The IMOC Tiddler Tour (TT)
by
Steven Rossi

Photos by John Harris

On Sunday, May 31, the cognoscenti convened at the home of yours truly in East Haddam, Connecticut for what was billed as a “Tiddler Tour.” As a Moto Giro (sort of) inspired event, it catered to pre-1969 machines below 305cc (tiddlers), though there was no scoring or timing. Or entry fee.

Hosted by the Italian Motor Cycle Owners Club (IMOC), and held in conjunction with the Connecticut-Rhode Island Moto Guzzi National Owners Club (MGNOC), ten riders showed up. While the majority were on board Moto Guzzis, there was still a strong showing of others, as well.

Both John Harris and Dave Roper (yeah, that Dave Roper) thumped in on 250 Airones. Dave ended up leading the bonsai blast around the route, for those foolish enough to try and keep up. Interestingly enough, Dave’s Airone was also the oldest machine on the tour, from 1953. John’s was a ’55.

Others, like me, were riding lesser machines with the objective of just simply finishing. Riding my mighty 98cc, two-stroke, Moto Guzzi Zigolo, I actually sailed right through (it helps when you’re the one who picks the roads and lays out the route). In fact, Ziggy availed himself incredibly well and proved why the Zigolo was actually such a strong seller back in the day.

Rounding out the singles scene from Mandello del Lario (what was the home of Moto Guzzi manufacturing in Italy) was a very original 1963 Lodola, ridden by Mike Peavey. A recent acquisition from a well-known e-Bay purveyor from Tarzana, CA, it unfortunately needed a little more TLC than Mike anticipated. But in the end, the effort was obviously well worth it.

Representing Aermacchi interests, a very popular Moto Giro mount, were three Italian-made Harley-Davidson Sprints. Bill Blythe had his ’66 Allegretto, while Harry Elliott was on a 1967. Bill Burke rounded out the triumvirate.
Although not Italian, there was also a rather tasty, two-stroke 1969 Bultaco Metralla on hand. Two other ring-a-ding runners included Doug Roper’s ’67 Bridgestone 175 and an RD250 Yamaha, to help keep the flies away. A few friends and well-wishers on modern machines followed behind for entertainment, and a chase truck completed the entourage.

The route ran about 70 miles along some lesser-traveled, two-lane twisties in Eastern Connecticut, and followed the beautiful, Eight Mile River watershed down to the shoreline. There were two brief dirt/gravel sections to keep everyone honest (no trailer queens, here), and a stop for lunch about half way through.

I’m pleased to report that none of the tiddler tourists got lost, broke down or ran out of gas and everyone kept the rubber side down. Jack Robinson donated a free, one-year F.S.S.N.O.C. membership, which was awarded by a drawing of straws (actually, it was a drawing of safety wires). He who pulled the short piece of safety wire won.

If you haven’t toured on a diminutive mount, you don’t know what you’re missing. Just finishing is an accomplishment to be proud of! Tiddler Tours may be for small bikes, but they’re BIG fun.

Stayed tuned…there’ll be more to follow.