Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1162341
26 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Barb Wire Enduro By Lissa Arsenault-Aldakimov There's a good chance if you frequent the internet and reside in the Eastern part of the United States, you've seen a video clip of a rider on some chopped-up black- top burner, bars about shoulder height, climbing a fairly good gas/powerline styled hill. You can tell by the documented enthusiasm, that this isn't an everyday occurrence here (or anywhere), but just another year at the "Barbwire" Enduro and their infamous hill, "The Slide." This clip only gives a dab of a taste of why this event throws off a feel, that feel most Enduro Veterans know — something akin to a party with dirt bikes, me- keeping and golden carbonated beverages that keep the "rowdy" rowdy and the E-checks humming. It's a vibe that calls upon the Dirt Gods that birthed the Original, the Father's Day Massacre, otherwise known as The Blackwater 100. No, this isn't even on the scale of a Blackwater or even a emp ng to be (nothing is or likely ever will be on that level of epic, stateside again), but when you combine dirt bikes, mountains and hydrate it with liquid deliciousness, you summon the Greats who glorified off-road racing and made it the place to be when Guns and Roses was s ll ge ng air-play on mod- ern rock sta ons instead of on oldies. Nestled in the rolling green hills of Pennsylvania, only a pebbles throw from the New York border, harbors this enthusias c club, the Southern Tier Enduro Riders, who host an ECEA Enduro in early July that harkens back to those glory days — the golden age, even — of Enduros. Bold claims maybe, but for many a endees, this sen- ment breathes true and is why most riders will make the trek northward to partake in this revelry. The Moun- tain Men (and Ladies) of STER have struck upon the formula, the concoc on of follies, terrain, trail and adult beverages that exemplifies some of the most enjoyed events in the series, sa a ng most riders' expecta ons from the novice to master's class. Driving in this part of Pennsylvania and New York offers some scenic views, but none quite as welcoming as the "No Alcoholic Beverage" sign flanked by emp es upon turning up the dirt driveway which leads to the parking fields. Tech Inspec on on Saturday if you're fortunate enough to arrive during daylight (not my strong suit), usually involves some cockamamie obstacle course for the club and spectators to humor themselves with, like a swinging stuffed bear a ack on a sma ering of trail. Don't get biffed by the bear and your lights s ll func- on, you passed.