ABAL - Intermediate/Expert
August 10-14, 2022...The Allegheny Backcountry Adventure Loop (ABAL), presented by Street Track n' Trail covers terrain in Western Pennsylvania including the Allegheny River Valley, Allegheny Plateau, and the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). We will pass through beautiful scenery, historic sites such as ghost towns, oil relics and old rail lines, small towns with mom-n-pop's, and a great mix of pavement, gravel, dirt, 2-track, and trails. An ANF Trail Pass will be required to complete the ABAL. Please purchase this pass ahead of the Tour, we will not pass a Ranger Office/Vendor prior to our first set of trails. The ABAL tour is limited to 12 participants!
On Wednesday afternoon an easy going scenic ride of the McConnell Mill/Moraine State Parks is available. A local campground will serve as our starting point for the ABAL as well as a meet & greet moto-camp with a burger burn dinner on Wednesday evening. Trucks/trailers can be parked here for the duration of our tour. Each night we will camp at a different location including a dispersed camp at my favorite spot in the Hickory Creek Wilderness of ANF. All other nights of camping will have amenities including vault and/or flush toilets, shower house, drinkable water, and is included in the price of the tour.
Along with dinner on Wednesday, cost of the tour also includes breakfast on Thursday and Sunday, dinner on Saturday for our final night in the wilderness as well as full guiding services. Cost does not include gas, refreshments/meals (with the exception of those noted above), ANF OHM Trail Pass, or guarantee of the weather. Part of riding on a Group Tour is working as a team, it is recommended that we pull together to make dinner for the group at our dispersed camp on Thursday evening. Friday the group will have the option to stop at a local establishment for a sit down meal prior to heading to camp.
You must use your own motorcycle or that of a friend’s, at this time Appalachian ADV does not have rental bikes. Please check Riders Share for motorcycle rentals. We will not have a support truck, we will live off of our bikes for the duration of the ride to make this an authentic ADV experience (I will have a couple volunteers helping me out with food prep on Wed evening as well as Sat-Sun meals noted above).
Our ABAL Tour has been used by previous adventurers to prepare for tackling a Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR). It is a great opportunity to test out your packing, gear, bike handling while loaded, living off the bike, camp set-up/break down, etc. Some of our new friends have taken the experience they gained on the ABAL and tore up the MA, NE, ID, CO, AZ, & UT. Let Appalachian ADV help prepare you for your next BDR adventure!
Participants will receive email communications prior to the event with more information.
Appalachian ADV is a Recreational Promoter Charter with the American Motorcyclist Association. Membership is not required to attend our Sanctioned events but we do encourage you to give them a look and join!
Friends of the ABAL
What's Included:
- 5-Day guided tour of amazing terrain in Western Pennsylvania including off road terrain on Thursday through Sunday
- 2 Dinners (Wednesday & Saturday)
- 2 Breakfasts (Thursday & Sunday)
- Tent camping at some of Appalachian ADV's favorite spots
- Truck/Trailer parking
- Rider support including rider coaching, GPS tracking/communications for the family at home, Ride Lead certified in first aid/CPR, a set of general tools (metric), tire repair/tubes/air, tow strap, siphon, etc. for roadside repairs as well as assistance in obtaining recovery services, if needed
What's Not Included:
- Motorcycle
- Gas
- Lunch
- Dinner on Thursday & Friday
- Breakfast on Friday & Saturday
- Personal insurance and incidentals
- ANF OHM Trail Pass
Please review our FAQs for answers to common questions including our definitions of ADV Skill Levels and Terrain Ratings.
Appalachian ADV is an outfitters and guides permit holder with the USDA USFS ANF.
In accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Disclaimers: Participants of Appalachian ADV Rallies and Group Tour events must be a minimum age of 18 years old. Waiver forms will be made available and completion is required prior to participation. Appalachian ADV events are an all-weather affair, we like nature and everything it throws at us. A minimum 50/50 tire is required but Appalachian ADV strongly suggests a more dirt-oriented tire that includes some level of knobblies. Appropriate armor for your body and bike as well as the appropriate skill, mental toughness, and attitude are also required! The goal is to challenge yourself and have fun! So, be prepared to pick up your bike with a smile!