Underrated benefit: ADV MEDICS! The team that is on stand-by for the entire event was INVALUABLE to me when I flew off my bike last spring. They were dispatched almost immediately and arrived timely, focused, and invested in getting me to the care I needed. I look forward to thanking them in person in a few months - also thanks to Harold who invited me back free of charge to enjoy the event since I missed most of it. A solid team and event all around, cannot recommend it enough. Thanks DITR!
It sure seems like you are calling me out specifically with your thumbnail! Some very fine Africa Twins in that photo. The Giant Loop ride is fantastic! First rally I had ever gone to and it was well worth it. Made some great friends and rode some amazing country.
So, if I can drink $300 worth of beer then essentially the event is free? Nice! You gave 5 reasons, but reason #6 is a chance to meet Dork in the Road in person and hopefully to meet the beautiful & Graceful Renegade too!
This video was the best video I could have seen, I’ve invested in this trip prior to this video and it’s going to be my first rally, and have been nervous and excited about it, now I’m just excited, thank you for your insight!
My brother and I were planning on going next year for the first time. After watching your video, we decided to take the plunge and go this year. We both just got our tickets today! I can’t wait!
This will be my seventh year, I have had a blast and made new friends every year I have been there. It is a great place to make and meet friends. If you do not have anyone to go with their are plenty of people who will invite you on their ride. Whether it is dual sport, adventure bike, or street only. Come have a great time.
Last year I purchased a CFMOTO CL-X 700 Heritage to ride cross country and attend this event, a illness in the family prevented it then, but so help me (if work gives me the time off) I am going!
You're doing a great job selling me on this. I've put it on my radar since watching your videos about it last year. Unfortunately at the moment I have a schedule conflict, and my time-off mostly allocated :( If that changes, that rally looks like a blast, except for all the people, I'll want some extrovert solitude. :)
First time for me this year after having cancelled several times previously. Really looking forward to meeting some new riding buddies. And I love Harold too, didn't realize he was retiring.
I just bought a 2024 T7 only for it to be stolen within 3 weeks - I only put 150 miles on it. After insurance I'm stuck with $2k to close the account and a dealership that doesn't have the compassion to work with me. It would have been so cool to go to this.
Not able (willing) to haul my bike from Kansas. What are the options-if any-for renting in the area of the rally? Would love to fly out for this. Thanks.
Man I would love to go, but living in Alaska and needing to plan out vacations 6-9 months out to get the time off work kills it for me this year. As I would need to add 4-5 days on each end to drive down through Canada and back (and that’s 600+ miles a day). Possibly a future year this will be possible.
Terrific and informative video. Being a noob, will be bringing a Yamaha 225 xt dual sport and am looking to upgrade to something that is more substantial. Will there be anyone, either a dealership or individuals, wheeling and dealing on the spot or is it frowned upon. Looking forward to seeing the vendors and spending some bucks on gear and equipment that you have recommended.
Hello dork in the road. I have a video request for you. I would love to see you review the "new" honda xr150l. As the cheepest adv type option avail it seems relivant as an option but would love to hear what you think of it. I think many americans are close to your size weight as i am and many will want to know how it would perform on road as well as light trails, a question best answered by someone arround avg size who knows how to ride it and what can be expected reolistically from such a small cheep bike. Thanks
I have a new XR150L that I’m doing a video series on. First ride video is already up. Now my video reviews aren’t as good as Ben’s but if you’re looking for XR content…I have some.
I was going to buy one for my daughter and review it but they are charging ridiculous prices around here so I ended up getting the KLX230 instead. I'll test ride one at some point if I get a chance but I don't think I'll be buying one now. Check out Critter's content on it, though.
That was an excellent video. It's making me regret planning going to that "other rally" in June. 😂 Since you were careful not to mention that other company, it made me wonder a couple of things? Do GL and the other guys attend each other's rallys? Will you be repping GL in June, or DITR (both?) GL in '25 or bust! 👍
Yep GL attends the Touratech Rally, we have for the past 10 years. Touratech and GL are the only luggage brands with events that have competition attend as vendors.
