The Long Road. . . Forget the dull super slabs! This annual, multi-day adventure through some of the most challenging and scenic riding areas of various states is sure to put a smile on even the most hardened chopper jockeys’ face! With COMARRADERIE being the most important part of this “Gypsy” style ride, you’re guaranteed a good time no matter the destination! The idea we strive for is quality of miles, not quantity! And this years’ ride will be no different. Previous riders are getting even more of a chance to help organize stops. All makes and models are welcome, but we hope you’ll dust off your vintage iron and bring it along!

As with the 2012 ride, evolution is taking place. This year’s adventure is going to include a choice of where you would like to start the ride.  There are three possible choices:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South

These three groups will then come together in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania on Tuesday June 18th.  If you are riding to earn the coveted Long Road medallion and be recognized as a member of the Legion of the Long Road you MUST sign in at ONE of the three possible start points.  When you register please indicate where you plan to start the ride.

Long Road veterans (and anyone not looking to qualify for the Legion this year) can register to start the ride in Huntingdon, PA.  When you register please indicate where you plan to start the ride.

We strive to put on 200-300 miles per day, which allows for an easy pace, lunches and repairs.

Motels listed below were pulled from the internet and prices listed were quoted Jan. 2013. Check Priceline for possible better rates. It is recommended that riders phone either the campground or motels in advance to reserve and it gives them an idea of how many are coming. Mention you are with “The Long Road Riders”.

Start Point Options (Day 1): Mon., June 17^th (choose one)

Northeast – meet in the Finger Lakes region of New York State at a campground near Auburn, New York (with Uncle Ben).  No pre-party is planned beforehand in Ontario as the border poses a logistical nightmare for us Canadians to cross.

• Campground: Yawger Brook Campground, 989 Chamberlain Rd., Auburn, New York, 315-252-8969 $15/tent.  Cash bar and food will be available at campground.
• Motel: Days Inn Auburn, 3401 E Genesee St Auburn NY 315-252-7567 $66 and up

*Auburn has many motels at various rates – check the net for others

Midwest – meet at a campground near East Rochester, Ohio. Ratman will be your host.

• Camping: Big Arb’s, 25091 Buffalo Rd, East Rochester OH 330-894-2360 $15/person
• Motel: Motel 6  6880 Sunset Strip Ave Nw, Canton OH 330-494-7611  $48 &up

*Motels are scarce within 15 miles of the campground and any that are, aren’t taking reservations until 2 weeks before due to an influx of oil riggers at that time.

Rochester, Indiana - An optional ABATE party near Rochester, Indiana June 14-16 is being held where some of the Long Road Legion members are meeting. Riders are invited to attend. Camping and live bands provided by Foulton County ABATE. Fee is $15/ABATE members $20/non-members. Contact Larry Cheeseman 574-835-0017 for more info. Mention you’re with the Long Road riders. Ratman will have a meeting lounge area on site. An extra night of camping will be available Sunday night.

Rochester, IN hotel: Super 8, 209 McDonald Drive, Rochester IN, 574-224-8080 $69&up

South – meet near Fayetteville, WV and sign in at the campground along the picturesque New River Gorge.

• Camping: Rifrafters Campground, 286 Rifrafters Campground Drive, Fayetteville WV 304-574-1065   $10/person.  Cabins are available.  Stain and The Dragon Lady will host.
• Motel: Quality Inn 103 Elliotts Way, Fayetteville, WV 304-574-3443 $79 &up

Riders are invited to an optional biker oriented campground in Del Rio, TN June 14 – 16 to hang out and party before heading to Fayetteville WV with Stain and The Dragon Lady

• Camping: Bobarosa Saloon 2299 HWY. 25/70 E Del Rio, TN 423-613-9726 $15/person Cabins are available as well as a bar and live bands play every weekend!
• Motels: Motel 6  255 Heritage Blvd, Newport TN $50&up

Day 2 – Tues. June 18^th – The Gathering

All routes converge at a campground in Huntingdon, PA for a night of revelry and the 1^st of 2 pig roasts hosted by Ristpin.

• Camping: Lake Raystown Family Camping, 11601 Piney Ridge Road, Huntingdon, PA - 814-643-3377   $6/person for our group. Cabins are available.
• Motel: Millstone Manor, 11979 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon, PA 814-643-0108 $46&up

Day 3– Wed. June 19^th

Journey south to Bowden, WV to a beautiful campground on the banks of the Cheat River. There is a restaurant and bar with patio on the grounds that, as legend has it, serve the best burger in West Virginia! Arrive early enough and you can enjoy fishing, tubing or a dip in the river.

• Camping: Revelle’s River Resort, Faulkner Rd, Bowden WV, 877-988-2267 $26/site/night. Sites comfortably hold 2 tents & 4 people plus bikes. Cabins available.
• Motel: ELKINS MOTOR LODGE, Harrison Avenue, Rt 33 West, Elkins, WV, 877-636-1863
• Days Inn, 1200 Harrison Avenue, Elkins WV, 800-225-3297   $70 & up - Phone for rates

Day 4 – Thurs. June 20^th

Head southwest to Shady Valley TN.  Here, riders will join Ash to enjoy the 2^nd of 2 pig roasts AND, the entertainment of some local Bluegrass pickers!

• Camping: Switchback Creek Campground, 570 Wallace Rd., Shady Valley TN  - 407-484-3388 - $20/person includes camping and pig roast meal
• Motel: Americourt Hotel 450 Dotson Lane, Mountain City, TN 423-727-7311 $70&up

Unfortunately, there aren’t any motels closer than Mountain City which is 11 miles away.

Day 5 – Fri. June 21^st

The final days ride is to Rockingham! Enjoy the scenic Tennessee Mountains and North Carolina countryside on your way to the final checkpoint and the coolest biker party of them all, “The Smoke Out”!

How To Get Your Medallion

To earn the coveted Long Road medallion, riders must show up at each of the mentioned check points (and one of the start point options) to sign in.

This ride is a “Gypsy” ride meaning you can ride by yourself or in a group. There is no chase vehicle and no mandatory route, BUT, volunteers have put together a contact list of bike shops along an optional route some of us will be taking. PARTICIPANTS RIDE AT THEIR OWN RISK! Camping and pig roast dinners will be paid for by the individual rider on site. All makes and models are welcome, but vintage and garage built bikes are held in the highest esteem.

Long Road Registration

Registration this year will be $25 for Long Road Legion members and $40 for 1^st timers.  Pre register by May 15^th 2013 and you are guaranteed a Long Road commemorative t-shirt, map holder and, in the 1^st timer’s case, the coveted Long Road medallion once the ride is completed. To register, American riders send a cheque or money order payable to Brian “Uncle Ben” Sauer c/o 8224 Stone Ridge Dr., Plano Texas 75024.

Canadian riders send the same to Brian “Uncle Ben” Sauer, 180 Marksam Rd Unit #65, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H 8G4. Please include name, e-mail, physical address and home and cell phone# for each rider or passenger doing the Long Road as well as which of the 3 check points (North East, Midwest or South) you wish to start at. Please allow @2-3 weeks for notification of receipt of payment. You will be e-mailed.

ENJOY THE RIDE!