Touratech Rally East – Touratech-USA

Here’s to the adv riding community!

Matt Lewis — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:11:33 +0000

By Eva Rupert –Special to Touratech from SheADV

It’s that time again— the new year, another full spin around the sun is in the books. If you’re anything like me, you might be looking back and taking stock of the past year’s pursuits. For those of us who find our fun on knobby tires, perhaps you’re thinking about all the road trips, dusty rides, nights under the stars, and that time you ate it in the stream crossing and had wet boots for the rest of the week… oh, was that just me?

Riding is often a solitary pursuit and, as motorcyclists, I think we like it that way— you get to be the hero of your own adventure story, just you and your bike with endless miles of gravel spilling out before you. But the equilibrium between solitude and camaraderie is undeniable in motorcycling. So, in the spirit of this reflective season, this one goes out to our awesome ADV community.

We all have a story about how we started riding and why we keep at it. Curiosity, a taste for adventure, practical reasons, whatever the case may be, motorcycling is the common thread that ties us all together. Riding is what gets us up early on the weekend, guides our vacation plans, nudges us to take the long way to the hardware store. But there is so much more to this sport than the dirt under your tires and the empty horizon before you. When you shed the riding gear and hang up the helmets, underneath are some incredible people.

While motorcycles anchor us, it’s the connections and the collective spirit that defines our community. After covering nearly 12,000 miles on two wheels this year (that’s four rear tires with a little tread left to spare, if you’re counting), with fuel stops in ten western states, countless campsites, and a wealth of great memories, the truly shining moments for me are the shared ones.

Swapping stories around the fire, BDR adventures with friends, grabbing a bed and shower at another rider’s house, tackling a flat tire— together. Whether you realize it or not, each of us inadvertently contributes to this vibrant community— be it showing up at a rally, stopping by the dualsport meetup for a beer, or posting a glossy picture of your GS on that mountain pass.

Sometimes it’s the small gestures (tossing a tank bag granola bar to your riding buddy) and casual interactions (throwing a biker-wave while standing on the pegs) that weave the fabric of an incredible community. Other times, building community is an intentional act, like the work we’ve been doing with SheADV this year.

Originally started in 2016 by Touratech, SheADV has been kept afloat by Shal Wilson ever since. Speaking of shining moments, 2023 marked a significant chapter for this organization dedicated to empowering women on two wheels. We cranked up the energy this year, hosting and attending events and providing more all-women’s rider training than ever before. We achieved some of our aspirations and missed the mark on others. But, if adventure riding teaches you anything, it’s resilience and we’re going strong— fueled by the excitement of what the new year holds.

So, again in the spirit of the season, here’s to the ladies— whether we’re counterbalancing around cones in class or spitting dust on a day ride, there’s something super-special about sharing motorcycles with other women. Needless to say, we’re stoked to see more of you out there.

And to all the men out there, I would never leave you out of the accolades— you’re fantastic as well. In all my years of being a girl who likes doing dude-things, I’ve yet to come across a finer group of guys than those who ride adventure bikes. Sure, a shared interest in riding brought us together, but the longer I’ve been immersed in this world, the more evident it becomes— beyond the bikes, it’s the remarkable individuals that define ADV motorcycling and the camaraderie we share is truly something special.

So when you’re sitting around this winter, checking your battery tender, itching for spring, and feeling all contemplative, give yourself a little pat on the back for the times that you gave a wave to another rider, pulled your tire kit out on the trail to help a stranger, and hung out around the rally campfire swapping stories.

As the new year rolls in, here’s to all the trails that await us in 2024, to being the lone rider and part of this awesome ADV community, alike. Cheers to getting after it, finding the next adventure, coming home dustier, happier, and wiser than before… hopefully with dry boots. Wishing you all an awesome year ahead!

P.S. — If you’re looking to be reminded of how great this community is, I highly recommend hitting a rally or two this year and a couple of my favorites are on the horizon. The Desert Adventure Rally, that Sterling Noren and I host in Bisbee, AZ, is happening from April 9-14 (https://www.thejonquil.com/desert-adv-rally). And the inimitable Touratech Rally, which is chock full of ADV-inspiration, is happening June 27-30 in Plain, WA (https://www.touratechrally.com/). Hope to see you there!

Eva Rupert is a SheADV board member, rider, adventurer, event planner and curator of energy and awesomeness.

TTDD23 Was so much fun!

