RACER Gloves Travels: BMW MOA RALLY IN SALT LAKE CITY

by Lee Block

Prior to this past July’s BMW MOA Rally in Salt Lake City, Racer Gloves USA owner Lee Block met up with friend Dave Swezey of Cycle Wipes. They had one mission: two days of serious dual sporting in the Jackpot, Nevada, area.

Both Sprinters loaded up, with Dave driving from Seattle and Lee from Racer USA office in Morgan Hill, Calif., both were ready for the 12-hour drive to Jackpot. Ironically after 12 hrs, they arrive within 15 minutes of each other to Cactus Pete’s Casino campground.

The campground is ideal for the moto traveler who romanticizes about travel; Cactus Pete’s Casino offers great showers (much needed!), laundry and endless use of the casino pool and facilities. Plus the trails are not far from the campground.

At 5600 feet, temps were great—and so was the riding. Day one was a 150 miler that took them to Jarbridge, 8600 feet above Nevada. For passionate ADV fans, this is the start of the infamous Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route. Piloting a KTM 500, Dave had no issues with the altitude. But Lee’s story was quite different; his classic Honda XR650L was constantly craving more air!

Besides spectacular views and a wide range of terrain, Dave and Lee came face-to-face (or we should say, bike-to-face!) with antelope and free-range cattle that delivered a feel of year’s past. Old double track, water crossings, aspen groves and one very steep and narrow two-mile single track were all part of the day.

As for day 2, things were a bit more “unchallenging,” as Lee says; it was a simple 100-mile day that took them back into southern Idaho near Magic Mountain.

A cattle drive, and more spectacular scenery were lasting imagery of the two-day ride. Following the trip, Dave and Lee packed up and headed to Salt Lake City for four days at the BMW MOA Rally. 

Stay tuned for more Racer Travels in upcoming Racer Gloves USA Blog posts.