About Bambolona

My Guzzi California Custom 1400. In one word: Spectacular!

The perfect bike for a road trip, steady, comfortable and reliable 

She totally bailed me out at least two times.

First time, during the flood in Lousiana with water at the level of my feet, she sailed trough like a boat and kept going and going. 

Second time, during a violent thunderstorm in Texas with rain, hail and strong wind. She rode steady on like nothing was happening.

Here, loading my Guzzi in Miami Beach destination home!

I hate to make comparisons, in fact I have been riding for more than 30 years but I am far to be an expert. And I am convinced that there's not the best bike nowadays, just fashions...

However comparing with the bike I used during the previous coast to coast, she (the Guzzi) is better hands down for this type of rides. The other bike had a few minor issues. chain problem and there were minor electronic issues with some warning light going on an off.

Also the other bike is too tall making maneuvering always not easy and the seat was uncomfortable for long ride. On positive side the other bike is versatile allowing off roads (assuming you are capable to do it when loaded with luggage)

The Guzzi on her hand is more reliable, comfortable and easy to ride even thought is massive. A giant of the road. The only problem... she catches too much attentions. I am turning into a Guzzista, vote AAA+

Last Pics From Miami Beach

Today (Sunday) is a strange day. Every body is gone home and I am stuck in Miami to wait for Monday when the shipping company will pick up my motorcycle

So I spent the whole day to the beach and that was nice. In essence, the only way to survive the torrid weather 

Last Pics From Key West

Key West is always nice to spend time. Sadly, Yen is leaving, returning home. So, vacations are really over now

Smarther beach, the best one in KW 

Wrapping Things Up

This road trip is over. I have mixed feelings about it

On one hand is sad that vacations are finished, but on the other hand this road trip was very challenging and tiring. So it is good to go home.

Now, some figures and facts:

• We crossed 11 states and precisely: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida 


• Two times we crossed four states in one day. One day we did Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. And another day we did four states in 5 minutes. Place was the four states junction. Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah


• Highest point: Red Mountain pass 11,018 ft. (3,358 m) on the Million Dollar highway Colorado. The same day we also did Coal Bank pass elevation 10,640 ft. (3,240 m), Molas pass elevation 10,970 ft. (3,340 m) and Lizard pass elevation 10,500 ft.


• Lowest point: Several, one for all Key West in Florida, sea level


• Total miles: 5,000 Miles approximately 


• Longest stage: 320 Miles


• Shortest stage: 150 Miles 


• Hottest day: 111F Beatty Nevada


• Coolest day: 66F in Ouray Colorado 


• National Parks: Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bandelier, White Sands, Alamo Missions, Lafitte wetlands, Gulf Islands, Big Cypress, De Soto, Everglades 


• Killed two birds, countless of insects


• Most boring stage from Tallahassee to St Petersburg


• Most fun stage several. My favorite from Yosemite to Beatty Nevada


• Only 5 days dry, the others all wet. One flood in Louisiana ( barely made it through)


• Gas lowest 1.79 in somewhere Louisiana


• Gas Highest 3.39 in South Beach Florida 

Higgs Beach

Trying in vain to cool off. Higgs beach is a much better choose than Zachariah beach

Denny's All American Dinner

A super classic American dinner

Pics From KW

Today, we had a lazy morning, slept until late. And take it slow, real slow.

Serving you Some pics from KA.

Breakfast In South Beach

Very nice cappuccino, almost authentic and great Nutella almond croissant!

Last Stop Key West

Arrived in Key West at last. The final destination, we reached KW at 3:30PM, totally exhausted and tired hot.

Checked at the B&B and then dashed to the beach and veg there for some hours.

Why the long face? Did not like this treacherous road trip? 

Roosters roaming around the town are the norm

Wow!

Starbucks

In many cases Starbucks was like an oasis for us. A place where to get an espresso (or a surrogate) and most importantly AC and free Wi-Fi. Quality is not always great, for example eating a croissant here is like eating a sponge of Walgreens

Everglades NP

Last NP of this road trip, The Everglades. Just a quick visit because the weather is impossibly hot and the way to Key West is still long.
Classic pic at the park entrance

Everglades are not swamps, the water is crystal clear.

And flowing from North to South. But there is no outlet to the ocean

Gator

Walking On The Beach

Early morning. Walking on the beach and preparing for the very last stretch of road. From South Beach to Key West

Are we sure to be the evolved species?

After all I have experienced on this road trip, it makes me wonder if we are truly the evolved ones...

when are driving a car or SUV or truck or riding a bike, people switch off the brain and common sense is forbidden 

Lots of examples, we risked life so many times because of mindless people. But one example did strike me particularly. 

Unluckily we went through the Lousiana flood. We witnessed vehicles going so fast (like nothing was going on) that they inevitably flew out of the road or crashed. In fact I have never seen so many accidents together in a few hours. Then TV news will report about the number of accidents because of the weather, but it was actually the drivers mainly responsible taking unnecessary risks.

All in all, It was very dangerous road trip, my friends from Italy were so scare or riding American freeways. Worst were the metropolitan area of Texas and Florida. 

Next time an American will say to me that traffic is bad in Italy I will be laughing so hard and roll over my belly. This is country of madmen. No shit...

Anyway, we made it but the risks took a lot of the fun from this trip.

Miami Beach by night

Enjoying the night, it feels like the last day but it isn't, tomorrow we have 160 miles to Key West. But we are almost done

Miami Beach and Atlantic Ocean

At last after 3 weeks we reached the Atlantic Ocean and Miami beach

So tired!

Crossing Cypress NP

Crossing Cypress NP on the way to Miami

100 miles of swamps and forest and super hot weather