TOUR OF ARMENIA MOUNTAIN RIDE

words: John Cirabassi • images: Joe Parks and Penny Wheeler

For long time readers of Backroads Magazine, you know how much great riding, both the pavement and off-pavement varieties, there is in the Keystone State. From the Poconos, to along the Delaware, out west along Route 6 and, of course, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. But there is a little slice of heaven nestled between these locations that goes unnoticed to many two-wheeled explorers. Bradford and Sullivan Counties along PA’s Northern Tier offers miles of remote forest roads and awe-inspiring vistas. It’s an area of the state that the modern world has graciously left alone.

My wife, Elise, and I worked as veterinarians in the region back in the ‘80s when we were fresh out of school and newly married. In 4 short years the place left an indelible place in our hearts and even though we left to be with family in the Chicago area, the soul of the place never left us. So when we started coming back to the area for longer stays, I brought along my passion for Adventure Motorcycling and discovered so much that I never knew existed. And my excitement peaked when I met Frank Watson and Dean Vanderpool. Local Cantonites (Cantonians?) who were putting together an Adventure Rally based right in Canton. To say I was stoked would have been an understatement.

Early registrants on Friday night were treated to a theater showing of the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR) movie. For those unfamiliar with the MABDR it is one of 11 Adventure motorcyclefriendly, mostly off-pavement routes put together by the volunteer organization, Backcountry Discovery Routes, with 9 routes found out west and 2 routes in the east. You can nd out more at ridebdr.com.

Together Frank, Dean and myself mapped out a 160-mile ride on Saturday, September 25th and 60 miles on the 26th. Saturday’s ride covered about every forest road between Canton and World’s End State Park along with the quiet beauty of Sun sh and Sonnes Ponds. PA is known

for its large number of overlooks and Bradford/Sullivan Counties are no exception. Places like Band Rock Vista, Sharp Top and High Knob gave participants on the ride expansive views of deep valleys and rolling hills. This loop also included a stop at historic Barclay Cemetery with graves dating back to the early 1800s. In addition, we paid a visit to the memorial constructed by former Trials champion Jerry Young to commemorate the Roaring Branch, PA location of the US round of the 1978 World Trials Championship won by Californian and World Champ, Bernie Schreiber.

Sunday’s loop wound its way through the wooded acres up on top of Armenia Mountain and rolling farm elds east of Canton. What would a loop on the weekend be without another vista and Sunday didn’t disappoint with a trek up on top of Lamb’s View overlooking the Route 14 valley and Barclay Mountain. Sunday also saw 97-year old, AMA hall-of-famer “Fast Eddie” Fisher running rings around some of the younger riders on his Can Am Spyder with his bride riding pillion.

Pennsylvania teacher and folk singer, Van Wagner, entertained participants and locals Saturday night singing some of his original tunes, giving all a taste of Northern Tier history while gathered around a camp re.

Funds collected for the weekend went to support the Canton Lions Club and its charities along with the Canton volunteer re department. Lunch on Saturday was provided by the re department of Shunk, PA and helped to support all their good work.

So, if you are looking to explore some pristine forest roads, vistas and waterfalls pencil in the last weekend of September 2022 as this is the preliminary date for the ride next year. We look forward to showing you a part of the state that time forgot.

“So next time you’re on the road and feeling shaky in your soul, take your watch and throw it away. Come up North just for a day. Once your life learns to breathe, you’ll find it so hard to leave. Don’t be surprised if your tracks disappear and you’re surrounded by a future up here.”

Van Wagner. North of 80