Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Once we have breakfasted and cleaned the bikes, we move off in one group of 15 bikes to Rome, we have a ride through the back roads of Italian countryside to the sounds of Land of Hope and Glory and a big Union Jack on the back of our group leaders bike, he is very patriotic, still it is all taken in good fun, and everybody waves at us as we thunder through small villages, at the petrol station we come across lots of others Harleys msaking their way to Rome, we arrive in the blistering heat at about 4pm to our Hotel on the beach front of Lido d'ostia Romes old Port, but about an hour away from the Center of Rome. Once we book in Jack and myself ride to the Harley Rally centre as we have to pick up tickets Jack won to mass the next day at the St Peters Baslica, register for the Parade through Rome on Saturday, already the rally site is heaving with people all sorts of bikes thundering up and down the road, we try to take the picture by the site entrance but are stopped by Italian Hells Angels, after a little explaining, show their true colours and let us take our pictures. Off to a meal and early night as we have to get up early.
We decide to go to Rome by train which was an experience as it was an hour away and left us tight for time to make the mass. Still make it we did and joined the queues to get into the St Peters Basilica, pictures do not do it justice and it was moving to see the Bikers in their colours taking mass and praying. We saw the Archbishop of Canterbury being shuffled about by security men who were all over the place. Looking very mafia like! We were able to look round the crypt as well, then took a walk round Rome seeing some of the sights and dodging the traffic. The train journey was easier on the way home, oh it was very cheap as well, unlike the UK.
Rest of the time was spent round the rally site and a birthday meal for Robin. Next morninig we had another early start for the Parade round Rome, after we eventually found the start point, we joined the three or so thousand bikes for a parade ride round the roman sites and stopping at the Olympic stadium, the parade was really well recieved many people taking the time to wave, the Italian bikes of course revving their engines whenever the could.(they have mainly open exhaust pipes so are very loud).
Next day was a chilling day on the beach and visits to other rally sites we did go and listen to the music, but Bonnie Tyler is past her best and their were to many people to really enjoy it, so back to the Hotel for food and icecream again.
That was the Rally and everybody next morning is packed and ready for the off, some had already made their way on to Naples the rest going home.
- comments
Steve and Jane Bet it was quite something at the bikers rally in Rome. The photos look fantastic. Did you see the Pope or just the Archbishop of Canterbury? Hope the blessing keeps working and the good weather holds. Take care Steve and Jane
Martin Yes it was good, Blessing did not work as we had our crash helmets nicked along with Sat Nag. This was at Herculaneum grrrrr local police got us to shop top buy dodgy helmets so we could sort ourselves out. But told us to leave area as it is dodgy!! we have since bought new helmets and intercom, as Jack is new sat nag!!!. Still we are having fun and catching the sun.