All great info, I was thinking of attending this year. Wondering if there will be motorcycle tire changing services on site or a shop within a reasonable drive, to swap out tires from more road centric to more off-road centric tires. I will be driving up from Los Angeles and would like to save some ware and tear on the knobbies......@stanforadventure
Yes!! MotoZ will be out there in force with tires and a full tire changing operation. Their HQ is only a couple hours away from the hot springs actually. Give them a call to confirm which tires they are bringing. Last year they brought a bunch of tires.
if I have a xr150l should I go? It’s all I have and I really want to go. And is there an end to registration?? Do I need to get my ticket by the end of April? (Like six days away lol)
I would love to if I didn't live all the way on the east coast and would have to spend so much time traveling back and forth so I'm going to try to hit up the soggy bottom motofest in PA
Piggybacking on Salmonslayer's suggestion: I'm seeing more and more GPX bikes around... videos too... and the reliability seems to be solid. Both the 300 4 and 2 strokes look interesting, although I'm more partial to the 2 stroke. There's also a 450 4 stroke that looks wicked cool. And what makes these bikes so appealing is the prices! Perhaps these bikes don't fit into your focus niche as they're not dual purpose? But if so, and they can be modified to street also, they might provide another avenue for future content for you. Wish I could make that rally!
Yes absolutely. All of the routes are a combination of gravel roads, two-track, small rocky sections, and hard packed dirt. This ride is more about scenery and all the beauty eastern Oregon has to offer. The routes can all be ridden easily on large adventure bikes. This video shows a few of the best routes.
We were going to attend, but the GL people wanted full price for a non-riding spouse. While we are willing to pay a % for her to be there, full price is not it. Maybe if they rethink the price for someone that does not ride, we will attend next year.
With the growth of the ride and demand from new riders(with limited space at the hot springs) we wanted to make as much room for riders as possible. I'm not sure if we will have a non-rider option in the future but we will consider it for 25'.
We think it's a good deal! It's not cheap to bring all the comforts to the middle of nowhere Oregon. Like Ben wrote below, weather can vary. On average, expect everything from warm and dusty temps to thunderstorms that roll through. Bad weather blow though fast out there. Rain means great dirt!
@@kyjelly5524 80 would be hot out there that time of year. This will be my 7th year year out there and it’s never really been above that. It’s the perfect time to explore that part of Oregon
If I'm motorcycle camping, and cannot drink the free beer, or eat the provided food due to medical issues, I can't see the cost being worthwhile. There should be a lower cost option, for those who don't need all of the provided things.
The standard ride entry does not include food. If you don't drink, there will be plenty of beverage options throughout the event, and possibly an N/A beer sponsor. The cost of the ride includes camping, GPS tracks, MEDICAL SUPPORT, snacks/water, presentations, protection from the elements, hot springs, live music, movies, and much more. This ride is in a remote location where the next closest town is 25 miles away. Giant Loop provides as much comfort as possible so you don't have to sweat the small things.
Too bad I didn't see this a month ago, I might have decided to go. Last year was my first year, and I decided it would be my last. It's probably kind of petty to say, but the disgusting food tipped the scale. I spent six years in the navy and a few years living in my van, existing on beans and oatmeal--the cheapest food you can buy short of diving in a dumpster. That shit they served last year was worse--a lot worse. Good that they changed the caterer, but if they thought that shit was edible and in any way worth the 170 bucks I paid for it I'm not sure I trust their taste testing. But it's also not great riding unless you spend half or more of your time on pavement. Calling it big country and a two gallon tank is sketchy glosses over the long, long, long pavement rides to get to the start of most of the riding. And then you have to ride back, sometimes even longer. And it's not the best riding ever. Crane prairie is nice enough, the hot pool is nice as are the showers and changing rooms. I won't do the Comparison to Touratech. Both rallys have strengths and weaknesses. But I'm going to the Touratech for the third time. Giant Loop, probably not, though you have me halfway convinced I should.
