Wet boot? Check. Forgot waterproof socks? Check.
Three days, 600 miles, five riders (counting Terry in spirit), and a trail mix of smooth gravel, rocky climbs, muddy madness, and roadside snack breaks.
The PA Wilds BDR-X delivered everything we hoped for — and a few things we didn’t. Like a cracked engine case (discovered after Guy replaced the countershaft seal – he’s since split the cases and repaired the damage), a bourbon blast, and a bridal suite some of us will never live down.
Here’s the final tally.
Lessons Learned
- Don’t let Brian near the bourbon on Night Zero — the enthusiasm is high, the regret is higher (granted, we forgot to inform him that it was cask-strength).
- Always question detours that look “promising” on satellite maps. Mud doesn’t show up on satellite. Neither do axle-deep ruts.
- Cracked cases can still carry you 500 miles… if you’re Guy. The man rode with an oil leak the whole trip and still beat us to most turns.
- Day 3 is not for the faint of heart. Expert sections like Little Poe, Sharpback Hollow, and Duncan will make you earn it — and question your tire choices.
Gear Notes: A Tale of Waterproof Boots
Guy rolled in with brand-new Gaerne SG22 Gore-Tex Enduro boots — bone dry by the end of Day 2, while the rest of us squelched through dinner in wet socks. Naturally, Brian and I ordered a pair each that night, ready to join the dry-foot revolution. But Day 3 was the plot twist: Guy’s boots leaked in the heavy water sections. Back home, bathtub tests confirmed it — leak city. All three pairs were returned. Lesson: Waterproof socks still reign supreme, and marketing copy is no match for a muddy forest road in October.
Would I Recommend the PA Wilds BDR-X?
Absolutely.
- Days 1 & 2? Smooth, scenic, and beginner-friendly. Great roads, great stops, low stress.
- Day 3? A different animal. Expert sections are no joke — steep, rocky, muddy, and relentless. But every single one has a bypass, and the beauty of the loop is that you can make it what you want.
It’s a ride for people who want a mix — of terrain, of weather, of moods, and of mileage. Just make sure your gear is dialed in, your sense of humor is intact, and someone’s taking pee pics for Terry.
Rolling On Two 