BMW /5 Rally: Seneca Rocks WV Jul 14-15, 2001

Seneca Rocks BMW /5 Motorcycle Rally
Seneca Rocks, WV Jun 21-23, 2002

Here I am ready to head to yet another Seneca Rocks BMW /5 rally, on my Triumph Tiger.

My /5 is still down for repairs, so that left we with no choice to head there once again on the trusty Tiger.

This is a day trip for me, as Seneca Rocks is only 90 miles from where I live, but most make it a 3 day camping trip. I head up on Saturday. The weather was absolutely beautiful.

Arriving at the campground, I was told that my friends had just started a hike up the mountain. Thinking I might want to join them, I ride over to the hiking trail parking lot. Low and behold a few beemerphiles pull up, a couple guys on GS's and a cool /5 guy from Tennessee, Ben.
The plans change, I decide to head up with Ben on his /5, Keith and Hank Pfister on their GS's up to Dolly Sods. I figure my Tiger is tough enough for the job, though I could use new tires, soon! This will be the test.
Somehow we miss the turn-off for Dolly Sods and wound up on Rt. 42. Clearly we had to head back and sure enough it was a blind intersection (after missing it yet, a second time!)
Climbing up the mountain on the gravel road was no small task. I could feel my Tiger trying to claw its way to the top since I really needed new tires. But it felt great once we got there! I could see my Tiger covered in dust - this certainly was a good workout.

**Dolly Sods**

A wrong turn - checking the map for directions	Well, we made it to the top!

Heading back to the campground, I noticed the GS riders really took turns aggressively, so I followed. This top heavy Tiger can be ridden aggressively. We stopped at the Yokum's General store for lunch. Boy was I hungry as a Tiger!

Ben's /5 and others

Ben, from Nashville, Tenn.
Ben heading back to his /5
in front of Yokum's General Store
Two blue pin stripe silver tank /5's

The /5 with the chrome tank is called a "toaster" tank for obvious reasons. These were made in the '72 and '73 model years. Here is some toaster chrome:

Toaster Chrome

What a stunning line-up. Blinding!
Toaster from NC and VA. Look, same license plate!

It is customary to get all the /5's together for a group photo. My Tiger naturally wasn't eligible of course, but you can see it in the background!

The Line-Up

Many of the bikes had interesting plates. Either a vanity, historic/antique or year of manufacture ('70 to '73 when the /5's were made).

Click on each license plate to get a closer look

Naturally on a LWB /5
On the same red /5 I saw last year
The '03 sticker kinda goes with
this plate, doesn't it ?

Not too hard to guess the year
and model of this bike.
Who says you can't get the slash?
Yes it's for real! (NC is one state that allows weird characters)
The PA antique plate is quite slick
Purple and all.

Like any bike rally, there are always "other" bikes that show up. Hey, my Tiger for instance. But check out this cool orange R90S. One of these days, I'll get one of these bikes. I really like the color. The 90S is kind of a limited edition, made only in '75 and '76;
Getting home was no problem. I rode home at dusk, hoping not to kill any deer. I noticed I did slice through the fly population, when I got home.

**Ben's /5 and others**
Ben, from Nashville, Tenn.	Ben heading back to his /5 in front of Yokum's General Store	Two blue pin stripe silver tank /5's

**Toaster Chrome**
What a stunning line-up. Blinding!	Toaster from NC and VA. Look, same license plate!

**Click on each license plate to get a closer look**
Naturally on a LWB /5	On the same red /5 I saw last year	The '03 sticker kinda goes with this plate, doesn't it ?
Not too hard to guess the year and model of this bike.	Who says you can't get the slash? Yes it's for real! (NC is one state that allows weird characters)	The PA antique plate is quite slick Purple and all.

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Page created Aug 14, 2002