"Free beer". Bad idea for so many reasons. I can see the attorneys rubbing their hands together and salivating right now. Not to mention all the campers that are going to be waking up at 11:00 at night by all the stumbling, drunks returning to their tents talking loud and being inconsiderate
Adult beverages are common place at every ADV event. The ones at Giant Loop are included with the entry. This crowd is the 45-65 age dual sport crowd which means everyone is asleep by 10pm and the soaking pool and facilities are dead quiet by 11pm. In my 7 years of attending, not once has there been an issue. You might have this confused with one of those other biker rallies🤣
@@rdw3171 I've been to about 15 "rallies" in the past 5 years, it's actually my job, and at every one, there are free drink tickets or kegs getting tapped every night. Having a beverage after a long day of riding and sharing stories makes the event more memorable.
@@Trailfocused If things go down the way you describe, then I would agree, harmless fun. However, it's been my experience that when a lot of people are drinking, a percentage of them overdue it and transform into a different personality. Anyway, I know I'm in the minority here. Enjoy the rally.
@@rdw3171 And that's the best part of the GL Ride. With 700 riders it's always a respectful crowd and enough space for everyone. I'd say the soothing hot springs keeps everyone calm. Hope to see you there one of these days!
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Underrated benefit: ADV MEDICS! The team that is on stand-by for the entire event was INVALUABLE to me when I flew off my bike last spring. They were dispatched almost immediately and arrived timely, focused, and invested in getting me to the care I needed. I look forward to thanking them in person in a few months - also thanks to Harold who invited me back free of charge to enjoy the event since I missed most of it. A solid team and event all around, cannot recommend it enough. Thanks DITR!
Giant Loop: Go Light, Go Fast, Go Far……come HOME at the ride!
So looking forward to this!!!
I can't go fast but I'll do the KLRs interpretive dance
Awwww, Harold is an awesome guy. It was great to meet him and all the rest of y'all last year.
It sure seems like you are calling me out specifically with your thumbnail! Some very fine Africa Twins in that photo. The Giant Loop ride is fantastic! First rally I had ever gone to and it was well worth it. Made some great friends and rode some amazing country.
So, if I can drink $300 worth of beer then essentially the event is free? Nice!
You gave 5 reasons, but reason #6 is a chance to meet Dork in the Road in person and hopefully to meet the beautiful & Graceful Renegade too!
This video was the best video I could have seen, I’ve invested in this trip prior to this video and it’s going to be my first rally, and have been nervous and excited about it, now I’m just excited, thank you for your insight!
Hopefully next year! This sounds like an awesome event but I already have most of my vacation time scheduled for the year
I’m going for the first time. Any recommendations for tires?
I'll see you there, Dork.
Just signed up you sold me!I was on the fence but if I can have a beer with dork I’m in😊
My brother and I were planning on going next year for the first time. After watching your video, we decided to take the plunge and go this year. We both just got our tickets today! I can’t wait!
Always a great time. I got a job booking that overlaps this year so I’ll be living vicariously through all your stories.
This will be my seventh year, I have had a blast and made new friends every year I have been there. It is a great place to make and meet friends. If you do not have anyone to go with their are plenty of people who will invite you on their ride. Whether it is dual sport, adventure bike, or street only. Come have a great time.
Sounds like a fun time. Never done anything like that before. Might have to give it a try.
Some buddies and I will be there. It’s our first year going
Last year I purchased a CFMOTO CL-X 700 Heritage to ride cross country and attend this event, a illness in the family prevented it then, but so help me (if work gives me the time off) I am going!
You're doing a great job selling me on this. I've put it on my radar since watching your videos about it last year. Unfortunately at the moment I have a schedule conflict, and my time-off mostly allocated :( If that changes, that rally looks like a blast, except for all the people, I'll want some extrovert solitude. :)
Is clothing required in the hot spring? Asking for a friend…
First time for me this year after having cancelled several times previously. Really looking forward to meeting some new riding buddies. And I love Harold too, didn't realize he was retiring.
