Touratech DirtDaze 2022: August 16-21

[advrider]

The Touratech DirtDaze (TTDD) Rally is coming to New England. again for 2022.

If you’re within riding (or trailering-your-ADV or dual-sport-bike) distance of North Haverhill, New Hampshire, you definitely want to put the DirtDaze rally on your summer schedule. The rally runs from August 16-21, 2022. Registration opens on April 15.

Where?

North Haverhill, in case you’re not familiar, is about halfway up the state of New Hampshire on the Vermont line. Most of the riding happens in Vermont. The rally site is on a fairgrounds, and pretty far away from any real civilization. This means the rides wind through some epic New England forest trails.

What to Expect

The rally offers day-long (but not too long) guided rides, as well as on-site half-day sessions of dirt training. Several manufacturers attend with their bikes set up for group demo rides. Last year, Harley-Davidson was there with a bunch of Pan Americas, Triumph brought Scramblers and Tigers, and Yamaha presented a fleet of Tenere 700 bikes.

What Else Happens?

In addition to training, there’s a slow-speed obstacle course you can ride through to show off. Here’s how they describe it: “Someone gives us a bulldozer, a 6-pack of Red Bull, and a couple of days to make an incredible slow speed obstacle course for novice and advanced riders. They’re a great way to test and improve your riding skills.” They also host slow-speed riding games, and you can participate in those to win prizes. The prizes aren’t junk, either—last year, several were pieces of Klim kit.

The DirtDaze organizers scout all their guided rides well ahead of time. They classify each ride as easy, intermediate, or advanced. You’ll have a better time if you are honest about your skill level. If you have never ridden dirt before, this is a great opportunity to get your toes muddy.

The schedule is absolutely packed, so you’ll have no problem finding some way to occupy your time.

Here’s a great vid with some highlights from 2019:

TTDD offers a women’s program, too, with female-specific training, guided rides, seminars, clinics, and even a designated camping area.

What Should I Bring?

Last year, mid-pandemic, food was a little scarce on site. This year the food trucks and other vendors will probably be back, but be forewarned, and maybe bring a few Clif bars or peanuts, and water, just in case you get caught out. The nearest restaurants and supermarkets are 7-10 miles away; nothing is really walkable.

It is a fairground, though, so camping spots are plentiful, if not particularly shady. Bring comfortable water proof shoes, because the place can get muddy, and a camp chair, since picnic tables are few and far between. This is the opportunity to make your camp coffee and impress all your camp-mates with your sorcery.

Bring your adventure bike, your tent, your adventurous spirit, your knobby tires (but check your preferred ride, and it will list recommended tires), and some sunblock (and maybe a hat), and be prepared to have an excellent time in a fairground full of Your People.

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