Angie and I hadn't met the Guzzi club before, but were quite looking forward to seeing picturesque Bridgnorth on the Welsh borders. I'd passed that way many times before on my way to South Wales but never had chance to stop, so when the invitiation came from the Guzzi Club GB to call at their national rally we couldn't pass up the opportunity. As the Guzzi rally fell on the same weekend as WIMA's national rally in Market Harborough we were able to kill two birds with one stone and call at WIMA for the Saturday night on our way to Bridgnorth on Sunday. And Bridgnorth certainly lived up to its promise with its tiny streets lined with historic buildings and even a funicular railway. One of those places where it's nice to visit, but living there must be hell with flocks of tourists at weekends. The "Guzzisti" proved to be a friendly bunch, and despite arriving on an FJ1200 I soon found total strangers stopping to chat. As we were erecting the tent Ken and Annie Irwin stopped to introduce themselves before giving us a guided tour of the site and introducing other club members.

(Left) Stan Thomas with his lovely 1960 Falcone "bacon slicer". (Right) I'm glad to be returning it in one piece.

Club chairman Stan Thomas showed me round his immaculatley restored 1960 Falcone Turismo before insisting that I take it up the road for a spin. Bought from an Italian surgeon, the bike is in police trim and has the original siren intact and in full working order. Stan demonstrated by firing off a long blast across the campsite which must have alarmed the flocks of tourists in the nearby town centre. The long wheelbase keeps the bike stable, while the 19 bhp engine manages to keep pace with the swarms of Mondeos and Xantias without feeling too strained. Stan reckons a top speed of 80 mph, but I felt that 60 mph was quite enough on someone else's restored pride and joy. Great fun to ride though, and quite reminded me of my old Norton ES2. It would be interesting to do a direct comparison.

Stewart Bourner's "Iron Butt" Le Mans; the only bike to win the legendary US perimeter rally in the hands of a non-American.

Another "LeMans", Andy Harris V1000 Le Mans replica. A former press fleet bike, Andy had to re-build it completely after abuse from testers.

Of the many Vee Twins on site few can have a more illustrious history than Stewart Bourner's LeMans III, which in the hands of former owner Steve Attwood covered an incredible 12,458 miles in eleven days around the perimiter of the USA to win the 1993 Iron Butt endurance rally, the first time the rally had been won by a non-American. The full story is on the Iron Butt web site at <www.ironbutt.com>. Stewart had ridden the bike down from his home in Aberdeenshire, which was fairly small beer by comparison. He has a Spada for daily use but still enjoys riding the Le Mans to shows and club events. It has now covered over 118,000 miles without serious problems.

Alan Howe with illustrious Convert. Despite it's many brushes with Ralph Richardson the bike is now in immaculate condition . Alan takes glee in tales of riding ao Italy making only one gearchange on the way.

Unusual Guzzi, this. Dee Meredith built this JZR kit car with husband Jim. The car uses a California III engine and I can confirm goes like stink after Jim took me for a blast around the field in it. Brill...

Another historic bike is Alan Howe's restored V1000 Convert. The previous owner, a war correspondent who spent much time abroad, used to lend the bike to the actor Ralph Richardson in his absence. Unable to comprehend the side stand operation, the great thespian would simply lay the bike on the ground and step off it if no-one was available to help him. Alan bought the bike several years ago as a restoration project and spent lots of time and cash to get it to look and perform as it does now. He reckons modern technology has made the Guzzi feel a little dated and now runs an R1100GS as daily transport, but loves the Guzzi dearly and has no plans to part with it.

Ken Irwin with his 1000 Guzzi hybrid which has now covered an enormous mileage and is currently being used as a rolling testbed for unleaded fuel substitiutes.

Mandy with her Mille. The bike was restored after being found unloved and is now her pride and joy.

After a most agreeable wander around the field chatting here and there we eventually wound up in the Rugby Club along with the rest of the Guzzi Club and soon found ourselves in the midst of friendly crossfire between dedicated Guzzi owners and friends who had inconsiderately turned up on another make of Italian Vee twin. I had no idea there was so much rivalry between the marques, and was intrigued that motorcycles with three digit model designations are viewed as "yuppie toys" in some circles. Hum...

	Derek Masseys hand built 950 LeMans special took the trophy for best bike. Derek is continually modifying the bike in a quest to build the ultimate Guzzi road bike.		Ian and Cherrie Barnes with Cherries gorgeous Spade/Hedingham outfit. Cherrie is a recent convert to the joys of sidecarring and loves the outfit to bits
	David Casbons 1960 Moto Guzzi Lodola is a family heirloom that he carefully restored to showroom condition. A rare sight on British roads, the bike took the trophy for best single.		When I asked to see the highest mileage bike on site, club magazine editor Carl Laver produced this Spada which has been his daily transport for longer than he cares to remember.

Thanks to club members Ken Irwin and Annie Sheridan for providing much information and tea. The Guzzi club are a most friendly bunch and welcome members on all bikes, though an interest in Italian Vee twins is of course an advantage. Did someone mention D****I ?

Trophy Winners:

Best Branch Turnout: Oxford
Best Single: David Casbon 1960 235cc Lodola
Best Vee Twin: Derek Massey 950cc Le Mans II
Best Sidecar Outfit: Cherrie Barnes Spada NT/Hedingham
Ladies Long Distance: Sue Robson (V35) : 180 miles
Mens Long Distance: Malcolm Talbot (Le Mans) : 621 miles

Total turnout 142.

Guzzi Club Web Site: <http://Freespace.virgin.net/motoguzzi.clubgb/home.html>

Rod Gibson