If this runs in 2025, I'll make the trip across from NZ for this. Looks awesome!
Can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning. I wish it wasn't so damn far from my house. I'm certain it will be awesome!
booked already for me and the wife. Can't wait.
Thanks Ben for a great video, that would be great to be at that ride. I’ll have to add this to my bucket list.
Thanks for the heads up! My wife gave me permission to attend!
I would love to, going to have to be next year, I'll be somewhere in the Yukon by then on way to dead horse. You all have fun!
ticket purchased. Hope to see you there and hoist a beer.
I will see you there!
Love that event, don't think I can make it this year which SUCKs because of Harold's last gig!!! Have fun!!!
Wish I could go but too many prior commitments around that time. May try to go next year. Have fun!
Already have my ticket, see everyone there!
I just bought a 2024 T7 only for it to be stolen within 3 weeks - I only put 150 miles on it. After insurance I'm stuck with $2k to close the account and a dealership that doesn't have the compassion to work with me. It would have been so cool to go to this.
Not able (willing) to haul my bike from Kansas. What are the options-if any-for renting in the area of the rally? Would love to fly out for this. Thanks.
This will be my first rally, looking forward to it! Let’s hope for good weather 😅
Have Fun !!
Great video, All legit points.
met you at Touratech last year which was my first ADV rally now i want to sign up for all of them
Nice, intelligent commercial. Well done! Wish I could come, but France is a little far!
Man I would love to go, but living in Alaska and needing to plan out vacations 6-9 months out to get the time off work kills it for me this year. As I would need to add 4-5 days on each end to drive down through Canada and back (and that’s 600+ miles a day). Possibly a future year this will be possible.
If you're complaining about a few hundred bucks (+ extras) for a rally...YOU ARE TOO CHEAP.
I’ll be there!
Cant go bro, i have a baby coming in late May, probably doing BDR ride in August.
Terrific and informative video. Being a noob, will be bringing a Yamaha 225 xt dual sport and am looking to upgrade to something that is more substantial. Will there be anyone, either a dealership or individuals, wheeling and dealing on the spot or is it frowned upon. Looking forward to seeing the vendors and spending some bucks on gear and equipment that you have recommended.
Occasionally a few private sellers looking to move a bike at the event but no dealers making sales, no. Just test rides.
@@DorkintheRoad
Thanks… Looking forward to shaking your hand and saying thanks for your inspiration.
There will be several bike demos from Harley, Kove, Beta, and Gas Gas. Several other vendors will be selling. There will be deals for sure!
Hello dork in the road. I have a video request for you. I would love to see you review the "new" honda xr150l. As the cheepest adv type option avail it seems relivant as an option but would love to hear what you think of it. I think many americans are close to your size weight as i am and many will want to know how it would perform on road as well as light trails, a question best answered by someone arround avg size who knows how to ride it and what can be expected reolistically from such a small cheep bike. Thanks
I have a new XR150L that I’m doing a video series on. First ride video is already up.
Now my video reviews aren’t as good as Ben’s but if you’re looking for XR content…I have some.
I was going to buy one for my daughter and review it but they are charging ridiculous prices around here so I ended up getting the KLX230 instead. I'll test ride one at some point if I get a chance but I don't think I'll be buying one now. Check out Critter's content on it, though.
Much apreciated. Thank you!!
That was an excellent video. It's making me regret planning going to that "other rally" in June. 😂
Since you were careful not to mention that other company, it made me wonder a couple of things?
Do GL and the other guys attend each other's rallys?
Will you be repping GL in June, or DITR (both?)
GL in '25 or bust! 👍
Yep GL attends the Touratech Rally, we have for the past 10 years. Touratech and GL are the only luggage brands with events that have competition attend as vendors.
Looks like fun, but I'm about 2,000 miles too far away.
