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BMR 7: The Gypsy Tour

Killer And Company Hit The Road For Three Days Of Riding And Fun

Article By: Killer

Photos By: Cycle Source Staff

Gypsy Tour-(jips? – to?or) – noun. A journey for pleasure in which several different places are visited by a group of nomadic, free spirited people.

Last year when Chris told me to load up my stuff and hop on Big Don’s bike to ride the Gypsy Tour and head to BMR, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Having only worked for the magazine for a year, and arriving after BMR6 I hadn’t had the chance to attend this legendary event. I had only heard small bits about it in passing. I have to say, this event is like no other, and I’m sort of glad no one told me about it beforehand. I was able to experience it first hand and form my own opinions. Being given this platform allows me to share that with you and let me tell you what, BMR is the most incredible event I have ever been to and if I could, I would live it every single day. AND, the riding on the Gypsy Tour is absolutely incredible, but I’ll let you read the article and…. form your own opinion…

The morning after the backyard banger the actual Gypsy Tour began. We ride from Steel City H-D to Buck’s Indian, which is this super rad vintage bike museum nestled in the rolling hills of Romney, West Virginia, a.k.a. the middle of nowhere. It’s beautiful, but nowhere. After the kickoff party ended we camped out in the grass. As the sun came up people slowly woke and began mulling around the parking lot at Steel City H-D, waiting for the delivery of fresh coffee and donuts from our lord and savior, Dunkin Donuts. Cycle Sources’ newest mascot, Nugget, and I made our rounds, making sure everyone got their good morning kisses and butt wiggles to start the day off right. I met up with my riding buddy, Hammy. We hung out and waited for RJ to sound the alarm, telling us to pack up and gather round. We passed around maps and got the lowdown on the designated lunch stop until the moment arrived. At last we hopped on our motorbikes and started the long and wonderful journey to Big Mountain Run 7. The mountains were cold and the wind was biting, but the views alone and spending time with the people and culture we love was enough to make it all worth it. We stopped around noon and visited Ohiopyle State Park, where Bikers For Christ met us and gave us brown paper bag lunches loaded to the hilt, including pepperoni rolls and plenty of drinks to keep us hydrated. More friends that missed kickstands up at Steel City caught up with us here while we ate and enjoyed the beauty of the Ohiopyle Falls.

Our group arrived at Buck’s late in the afternoon where others that weren’t fortunate enough to roll through the mountains with the pack had already shown up, chilled from the cold and ready for some warm food and good times. Just like last year, the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of Buck’s pulled out all the stops and had hot fried chicken, green beans, and little potatoes ready for us. It was more than enough for us to fill our cold and hungry bellies and it was all family style. Our live entertainment for the night was also a BMR regular, a band called Fifth Gear, and just like always, they totally rocked it. I should mention that all of the band members are younger than I am. And for them to be playing large crowds at events is pretty neat. The rest of the night was spent quite like the last, we made fires to keep warm, told stories, and watched motorbike movies projected on the side of the building.

The early morning of day three was met with a low buzz of excitement running through the tents as everyone woke ready to hit the last leg of the journey and arrive at our final destination, Camp Kidd in Parsons, WV, the home of BMR7. We stumbled from our tents, damp from the morning dew, some nursing hangovers with coffee and breakfast pastries provided by the wonderful women at Buck’s. After we revived ourselves and packed our things, we heard the alarm and knew that it was time to ride. The sun was shining and the wind was warm on our faces as we rode further through the mountains, twisting and turning through the hills. Mid-day, we stopped at Seneca Rocks, these rad rock formations where you can go climbing and picnic at the bottom across the way. Being pressed for time (and totally not down for rock climbing), we pulled into the restaurant/convenience store and munched happily away on burgers and leftover pepperoni rolls from the day before. Some stayed to chat and take pictures of the mountains, while others rode off, eager to arrive at the campsite.

By then, our butts were numb, our bodies tired, and truthfully speaking we hadn’t taken showers in at least 3 days. But that didn’t quite matter to any of us. It’s the joy of riding, the feeling of being with your friends and doing something you love. If I wasn’t going off to college, I would 100% stay and do this for the rest of my life. While we were relaxing at one of our stops, I turned to one of my friends and said “Ya know, this life is perfect.” Of course they responded with how and I answered “Well, the people are flawed, and the machines are flawed, but the way we live and the things we get to experience, that’s what makes it perfect. All of our imperfections are washed away and it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. All that matters is us.” The last leg of the trip was filled with tired excitement and anticipation. We were more than ready to get off our bikes and set up shop. As we made our turn and coasted down the hill into the campground, I could feel myself smiling, knowing the weekend ahead of us was gonna be the greatest weekend of the year. I mean lamest. BMR isn’t that good. Don’t go. Actually I think we’re cancelling it next year. It sucks.

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