Hell Roads piece on The Dragon

2012-02-01T03:21:00.000-08:00

Bastard Bash V

2012-01-23T23:37:00.001-08:00

The Bastard Bash is an annual gathering of Sportster / Buell-obsessed garage builders, coming together to ride their Garage-Built, Sportster-Powered deathtraps on some of the best, most challenging motorcycling roads in the world.

A RIDER’S event, the Bastard Bash is blessedly free from the stale and stereotypical trappings of your typical “Harley Enthusiast” affair. ”Home-built” will replace “bolt –on”, while flag-themed doo-rags and cheesy wolf –print t-shirts will be found conspicuously absent in favor of CE-armored riding gear and full-face helmets. Circus events and side-show antics will be replaced by riding and wrenching, with female riders in attendance always tending to be quick of mind and firm of breast and buttock. And the BIGGEST difference? This event is FREE.

For 2012, we will again be based at the always-hospitable Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort (not nearly as fancy as it sounds), located directly ON the infamous “Dragon” just past the TN/NC state line on HWY 129. This year’s dates are August 16-19, 2012. As always, the Bastard Bash is a loosely-structured event, with days usually consisting of various groups of riders heading off in different directions through the curves and mountains and regrouping near dusk at Deal’s Gap for evening festivities.

Lodging at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort consists of comfortable and affordable dormitory-style (bunk bed) rooms. Space is limited and the Resort tends to fill up quickly for our event. Camping is available on-site on a first-come / first-serve basis and additional camping areas are available within a few miles. There is a restaurant on site as well as a gas station. Be advised, however, that the Resort is located in an extremely remote location with NO CELL PHONE SERVICE. A public phone IS available, though, for use with phone cards.

The roads on which our event takes place are among the best motorcycling roads in the world, with many extremely challenging sections. Both your abilities AND your machine should be up to the challenge, and REAL safety gear is strongly recommended. Knowing your limits and riding within them will help ensure a successful and healthy riding experience. Numerous pull-offs are available along the stretch of 129 known as “The Dragon” for individuals to take a break or to allow other riders to pass. USE THEM. Also, be aware that local law enforcement agencies are often active in the area with a specific eye toward motorcyclists. Behave accordingly.

In a departure from the past two years, this year’s event will NOT be seeking sponsorship from the small, builder-focused shops who have so loyally and generously supported our event in the past. While the piles of donated product allowed us to provide our attendees with a weekend’s worth of all-you-can-drink beer for the price of a raffle ticket, it just seems wrong to hit the same guys up again for more free stuff in this continued shit economy. I’d rather have them use their resources to keep their doors open. Accordingly, we have set up a “Beer Fund” tab at the upper right of this page for those not wishing to ride in with several cases of brew strapped to their bars . Funds collected through this tab will be used to purchase adult refreshment for the communal beer fridge, with those donating receiving a special, commemorative “fridge pass” for identification. If any small shops or companies would like to donate sticker packs or similar low-budget items to pass out along with the beers, or to kick in a buck or two toward the fund, such contributions would be more than welcome.

Thanks for reading and SEE YA IN AUGUST!