All great info, I was thinking of attending this year. Wondering if there will be motorcycle tire changing services on site or a shop within a reasonable drive, to swap out tires from more road centric to more off-road centric tires. I will be driving up from Los Angeles and would like to save some ware and tear on the knobbies......@stanforadventure
Yes!! MotoZ will be out there in force with tires and a full tire changing operation. Their HQ is only a couple hours away from the hot springs actually. Give them a call to confirm which tires they are bringing. Last year they brought a bunch of tires.
if I have a xr150l should I go? It’s all I have and I really want to go. And is there an end to registration?? Do I need to get my ticket by the end of April? (Like six days away lol)
Ahhh I want to do this! Just need to buy a duel sport. Been considering a 06 klr. Maybe I'll be there.
KLR would be a good bike for out there. I rode with one a few years ago at this ride.
@@DorkintheRoad I really enjoy your content. I'm just north of you in Vancouver, Trying to get back into bikes after losing an eye.
I would love to go, but being on the other side of the
Nation dam that sucks...
I'm in New York but I would love to go...
But dam so far away...
I keep looking at it. I want to go. I just don’t want to pay and then not go because my life is crazy. I’ll sign up when I’m 95% sure I’ll make it. 😂
Doing Touratech this year.
The riding terrain looks challenging...lol
Someday this Florida guy will make it out.
I'd definitely go, but unfortunately, that looks like *too much fun* for a curmudgeon such as myself.😁😁
Ride safe, yall. 😃🤙👍
I'm gonna try for next year. It's pretty far from Vegas.
Really wish I could make it. But short notice and it’s a 24 hour drive for me 😭
I would love to if I didn't live all the way on the east coast and would have to spend so much time traveling back and forth so I'm going to try to hit up the soggy bottom motofest in PA
This rally vs touratech? I only have enough vaca for one after MMM next month.
Edit: I believe the "unnamed rally" might be touratech... 😅
I’m going to the GL rally. I have Mosko gear. Will I still be welcomed? LOL!
We don't gear shame
If we are from out of state, Idaho. Do we need to get take the Oregon off road test and get the permit before attending?
Nope! All you need is a license plate on your bike. The ride doesn't go through OHV areas which require the oregon OHV sticker.
You inspired me to buy Beard butter and a little redwood comb.
Beard butter works wonders!
I wish I could make it but its a long way from Annaheim Saskatchewan 🍻
It’s a little over 2200 miles away from me….😢…looks like a great time though.
Piggybacking on Salmonslayer's suggestion: I'm seeing more and more GPX bikes around... videos too... and the reliability seems to be solid. Both the 300 4 and 2 strokes look interesting, although I'm more partial to the 2 stroke. There's also a 450 4 stroke that looks wicked cool. And what makes these bikes so appealing is the prices! Perhaps these bikes don't fit into your focus niche as they're not dual purpose? But if so, and they can be modified to street also, they might provide another avenue for future content for you.
Wish I could make that rally!
Yeah I'm not a dirt bike guy. Almost no interest from my audience for bikes that aren't street legal.
Yeah, I understand. @@DorkintheRoad
Is it good place for a beginner?
Yes absolutely. All of the routes are a combination of gravel roads, two-track, small rocky sections, and hard packed dirt. This ride is more about scenery and all the beauty eastern Oregon has to offer. The routes can all be ridden easily on large adventure bikes. This video shows a few of the best routes.
Do non-riding spouses need to pay registration fee?
Yes everyone attending pays the standard fee of $300 or $475 with food. We try to get as many riders out there as possible.
We were going to attend, but the GL people wanted full price for a non-riding spouse. While we are willing to pay a % for her to be there, full price is not it. Maybe if they rethink the price for someone that does not ride, we will attend next year.
With the growth of the ride and demand from new riders(with limited space at the hot springs) we wanted to make as much room for riders as possible. I'm not sure if we will have a non-rider option in the future but we will consider it for 25'.
300 seems cheap for all that. What’s the typical weather like?
No such thing at this ride. I've been in pouring rain and 100 degree heat. Sometimes at the same event.
