Moto Guzzi Rally Ride: Wisconsin’s Painted Forest

The 2026 Wisconsin Moto Guzzi Riders Rally took participants on a scenic cruise through Sauk and Juneau counties, ending at Ernest Hüpeden’s Painted Forest in the tiny hamlet of Valton.

The destination, a white, wood-framed building, was built in the 1890s by the Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal order with secret passwords, initiations, and rituals.

The building’s interior features sweeping murals by Ernest Hüpeden, covering every square inch of the 60-by-33-by-24-foot space, including the arched ceiling.

The murals depict the importance of MWA membership, the organization’s reason for existence, and the need for community and life insurance.

After exploring the Painted Forest, the Guzzi Riders gathered for lunch at Wonewoc’s Chapparal Restaurant.

The route to the site took the riders through rolling hills and winding roads, offering stunning views of the Wisconsin countryside.

The event was organized by Tom Kelly, who has a knack for finding unusual ride routes and destinations for the annual rally.