The Inaugural Ride ‘Em, Don’t Hide ‘Em Getaway

By Richard Backus
Published on October 25, 2016
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The Cheat River in Southwest Pennsylvania as viewed from Coopers Rock.
The Cheat River in Southwest Pennsylvania as viewed from Coopers Rock.
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Jeff Wing rode his lovely 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster, one of the last 300 Indians built.
Jeff Wing rode his lovely 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster, one of the last 300 Indians built.
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Joel Sammick’s wild BMW R100S/EML sidecar rig (above).
Joel Sammick’s wild BMW R100S/EML sidecar rig (above).
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The smallest bike ridden by the oldest participant with the biggest grin? That would be good friend Burt Richmond on his 1954 MV Agusta 175cc CS with Earles forks.
The smallest bike ridden by the oldest participant with the biggest grin? That would be good friend Burt Richmond on his 1954 MV Agusta 175cc CS with Earles forks.
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Riders awoke to rain and fog on Saturday morning, but most everyone suited up and got on the road just the same.
Riders awoke to rain and fog on Saturday morning, but most everyone suited up and got on the road just the same.
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After our morning tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater the sky cleared and we had dry weather the rest of the weekend.
After our morning tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater the sky cleared and we had dry weather the rest of the weekend.
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Friend and featured guest Brian Slark (left) with Tom McKee.
Friend and featured guest Brian Slark (left) with Tom McKee.
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Reader John Esposito’s gorgeous 1975 Laverda 3C.
Reader John Esposito’s gorgeous 1975 Laverda 3C.
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Readers brought a great selection of bikes to ride for the weekend. Festival Hall served as our indoor parking/garage space for the event.
Readers brought a great selection of bikes to ride for the weekend. Festival Hall served as our indoor parking/garage space for the event.
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Riders prepare for a foggy, soggy start on Saturday morning, as we gathered in groups to head to Fallingwater.
Riders prepare for a foggy, soggy start on Saturday morning, as we gathered in groups to head to Fallingwater.
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Brian and the RetroTours BMW R90/6 he rode for the weekend.
Brian and the RetroTours BMW R90/6 he rode for the weekend.
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Nice Honda CB350.
Nice Honda CB350.
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Nice roads, nice Triumphs.
Nice roads, nice Triumphs.
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Bob Vail’s custom Harley-Davidson.
Bob Vail’s custom Harley-Davidson.
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Saturday’s ride was full of scenic two-lane country roads with light traffic and plenty of curves.
Saturday’s ride was full of scenic two-lane country roads with light traffic and plenty of curves.
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The obligatory group photo, taken just after lunch on our Saturday ride from the top of Coopers Rock.
The obligatory group photo, taken just after lunch on our Saturday ride from the top of Coopers Rock.
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Nice roads, nice Triumphs.
Nice roads, nice Triumphs.
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Phil Wadzinski of Pecard Leather Care on his BMW R100RS.
Phil Wadzinski of Pecard Leather Care on his BMW R100RS.
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Ray Shaw’s 1979 Laverda Jota. Bought in England in 1980, he’s had it ever since.
Ray Shaw’s 1979 Laverda Jota. Bought in England in 1980, he’s had it ever since.

August 5-7 witnessed our first-ever Motorcycle Classics Ride ’Em, Don’t Hide ’Em Getaway, headquartered at Seven Springs Resort, the largest and oldest ski resort in Pennsylvania. Skiing? In Pennsylvania? Absolutely, and when the snow’s not flying Southwest Pennsylvania is spectacular riding country. The roads that cut through the surrounding Laurel Highlands are a motorcyclist’s dream, ribbons of blacktop running across an ever-changing mix of rich farmland, dense forests, dark hollows, and high ridges with breathtaking vistas.

Eighty-three readers joined us for our two-day event, the itinerary including a tour of Fallingwater, the home designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built over Bear Run Creek, just 20 miles from Seven Springs.

Rain greeted us Saturday morning, the high hills locked in a thick fog. But that didn’t dampen our spirits, and our group suited up for the short ride to Fallingwater. Lady luck was with us, because the fog and rain moved out just as our Fallingwater tour ended, and with the roads drying up we made good time as we headed south through Ohiopyle, the area thick with river rafters lining up to run the rapids of the Yough River. Our route then turned west, twisting through the back country before dropping us down into the broad Monongahela River valley before heading south toward Morgantown and lunch.

With our stomachs full we headed east to the midpoint of our ride, Coopers Rock, a huge outcropping overlooking the Cheat River. At Coopers we worked in a group photo, then headed east toward Bruceton Mills for a gas stop. At Bruceton the 1971 Rickman Interceptor I was riding lost its ignition, but friend of the magazine Tim O’Mahoney came to the rescue, offering up his 1976 Suzuki T500 Titan. Tim quickly pinpointed a faulty ignition switch, and with the Rickman sorted he caught the pack for the final leg back to Seven Springs.

At dinner that night, special guest Brian Slark regaled us with stories of his early days at AJS/Matchless in the late ’50s and early ’60s, conjuring up vivid memories of the incredible cast of characters who populated the factory floor in those magical times. By Sunday morning much of the group was heading home, but about 35 of us went out for one last glorious ride.

 Special thanks to sponsors Bonhams, Pecard Leather Care, Spectro Oils and Federal Transport, and to RetroTours for on-site bike rental. Didn’t make it? Join us next year in August 2017. MC

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