Matt Lewis — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:06:51 +0000

The Touratech Dirt Daze Rally in New Haverhill New Hampshire was a great time! The riding in that part of the world is challenging and fun with cool views, trees and terrific destinations. Our staff met so many folks and really enjoyed the community that exists, not only in the northeastern USA, but across the nation. Over 600 riders attended TTDD and we have room to grow. There were 5 factories onsite doing demo rides and training was facilitated by SheADV and DART.

We got to meet four riders that actually rode motorcycles to the rally in New Hampshire and earlier this summer to the rally in Plain, WA. We hooked each of them up with a sweet Rally Jersey! We got a little rain, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the attendees and it kept the dust down. We couldn’t have done it without the small army of onsite volunteers and ride guides. They all worked tirelessly before and during the event to make it a success.

It was just a really fun event and we can’t wait to do it again next year!

Best ADV Routes to Touratech DirtDaze Rally in NH

Matt Lewis — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 17:16:55 +0000

By Ron Lieback

Traveling to Touratech DirtDaze Rally in New Hampshire this August? Here are some great ADV routes to get you there.

The 2022 Touratech DirtDaze Rally is coming up fast—August 16-21 in North Haverhill, New Hampshire.

Are you ready? Riders on the east coast get neglected for larger ADV rallies, so to have such a big event happening in one of the greatest, and underappreciated, areas for adventure riding is going to be a blast for all involved.

But the adventure doesn’t have to begin on August 16. No matter where you’re riding in from, if you’re planning on coming in from the eastern part of the United States, we’ve put together a list of some of the best ADV routes on your way to DirtDaze.

We unapologetically borrowed from the Backcountry Discovery Route because those folks are amazing at what they do.

Coming in from up North? There’s good news for you, too – we’ve even added a fun route to take for our Canadian neighbors.

Ready for an adventure before your adventure? Read on to discover some amazing routes.

New York Isn’t Just The Big Apple

By all means, explore what the other City of Lights besides Paris has to offer, but real adventure riders know that New York has more in store than Times Square.

It’s nearly impossible to get to DirtDaze without going through New York, so once you enter the state, we recommend pointing your motorcycle towards Hancock and following it to the Andes.

Hancock is the beginning of the 1300-mile long stretch of the North East Backcountry Discovery Route. While we’d love to tell you to explore the entire 1300-mile stretch, going from Hancock to the Andes is only 135 miles with varying, though relatively easy terrain.

Here’s a quick excerpt of the route, directly from the BDR organizers:

Make your way to where the east and west branches of the Delaware River converge in the historic village of Hancock, New York — a motorcycle-friendly town, a sportsman’s paradise, and a perfect place to start the NEBDR adventure.

Cross over the West Branch of the Delaware just a mile from the center of Hancock and get ready to warm up your dirt skills on the shady O&W Road through rural Wayne County Pennsylvania.

Adventure starts to ramp up as you hit River Road, a rugged seasonal track that hugs a steep drop-off high above the Delaware River. Cross back over to New York into Callicoon for miles of enjoyable dirt and gravel roads that traverse through forests and farmland and crisscross the East Branch of the Delaware several times.

You’ll pass through your first of many covered bridges on the NEBDR in Downsville and then make your way up and around the majestic Pepacton Reservoir on a thrilling stretch of twisty tarmac. Your arrival into the Andes includes seasonal dirt roads and outstanding mountain views. You are now on the western edge of the Catskills and Andes is the quintessential Catskill town.

Explore Northeastern New York Before Heading To Vermont

There’s some good adventure riding the closer you get to New Hampshire. In this case, the 171-mile section of the BDR from Copake Falls, New York, to Readsboro, Vermont has it all.

Expert riders will revel at the technical terrain that awaits, and the reward for getting through the technical stuff comes in the form of picturesque views straight from a postcard.

With this in mind, novice riders should proceed with caution if attempting this route. Again, here’s a brief description from the BDR:

Welcome to the NEBDR’s gateway to New England where riders will quickly sense a change of topography as they ascend into the foothills of the Berkshires, with an abundance of bucolic scenery interspersed with fern-lined two tracks under thickly forested canopies…

…Enter the very southwest corner of Massachusetts and enjoy a few primo dirt tracks leading south to a quick dip into Connecticut. The route then heads north again back into Massachusetts and the Berkshire Mountains that offer an abundance of ADV-friendly state forest lands to enjoy with varied/challenging terrain.

These off-pavement highlights will definitely get you up on the pegs and include Beartown State Forest and the menacing October Mountain which will start to raise the bar on technical riding on the NEBDR.

