The AltRider Giant Loop Adventure Ride – Pennsylvania Style

AltRider Booth at BMWMOAWhat better way to spend a Wednesday than behind the bars of your motorcycle? On the eve of the BMWMOA event in Bloomsburg, Pa. – AltRider hosted it’s 2nd Annual Giant Loop Adventure Ride through the wilds of the Seven Mountains area. Ben, Kenny and I hauled ourselves out to Pennsylvania to check it out.

Tapping the local knowledge of the Seven Mountains Conservation Corp., riders were treated to a great 75 mile mix of gravel and unmaintained roads as well as 4 optional trails that were lots of fun. The area is quite rocky and the options made good use of that terrain.

The optional sections were so fun in fact, that I really didn’t stop to take any pictures while we were on them. I only stopped to take a quick drink now and then or to welcome bees into the mesh of my pressure suit and be stung.

I strongly advise against trying the latter. It does nothing for your riding.

DRZ near a bridge on a gravel road

The temperature soared well into the 90s. It was stifling if you dared to stop. But, even the oppressive heat couldn’t put a damper on everyone’s spirits. The vibe going around was friendly, upbeat and enthusiastic.

GL and his DRZ - AltRider Giant Loop Adventure Ride PA

Though anyone was welcome to join, because the ride kicked off from the 2011 BMW Rally it was a sea of big GSs. Kenny, Ben and I were like a squad of interlopers on our “little” DRZs. I came away with much admiration for how some of the riders were able to handle those giant bikes so adeptly.

GS Central on Altrider Adventure Ride

While climbing a rocky section of one of the optional routes behind a guy on a GSA12 with big, blocky, aluminum panniers I couldn’t help but think – “Jeez that thing is HUGE. There is no way I would attempt that!”

But, he just kept chugging along, climbing up the rocks – making it look easier than I ever could have imagined. And he wasn’t the only one. There were many guys just like him. I guess it just further solidifies what I’ve suspected all along. I’m a wimp. ::shrugs::

Kenny in the woods - gravel road

The gang from SMCC flipped burgers and dogs, and gave us all of the water and Gatorade we could handle at the halfway mark. It was great to get a chance to meet and talk with some really nice people from all over. I even got to put a couple of my Twitter buddy’s names to faces like; @RideAdv and @GiantLoopMoto!

Its nice to see companies get out and rub elbows with the people who buy their products. I was happy to discover that the people behind the products really are enthusiasts of the sport. They’re real people, real riders and they “get it”.

Bens sleepy bike catching Zzzs

...and STAY down!!

When you come home feeling good about the ride and manage to make a few friends along the way – I believe that’s what you’d call a great ride. That’s just what we had.

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Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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10 Responses

  1. Jess says:

    Yeah! Looks like fun, thanks for being there so I can live vicariously through you! Scenery is beautiful and your pics are awesome! FUN!

    • Fuzzy says:

      Aww thanks, Jess 🙂 you would’ve loved it. Keep an eye on their site for more rides. Really nice folks.

      The broken fork- is that YOUR GS?!

  2. GLantern says:

    Those riders on the big bikes were impressive I would never want to do that stuff on those things. Riding behind some of them I thought the same thing as you. I still wonder how they did in option 4………altrider and the SMCC did a great job hosting the event I would ride with them again anytime!

  3. ToadMama says:

    Awesome. Did you document that route to share? I was really on the fence about the rally. If we didn’t have so much going on right now, I might have gone. Although with this heat, I would have been one unhappy mama.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      TM-
      The heat was AWFUL. I can only imagine that it probably made the experience of being there at the rally far less enjoyable. I cannot imagine having to sleep in a tent, with no shade in sight in those temps. Must’ve been awful. But, it does seem like the rally itself had some good seminar and demonstrations.

      We didnt save the route. None of us had a gps. It was an arrowed route the whole way, so we didn’t even have a route sheet. BUT aside from the alternates, some of which bypassed gated areas, everything was legal roadway so it can be found on the map. I’ll see what i can dig up on the web.

  4. Evan says:

    That looks incredibly fun. If only I had more time and less responsibilities!

  5. George F says:

    I assume you guys traillered the bikes there, I wish I had my Tenere, could have joined them too. I agree with you, these guys with the big GS’s go anywhere. We saw some guys trying out a course at the event that I wouldn’t put my Tenere through. I don’t have the money to fix it after breaking it and as the saying goes, it’s not a matter if you will fall but when…

  6. John L says:

    Hi Fuzzy,

    Nice blog. I’m the guy on the Dakar that rode along with you, Ben and Ken. Thanks for letting me tag along, it was great to meet you and hope we can ride together again soon !!

    John

  1. December 29, 2011

    […] Original Post: The AltRider Giant Loop Adventure Ride – Pennsylvania Style …………… […]

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