"ADV Dual Sporting" – The New Style

​There are many subgenres of motorbiking that cover a diverse selection of bikes and riding styles.  On one end of the spectrum you have the street bikes: crazy custom choppers, twisty killing sport bikes, comfortable traveling baggers, the speed king/queen track racers, etc. Going towards the other end you have the dirty bikes: enduro madmen and madwomen, flat track sliders, dual sport wanderers, the single track loons, the various other 2-stroke powersporters, etc.  Then you have the newer ADV style, short for Adventure.  ADV attempts to live in the best of both worlds, merging aspects of street and dirt riding.  Ride comfortably on hundreds of miles of interstate, drag a knee in the twistys, kick some gravel around, and venture into the wooded 2-tracks off the beaten path.

In my opinion there is a new sub-subgenre out there, motivated by expert riders such as Chris Birch, Quinn Cody, and Jocelin Snow as well as organizations like the GS Trophy and Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR).  There have been a lot of discussions out there on the interwebs and various articles as to what the differences are between Dual Sport and ADV. Everyone seems to have their own interpretations and styles within those subgenres.  Appalachian ADV has taken this motivation and differing views on the styles, further defining and turning this new style into the phrase “ADV Dual Sporting”.  The basic premise of the sub-subgenre of “ADV Dual Sporting” is to take the larger bore ADV bikes and run them through the twistys, the gravel, and the 2-tracks but also take them down OHV trails, unmaintained thoroughfares, and other challenging terrain better suited for the smaller bikes.  

Big Bike Hill Climbing!

​Not to say that the ADV bikes can get through all of the same exact terrain as the smaller 2-stroke and dual sport bikes but the goal is to push the limits of man/woman and machine.  Sure, the All-Star experts can pretty much take these ADV bikes into extremely gnarly terrain, but I think many of us can get these things into plenty of trouble, I mean places (Google those previously mentioned riders to see what they can do!).  While ADV’ing, maybe try that little trail and see where it goes.  Take the bike down the main loop of an OHV trail and challenge yourself on a couple small sections of the higher rated offshoots.  

ADV Dual Sporting on the mucky Jeep Trails...

​So what if you head down some random trail and get yourself to a place where the bike can’t go any further.  Spin that sucker around and enjoy heading back out the way you came, but at a much brisker pace!  I will say, if you get to the edge of a steep downhill, don’t know exactly where it goes, and don’t think you can get back up that spot if you had to turn around further down the trail… that may be a sign to turn it around!  It helps if you have a general idea of what you are getting yourself into when the terrain does start to get gnarly, either scout it with a small bike or take a little hike and assess what you will potentially be traversing.  

Bushwhacking Big's through the gnarly...

​If you plan on attempting “ADV Dual Sporting” please make sure you are properly fitting your bike with armor and your body with crash protection.  You should be physically prepared to maneuver those two wheels over harsh terrain and be ready to pick up that heavy bike!  I suggest strength and stamina conditioning as well as working on balance (check out our FAQs for the Appalachian ADV Workouts: Strength, Stamina, & Balance and our Riding Gear Checklist).  Practice on the bike is also a must.  You can take time to practice techniques in a specific session or when out on any ride.  Fast is fun but ensure you are including slow maneuvers in your repertoire. 

​Lastly, mental endurance is a must.  Once your mind gets into the gutter it is hard to pull yourself out, regardless of your physical fitness and abilities.  Laugh at yourself when you fall and learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of your buddies.  EVERYONE FALLS, it is just a simple fact if you are riding difficult lines.  After everyone is done laughing, help each other get the bikes upright and moving again.

T7 Technical Terrain Tackler

​“ADV Dual Sporting” is the premise for Appalachian ADV group rides and rallies.  We will set up ADV routes that will cover twisty tarmac, gravel roads, unmaintained dirt roads, 2-tracks, small towns, local establishments, and beautiful scenery.  For the “ADV Dual Sporting” options, where possible, we will have optional off-road sections that will help challenge the skills of both rider and machine.  These can be Jeep/OHV/ATV trails, rock gardens, water crossings, hill climbs/descents, bushwhacking trails (where legal), or other off road systems.  Check out our Rides & Rallies page for more information on our upcoming events!  

Finding the Road Less Travelled.

​The goal is to have different styles of guided tours and rallies throughout the year...
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Enjoying the local establishments on an ADV Dual Sporting Rally!

The Classic Rally (The Fools Ride on April Fools Ride): We set up base camp at a location and have riders meet us there.  All loops start and end at base camp.

The Guided Tour Style (Allegheny Backcountry Adventure Loop): Every day a new adventure and a new base camp.
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The Hybrid (PA Wilds Hardcore ADV Tour): One basecamp for a small group of riders.

Fundraiser Rides: Group Rides set up in collaboration with a company or organization to bring attention to a worthy cause.

ADV Riding Clinics: One or two day training classes that include theory, drills, and real world riding tests.

Head over to our Events page for our current schedule of ADV Clinics, Group Rides, Rallies, and Tours!

Dual Sporting a Big Bike

Tackling the ugly to find the beautiful.

Now that is what you call a water crossing!

Rocks and woods and rocks, Oh My!

Have Fun, Take Chances!