10 FOR 10! THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY RALLY WILL HAVE 10 GUIDED RIDES!
AND, WE’LL HAVE 20 DIFFERENT ROUTES (GUIDED, FOLLOW ME, SELF-GUIDED, FAHRT) FOR THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY RALLY!!
(It will sell out.)
RIDE TYPES OFFERED
Four different categories of rides are offered, ranging from many short 2hr self guided loops to many all-day guided rides with lunch included:
1. GUIDED RIDES
SEE BELOW. These are the heartbeat of DirtDaze. They are great(!) routes, scenic and fun and take you to a fun lunch destination (lunch included). We ride in small-ish groups, leaving 8am-ish, and getting back 2-4pm-ish. They are led by a volunteer lead and sweep guide team.
2. “FOLLOW ME” RIDES
Included in your TTDD pass. The Follow Me rides have a volunteer ride ambassador that you’ll follow (no mid or sweep) on intermediate or higher terrain, and are a more informal ride than our full-on guided rides. They have limited availability and you’ll sign up for them a day in advance, onsite.
3. UNGUIDED SELF-GUIDED RIDES
Included in your DD pass. Pick up your gpx files onsite. These are approx 2-5hr rides with no included lunch, and are great for a short, fun ride.
4. SOCIAL “Bite-sized Meet-Up Rides”
Included in your DD Pass. There are 2 per day, Th-Sa. You can join a Social Ride onsite. They’re organized by FAHRT, are free, and focus on the fun/social element of rides. They’re on easier terrain, last only a few hours, and go to fun destinations. Sign up onsite.
RIDE DIFFICULTIES OFFERED
DirtDaze offers rides ranging from level 1 through level 4.
RIDE DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM (Click Below)
LEVEL 1 RIDE DIFFICULTY (CLICK HERE)
Level 1 Rides include:
Mostly scenic off-pavement riding where the pavement-only crowd never ventures.
Features
- Most road surfaces are no more than lightly undulating (mostly flat).
- Maintained/graded gravel or dirt roads
- Sticks, small tree limbs, leaves, etc.
- Water crossings less than 2″ (5cm) deep
- Modest inclines/declines (road-like grades)
LEVEL 2 RIDE DIFFICULTY (CLICK HERE)
LEVEL 2:
Off pavement riding that most cars could (but wouldn’t) touch.
Features:
- Full lane or two-track graded dirt/gravel roads
- Wide, shallow ruts
- Packed sand
- Washboard or minor water bars
- Obstacles or ledges less than 4″ (10cm) high
- Sections of loose rock less than 3” (8cm) deep
- Patches of soft gravel, shallow sand, or surface mud
- Slow-moving water crossings less than 4″ (10cm) deep
- Water crossings have a solid base
- Minimal loose, rolling rocks
- Light gravel with rain ruts
Level 2 Images:
LEVEL 3 RIDE DIFFICULTY (CLICK HERE)
Off-road terrain that begins to emphasize the need for techniques such as standing and precise clutch control.
Features:
- Narrow single-track ruts
- Soft surface gravel (fresh road gravel)
- Patches of soft sand less than 100 ft. (30m) long
- Wet grass
- Steep descents/ascents requiring advanced clutch control and balance
- Obstacles up to 6″ (15cm) high
- Water crossings under 6” deep with a mud or loose rock base
- Single-lane switchbacks
- Loose rock patches less than 5″ diameter on inclines
- Ledges less than approx 4” (10cm) on inclines
- Ledges less than 6” (15cm) on declines
Level 3 Video:
LEVEL 4 RIDE DIFFICULTY (CLICK HERE)
Advanced off-road terrain requiring numerous dirt-specific riding techniques.
Features:
- Large step-ons/drop-offs greater than 6”
- Narrow, two-track switchbacks
- Wet, narrow single-track ruts deeper than 12”
- Sections of loose rocks larger than approx 5″ diameter
- Steep ascents/descents on loose surfaces
- Limbs of 4” or greater requiring lofting (wheelie) the front wheel
- Deep, soft gravel greater than 3″ deep
- Moderate-flow water crossings deeper than 6″
- Sections of loose rocks larger than approx 5″ diameter (babyheads)
- Mud and water on hill climbs requiring momentum to pass
- Mud or sand requiring momentum to cross
- Water crossings with a loose base
Level 4 Video:
LEVEL 5 RIDE DIFFICULTY - NOT OFFERED (CLICK HERE)
DirtDaze does not offer Level 5 riding. These routes are best suited for enduro bikes, instead of adventure bikes and can be found at enduro and race events.
