- Dirt Orcas

THE 10TH ANNUAL DIRT ORCAS SUMMER CLASSIC

August 29th, 2026

In conjunction with Gerbing Heated Gear, REVER, Jefferson County Ciderworks, and Sun and Fun Motorsports, and I am pleased to announce the 10th Annual Dirt Orcas Summer Classic.

The event will take place Saturday August 29th, 2026.

The Summer Classic is a wonderful adventure motorcycle experience that involves camping and riding on mostly dirt Roads and gravel through Eastern Iowa. The route is tailored to take riders through some of the best scenery and riding in the area. We also have a fantastic raffle, great food and drinks, and a showing of the latest Backcountry Discovery Route documentary feature on an outdoor movie screen.

There will be water crossings and ample dirt under our tires, but this track will be doable for all adventure bikes with at least 50/50 tread.

Look forward to a great day of riding and camping. We cover a lot of miles, passing through areas with historical significance, while traversing scenic and sometimes challenging terrain. True adventure riding. The route will be challenging but rewarding.

Attendees are welcome to arrive Friday evening for camping, but this year in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Summer Classic we are turning back the clock to recreate the original event.

The event begins Saturday at Sun and Fun Motorsports in Iowa City around 10:30am for registration and lunch, then our group will ride back to our campsite in the afternoon for dinner and camping in Bentonsport on the river, taking the Summer Classic adventure route.

This is a rain or shine event so the alternative “road ride” that makes it a lot less challenging if we have poor conditions (Hello 2019!) will be the back up plan if the B-Roads are impassable.

Email dirtorcas@gmail.com to secure your spot. Event cost is $100 per person.

If you would like to purchase a Dirt Orcas T-shirt you’ll find my Etsy store has a great selection.

Registration:

*Preregistration is required. Event will be capped at 50 riders. Email dirtorcas@gmail.com for instruction on how to secure your spot.

**Tent camping is included with registration, but for those interested in upgrading to a more conventional experience, the historic Mason House Bed and Breakfast is available. Please note B&B lodging will be paid by individuals and is not included with registration.

*** A support truck can be made available to specific medical items but plan to carry your own camping gear and tools.

$100 event ticket includes Dirt Orcas rider pass and .GPX, event sponsors stickers pack, raffle entry, two nights of tent camping, camp breakfast, lunch at Sun and Fun Motorsports, dinner, complimentary ciders from Jefferson County Ciderworks, and a Backcountry Discovery Routes Movie premier ticket.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday August 29th – 10am – Arrive at Sun and Fun Motorsports in Iowa City for Registration. They will provide us with lunch, while we check out new models from BMW, Triumph, Honda and others.

1PM – The group will begin our ride down to Bentsonsport. The GPS tracks will be available to everyone as a .gpx file or in the REVER App. The ride typically works best if everyone can break into small groups and be self sufficient.

6pm – We will arrive at the campground in Bentonsport. Dinner will be served. Jefferson County Ciderworks fantastic hard cider will be available. Again, camping fees are included with registration, but for those interested in upgrading to a more conventional experience, the historic Mason House Bed and Breakfast is across the street. Here is the link to make your own reservations.

8pm – Raffle drawing will commence and great prizes from our sponsors will be distributed to the winners.

8:30pm – A campfire will be built for riders to enjoy and recount the best moments of the ride.

Sunday 8am – A camp breakfast will be served at the campground. There is also a convenience store about 5 miles away along the route when we depart in the morning.