We think it's a good deal! It's not cheap to bring all the comforts to the middle of nowhere Oregon. Like Ben wrote below, weather can vary. On average, expect everything from warm and dusty temps to thunderstorms that roll through. Bad weather blow though fast out there. Rain means great dirt!
@@Trailfocused what is warm for
That area? lol. I live in the desert. It gets 100 degrees here. I’m hoping no more than 80 at that time.
@@kyjelly5524 80 would be hot out there that time of year. This will be my 7th year year out there and it’s never really been above that. It’s the perfect time to explore that part of Oregon
@@Trailfocused I want to come. I have 2 other guys that may be interested too. Did he mentions showers? Or do you know if they have showers ?
If I'm motorcycle camping, and cannot drink the free beer, or eat the provided food due to medical issues, I can't see the cost being worthwhile. There should be a lower cost option, for those who don't need all of the provided things.
The standard ride entry does not include food. If you don't drink, there will be plenty of beverage options throughout the event, and possibly an N/A beer sponsor.
The cost of the ride includes camping, GPS tracks, MEDICAL SUPPORT, snacks/water, presentations, protection from the elements, hot springs, live music, movies, and much more. This ride is in a remote location where the next closest town is 25 miles away. Giant Loop provides as much comfort as possible so you don't have to sweat the small things.
Blahblahblah what kind of beer?
Good life in Bend. Trying to bring at least 3 types, plus ciders, wine, N/A beer, ain’t no laws white claws.
Do they have fuel locally?
Yes! The Crane store 3 miles away has fuel, restaurant, and snacks. Next closest is Burns about 25 miles away
Thanks
Too bad I didn't see this a month ago, I might have decided to go. Last year was my first year, and I decided it would be my last. It's probably kind of petty to say, but the disgusting food tipped the scale. I spent six years in the navy and a few years living in my van, existing on beans and oatmeal--the cheapest food you can buy short of diving in a dumpster. That shit they served last year was worse--a lot worse. Good that they changed the caterer, but if they thought that shit was edible and in any way worth the 170 bucks I paid for it I'm not sure I trust their taste testing. But it's also not great riding unless you spend half or more of your time on pavement. Calling it big country and a two gallon tank is sketchy glosses over the long, long, long pavement rides to get to the start of most of the riding. And then you have to ride back, sometimes even longer. And it's not the best riding ever. Crane prairie is nice enough, the hot pool is nice as are the showers and changing rooms. I won't do the Comparison to Touratech. Both rallys have strengths and weaknesses. But I'm going to the Touratech for the third time. Giant Loop, probably not, though you have me halfway convinced I should.
1600 miles and 500$….
"Free beer". Bad idea for so many reasons. I can see the attorneys rubbing their hands together and salivating right now. Not to mention all the campers that are going to be waking up at 11:00 at night by all the stumbling, drunks returning to their tents talking loud and being inconsiderate
Adult beverages are common place at every ADV event. The ones at Giant Loop are included with the entry. This crowd is the 45-65 age dual sport crowd which means everyone is asleep by 10pm and the soaking pool and facilities are dead quiet by 11pm. In my 7 years of attending, not once has there been an issue. You might have this confused with one of those other biker rallies🤣
@@Trailfocused I don't recall seeing "free beer" offered at any other motorcycle rallies.
@@rdw3171 I've been to about 15 "rallies" in the past 5 years, it's actually my job, and at every one, there are free drink tickets or kegs getting tapped every night. Having a beverage after a long day of riding and sharing stories makes the event more memorable.
@@Trailfocused If things go down the way you describe, then I would agree, harmless fun. However, it's been my experience that when a lot of people are drinking, a percentage of them overdue it and transform into a different personality. Anyway, I know I'm in the minority here. Enjoy the rally.
@@rdw3171 And that's the best part of the GL Ride. With 700 riders it's always a respectful crowd and enough space for everyone. I'd say the soothing hot springs keeps everyone calm. Hope to see you there one of these days!