DirtDaze uses a modified version of Brett Tkac’s very good information online, found here.
Ride Difficulty Rating
- Choose ride levels that match what you are comfortable with and familiar with. It’s much better for you and the group to choose one that’s too easy, rather than too hard.
- Rain makes everything much harder. Rides are run rain or shine.
- Despite our best attempts to describe the routes, difficulty, terrain, etc, there are ALWAYS unexpected circumstances, and only YOU can determine if/what you should ride:
- You can always opt NOT to ride any/all sections.
- Don’t overestimate your abilities and never ride beyond your ability and comfort zone. Never “rush” to stay with a rider or guide in front of you.
- You know that riding is risky, conditions can change for the worse, and that you assume all the risk.
Caution
Move to an easier ride level if any of the following are true for you:
- You would not be able to ride the terrain if it’s wet and slippery (Rain makes the rides much harder, and we ride rain or shine, so choose accordingly.)
- Falls or near misses are frequent
- You are exhausted, or find yourself using a lot of energy to ride
- You expect terrain damage to the motorcycle (ie. pinch flats, bent rims, severely damaged skid plates, etc.)
- You are unable to multitask while riding, if needed
GUIDED RIDES
THE TEAM: All tours are led by our amazing DirtDaze volunteer crew, including NEBDR creators, regional riding legends and BDR ambassadors, including Jesse Pacht, Dan Burwinkel, Wayne Longe, Eric Milano (MotoVermont), Bill Luth, Dustin Downing, Peter Lindner, Mike Rizzo, Andrew Phillips, and MANY MORE.
WHERE: Covering the points of the compass: N, E, SE, SW, W & NW, our guided rides are 100 to 200+ miles long, with skill levels ranging from 1 to 4. The routes were laid out for ADV bikes.
WHAT BIKES: All sizes of street legal, 4stroke adv bikes are welcomed, but generally, DirtDAZE is geared for 650+ sized bikes. No bikes under 200cc please. No 2strokes. No loud bikes:
IMPORTANT: We will ride in lots of beautiful countryside, past neighbors who either live off the grid (to get away from noise) and/or may have livestock and horses. And annoyed neighbors can shut down access to some of the best gnarly roads. For the sake of maintaining access and friendly relations, please only come on a quiet, 4stroke bike. 200cc+ bikes are required to maintain a suitable/reasonable pace.
WHAT RIDERS: We have Level 1 (easy) all the way up to Level 4 (hard), so you can choose a route to meet your needs. Some routes could be ridden 2-up, based on weather & rider skill.
LUNCH: Lunch is included at good lunch destinations; some of our tours eat at family farms providing our group a true farm-to-table lunch – very cool.
RIDERS’ MEETING: varies according to the specific ride, ranging generally from 7:30am to 9am. They are noted in the ride descriptions.
TIRES: Below, we list suggestions like 50/50, but realize that rider skill and weather are the largest variables.
PAVEMENT/DIRT: Below, we list the estimated % of saddle time on each surface.
THE 10th ANNIVERSARY GUIDED RIDES
NEW! 2026 GUTTER BALL
Distance: approx 122 miles Tires: Knobbies
Pavement/Dirt: 35%/65%
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 3 Return Time: 2:30pm
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (SOLD OUT), Friday (SOLD OUT), Saturday (SOLD OUT)
This is an all-new, 122-mile, solid level 3 “Moderate” ride, with beautiful flowing tarmac and gravel, including some class 4 and doubletrack challenges. The lead guide is Peter L (an accomplished adv guide and lead singer of a motorcycle-riding folk band).
Along the way, you can enjoy long views and historic farms as you pop in and out of forests. This is no dozy ride with constant terrain transitions – it’s is one of Dan’s (one of our lead route designers) favorite fall rides. We think it will be one of our highest-rated Level 3 routes of the rally.
Lunch: DirtDaze Guided Ride lunches are always memorable and this one is one of our favorites. From the outside you’ll say “really?” And after lunch you’ll say it was great. It’s not fancy, but it gets among the very highest food scores of any of our lunch stops.
