Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1525821
September 2024 15 Unguided Rides: The TTDD pass includes 1/2 day "Follow Me" Rides and Self-Guided routes (GPX files available). These are approximately two hour rides with no included lunch, and are great for a shorter, fun ride. The Follow Me rides have a ride ambassa- dor that you'll follow (no mid or sweep) on interme- diate or higher terrain and are a more informal ride than their full-on guided rides. Social Rides, aka "Bite-sized Meet-Up Rides," are or- ganized by fellow riding groups, are free, and focus on the rides' fun/social element. They're on easier terrain, last only a few hours, and go to fun des na- ons. There are two per day during the event. The rides available cater to all ability levels. If you're new to the sport, no worries; the guides are skilled and keep a proper pace. All rides are swept by an experienced ride guide, so no one gets le behind. If you're signing up for a guided ride, be prepared to rack up the mileage, as the rides can run from 110 miles to 185 miles in length. As for myself, I do not own an adventure bike. My ride of choice for an ADV event is my trusty 2011 Husaberg 570. Fi ed with an auxiliary gas tank, a Seat Concepts "Comfort" model seat, and taller gearing, the old Berg works great for ADV use. As someone who prefers more challenging terrain, the big Berg makes advanced-level ADV rides a relaxing ride in the park. A er looking over all the available rides with catchy names like the "Green Mountain Grinder" and "Keys to the Kingdom," etc., I chose "Mud, Sweat & Gears", the most advanced level ride DirtDaze offers. Broken down, MS&G consists of 22% off-road, 60% dirt roads, and 18% pavement. Perfect for one fresh off the Hancock Quarry Run. Our group of 15 riders, including our guide Doug Morrison and Jim Bird riding sweep, was spirited with talented riders, including my buddy ISDE Vet Darrel Diamond. We le the fairgrounds at 8:30 a.m. sharp and crossed the bridge over to Vermont into the town of Newbury. Having ridden the Ammonoo- suc River Ride for decades, I'm very familiar with the area and love it as a whopping 55% of all roads in Vermont are dirt, including major highways, with a fair amount of Class 4 roads to make things inter- es ng. Class 4 roads are legal to ride on motorcycles for those unfamiliar, as long as the bikes are plated. Class 4 roads are fun for guys like us because they are unmaintained, with endless rocks, roots, and plenty of steep ledge climbs. Hearty riders gearing up for the Twin State Twister Hearty riders gearing up for the Twin State Twister