The rally’s finally here—we’ve got last-minute GPX files for epic routes and a couple cool announcements. Let’s RIDE!
Free donuts for early birds!
Getting up early Saturday morning is a lot to ask…. so Beach’s Motorcycle Adventures is bringing FREE DONUTS! Commemorate BMW’s milestone by appearing in “100 Years of Motorrad” aerial photo of BMW Riders Association rally attendees and their BMW motorcycles arranged in the number “100.” Show up at 7am at Canaan Valley Resort’s Campground & Rec Center on Saturday morning, September 16. Plan to stay until about 8:30am. The shoot itself should take 30-45 minutes once everyone is in place.
Slots available for BMW Performance Center clinics 1-4pm on Thursday and 9am-noon on Friday
Fine tune your riding skills before hitting the road with your buds. Expert instructors from the U.S. Rider Academy have designed on- and off-road courses—don’t miss this opportunity! Sign up at bmwra.org/rally23-academy or stop by the RA Rally Store.
Saturday morning clinics are almost—but not quite—gone. Guided rides with the instructors are still available on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Rally Rides 2023
Here are some recommended routes, complete with GPX files, compiled by our friend Ken Gorton. Enjoy the perfect weather and the open roads!
Allegheny Highlands
Est. time: 4 hrs, 48 min
Distance: 215.52 miles
Download GPX
Ride through the highest elevations of West Virginia. The Allegheny Mountains provide a dramatic back drop in West Virginias’ big sky country. Interesting Fact: Green Bank is home to the largest radio telescope in the world, and for this reason, cell service does not exist for much of the ride. Be prepared.
Mountains, Forests, and Streams
Est. time: 5 hrs, 21 min
Distance: 123.75 miles
Download GPX
Get off the pavement on this combination of back county lanes, gravel roads and forest two-track. Two stream crossings will challenge your ADV skills and a stunning ride along the Canyon Rim Trail overlooking Blackwater Canyon will inspire you.
Mountain Highlands Grand Tour
Est. time: 6 hrs, 55 min
Distance: 305.68 miles
Download GPX
This is the premier mountain ride through what West Virginian’s refer to as “almost heaven”. Be prepared for a long day in the saddle and endless country roads.
Potomac Highlands
Est. time: 5 hrs, 1 min
Distance: 215.75 miles
Download GPX
Mountains are what West Virginia is known for. The Potomac River drainage has an entirely different look and feel than the rest of the mountain state.
Valleys of the Cheat
Est. time: 5 hrs, 25 min
Distance: 224.61 miles
Download GPX
Winding valleys and steep ridgetops form the tributaries of the Cheat River. This compact ride has a lot of options to shorten or lengthen the suggested trip. Interesting Fact: The Cheat River and its entire river system flow north until reaching the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rivers that flow north, like the Nile in Africa, are some of the oldest rivers in the world.
For more routes, additional information, and downloadable PDFs with turn-by-turn directions, access Ken’s standalone app here.
