the Campotosto Mystic Trip - what happened?

It was clear from the beginning that what we have stumbled upon with the Campotosto Mystic Trip, in our search for the expansion of consciousness, is not just a deep well of knowldge, but a living force; and while I humbly carry the mantel of its emissary, I do not control it.

To remind me of this, Karma has delivered a swift kick up the ass and thus our yearly trip did not happen this time.

While we're still enjoying excellent weather, everyone (myself included) seems to have already shifted their mindset to one of dread and anticipation of the horrible winter that is inevitably upon us. To quote a famous show, winter is coming.
This state of mind is not conducive to the CMT, and so we are better off planning maintenance and repairs for the coming months. I don't know what, if anything, I'll be able to do or when, but I don't anticipate much happening at all.

There is plenty to be done, I'd like to get the Triumph back on the road, repair the Sportster's gearbox, upgrade the Fastback's Isolastics, etc. I just don't know if I'll be able to go anywhere near the Monolith at all. It could be many, many months before I can.

So, I think this is where I'll sign off; don't expect any news before next spring.

And to those who will say that I've been on PLENTY of outings this year and that I should just shut up and be content with my lot, here's a handy list for them to consider as they make their way to buggering off:

Pathfinder 2: 2 days
Almost Majella: 3 days
Old Irons: 2 days
The wet one: 2 days
Majella 2½: 3 days

That all comes to a grand total of 12 days. Now, stay with me as this is where we rehash that most useful of basic math skills: proportions!
A year is 365 days, give or take. So, if 365 days is 100%, 12 days are...? That's easy, look:
365:100=12:x
x= 12⋅100÷365 which give us just shy of 3.3% of the time. That's how much of my time I've spent riding, and this was a very good year.

“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”
― Lao Tzu

Majella tour 2½. - focus: Fastback

I have no words to adequately describe how cool this motorcycle looks, or how astonishingly it performs.

Look at those lines!! Can you feel the speed? And to answer your question yes, the bike tastes like high-octane raspberry jam, tart, with a hint of  20w50. Yum.

Majella tour 2½. - focus: Sportster

No nonsense this time, but with so many photos left on the cutting room floor, I wanted to showcase just the bikes, one at a time.

Majella tour 2½. - Day 3

In closing, this is just to say congratulations to Alessio for having completed the trip with flying colors, and to urge anyone who found the last couple of posts interesting to get in touch!
This trip is informal but it is tough; having done it twice now I can guarantee the reward is huge, so come along!

So, hotels are handy, and we may go back to the same place again, if nothing else because they were genuinely so hospitable and lovely, or next time we go back to the Majella park we might also camp.

Another idea that is being considered is to add yet another day, and split the loop over two days. This would be ideal for choppers, other hardtail bikes, or small capacity machines. Who knows...

The ride back is tedious, obviously, compared to the day before, but I think the reason you feel numb here is that you're reeling from the experience, and have only just begun to process it.
Along the way I find a sweet little corner of countryside, take the last few photos and then get lost for about an hour before finding my way back to the Monolith. It's all good.