September 9th-13th 2026
Wailin Wayne Ambassadors
Finding Inspiration Every Mile
Wailin Wayne Ambassadors distinguish themselves by dedicating their time, energy, and expertise to the rally. They assist with rally setup, promote Wailin Wayne, and exemplify the spirit of giving back to the riding community as a whole. Serving as the "face" of Wailin Wayne, Ambassadors provide information and share personal experiences with fellow riders throughout the riding community.
Wailin Wayne greatly depends on the generosity of our volunteers to ensure that attendees enjoy the best rally experience possible. We aim to acknowledge those exceptional individuals who stand out as dedicated supporters of Wailin Wayne through the Ambassador Program.
Mike Allen
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
I’ve been coming to Wailin Wayne for 9-10 years now. I have so many positive personal experiences it’s hard to just name one. Initially I felt so busy at work I could only come for one day. Now I come for the event, stay the long weekend and recharge my batteries. This seems to be therapeutic for me and look forward to the event all year.
When you’re out on the trail with other like-minded people you get a feeling of being part of a team. As a result I want the team to succeed and have the best time possible. I always do whatever I can to help make sure that happens. The whole atmosphere fosters friendships in many ways. You just needs to participate and allow it to naturally happen.
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Tami Bakke
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
The credit for getting me to Wailin’ Wayne Weekend for the first time belongs to Tom Gary, then President of the BMW MOA Foundation. At my first rally, I found that the common thread for WWW attendees is a love for adventure and dual sport riding on many different sizes and kinds of motorcycles. This brand-agnostic celebration of sketchy surfaces and curvy roads provides a unique opportunity to enjoy motorcycling and practice skills in a supportive environment.
WWW serves as an annual family reunion for riders from all over, and connections made at the rally tend to persist and deepen in successive years. The rally serves as an easy way to access skills development and training opportunities through a variety of on-bike training sessions that help riders ride safer, faster, and in greater control of their motorcycle. For those who want the full experience, taking on a volunteer shift provides a way to forge friendships and to help the event run smoothly. My personal favorites are slinging wings and pouring drafts on the train ride and assisting with registration.
Doug Bakke
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin Wayne Weekend is a significant event for me and the adventure riding community, drawing participants from across the nation. The rally offers a variety of riding experiences, including scenic routes through Hocking Hills State Park on Ohio's Windy 9, challenging trails in Wayne National Forest, and county gravel roads, catering to different riding styles and skill levels. The event fosters community by bringing together motorcycle enthusiasts for several days of riding, camping, entertainment, and camaraderie. It also includes opportunities to connect with new and old friends. Additionally, the rally often features vendors, demo rides, and training sessions, further contributing to the motorcycle community. Wailin Wayne Weekend also has a charitable aspect by supporting the BWW MOA Foundation and Motorcycle Relief Project.
Charles Buchanan
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
The very first WWW I went to a kid on a little 50cc dirt bike when by me followed by his mom. At that moment I knew I was in the right place. It took me back almost 50 years ago to when my father followed me on my first little 50cc motorcycle. It is moments like that which people should cherish their entire lives. It really reminds me of home and growing up in East Tennessee. That is a huge compliment to the effort that is put into WWW to make everyone welcome.
Wailin Wayne contributes to the riding community on day one and the last day of the event. The first day everyone is high fiving and hugging everyone. On the last day everyone is talking about seeing everyone next year. That is a true sign of how this rally has impact on the Adv Rider as a whole. You don’t get to see everyone all year yet you walk up to them every time like you were hanging out with them yesterday. The other significant part of WWW is the time spent on making sure the kids are part of the whole event. That is the future and it is looking strong.
Jordan Davenport
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin Wayne Weekend, from its inception, has been an opportunity to meet like minded individuals, couples and entire families interested in riding motorcycles for pleasure. As an attendee of that first weekend, I have forged lifelong friendships (well, for twelve years anyway) with those riders and those that have followed. Together we have attended rallies from Maine to Arizona, travelled BDRs and countless paved and unpaved roads together. The twelve original attendees had no idea the event would become the gathering it is today. Kudos to Mr. Warner for his accomplishment.
At that first WWW, Chad envisioned everyone riding the Forest trails until one man stated he would rather stick to pavement. Having experience in the area, I volunteered to lead him through the legendary triple nickel, route 555. Two others joined us that day for a spirited ride up 555, to Marieta, 26 and 800 back to 78 and return to camp. A very long day of spirited riding indeed. I continued to lead this and similar routes for the next six years until my health slowed me down. Today I lead much smaller groups mostly to interesting lunch spots.
