Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1517946
Flashback! April 2024 5 Living in the great white north, riding sea- sons can be short. Fortunately, for those who aren't too fond of snow, we've enjoyed the least snowiest winter on record here in Maine. The li le bit of snow we received was just right for a decent winter riding season. Those with studded res made the best of it and those who've yet to experience the thrill of riding snow don't know what they're missing with trac on for days and the bonus being minimal clean-up. We also made good use of the off-season churning out projects in the shop. Presently, there are six vin- tage projects in the queue and we're looking forward to pu ng a few of them on the vintage line this season. Speaking of vintage, Ethan Broatch, head of the popular New England series J Day Offroad, has added a vintage class to their 2024 race roster. Now this isn't a true vintage class as per AHRMA rules, J Day's new vintage series will be anything 25 years old or older. We like it as we feel it will draw new riders to the vintage scene while breathing new life into older rides that were no longer compe ve against modern bikes and too young to be legal in true vintage events. If this new series proves popular, J Day will be offering more vintage classes for 2025. Looking forward, with the riding and racing season now upon us, we're chomping at the bit to get ou a Dodge and explore some new territory. With a few new bikes in the stable, modern and vintage, we'll do our best to give you a mix of what we all love, riding and racing dirt with like-minded people. With a couple of southern trips planned, we hope to see some of you soon. Those who enjoy adventure riding will be happy to hear about the event formerly known as the "New England Classic" a charity event to benefit Cys c Fibrosis, has been reborn. A Merrimack Valley Trail Riders event, "The Classic" is back as an ADV ride. Scheduled to be held the weekend of June 8 th & 9 th and based out of the Lakes Region Casino in Belmont, New Hampshire, ADV riders can look forward to two full days of riding some of New Hampshire's best dirt and Class 6 roads. As with so many years past, Suzuki will be the main sponsor and will be giving away a new 2024 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE. As in previous events to benefit CF, the entry fee will be a 100-dollar minimum dona on (feel free to donate or raise more) and all entrants will have a chance at winning a new Suzuki! GPX tracks and limited guid- ed rides will yield 100-150 miles per day during the weekend. Primi ve camping is free on Friday and Saturday nights. I'd also like to add you don't have to own a dedicated adventure bike for a ride of this nature. In fact, in recent years, I've enjoyed a handful of ADV events aboard my trusty old Husaberg 570. Yes, some of these events have more pavement than a typical woods bike would be comfortable on but those with a larger bore 4 stroke might find an event of this nature fun and refreshing. ADV rides draw a different crowd and if you're a people person, some mes it's fun to mingle with others outside your typical envi- ronment. Basically, most bike people are good people! -Kurt