The pinnacle of the Berkshires is the majestic Mt. Greylock. The route takes you up a seasonal dirt track to the top, and standing at 3,491 feet tall, Greylock ranks as the highest point in the state of MA with 90+ mile views over the Berkshires to surrounding states of CT, VT & NH. If you choose to stay the night at Bascom Lodge, this period-perfect, craftsman-style lodge, don’t forget to catch the sunrise from the summit — so beautiful that poet Henry David Thoreau wrote about it.

New Hampshire Offer Lots for ADV Travelers

New Hampshire is really an adventure rider’s paradise, and the stretch from Woodsville to Gorham is what we mean by the adventure beginning before DirtDaze even starts.

This is the longest single section of the NEBDR—231 miles in total—and both the riding and the view will leave you in awe.

Again, this description from the BDR website paints a better picture of what to expect than anything we could write.

Here’s a brief summary:

Just a few miles up a rural dirt road from Woodsville and after crossing a long, covered bridge, you’ll arrive at the Brick Store in Bath. The Brick Store is the oldest operating general store in the United States, established in 1791. Known for excellent fudge, smoked products, and a fine deli, this is a great place for take-out breakfast and lunch. The owner, Scott, is also an avid motorcyclist.

Section 6 winds through picturesque dirt roads from the western border towards the east, passing through woodlands and farm fields, as well as some horse properties. Crossing over Interstate 93, the route takes Sandwich Notch Road from Thornton to Sandwich, built in 1801 for the farming community that inhabited the area. The road is now a single-lane dirt road that is great fun to ride, but remember that it is two-way traffic at all times. There’s a must stop at a self-service ice cream and cheese shop, the Sandwich Creamery, tucked down a dirt road well off the beaten track. Soon after you’ll find the magnificent view of Mount Chocorua and Lake Chocorua.

Turning north, the route takes the Kancamagus Highway for about ten miles. The highway is named after Chief Kancamagus, “The Fearless One,” of the Panacook tribe. Scenery of the Swift River and mountains is spectacular before turning on to Bear Notch Road. Forest service roads in the Bartlett Experimental Forest break up the ride on more dirt before getting through Franconia Notch on NH Route 302. After passing by the Mount Washington Hotel, the route takes Jefferson Notch Road around the base of Mount Washington. You’ll soon come to appreciate any road referred to as a “notch’ in New Hampshire.

More New Hampshire

If you’d rather save the technical terrain for DirtDaze and have a relaxing ride instead, the path from Woodsville to Gorham is sure to please.

Spanning 231 miles, this stretch isn’t particularly challenging, but what it lacks in difficulty it more than makes up for in history and scenery.

And don’t be mistaken; these roads are still a massive amount of fun. Again, here’s the official description from the North East BDR:

The road is now a single-lane dirt road that is great fun to ride, but remember that it is two-way traffic at all times. There’s a must stop at a self-service ice cream and cheese shop, the Sandwich Creamery, tucked down a dirt road well off the beaten track. Our favorite flavor was Dirt Road – go figure. Soon after you’ll find the magnificent view of Mount Chocorua and Lake Chocorua.

The White Mountains, and especially Mount Washington, are a spectacular sight and the highlight of the NEBDR. The Mt. Washington Auto Road is not to be missed – it’s a 7-mile tar and dirt road up to the summit at 6,288 feet. The weather observatory is manned 365 days a year and has recorded some of the highest winds on the planet – 231 mph. Clear days offer amazing 360-degree views for a hundred miles. There’s a restaurant and museum at the summit. Nearby Gorham is the perfect White Mountain town to stay the night. If you weren’t able to make it up Mt. Washington when you arrive into town, you can give it a fresh go the next morning.

Don’t Forget Vermont

Readsboro, VT to Barnard, VT

Vermont doesn’t get enough love from motorcyclists, so this is our attempt to bring some deserved attention to the Green Mountain State. A beautiful part of the country whether you’re into adventure riding or not, Vermont doesn’t get the fanfare of more popular tourist attractions, but that’s what makes it great.

Specifically, we’re talking about a wonderful route from Readsboro to Barnard. As the name Green Mountain State implies, Vermont is full of landscapes any adventure rider would love to explore.

