Way back in August 2016, we invited readers to join us at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania for the very first Ride ‘Em, Don’t Hide ‘Em Getaway. More than 80 readers showed up that first year, and we’re thrilled that you keep coming back every year since. Our 4th Annual Getaway was Aug. 9-11, 2019, and like the first three it was another wonderful weekend of riding, wrenching and bench racing, along with tasty meals shared together. With 70 riders on classic Moto Morinis, Yamahas, Nortons, BMWs, Triumphs, Laverdas, Hondas, Suzukis and more — not to mention a trio of brand-new Royal Enfield twins — enjoying the great twisty lanes and back roads of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. While our venue at Seven Springs moved from indoors at our beloved Festival Hall (now remodeled and too nice for drippy, oily motorcycles) to up the hill at The Foggy Goggle, we soldiered on. Despite not as much space for inside parking, the large covered patio played home to most of the bikes during our time at the resort. We did manage to sneak a few inside the bar which made for some fun photos.
Friends Tom McKee and Adam Rexroad planned our routes. Saturday’s 125-mile ride took us south to the quaint downtown of Oakland, Maryland. Riders relaxed, wandered downtown, took in the museums and had lunch at a variety of locally owned restaurants. Thanks to Tom and Adam for the killer route, and to the Alder Street Diner for the best burger I’ve had in years!
Saturday night’s banquet featured this year’s special guest, motorcycle journalist Dain Gingerelli. Dain kept us in stitches, sharing stories with Richard Backus and our group of riders from his many decades spent riding, writing and racing. On Sunday morning we were on the road again, making a 60-mile loop through Ohiopyle State Park, then back to Seven Springs.
Special thanks to sponsors Bonhams, Spectro Oils, RetroTours and Pecard Leather Care for helping making it all happen. Watch for details on our next MC event at Seven Springs, the expanded Gearhead Gathering, Sept. 5-6, 2020! MC