THE 2026 TWIN STATE TWISTER
Distance: approx 145 miles Tires: 90/10 Pavement/Dirt %: 35/65
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 1 Return Time: 4:00pm
Passenger-friendly ride
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Available), Friday (Available), Saturday (Available)
A big bike friendly scenic scenic ride. Designed by Mike Rizzo, DD guide and local expert.
A relaxing backroads ride through New Hampshire and Vermont’s backcountry. This big bike and two-up friendly adventure is a mix of scenic dirt country roads and twisty pavement. The route winds its way along the Connecticut River Valley past the iconic Dartmouth Skiway to a rest stop at Cardigan Mountain State Park. From there it heads through the Upper Valley and crosses into Vermont. You’ll enjoy some great off-the-beaten-path Vermont scenic twisty roads, taking you past pastoral scenes and mountain vistas. The route twists through the Green Mountain State, then back in to New Hampshire.
Lunch will at a great lakeside family-run restaurant that has a distinct seaside/seafood vibe and good food.
NEW! 2026 HARD NORTH
Distance: approx 95 miles Tires: Full Knobbies
Pavement/Dirt: Don’t worry about it. Be ready for tons of difficult dirt.
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 4+ Return Time: 2:30pm
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Available), Friday (Almost Sold Out), Saturday (Available)
Strap in lads and lasses; this is the hardest 95 miles we’ve ever hosted from the Fairgrounds, rated a high level 4 “Difficult” with a few stretch sections into level 5 “Severe” for the A group. This route is led by don’t-let-the-nice-guy-smile-fool-you, Dustin D (he’s a great group leader), and Eric K, who’s riding and reriding and re-reriding this route to perfectly dial it in.
This is for very fit and proficient riders only and features several really memorable obstacles, including the very difficult and steeply uphill slippery bridge of carnage over the bouldered brook of doom.
Note that both the A group and B group will need to be very fit, as this ride goes deep into the backcountry. Rescue or assistance may take several hours.
Lunch is at a funky restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and whose food has made it a local’s favorite.
THE 2026 NEW ENGLAND SAMPLER (New, Very Scenic Lunch Stop)
Distance: approx 120 miles Tires: 50/50 Pavement/Dirt %: 30/70
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 2 Return Time: 3:30pm
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Sold Out), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Nearly Sold Out)
A friendly and fun easy-intermediate route open to all riders that covers both VT and NH terrain..
The Sampler spans two states and often gets great reviews due to having lots of scenic sections, with two short but manageable challenge sections in the morning portion of the ride. Its lunch stop is also at a lakeside resort making great! grub.
Heading NW into Vermont is our first challenge section of the day. From this northern-most point of the tour, we loop SW on a mix of graded gravel and winding paved roads. Then SE on mostly dirt roads through lush Vermont woods headed for Bradford and our last “challenge” opportunity. You’ll loop back into NH ready at the moment you’re thinking “lunch sounds great about now.”
NEW: Then, you’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch at a lakeside resort offering one of DirtDaze’s best lunches. Afterward, enjoy a mix of paved and gravel roads to round out the day with an ice cream and fuel stop towards the end of the route prior to heading back to HQ.
THE 2026 HISTORIC HEART OF VERMONT (New/Fun Lunch Stop)
Sponsored by Hatchland Farm’s Dairy Delites
Distance: Approx. 145 miles Tires: 90/10 (weather depending) Pavement/Dirt: 10/90
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 2 with 3 optional easy hero sections Return Time: 3:00pm
*Passenger friendly ride
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Sold Out), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Sold Out)
A quintessential relaxed scenic adventure ride through northeastern Vermont (valleys, forests, villages… you know, the pretty stuff). Designed by regional riding legend Wayne Longe (basically Gandalf on two wheels) and Jesse Pacht.
Looking for a relaxing, fun, and not challenging adventure ride (with a great lunch stop)? This is your tour. The group will ride at a relaxed pace on mostly dirt and gravel roads all day long. You’ll have stops about every hour.
This easy route is 90/10 paved/dirt roads, suitable for 2-up (weather depending). 90/10 tires are suitable for this ride’s well-maintained dirt and gravel roads. There are three optional and easy hero sections, all of which can be bypassed.
NEW: Lunch will be at an off-the-grid family farm, owned by an adventure motorcycling chef – he’s only doing this for DirtDaze, so this is a rare opportunity! The combination of this great ride, with this very memorable stop, shouldn’t be missed.
