2-3-2-3-2 Ride

A few members of the Jim Thorpe Adventure Riders assembled today for what was to be an expedition of the greater Hazleton, PA area.

It's 7:30AM, my cellphone rings, "BUDDYPAL!", the sound of Makman's voice radiates from the speaker just before a beep-beep and my phone battery going dead. He's a stone throw away from me so I figure I'll just head over to his place to see what he's up to. I've got plenty of time to burn before meeting up with MSMetz at 9:00AM in Hometown.

I arrive at Makman's a few minutes later and he's feverishly wrenching on his bike..."Dude, I want to go riding too!" OK, we quickly dispatch the large windscreen in favor of the stock windscreen and we're ready to roll. The ride begins with the 2 of us. 60 miles later we're in Hometown, where MSMetz is already waiting. That makes 3.



A quick stop at the C-Store across the street for some supplies, and the 5-0 pulls in. Big brother is everywhere!


We head up the road to this trail I was on back in the beginning of June. This "trail" is actually on my GPS as Township Road 468. If you would like to do it, I recommend entering from the Route 309 side, it's much better that way.

Would like to go riding with you guys sometime,
I'm right down the road in Northampton. PM me.

Makman decides that he'd rather take the long way and meet MSMetz and I at the far end of Township Road 468.


So, I made him take a picture of MSMetz and I before he left.


14 inches of rain over a two day period since the last time I had been on the trail changed it a bit, and made it quite challenging. Makman had my camera, so I didn't get any pictures, but MSMetz and I got warmed up in a hurry.

We met up with Makman back on the black top and quickly turned on to some sandy washed out trail. Makman was a little uncomfortable with the condition of the trail.


He decided to do his own thing today. Makman heading back to the road. Back down to 2 riders.

Looks great, but don't take FBOMB riding with you. He has a job to do over in Jo Mamma.

Then we headed for the Beltway (424). This big ass coal pile lives there.


Nightstalker takes the nasty line down. That's Hazleton in the background.




And back to the top.

The we headed for the bottom to hook up with Jim Thorpe Dave.


Coal pile from the street.


Jim Thorpe Dave is in the house! We are now 3!

Back up the coal pile for some fun.

Enough of that coal pile shit. Let's hit some trails! Dave is a great rider, as long as he doesn't have to cross rail road tracks.



Muckity muck muck, look at Metzy go.


Beautiful gardens of rock. Welcome to PA!

How's about a little wash down?

OK, so we came upon another coal pile. Quite incredible that these guys were getting up it! View from the top.




They didn't all make it up.


High flying ATV.


View from the bottom.

LUNCHTIME!! It was delicious!

Time for Metz to go! I snapped a quick shot of his factory hyper-titanium alloy pipes. I thought they only came on 950 Super Enduros?



I really think that he was just chasing this down.


And then there were 2...
Sorry guys, but I'm buggered for the night. Parts of me keep passing out. Dave and I kind of take the ADVRider thing to the extreme, at least on our 950's. Wait until you see the carnage that follows!

1:30 in the am and I'm still up. Just finished some work...... Can't wait for the carnage shots! That was really some fantastic riding today fella's. Can't wait to do it again.

Carnage????? What did I miss???

I saw a sneak peek of some KTM's taking naps on some of the trails. I guess the boys pushed them a bit too hard. I think I made the right choice based on my skill level to bail early. I doubt I'd have gotten up that coal pile and the trails were definitely a bit rocky.

I did 180 or so miles up north/west of Centralia and Mt. Carmel. No slab whatsoever. I'd forgotten how nice some of the backroads are up that way. It was a gorgeous day and I'm sure you guys had more fun without the n00b and his massive GS holding you guys up.

note to self = sell the jeep and get appropiate tires for wee strom

JT Dave and I hit some more great trails after MSMetz took off. We did some more exploring try to figure out connecting a few trails together and ended up seeing a whole lot of no trespassing signs. Mysteriously, we found ourselves just down the street from the infamous Township Road 468. Dave just had to ride it and ride it we did. I am a glutton for punishment.

Township Road 468