On this 178-mile leg of the North East BDR, you’ll experience a little slice of everything Vermont has to offer. That includes some technical riding towards the end. If an easier route is what you’d prefer, there are workarounds for that. Here’s the official description from the BDR:

You are now in the Green Mountain State. Are you ready to experience beautiful pastoral settings, historic mountain roads and architecture dating back to the Revolutionary War? We hope so! Vermonters have a generally laid-back attitude, a strong passion for their home state and are eager to share that passion with friendly and respectful visitors.

The roads you will be using to pass through Vermont are beautiful, and in most cases, originally designed for human and animal transport. They are small and rudimentary and houses are often placed within feet of the road. Many of these roads double as cattle crossings and hiking trails, so safe riding is imperative.

After your introduction to Class 4 roads at the end of Section 3, stop into the Readsboro General Store to fuel up your body and your bike. From there the route settles into a patchwork of forest roads meandering through the lower Green Mountain National Forest. The town of Grafton is a wonderful place to stop, spend the night at the inn, or have lunch at the general store.

Tip: Don’t miss out on Vermont’s general stores, they are all unique and interesting.

There are technical riding bits dispersed throughout this section but after the town of Danby, there are quite a few challenging Class 4 roads. If you find you’re not quite up for it, the GPS tracks include easier go-arounds for the more difficult Class 4 roads.

Your last gnarly stretch of this section leads you to the town of Barnard where you can gas up and grab supplies at the General Store. There’s camping at Silver Lake State Park and several B&Bs in town or alternatively the town of Woodstock is only 10 miles away.

Oh, Canada!

We couldn’t forget our Canadian friends to the North. If you’re making your way to DirtDaze from Canada, then this is the perfect opportunity to go the long way and sample a stretch of the Trans Canada Adventure Trail near Montreal.

The Trans Canada Adventure Highway spans 5,000 miles and crosses all 10 Canadian provinces, but this time around sticking near Montreal and working your way south is what you’re after.

The TCAT avoids paved roads and major cities whenever possible. Here you’ll find all kinds of terrain, which also means you’re in store for some epic riding and enjoying parts of Canada you won’t find in a guidebook.

Keeping with the adventure theme, it’s worth pointing out that there will be times when you’ll be in desolate areas with few people. So keep fuel stops in mind and a tool kit handy, just in case. For the most part, however, you won’t be far from civilization.

Mid Atlantic BDR (MABDR) for Those Traveling From the South and West

For anyone traveling from the west or the south, the Mid-Atlantic BDR (MABDR) offers the ultimate journey to New York state.

The MABDR – the eighth BDR to be launched – takes riders 1,080 miles from Damascus in southern Virginia, to Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, which borders New York.

MABDR is a scenic ride for dual-sport and adventure motorcycles that uses dirt, gravel and paved roads to wind through remote parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Starting in Damascus Virginia, and ending in Lawrenceville, Tioga County, PA, this 1,080-mile route, primarily uses forest roads and rural country lanes, to lead riders through the Appalachian mountains, majestic forests, bucolic farming landscapes, Amish country, and locations that played pivotal roles in early American history.

For more, including free GPS tracks and maps, visit Backcountry Discovery Routes.

Our Brookfield CT shop is open for business and all of your rally prep. Stop by on your way to the rally!

DirtDaze Highlights

Once you make it to DirtDaze the fun will just be starting. As the biggest adventure rally in the Northeast, here are just a few of the activities available:

Guided rides for all skill levels
The most factory demos in the US with Triumph, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, and KTM offering their bikes to try. And more factories might join in.
World-class rider training. Dragoo Adventure Rider Training and SheADV! will be offering top-notch training, no matter your current skill level.
Obstacle courses for both novice and expert riders
Riding games (with prizes!)

Excited yet? We hope you have an epic adventure on your way to DirtDaze, because you’re sure to have one once you get here. See you on August 16th!

For additional information, visit Touratech DirtDaze Rally.

Video: Companero rambler riding suit

Matt Lewis — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 00:01:29 +0000

Touratech’s Companero Riding Suits have been the “go to” all-weather riding suits for adventure riders for years. With their combination of durability and versatility they make it possible to be protected and comfortable under any conditions. Now Touratech has partnered with industry apparel leaders REV’IT to introduce the Companero Rambler. A suit with superior ventilation and unsurpassed protection and waterproof capabilities.

Companero Rambler is a suit designed by riders. Every detail and feature have been trail-tested through every possible type of weather and terrain and Rambler left riders wanting for nothing. The next generation of adventure riding suit is here: Companero Rambler by Touratech.