Sponsored by: 
THE 2026 LAKES REGION RECON
Distance: approx 120 miles Tires: 50/50 Pavement/Dirt: 40/60
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 2 Return Time: 3:00pm
*Passenger friendly ride
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Available), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Available)
A very scenic ride through “On Golden Pond country” totaling about 120 miles of which 60% is unpaved. Designed by Bill & Dennis, experts in the region.
This year Bill and crew will again lead this scenic ride in the area of “On Golden Pond,” totaling about 120 miles, of which 60 percent is unpaved. We’ll travel along the shores of numerous breathtaking lakes, past roaring brooks and over multiple mountains, taking in part of the majestic White Mountain National Forest including a couple of sections of the NEBDR.
Our delicious lunch will be served in an absolutely unique treehouse setting with choices for all tastes. We will see some interesting historical sites throughout the ride and even have a stop for ice cream while winding our way home,
Tour creators Bill and Dennis have many years of riding in the region and finding the best roads for your adventuring.
2026 THE GREEN MOUNTAIN GRINDER
Distance: Approx 110 miles Tires: Knobbies Pavement/Dirt: 40/60
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 3 Return Time: 3:00 PM
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Sold Out), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Sold Out)
This is a fun intermediate run, with many challenge sections perfectly geared for fun-seeking intermediate riders. Designed by Jesse P (when he says he has multiple “TATS” he’s referring to TransAmericaTrail crossings), lead guide and local expert, and Victoria Z (NEBDR codesigner and WRADD cofounder).
Updated! 2026 MUD, SWEAT & GEARS
Distance: approx 142 miles Tires: Knobbies
Pavement/Dirt: 22% off-road, 60% dirt roads, 18% paved roads
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 4 Return Time: 4:00pm
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Sold Out), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Available)
Get ready for the new and improved Mud, Sweat and Gears (“MSG”), with several altered sections and an all new & improved lunch stop. This route is designed and led one of our lead route designers, great dude, and very zen Dan B.
This ride distills the rocky nature of Northern New England into a solid level 4 “Difficult” ride for proficient riders. True to its name, when riders return to the HQ they’re often covered with mud, and gritty smiles in their helmets. It’s 115 miles, including terrain shared with 4 wheelers, several mud holes, the occasional moose, descents and steep climbs with loose babyheads. The Mud, Sweat and Gears route is updated for 2026, with several new/altered stretches.
NEW: This year’s lunch stop is a big ugrade, and is you’ll like it. We’re excited about it. It’s a restaurant that A) gets great food grades and B) is SUPER excited to host a bunch of adv riders.
THE 2026 BIG ADVENTURE RIDE
Distance: About 138 miles Tires: 50/50 Pavement/Dirt: 30/70
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 3 Return Time: 3:00 PM
Availability as of 8/6/26: Thursday (Sold Out), Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Sold Out)
*Passengers are OK, although there are some short optional challenge sections for the knobby-clad (weather depending).
2026 KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Distance: approx 165 miles Tires: Knobbies Pavement/Dirt: Knobbies (30/70)
Rating of Most Difficult Sections: Level 4 Return Time: 4:00pm
Availability as of 8/6/26: Friday (Sold Out), Saturday (Available)
*NOT a Passenger friendly ride
The Keys To The Kingdom (aka The Northeast Kindgom Tour) is is a butt-kicker, on lots of challenging dirt, and is recommended for less-than 800cc bikes with knobbies. Riders should be ready to ride rocky, muddy trails – some with moderate inclines and descents – into the Northeast Kingdom, the most sparsely populated region of Vermont. Designed by Eric Milano of MotoVermont.
The National Geographic Society listed the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) as “the most desirable place to visit in the USA!” With 2000 sq miles of mountainous wilderness it’s a treat to the eye and also makes for great ADV riding. No one knows the NEK better than this tour’s lead guide, Eric Milano (of the authors of the NEBDR). Eric and his expert team will lead this unforgettable ride.
Lunch (provided) will be at a private farm who will cook you a homemade summer picnic meal. It’s a great experience and you’ll love it.
A word to the wise: Riders should be intermediate or above and have bikes with full knobby tires (TKC80, D606, etc.). 800cc and below recommended. If you’re on anything larger, you should consider yourself an expert rider. This ride is NOT 2-up friendly.
Here’s your chance for a unique, exciting ride. Don’t miss it!
Sponsored by: 
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