The parking lot of a local pizzeria was briefly transformed into
a museum-quality motorcycle exhibit as the Giro d’California, with
about 40 vintage Italian bikes, made its way through Morgan
Hill.
The parking lot of a local pizzeria was briefly transformed into a museum-quality motorcycle exhibit as the Giro d’California, with about 40 vintage Italian bikes, made its way through Morgan Hill.
The Giro d’California, in its sixth year, is an organized ride for Italian antique motorcycle enthusiasts that spend a couple days each year winding through the hills of northern California, according to event organizer Harley Welch of San Francisco.
Brands such as Ducati, MV Agusta, Ceccato and Motobi were represented in this year’s ride, which stopped at La Mangia pizzeria on Depot Street Tuesday afternoon. All the bikes were made in 1957 or earlier, and their engines are no larger than 175 cubic centimeters – a diminutive size compared to popular modern bikes.
The purpose of the Giro is simply to get together and ride. Welch said the roads of northern California are among the “best in the world” for motorcycle touring.
“We all love Italian motorcycles,” Welch said. “These bikes are like little gems. The Italians had a high build quality in the 1950s. Small bikes are not too appreciated in the States, but they’re a load of fun to ride.”
This year’s Giro, which contained riders mostly from throughout California and one from as far away as Hawaii, rode about 130 miles Tuesday, and about 175 miles Monday, Welch said. The route is different each year, and this year went through the Santa Cruz mountains, up the peninsula and back to the starting point near Ben Lomond.
The Giro is not a race, though there is a competitive element as the riders try to finish as close as they can to a specified time – without going faster or slower. Welch explained the target time typically calls for speeds lower than the posted speed limit, and riders who go too fast might have to stop and let the clock catch up.