GET YOURS HERE

Video Transcription:

Paul from Touratech USA here to introduce the Companero Rambler. This is the newest riding suit. It’s a joint venture between Touratech and REV’IT. It’s available as a jacket and a pant that are integrated and they zip together for additional protection. There are three things a riding suit needs to do really well. Number one, it needs to keep you dry when the weather is wet. Number two, it’s got to protect you from impact with pads and protectors throughout the suit. And number three, it’s got to have a lot of ventilation to keep you cool when the weather gets warm or the riding gets tough. The Rambler is guaranteed to keep you dry using Gore-Tex Pro Shell, which is a three layer laminate by Gore-Tex. It’s also got this storm collar, which comes up high underneath the helmet to keep the water out. It’s got double walled panels in key areas of the Gore-Tex, and it’s got this Kevlar reinforced armor core, which adds abrasion resistance, and it’s got 3M scotch light reflective material, so you can be seen in low light conditions.

The Rambler suit keeps you safe with high-tech armor protectors throughout. It’s got a large back protector. It’s got shoulder protection, elbow protection, and it also has an optional sternum protector. The back protector is made from C-Soft, it’s perforated for air flow. It’s got multiple layers. It’s a memory foam, so it really contours with the body to keep you comfortable, and it’s CE level 2 protection, which is the highest you can get. The shoulder and elbow protectors are made from C-Flex, which is molded to fit your body. It’s perforated to maximize air flow, and it’s also CE level 2, which is the highest level of protection.

With a Gore-Tex riding suit, ventilation is key, and we’re really excited about this suit because of this forced induction, double zipper vent. So you have a 1.2 inch wide vent that goes the entire length of the torso. It pumps in a ton of air that keeps you cool. We’ve also got additional vents here, which you can operate with one hand, it’s got an arm vent and then on the back, it’s got two exhaust vents right here. So this system together puts a ton of air flow in, keeps you cool on the hottest days, and when the riding gets really tough.

Let’s talk pockets. The Rambler’s got great waterproof zipper pockets on both sides on the outside. On the inside, it’s got two additional zipper pockets. And in the back, it’s got a full-sized, big zipper pocket across the back, and you can store the liner in that pocket when you’re out on a ride.

So the Rambler jacket comes with an integrated warming layer. It snaps into the jacket, so it stays in place on the wrist and up behind the neck, and then it can be worn separately as casual wear when you get to town and you’re cruising around. It’s got nice pockets on both sides and a chest pocket here, so it makes the perfect travel companion to the jacket.

This is the Rambler pant. It’s designed to go with the Rambler jacket. It’s Gore-Tex Pro Shell, so it’s designed to keep you dry. It’s got these really nice oversized pockets here, they go down to about here, big enough for a cell phone. It’s well ventilated with this FIDLOCK opening system. So you can unzip that, you can operate this with one hand while riding. It’s got large ventilation panel there that lets air flow in, keeps you cool. It’s got Kevlar reinforced ArmorCore for additional abrasion resistance. This also has a built-in liner, so on cold days or cold times of the year, you can wear the integrated liner. It’s designed to integrate with the zipper to the jacket, so it makes it a perfect match to the Rambler jacket.

The Rambler is the suit that I’ve been waiting for. It’s got Gore-Tex Pro Shell to keep you dry. It’s got CE level 2 armor throughout, and it’s got best-in-class air flow to pump in a massive amount of air to keep you cool, when the riding gets tough.

Touratech USA

The Rally Schedule is Up!

Matt Lewis — Fri, 31 May 2019 22:42:53 +0000

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the 2019 Touratech Rally in Plain, WA on June 27-30! We’ve just released the schedule so take a look! It’s a terrific slate of riding, learning, challenges and big fun!!! Click here to see the Rally Schedule!

The Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route is Now Available!

Matt Lewis — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:08:22 +0000

The Mid-Atlantic BDR (MABDR) has been released. Free GPS tracks, waterproof map by Butler Motorcycle Maps, the documentary dvd and on-demand online movie, in addition to MABDR travel resources will be available.

Join us for MABDR movie sreenings at dealerships and theatres across the country beginning February.

The route is presented by American Honda Motor Corp., Inc.

In 2018 Touratech will be forgoing our annual east coast rally in an effort to help create awareness for the MABDR and we’ll be riding it in August. We’re calling August “MABDR Month”!

