads. Luigi Riva made the trip from Italy to be with us, he is the European Rep for the MGNOC. He had ceramic tiles made up as a commemorative to the 31st Annual MGNOC Rally that he had sent over in advance to John P. Smith, the Maine MGNOC Rep. Moto Guzzi North America brought several new Guzzis for demo rides of which there were many participants. My son and I tried out the new six speed, 1100 LeMans. the guy that gave us the pilots talk prior to departure told the people on the sport bikes to be sure and ride them between 4-7 grand. I looked at Mike and he at me and nodded in approval, we rode them just the way he said most impressive power in the new models. Sunday found us one of the last to leave, people had packed up and were gone before we finished breakfast. You should hear the rumble of a few dozen Guzzis fired up and ready to ride on a Sunday morning, you can't help but stand there and watch a few pass, just as if it would help you to hear better. We broke camp and hit the road about nine. August in New England can bring some of the hottest, muggiest days of the year. It was just that type of humidity that we had to cope with riding back to Maine that day. Frequent stops for water and shade was the rule. The good thing about cow-pathing through Vermont is some of the twisty mountain roads. I recommend the Mad River Glen Mountain road for a real thrill, even with a trailer on back; of course, you've got to enjoy scraping the pegs once in awhile.! Sunday night found us exhausted, satisfied with the ride and home. A good time had by all. Sept Rally At the first gathering of the year the Core Guzzi Group, now known as The Eagle Squadron, had unanimously decided on and planned for a September Rally at the same location. We also vowed that every Guzzi owner that we could find will know about the event and are welcome. Before leaving for the National we had been in contact with the Dunbar clan in Skowhegan to make sure all was set for the 1st Annual Maine Guzzi Rally. We were very pleased with the numbers that had pre-registered, many new names from as far away as Massachusetts and Canada! John P. Smith saw to it that there were plenty of handouts and Guzzi related items in the admission packet given out by Faith at the registration table. Mike Dentico went to the effort to have some very nice shirts made up to commemorate the 1st annual event and they sold out. Friday night found us around the campfire as usual, Darryl Dunbar brought over an old dilapidated picnic table that he could not use for campsites any longer so that became fire wood. Everyone talked about the up-coming Poker Run and the next days activities and got to know one another. As was pre-arranged, Darryl got up good and early to get breakfast going for the group and he knew enough to put the coffee on first. We've got to take Darryl with us wherever we go. After the great spread some headed out for the Poker Run while others did their own ride plans. It was a perfect Autumn day, colors beautiful, temps just right, we could not have asked for a better way to show off the State of Maine to our guests. Later afternoon found folks in and out of camp from various rides and adventures, the Staff recorded everyone's returned Poker Run results. Another well prepared meal by Darryl, this time BBQ, chicken, pork, veggies and home made pies by his mother-in-law, a real family business. We managed to get a group photo just before the sun went past the tree line that evening. . Mike Justiss organized a 50-50 Raffle drawing to help support the Land Speed Record effort, Team Cooked Goose. The drawing was won by a fellow on a Beemer that had wandered into the campground on Friday afternoon thinking that a BMW Rally was going on that weekend, seems the organizer for that event supplied the wrong date to him. Without hesitation turned his half of the winnings back to send all of the money too the race team.! Thanks Steve. Awards and door prizes from the likes John Smith, Galen Burke and a few vendors that we had beg stuff from of were followed by, you got it, a great campfire. Darryl found another table to donate, the evening was filled with good conversation and potent potables. All in attendance were busy exchanging phone numbers and e-dresses so that we could stay in touch and ride together some more. As the Moto Guzzi community grows in Maine and we add members to this great family of like-minded riders, it just serves to cement the feeling of good will toward each other and subsequently to all persons we come in contact with on a daily basis. We always come away from a gathering like this with a renewed sense of being. Life is good.. The feeling has lasted all season long. Ride often, Ride far.. Later, Robert Dentico The journey is the reward. - Chinese Proverb