This summer we have a big adventure looming with two confirmed entries into the 32nd edition of the Milano Taranto.
The event started in 1919, with a motorcycling event from Milan to Caserta, initially named ‘Freccia del Sud’ which in 1932 then became “Milan-Naples” and in 1937 “Milan-Rome-Taranto“. The route was covered all in one go, always riding at full throttle. The only allowed stops were for refueling and servicing. A race against time, exhausting, hard and demanding: a test for brave bikers only.
After the tragic accident in Guidizzolo, during the Mille Miglia in 1957 all road competitions were cancelled, but for the last 32 years, the Mi-Ta has been organised thanks to the enthusiasm of Franco Sabatini, manager of the Moto Club Veteran S. Martino in S. Martino in Colle. These days the distance is still the same, some 1,800 km but taken over 6 days not all in one go.
It is however still challenging with over 200 miles to travel each day. This year, 200 bikes are registered to take part in the 32rd edition of the Milan-Taranto event, scheduled to take place from 8th – 14th July with route stages planned at Padua, Arezzo, Colli del Tronto, Caserta, Matera, Taranto.
The ride will take in scenic routes and 10 regions (Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia) Each of the various stages will include four daily stops, each of them providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy the specialties of regional gastronomy, assuming of course, you are not busy fixing your bike!
Only bikes registered on or before 1967 are eligible to take part in this event and for me this means riding my 1967 Triumph T100 SS, the other half is riding a 1967 BSA Hornet. Some of the earliest bikes entered include a BMW R57 from 1929 and a 1937 BMW R5 500cc.
Our Pre-Event Preparation
In preparation for the event, we took a ride from Bristol up to Stafford for the Classic Motorbike Show earlier this year, where I quickly realised the challenges involved in riding an old Classic bike. Firstly the enormous gap in riding skills between me and my hubby were clearly evident as he zipped ahead with ease. Leaving me struggling with the multi-tasking required; fumbling my way through a box of neutrals; trying to stop with spongy drum brakes and the pedal on the wrong side plus the chronic pin-and-needles which comes from the vibration all this whilst constantly looking over your shoulder (no mirrors) and flapping your arms about for hand signals (no indicators). By the time we reached Stafford I was tired and emotional. But by the time we got back to Bristol the next day, I had fully embraced the classic biking vibes and was loving it.
Actually riding the Triumph T100 anything over 50mph it is like riding a tumble dryer on full chat, everything vibrates and I mean everything. A bad puncture repair resulted in one of my rear wheels being buckled and once this was fixed the vibration got slightly better, the addition of some grip puppies, indicators and a mirror fitted has all helped my ability to multi task and make the road driving slightly safer. More recently both bikes have had a full service at Tim Blakemore Racing who has just about managed to plug the oil bread-crumbs which we are leaving in our wake, he has also fitted new clutches, tyres and checked the brakes.
Last week I had a fabulous day out on the road with bike racer David ‘Spike’ Abraham of Cambridge Motorcycles who gave me some sound advice and top tips for road positioning and cornering, I spent the day riding around the pretty north Cambridgeshire countryside on his 1957 Triumph Street – thanks to this I am feeling much more confident in my own riding ability.
So, with just a few weeks left – I think we’re as ready as we are ever going to be, the sticker guru Ric Cannell kindly stopped everything to provide us with some retro number plates for both bikes, which have now had a full service, new head gaskets, new cables, new carburettors, new batteries, fresh oil, new tyres, new clutch, a brake check and fresh fluids. We have a box of spares cables and bits and we will both be carrying a few spanners and bulbs.
The event kicks off at midnight, from Idroscalo in Milano, on 8 July 2018, and the arrival is scheduled for 14 July at Lungomare Virgilio in Taranto. Wish us luck!
For £5 off a minimum spend of £50 at Ghost Bikes key in: 6TMIX valid until 1 July 2018