Touratech-USA

Video: Touratech Rally 2017

Matt Lewis — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 21:13:23 +0000

https://www.touratechrally.com

The Touratech Rally began as a small customer-appreciation weekend that involved riding, camping and sharing good times around the campfire. With this simple formula, and a whole lot of fun, it’s grown into the largest gathering of Adventure Motorcycle enthusiasts in the country. While the core of the event has stayed the same, each year we find new ways to pack in even more fun activities & experiences:

• Enjoy group rides where you will explore twisty mountain dirt roads with breathtaking vistas in the heart of the Cascade Mountains. We’ll offer at least eight different route options on Friday and Saturday. The routes are designed to have something for everyone.

• Learn tips and tricks from adventure experts during onsite clinics and classes or take inspiration from presentations by fascinating motorcycle travelers.

• Improve your off-road skills with a rider-training course taught by world-class instructors. Three different riding schools will be offering on-site training classes for an extra fee.

• Test-ride the latest models of adventure motorcycles from Honda and KTM at their factory demo trucks.

• Meet moto-venders with goods and services geared towards you and win raffle prizes from Touratech and other companies.

• Enjoy evening campfires and hang out with Touratech staff and friends on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

• Enjoy onsite riding while honing your riding technique on the tight and twisty Black Forest Funduro Trail.

• Show off your mad bike-handling skills and take home the coveted trophy in our annual Slow Race or ADV Challenge competitions. The most fun might just be spectating the competition with friends.

• Park your bike and pitch a tent in the grassy camping area onsite, or reserve space in the RV lot, rent a nearby cabin with friends, or book a room in Leavenworth.

• Most people ride to the event, but there is no shame in hauling out the toys on a trailer, you’ll just have to park it in the RV lot. Well, perhaps there is a little shame.

• We won’t feed you, but the on-site food trucks and restaurant across the street will… and their food is delicious. You can also grab cold beverages, ice, and basic provisions at the grocery or hardware store located right there.

• You can gas up your motorcycle just a stone’s throw from the event. Plan to do it before 8 pm when they close so you are ready to ride the routes in the morning. https://touratech-usa.com

Touratech Rally East 2017 Blew All Others Away

Matt Lewis — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 14:25:07 +0000

Touratech Rally East 2017 was a wet, wild and super-fun weekend in central Pennsylvania. The third edition of the event was attended by approximately 300 people and vendors, with Mike Lafferty and KTM set-up onsite. Dakar and Baja legend, Jimmie Lewis was on-hand to talk riding, do amazing demonstrations and lay-out and host the famous Touratech Slow-Race and Challenge courses. We’ll get back to that.

On Thursday night we introduced Hot Laps and Hot Wings for the first time. Riders got to preview the 8-Acre, onsite big-bike, grass-track followed up by feasting on mountains of hot-wings. The weather was perfect, the riding sweet and the wings had some spice.

After the wing-fest Touratech GPS guru Eric Archambault taught a comprehensive GPS class and the ladies from SheADV had a meet and greet with some of the female riders at the rally.

There were seven group rides each day of the rally. Routes were created to appeal to riders of all skill levels so you could do a three-hour ride on pavement or a 170 mile adventure going over multiple terrains and taking up to 7 hours!

During the day, while the rides were out exploring the forests of Central PA, speakers and workshops took place in a large circus-style tent with video and sound wired in.

Friday afternoon, the rain fell pretty steadily for a few hours creating some slippery conditions in and around the rally site, but the presentations were packed and by the time the rides started returning in the afternoon the sun burst through and pretty much dried out everything. Some areas were still slick so the slow race took place on Friday evening for safety purposes. There was no shortage of participants and Jimmy put them through their paces! The trophies were definitely earned.

Saturday started as a perfect day for motorcycles. A light morning fog quickly burned off and the day was awesome. By the time the rides returned to the rally site, the hillside next to the main rally area had been transformed into a killer, swirling escargot, that incorporated rocks, logs and mud. We’d just finished setting the P.A. system on top of the hill when we got the warning: Remnants of hurricane Harvey were baring down on us and lightning and heavy winds were expected. We made the call to postpone the riding festivities while waiting out the rain.

It was more than rain. Wow!

Suddenly the sky turned a color I’d only seen in nightmares, kind of a purple/black and it started undulating and there was a low howl as lightning, thunder and rain began to overtake us. The poor caterers were trying to scoop up chicken pot-pie in a bread bowl and everything was exploding around them. It was wild!

People gathered under the large tents, donated kegs were tapped and vendors tried to hold down their EZ-Ups as rider’s tents and anything not tied down (except humans and motorcycles) flew around. Up on the hill behind us port-a-potties were blown over. Luckily no one emerged from them dyed blue.

