A MOTO GUZZI ENTHUSIAST SHARES THE LATEST OF HIS MANY JOURNEYS (USA, ALPS, NORTH CAPE), WITH NORMANDY AS HIS DESTINATION - AS EVER, IN THE SADDLE OF HIS 100-YEAR OLD “VINTAGE BEAUTY”
October 2025 (G.T.) – The wonderful thing is that we form a bond with many of our readers, who have been featured in some of the articles and interviews published in the Wide magazine over the years. They inform our editorial team of every new adventure they set out on, and Guzzi owner and enthusiast Ciro Nisi is no exception - he recently wrote to us with the following: “After various adventures in the USA, the Alps and the North Cape, in August last year (2024), I set off on my trusty 1925 Moto Guzzi Sport (a 100-old vintage beauty!), for Normandy and part of Brittany.
Essential equipment and the spirit of adventure. Only for authentic “slow” travellers, crossing enchanting landscapes, on the discovery of exciting and moving places.
Our journey was broken down into several stages, including a stop in Paris, before using Caen as a base and spending another day visiting the sites of the historic Allied landings on 6 June 1944. Then, it was time to get back in the saddle and head for Brittany to visit Mont Saint-Michel, exploring the heart of France before starting the long journey back home. Nine unforgettable days in the company of my trusty Guzzi bike, with whom I have shared almost 40,000 kilometres of happiness over the past 27 years. This year, for her hundredth birthday, we’re both taking a break, in preparation for a new adventure together next year.”
A great story, thanks Ciro, and it’s certainly more than enough, but we were curious, and had a few more questions. Here are his answers.
Where did you set off from? And how many kilometres did you cover in total during your journey around Normandy?
“This time my journey was less demanding, almost a transfer. I ended up travelling about 2,950 km from my home (Brugherio, Monza-Brianza, Lombardy, Italy) and pausing in Macon (in France) for a rest, and a quick check of my steed. The next day, we set off together towards Paris, stopping off to visit the city and admire the incredible Eiffel Tower.
Then we set off again for Caen, where we stayed for a few days. From there, I visited the D-Day Landing beaches with my Guzzi Sport, seeking to understand the feelings of those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom all those years ago.”
The beaches of the D-Day landings:
https://it.normandie-tourisme.fr/scoprire/storia/d-day/spiagge-sbarco/
https://www.facebook.com/normandia.turismo
Continued: “I set off again for Mont Saint-Michel, and took a tour of the ancient buildings there. Then I headed back south, but that day my two mobile phones stopped working, and I found myself in the heart of rural France with no clear route to follow. I decided to trust my sense of direction and after a whole day of riding, I found myself about 70 km from Le Mans where, due to a force majeure (tiredness), I stopped.
The following day, I set off again in light rain towards Macon, where I arrived late in the evening after riding along some beautiful little roads. From there, I covered the last stretch back home, with a real sense of satisfaction.”
Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay
https://it.normandie-tourisme.fr/da-non-perdere/le-mont-saint-michel/
This year, your magnificent Sport bike celebrated her 100th birthday (1925-2025) - how did you mark this occasion?
“This year, to mark the centenary of my trusty Guzzi bike, I decided to take her back to her birthplace (Mandello Lario) on the day of the Moto Guzzi Open House rally last September. And once again, I used her to bring refreshments (beer!) to a group of friends who were camping.”
We imagine you're already planning your next adventure for 2026: can you give us a sneak preview of where you'd like to go on your trusted Moto Guzzi Sport?
“This winter, I’m going to take the opportunity to have a minor service on the bike - nothing serious, but she definitely needs a check-up, given that we’ve covered nearly 40,000 kilometres together over the past 27 years. In terms of future journeys, I’m considering various options; travelling alone certainly limits my choices, but I love solitary trips - or should I say trips with just the two of us, me and my Guzzi Sport! I am considering the East or, more likely, an overseas destination.”
Photo courtesy di Ciro Nisi.
WIDE REWIND – THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE FROM CIRO NISI:
https://wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/travels/ciro-nisi-my-milan-north-cape-2023-and-back/index.html
MEMORIES – MOTO GUZZI HISTORICAL ARCHIVE: SPORT 500 (498,4 CC) DATED 1925.
