Isle of Elba 2004
In the beginning was our intention to attended the Isle of Man rally for this year as well, but we heard it would have been a minor event not like last one. For this reason, and not forgetting the promise I did to "Roccia" one of the historic organizers, we decided to set up our trip with the Isle of Elba Rally which was held the same week end.  
The premises have not been the best, in fact an English chap arrived with the Southend massive to attend the rally with us, the night before the start left the Hotel where the were hosted in, heading to Dean's shop just a mile distant, but he did that riding on the "English" side of the road. After a bend he found a car in front of him and couldn't avoid it. The serious injuries for which he had to be recovered in the hospital apart, it could be a lot worse this enough to say at the start due to the previous day circumstances our group set off in slighlty dampend spirit. Dean and Nick had to remain home to sort all things out and left a day after us. I have been in the hospital to pay a visit to John when we have come back and though he will need a long time to recover his scooteristic spirit is still untouched so we will be seeing him ride again as soon as possible. Good luck mate. 

We set off in the sun, but it's not very warm, the uncertain weather will be the only bad note of a very good week end. We cross the appenine pass which head us to Tuscany so crossing one of the most beautiful Italian regions, we have decided to ride in the most suggestive roads and for this reason to avoid motorways and big roads. It is well worth it because the scenary is pretty impressive. Only in the nearby of Siena it starts to rain and summing this up to the fact it is the biggest town we have to cross in our trip, we get lost in small groups, but due to the fact I have provided the group with maps of the roads we have to do, in the end we all meet each other again. All but not one! In fact we wait for Kevin for long but he doesn't arrive so after a moment of panic due to the facts of the night before and also because he left all his money, mobile and map in the following van, we decide to continue the trip and leave the van to go in search of him. Just to discover he is already in Piombino, owing to the indication he's been given by a guy. All ends well is good so we reach the port in time to take the ferry and reach in the Isle finally. 
Once all the group is settled in the Hotel we have booked previously, me and Maicol ride till the Campsite in Morcone where we have an apartment booked together with Dean. Going to sleep tired for the trip and hearing the sea is really what best I can ask for.
 
 
Friday sees a lot of people arriving and we hear Dean about John's condition, which are not so bad, makes us feel better. We spend the day quietly with a nice meal in a restaurant on the beach and having a drink or two (or three). In the late afternoon Dean and Nick arrive together with the japanese Shiro and Taki just landed in Rimini the night before. No time for having a rest we already set off for the do held in a disco not far from the campsite which is good. The disco is packed with people this meaning a lot of people attending the rally are arrived yet and we go to sleep very late. Having a kid home I am so used to his sleeping times that in the morning I still wake up early but having my breakfast on the beach is well worth the hassle.  
Saturday afternoon we attend the 20 kms massive ride to Cavo and though someone is intending the Elba bends like a circuit everything ends up well. Back from the ride there is the prizegiving and our group wins a lot of awards. A big success is Maicol's series II with a liquid cooled motorcycle barrell conversion, which is one of the most pictured machines in the rally. We also meet a young chap of 22 years with a very well know name in the scene: Innocenti, infact he is the granson of Ferdinando Innocenti the man who founded the brand of such successful scooters, we still love nowadays; you see him pictured on Sticky's chopper (I assure he was not horrified, he pretty liked it!). The evening again a do in the disco till late, but not for all in fact a lot of people have planned their trip back home for the Sunday so at a certain hour there is not a lot of people left. 
 
 
We instead have decided to treat us one more day in the Isle. This fair enough to allow us a rest from the previous two busy days, setting out right for the trip back. 
 
 
 
Trip back which is quiet and quick; what reamains is the fantastic country of Tuscany which let me think I will be attending the rally again for sure.