Traveling by motorbike between passion and adventure: the pleasure of rediscovering your own country
Travel Stories is the Mistral Special Parts’ section dedicated to the incredible on-the-road stories of our customers. Travelling by bike is a unique experience that combines adventure, freedom and the desire to discover new places. In this section, we explore the stories of those who made two wheels a passion for life. Today we’ll tell you about Giovanni experience, who has chosen to rediscover his country, Italy, tracing roads that wind through natural beauty, breathtaking views and unspoiled landscapes.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you started to travel by motorcycle. How long ago?
My name is Giovanni and I am originally from Capriati in Volturno, a small village on the slopes of Matese on the border between Campania and Molise. Passionate about motorbikes, camping and restoration in 2017 I combined these three things and started to travel on a Moto Morini Corsaro 125. I brought him back to life and he in return gave me unique emotions, memories of unforgettable trips lived at 60 km per hour.
Which bike are you riding today?
Today I mostly ride a Moto Guzzi Bellagio.
Your first motorcycle trip?
My first real motorcycle trip was with my Corsaro 125. I left Turin towards Morano sul Po, where I participated to the amazing Moto Morini Day. The next morning, when I left my tent, I knew that the 70 km to go back would be boring. So, with a sky that did not promise anything good, I jumped on the saddle in direction of Trentino Alto Adige. A journey of about 350 km, grappling with wind and persistent rain, breakages and misfortunes. But at 60 km per hour the world is more beautiful and when you are riding, especially on a vintage bike, there is no weather situation or misadventure that matters.
How do you prepare your bike before a trip? How do you choose the right equipment?
I am very particular about getting my bike and equipment ready before I go on a trip. I believe that maintenance is fundamental, for this reason every year I disassemble the bike meticulously and check it personally in every part. I do any kind of work, both mechanical and electrical. However, thanks to my experience with vintage bikes, I know very well that the unexpected is around the corner. So in my bags I always have some tools and some basic spare parts to solve small inconveniences during the trip. Every motorcyclist should know his bike in detail, and have a minimum of experience to get away with minor inconveniences. The journey is different when you know the bike, mentally you are more calm when no other people have prepared it for you.
Can you describe a memorable journey you made? Is there any particular moment that you remember with affection or that left an indelebile mark?
Every trip has left me with beautiful and different memories. I could talk about the sunrises in Sardinia or the sunsets in Umbria. The curves in Tuscany, the steps in Trentino or the indelible smells of each region or country visited. I like to imagine that the memorable journey is the one I have yet to do. In this way I never lose the desire to get on the bike and experience the emotions of the trip. To this day, an indelible mark has been left by the wild nature of some places like Sardinia. Arriving in a place at night, setting up your tent to wake up in the morning and realize that the nature around you is totally different from what you saw the night before. These sensations and the people I meet, each with their own life story, are indelible signs on every trip.
Are there things you would like to know before you started travelling? Which piece of advice do you like to share?
Start by saying that I am a lonely guy. Almost always I travel by bike alone and sleep in tent. Not for everyone, but I highly recommend it at least once. The freedom you feel when you stop in a place, camp and sleep with your bike next to you. It’s a unique feeling.
What are your next projects or dreams related to motorcycle trips?
I have a sort of diary, where I record the the trips I made and those that I would like to do. The latter are always in majority. I dream of going out more often from the Italian borders, but I love to shoot in Italy trying to travel the internal and forgotten roads. They often bring you in small villages now unknown but full of history and people who have a life to tell.
A motorcycle trip is much more than just a move: it’s an opportunity to connect with yourself, live the road and rediscover the beauty that surrounds us. Giovanni showed us how Italy, with its varied landscapes and its peculiarities, can be an incredible adventure to live on two wheels. We thank Giovanni for sharing his passion and love with us, if you want to follow him on his next trip you’ll find all of his adventures on his Instagram profile @retrorider.gc
