My bike’s fuel tank is less than 2 gallons (with no aftermarket options) and LAB2V fuel stops can be 100+/- miles apart, so carrying extra fuel was absolutely necessary. This year I decided to do some bike upgrades before the ride: a Seat Concepts seat, TUbliss system, JD Jetting kit, new tires, and a Giant Loop gas bag to go with my Giant Loop Mojave saddlebags. This ride requires a lot of prep! Every year, I’ve actually made a spreadsheet months in advance to keep track of what I need to buy, do and pack so I don’t forget. What bike prep did you need in order to get ready? I think I was the very last person into Vegas after dark, but I finished! I also met some good people on that ride and through the social media afterwards, including the amazing Sara Dinges In 2017, I rode LAB2V again with much better luck, and this year was my third ride! It was a little scary, and my bike gave me a lot of problems that forced me to finish the ride on a bail out. He wound up crashing towards the end of the first day and couldn’t continue, so I rode and navigated day two by myself. So that year, I showed up to the start, barely knowing that one other person, and we set out on the ride. The week before the 2016 LAB2V ride, I met someone on a District 37 forum who matched my riding style and also wanted to give it a try. I also had the peace of mind of there being an amazing volunteer group that puts on the event, including sweep crews, Rescue 3, and experienced riders that were full of helpful tips. I spent months researching the ride and prepping and I had the support of my Mom, who agreed to drive a chase vehicle and help me with pit stops. But I wanted to try it so bad that I was prepared to ride LAB2V solo. One obstacle I faced back then was that I didn’t have a lot of riding buddies, and I didn’t know anyone who wanted to do the ride with me. I had always felt so intimidated by street and dual sport riding, but I also couldn’t ignore the desire to try it, and I love a good endurance challenge. My first LAB2V was in 2016 after buying my first dual sport and finally getting my motorcycle license. This year it was a matter of continuing what’s become a new Thanksgiving tradition for me, and riding my favorite dual sport event. What made you want to participate in LAB2V? If you’re on a heavy adventure bike or need to make up lost time, you can choose to take a stretch of pavement or a well maintained dirt road and give yourself a break. For those who like to be challenged, there are “Hard Routes” which periodically break away from the Easy Route and contain enduro obstacles like rock gardens, deep sand, boulders and step ups. There is the standard “Easy Route”, which is primarily off-road and great for the average dual sport. Fortunately though, LAB2V plots multiple route options to suite all kinds of riding abilities. The terrain includes sand, rocks, whoops, gravel, pavement and everything in between. It starts in north LA County (Palmdale, CA), stopping in Barstow, CA the first day, then continuing on to Las Vegas the second day. The routes and mileage vary a bit every year, but it usually totals around 450 miles over two days. Any street legal bike is welcome, and it’s cool to see what kind of bikes people have used to complete this ride. LAB2V is a self-guided, two-day dual sport ride that’s been running for 35 years! It attracts hundreds of riders on everything from vintage bikes, to sidehacks, adventure bikes and dual sports. I’ve turned it into a mini adventure bike. ‘Iron Lilly’ will bring the incredible story of Lilly to the big screen, highlighting the trials, tribulations, and ultimate amazing success of a lady who overcame such obstacles to take care of her family.I’ve been riding dirt on and off for about 8 years, and street for about 2.įor dirt and racing, I ride a 2017 KTM Freeride 250R (two stroke!), and for long moto camping trips or street rides, I use my 2014 Honda CB500X. Farrow, America’s oldest Harley-Davidson dealer. He’s a life long motorcycle rider and powersports photographer, and he is now involved in the raising of funds and the production of an upcoming documentary movie about Lilly Farrow-the founder of A.D. In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Patrick ‘Buzz’ Hayes. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit to learn more. Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. These bikes have had significant upgrades and Nic got to ride them both on the track and on the surrounding roads. In our first segment, Senior Editor Nic De Sena has just returned from Jerez, Spain, where he was riding the new Triumph 765 R and RS models.
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