*Spoiler Alert - No, it doesn't really suck

The Gypsy Run has a longstanding reputation of being a pretty sucky motorcycle event. Year after year, one commonly heard description of the event is that, as always, the Gypsy Run still sucks. So, considering that it sucks so much, why did I decide to check out the Gypsy Run for the first time this year? Because I felt like the Gypsy Run's big secret was that it really doesn't suck at all.

Sadly, I was not able to meet with other riders at Bear Mountain in New York on Friday morning to participate in the actual "run" part of the Gypsy Run. So, I can't say whether that part of the weekend sucked or not. Maybe it did, but I would confidently bet that it didn't. Those that did ride on the official run started arriving at the campground in Narrowsburg, NY around four in the afternoon. That Friday evening was pretty chill and relaxed with even more riders showing up, everyone setting up their camps and checking out a few of the vendors that were set up behind the bar (which was fully stocked with free beer).

On Saturday morning, people started organizing group rides and setting out on their own adventures in this remote area of New York which lies just south of the Catskills. The group that I was hanging out with headed to breakfast that morning before riding east to Hawk's Nest Drive to enjoy some twisty roads and killer views.

Soon after returning to camp on that Saturday, the fun and games began. With events like mini bike races, kick start races, kayak races (imagine towing your buddy behind your motorcycle across the lawn while he's sitting in a kayak) and ax throwing, Saturday night at the Gypsy Run definitely didn't suck. The crowd cheered and laughed hard as riders went fast and crashed hard.



As the sun went down, Walter Gemeinhardt, the man and the mind behind the Gypsy Run, grabbed the mic to thank everyone for coming out for a good time and to give away some raffle prizes, including a super clean Harley Davidson Sportster donated by Bergen County Harley Davidson.

Saturday night at the Gypsy Run ran late with campfires blazing and beers flowing freely. As one or two a.m. passed, the vibe relaxed and everyone finally began to wind down, before eventually passing out.

People started breaking down their camps and rolling out for the ride home early Sunday morning. Before long, the campground was again as quiet as it was in the days just before hundreds of campers and their motorcycles showed up for another Gypsy.

And that sums it up, my first Gypsy Run; and no, it really didn't suck at all.

Photos+Story by: Chris Lacour