Finally the storm ended as fast as it started and after a brief time of shock and amazement over what was a once in a lifetime experience people laughed and pitched in to clean up and the party started. We replaced the motorcycle event with an uphill mud- run for the trophies on foot and Touratech handed out dry rally t-shirts and raffled off helmets, gift-cards and cool donations from vendors. By the end of the evening it turned out to be one of the most fun rallies we’ve hosted. Something about a storm like that really brings people together.

Everyone in Huntingdon, PA had an adventure and experience of a lifetime and we can’t wait to see them next year!

3rd Annual Touratech Rally East Preview | ADV Camaraderie in PA

Matt Lewis — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:15:36 +0000

By Ron Lieback

2017 Touratech Rally East Preview

When Touratech Rally West debuted back in 2011, around 100 riders attended. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. But the following year I did attend, and the stateside motorcycle-adventure rally helped grow my passion for ADV lifestyle.

This sentiment also was true for many moto enthusiasts; Touratech Rally West grew every year since, and during this past June’s 7th annual Touratech Rally West, a record 930 people participated.

This was 30% above the projected attendance, showing that ADV is stronger than ever here in the US of A.

The event caters to ADVers in the west–but how about us east of the Mississippi? Touratech-USA answered this call in 2015 when Touratech Rally East was born in the center of the Keystone State, Pennsylvania. I was obviously stoked, the Huntingdon, Pa., location only three hours from my Mountain Top homestead.

Only a handful of riders were present during the east rally’s debut, but attendance grew last year. And for this year’s third-annual event, scheduled for Thursday, August 17, through Sunday, August 20, 250-300 riders are expected.

A 200-acre private farm overshadowed by Rothrock State Park just south of State College will once again host the event. The land dates back to American Revolution, and still has that backcountry feel–the only sounds besides motorcycles or fires crackling at night are airplanes. That’s it.

Much of the land from the Susquehanna Valley to the southeast of the Allegheny Mountains was owned by Revolutionary War soldiers who were given land grants. These grants were later purchased by the major logging and lumbering companies in the late 1880s and 1890s, which helped create the foundation of the unpaved roads throughout the area where Touratech Rally East is held.

The rides on these unpaved roads and trails are the center of energy for the event. From fire roads in less challenging classes, to single track loaded with sharp rocks, the planned routes take riders throughout some of Pennsylvania’s finest backcountry in areas around Bald Eagle State Forest.

Named for the famous Native American, Chief Bald Eagle, Bald Eagle State Forest is spread across nearly 194,000 acres in Snyder, Union, Centre, Mifflin and Clinton counties west of State College.

About 340 miles of roads exist throughout Bald Eagle State Forest, with a bulk of them unpaved and reaching as high as 2,300 feet above sea level. There are loads of dual-sport motorcycle trails, and some require expert-level ability due to sharp rocks and giant mudholes. Three that impress over and over are the trails running through the Seven Mountains Region, over Shade Mountain, and near Poe Paddy State Park.

Just like last year’s Touratech Rally East, Baja 1000 winner and Dakar podium finisher Jimmy Lewis and his wife, expert rider, Heather Lewis will complete presentations on rider training. Jimmy will also entertain with some riding demonstrations of techniques that he makes look easy to do and host the popular Slow Race, where balance is everything.

New for this year is the “Hot Laps and Hot Wings,” which will surely be a favorite. This will provide some additional enjoyment for riders looking to improve their skills on the on-site grass track, which is designed with input from Lewis. Riders can follow up a few laps on the challenging track with some hot wings and a cold beverage.

Other notable events this year include:

SheADV Ladies Rider Meet n’ Greet
GPS Training with Touratech’s Eric Archambault
ADV Motorcycle Training with Pine Barrens Adventure Camp
Treating Injuries on the Trail with on-site medic Rob Cirko
Bikes Suspension Q&A with Touratech’s Matt Wilson
Showing of the Nevada BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route)
Motofishing with Touratech’s Beau Sullivan
Basics of Packing an ADV Bike with Touratech’s Paul Giullien
Basics of Camping and ADV Gear with yours truly

Must-Do East Coast ADV Rides: Pennsylvania & New Jersey

Matt Lewis — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:28:24 +0000

By Ron Lieback

East Coast ADV motorcycling has its four-season challenges–especially if you don’t like the cold.

But for the more passionate adventure riders based in the east, a few weeks of riding in frigid temperatures is better than lounging on a warm couch watching yet another replay of Backcountry Discovery Route DVDs.

