Emmaus MotoTours

Just a reminder, we will be holding the 3rd annual Pa Endless Mountains Rally June 5-7. There are some logistic changes for this year. Go to https://emmausmototours.com/emmaus-motorcycle-tours/ for info. If you are interested in coming, send an email to [email protected] with your name, email and phone number.

Come to Kissell's Motosports on Feb. 28th to check out the latest Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR). The Montana BDR. Meet up with old friends and with new ones as we prepare for the 2026 riding season. While there see the new models of bikes that Josh at Kissell's has to offer.

Riding a motorcycle in South America is one of the bucket list items many people who ride aspire to. I wouldn't say it was high on my list but it was certainly in the top 10. Riding across most of the Continent seemed like a lot for a first time endeavor. After getting recommendations from others to consider Ecuador, I looked into it.

Ecuador is a relatively small country with diverse topography. Amazon jungle in the east, high Andean mountains at the center and coastline to the west. When a riding buddy, Derek, expressed interest in going, the die was cast. We booked the flights, arranged bike rentals in Quito and developed a route. By the way, Derek is the son of a good friend of Elise and mine from Veterinary School.

We set up 11 days this January. The rainy season. The rental shop assured us that if we hit rain we could easily divert a short distance to escape any deluge. This proved to be false.

We began in Quito and spent 6 days exploring small Andean towns including Apuerca, Mindo, Alloroquin, Sigchos, Isinlivi, Angamarca and Salinas. We met many wonderful people along the way. We saw Llamas, cattle, donkeys, and dogs EVERYWHERE. Spectacular views as we crested 14,000 feet in elevation.

BUT...RAIN! Seemed to be unceasing. And with it thick fog and hail at higher elevations. Derek and I made the decision to head West to the coast and to sunshine. Eight hours of riding and we went from 40 to 80 degrees. Fog and rain to sun. Got to snorkel and swim for three days before heading back to Quito.

The way back confirmed why we diverted to the coast. We spent the last 100 miles climbing sharply in elevation through switchback after switchback while battling, rain, fog, truck/bus traffic. We were very happy to reach the hotel in Quito.

The trip was the definition of Adventure with all the sights, all the weather, issues with electronics (GPS, Bluetooth coms, laptop, satellite messenger unit), dead batteries and sunburn. But this is what exploring the unknown by motorcycle is often about.

My friend Jim Blais says you have to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And this was certainly true on this trip. Derek and I went into the trip a bit naive and came out the other side a bit wiser and filled with experiences that we will never forget.

Have you been wanting to run a Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) but a little hesitant to deal with the logistics? The lodging, the navigation, possible bike repairs or just not wanting to go it alone? Well Emmaus has you covered. We will be running the Mid Atlantic, the Northeast and the Southeast BDRs this year. We handle all the above and more.

Not sure which is right for you? Just give me a ring 630-217-5210 or [email protected]

emmausmototours.com

We had a group of 10 of us running the new SEBDR and the Chattahoochee BDR X this month. What a great run. The weather was perfect. The two routes offered every possible challenge. Starting with sand in Florida, mud in Alabama, rocky elevation in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina and water crossings throughout the trip. Had problems with my forks when riding through Georgia but thanks to Tom Nagle, Ken Welty and Kirk Lakeman (my BDR Buddies) I was back on the route in no time. Thanks to Jim Blais for again making this trip possible. We hope to run it again next October along with doing the MA in May and the NE in August.

And some photos from the Northeast Backcountry Discovery Route in August.

I have been a bit remiss in not posting some photos from our rides this year. I will try to correct that as we make our way north from Florida on the SEBDR. In the meantime, here are some photos from the Pa Wilds BDR X that we did in July. Enjoy. Better yet, join us in 2026.

We are headed out on Sunday October 5th on the Southeast Backcountry Discovery Route and the Chattahoochee BDR X (https://emmausmototours.com/tour/southeast-bdr-2025/). You can follow us on this Spot Messenger Map. We also have 2 spots available if you want to be a late addition.

https://maps.findmespot.com/s/J5Q4

SEBDR/Chattahoochee Southeast Backcountry Discovery Route and Chattahoochee BDR X

What a great weekend. The 2nd Annual Pa Endless Mountains rally at Hills Creek State Park near Mansfield, Pa. 3 days or great riding, great food and even greater friendship. Pictures here are from Mike Saba. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to travel to Pa's Northern Tier and also being so generous in supporting the Canton, Pa Volunteer fire department.

Days 5 and 6 on the MABDR were wet ones as anyone along the Eastern seaboard can testify to. Got thru sections 6-8 and decided that the official flower of this year's Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route tour is mold. I can attest to the fact that Pa roads are top notch in draining away and absorbing water. Nary a puddle on the main route. Flat Hollow Rd May be a different story, however. As the video below proves. Last half day tomorrow as we get to the Pa-NY border

First three days in the books for the MABDR. 10 riders. Four returning to ride with us and 6 new riders. Weather has been great. Visited Mountain Lake Lodge. Home of the filming of Dirty Dancing. Met a great couple, Tammy and Dave, who run the Vine Cottage Inn in Hot Springs, VA. Water Crossings at Brandywine Creek were just deep enough to have some fun. Learned that the BMW 1300 GS ADV sends out an SOS signal whenever the bike goes down. I would be on a first name basis with all the EMTs along every BDR if I had that feature on the T7.

Off to Carlisle, Pa tomorrow in the rain.,