Escape to TWALD

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TWALD is about finding
TWALD is about finding "elsewhere" both geographically and spiritually.
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On the road: Stretching legs and bonding with fellow riders.
On the road: Stretching legs and bonding with fellow riders.
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Saturday morning pre-ride meet up at the Hubl. Have fun. Don't crash.
Saturday morning pre-ride meet up at the Hubl. Have fun. Don't crash.
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Minor BMW surgery, Dr. Dave Strauss presiding.
Minor BMW surgery, Dr. Dave Strauss presiding.
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Bruce Hayner exploring vehicular alternatives at Chestnut Mountain.
Bruce Hayner exploring vehicular alternatives at Chestnut Mountain.
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Jason Koschnitzke's Datsun 240Z complementing its 2-wheeled brethren.
Jason Koschnitzke's Datsun 240Z complementing its 2-wheeled brethren.
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Chadwick's blue-flamed Kawasaki Z2 750.
Chadwick's blue-flamed Kawasaki Z2 750.
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Thruxton crash damage.
Thruxton crash damage.
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Matte Black fixing his H1 with barbed wire.
Matte Black fixing his H1 with barbed wire.
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Matte Black's Kawasaki KZ, customized by the Toecutter.
Matte Black's Kawasaki KZ, customized by the Toecutter.
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The outcome of a bit of late night hijinks at the Hubl. Beer was surely not involved in any of the planning for this stunt.
The outcome of a bit of late night hijinks at the Hubl. Beer was surely not involved in any of the planning for this stunt.
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Klassy KZ1000 with a beautiful Vetter fairing and period cooler.
Klassy KZ1000 with a beautiful Vetter fairing and period cooler.
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Bosco Bill and his Flathead Ford custom.
Bosco Bill and his Flathead Ford custom.
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The running joke at TWALD never fools anyone.
The running joke at TWALD never fools anyone.
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Escape to here, repeat annually as necessary.
Escape to here, repeat annually as necessary.

Why do we always wish we were elsewhere? A group of vintage motorcycle riders in Chicago answered this question by starting the “TWALD” ride 17 years ago. It stands for “Two Weeks After Labor Day” or, “The Week After Labor Day.” It’s about finding “elsewhere,” geographically and spiritually.

“Escape to Wisconsin” was the Wisconsin Tourism Department slogan from 1980-1985. TWALD means escape through spirited riding, productive carousing, frequent breakdowns, occasional crashes, the odd marriage proposal and everlasting bonds between fellow riders.

It’s the best riding experience you’ll ever have, made possible by the most questionable decisions you can make.

“Organized chaos. Really fun chaos.”

Bob Burns: The first TWALD was in Galena around 2001. The idea was to find a place someone with a CB350 and a backpack could make it to in a day. That’s what you do with a motorcycle, you leave. Leave the BS behind. The job, the news, all of it. A lot of people’s first time leaving town on a motorcycle came at TWALD.

  • Published on Jun 18, 2018
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