The beauty of East Coast riding is like no other–especially in the Northeast, where oak- and pine-filled woods are joined by endless creeks, rivers and lakes, and the smells that change within these woods each season.

This is especially true for the Tri State area of New York, New Jersey, and my home state of Pennsylvania.

All three states meet at the confluence of the Delaware and Neversink rivers; an old and forgotten monument marks the spot in Port Jervis, N.Y. Start there and point your bike in any direction, and you’re bound to find some memorable adventure touring rides.

For those wanting to explore true ADV beauty of the Tri-State area, here are my top-three picks for rides in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These three rides offer something for every skill set, from sandy fire roads in NJ to single tracks that descend steeply with sharp rocks in Central Pennsylvania.

Stay clicked to Touratech-USA’s blog page for a few must-do ADV rides in New York.

Michaux Forest

Located west of Gettysburg, home of the bloodiest battle fought on U.S. soil (July 1-3, 1863), Michaux State Forest (pronounced Mee-shoh) consists of more than 85,500 acres throughout Adam, Cumberland and Franklin counties.

I discovered this area back in 2011 when Klim launched its then-new Explorer adventure jacket and pants, Adventure motorcycle apparel I still use to this day that has well over 100K miles on it.

Some of the gravel fire roads, such as Rattlesnake Road, which is nearest the Maryland border, climbs to 4500 feet above sea level, providing gorgeous overlooks of the counties below. You can easily piece together 100 miles of riding for a day. And for the more adventurous rider, 35 miles of ATV trails run throughout the forests that will more than challenge skillset–especially on a larger adventure tourer such as the iconic R 1200 GS.

Named after the 18th Century French botanist Andre Michaux, and home to the first forestry school Mont Alto, Michaux Forest has campsites throughout, which are a first-come, first-serve basis. The deeper, and steeper, you get, the more secluded the riding becomes. There was never an issue with finding camp sites throughout Michaux State Forest, which features a mixture of various oak, maple, black birch, hickory, pine, tuliptree and blackgum trees.

Two highlights during the rides are Long Pine Reservoir and Laurel Lake. Just keep an eye out for hikers; 37 miles of the Appalachian trail snakes through Michaux State Forest. For additional information, here’s a Michaux State Forest map

Bald Eagle State Forest

The ADV riding in and around Bald Eagle State Forest has been a favorite of mine for nearly a decade.

When scouting for its east coast rally location, Touratech-USA also realized the off-road riding opportunities at Bald Eagle State Forest. This area will once again be part of the Touratech Rally East, which occurs for the third-straight year this August 17-20.

Named for the famous Native American, Chief Bald Eagle, Bald Eagle State Forest is spread across nearly 194,000 acres in Snyder, Union, Centre, Mifflin and Clinton counties west of State College, home of Penn State University.

For additional information, here’s a Bald Eagle State Park map

The deeper, and steeper, you get, the more secluded the riding becomes.

Wharton State Forest

When people think of New Jersey, the first things that comes to mind are usually sandy beaches and Atlantic City. But the Garden State also caters to motorcyclists. For road racers, there’s New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP), which host MotoAmerica racing. And for the adventure motorcyclists, there’s Wharton State Forest, which offers over 500 miles of unpaved roads throughout 115,000 acres of state forests.

Wharton State Forest is part of NJ’s infamous Pinelands, also known as the Pine Barrens. New Jersey Pinelands consists of over 1.1 million acres of oak/pine forests throughout seven NJ counties: Burlington, Ocean, Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland and Gloucester.

The Wharton State Forest provides endless sandy roads, mapped out on NJ Park and Forests motorized access plan, which cater to beginner- to -intermediate ADV riders. Just watch; after storms these roads can have some deep mud and ruts that make the trip much more fun and challenging even for expert-level riders.

Two areas to definitely check out are the Batsto Natural Area, which borders the Batsto and Mullica rivers, and the Oswego River Natural Area, which borders the Oswego River. Also, a ride near Batsto Village feels like a ride back to the 19th Century; this was the former bog iron and glass-making industrial center of the area through the mid-1800s.

Campgrounds are also available throughout Wharton State Forest. For ADV riders who like to check out MotoAmerica at NJMP, here’s a perfect excuse for a few days of camping ahead or after the races.

For additional information, here’s a Wharton State Forest map.

This is the first piece in a series on Must-Do East Coast ADV Rides. Stay clicked to Touratech-USA for more.