Berkshire Triple -- TR, DS & ADV ride -- September 14, 2014

I'm in! Providing I can get my 525 EXC road legal in time.

I've never participated in any of these DS events before... DS n00b here.

i think brazen is going and doing the adv route. i've had my share of new england dirt roads for a while.

the btr puts on a good ride - this is one of the better ideas having all three loops available. it caters to everyone of all skill levels. the btr crew are a swell bunch of folks.

if i attend i'll either bring the 'berg and do a mix of the DS loop/trail ride or if i bring the SE it'll be the DS loop!

i'll be happy to act as your camera man while you give the ledges a go.

THAT!!! I want to do THAT!!!

So can someone tell me.. Is that the d/s route or the trail route?

optional on both routes. (as a hero section) The picture really flattens out the terrain. It's much steeper than it looks.

here's some A & B level enduro riders on competition bikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkF2e5eitPA

That is the infamous "Ledges" ... and no offense intended ... but I very much doubt you will make it up on either a 2011 Suzuki DR650 or a 2008 Honda CRF230L. If you do make it up without help, let me know please.

I love this video. IMO the Ledges are even harder to get up now because what little dirt used to be there .. is now washed away. Can't wait to see the carnage this weekend!

if you can make the approach clean and keep up your momentum, you stand some what of a fighting chance. the approach is an uphill rocky climb full of baby heads and car batteries and in itself is no easy task. if it rains and/or is wet, forget it. it was dry dry dry in 2012.


then you need to make fairly quick right turn to square up and hit the ledges. you'll notice most people start on the far left - when i was there in 2012, that was the best shot at hitting them and clean them.


the picture and video do not even come close to conveying the rise-over-run ratio of the individual ledges. if those are A and B riders and they are struggling think what it would be like for us weekend warriors!

Initially I wasn't even gonna mention them on the D/S routesheet, but since we are going right past the entrance I'll make it an option. This year, if you make it up them, you will have to turn around and ride down them, as they are not "in" the route, merely along side.

Yes, of course I understand the terrain is WAY harder in real life. Pictures and videos make things look easy (ish)!! It still looks inspiringly brutal. I guess the amazing thing about riding is that you never know quite what you're capable of until you're in it.

Thanks guys for all the beta! Looking forward to riding in the Berkshires.

You mean the weekend of the 14th, not this weekend.

This is looking like a blast.

Damn ... I have to wait for the carnage!

Can someone help me understand the requirements for the bikes?

My 525 EXC is NOT street legal in NY State. I don't have turn signals, a horn, a or a mirror.

I do have a headlight, and I do have a tail light -- though NOT a BRAKE light!

Bike is titled/registered for street use. I DO have a street license place!

Would I be allowed to participate? (Particularly in the DS?)

Thanks! I'm pricing out the EU/Aus wiring harness and all the bits, and it's a bit spendy... :eek1

Registered and insured,under 96db,you're good to go,prerode almost the entire DS route on a registered(road plate)ktm300 2 stroke.No turn signals or brake light.Needles to say that DS route is not a walk in the park

The only thing is we are not saying that you would not get a ticket for missing equipment. That's up to the officer if you happened to get stopped.

We use parts ot paved town and state roads. The stuff you said you are missing is req'd, but we don't check for it, you are an adult and it's your responsibility. If someone shows up on a bike without lights, that's gonna get sent home. Same for a bike that fails the sound test regardless of equipment
Come ready to be Quiet!

I just finished the Dualsport route.

Miles to gas on main route: 50. (A few more depending on what hero sections you ride.)

Total Miles: 95



The Trail Ride (Turkey Run) is 38 miles to gas and 49 more to finish about 87 total miles

Well, if Jason laid out the Trail Ride, I'll try the Dual Sport course. That way I MIGHT have a chance of finishing...:eek1

You said it!!

Long range forecast for Sunday the 14th is 41 for a low, 62 for the high and 0% chance of rain. It's a long way out and things change, but if it holds, what a day for a ride.