I enjoy speaking to the first timers, sharing event information. It is especially interesting to meet those new or returning to motorcycling, looking for places to ride. WWW is always suggested to them. It has been a pleasure to see people make new friendships and spread the joy that is motorcycle riding.
I expect to continue attending WWW until these old bones give out.
Jo Hines
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin’ Wayne Weekend is significant to me because it’s a chance to camp and ride with my boyfriend while being surrounded by a community that loves adventure riding as much as we do. The event draws a lot of people, and that scale creates an energy you feel all weekend long. I enjoy seeing the variety of bikes, hearing them roll through camp, and experiencing the rally as a whole. At this point, I’ve also made a small but committed investment in tent lighting. Between the great riding, outdoor time, people with a shared appreciation for motorcycle culture, and the glow of camp at night, Wailin’ Wayne has become a weekend we genuinely look forward to every year.
Wailin’ Wayne brings people together by creating a shared experience around riding, learning, and camping. Between the availability of both trails and street led rides, training sessions, demos, guest speakers, and time spent at camp, it gives riders opportunities to connect without forcing interaction. The size of the event exposes people to different riding styles and experience levels, while the structure makes it easy to learn from one another. As a result, it strengthens the riding community by building confidence, encouraging skill development, and creating connections that extend beyond the weekend itself.
Rick Hofmann
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin Wayne Weekend Rally: A Family-Friendly Adventure
The Wailin Wayne Weekend rally is the ultimate event to enjoy with your family and friends. It's an incredibly family-friendly gathering, featuring wonderful people and fantastic riding opportunities.
By attending this rally annually, I get the chance to reconnect with both old and new friends. It's a wonderful opportunity to expand my circle within this inspiring riding community, which has motivated me and many others.
Ryan Jones
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin Wayne Weekend started out for me as something to do on a random weekend in September; little did I know how much it would become a part of my life. The friendships that have been fostered as a result of this event are ones that will be life long. Being able to be a part of the welcoming atmosphere, diversity of riders, and the sense of community that Chad inspires in every attendee has become a staple in my year. It’s so much more than a rally, it’s an extended family reunion.
Jon Juracich
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
The first WWW that I attended was 2017. I'd had a Triumph Tiger for a couple of years, and was hoping to get into ADV riding (I'd ridden dirt when I was younger). The first rally was still at Bagley's, and by the end of the weekend, I was hooked! I really enjoyed riding with everyone, sitting around the campfire in the evening - everything about the event! I have tried to attend every WWW since, and I think I've only missed one. I love meeting new friends and reconnecting with people from past WWWs - and I tell anyone who will listen about WWW!.
WWW has been growing since it started out 12 years ago. The first one that I went to had less than 100 people, and now over 400 attend. Obviously, it brings people together - those that have attended invite their friends, and those people invite their friends. I've been able to meet John Penton and other notable motorcyclists, taken some great training classes, and met some really wonderful people from around Ohio and the country. To me, this is the premier motorcycling event in Ohio.
Matt Kane
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
It started when a man named Gordon told me about a rally in southern Ohio and sleeping under a bridge. Taking the big BMW off-road was scary at first, but riding with others pushed me to do better and helped me feel more comfortable with the bike. As Wailin Wayne Weekend grew i have ridden the easy rides to the more difficult ones. Riding with the Sky Med ride and then having to lead the ride was fun and challenging and riding sweep to give pointers to help people get better at riding their bikes. It's also about exploring the area like going to Point Pleasant and the Mothman museum and having to change the tire in the parking lot.
Matt McCourt
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
This Rally alone put me on the path that I’m on today…I met Chad by chance a few months after purchaing my 21’ GSA - New to riding and wanting to do this "ADV thing” - I saw a bike in front of a Bob Evans and looked similar to mine. I stopped in and sat down with Mr. WWW himself Chad Warner. We talked and he didnt even know I had signed up for WWW - it was pure luck! I still look at that day as the true start of this journey! This rally has led to some of my most cherished friendships - kindered spirts alike and wouldn’t trade it for anything!!!
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I made mention of this in 2023 - WWW is like a “Family Reunion”. Every year you get to see people you haven’t seen or ridden with and it brings back a lot of fond memories while you are making new ones. Every year is different - it’s not a rinse and repeat - Plenty to do, plenty of people to engage with and more over a family of like minded friends! If you havent been here…get here…you’ll become a part of the family!!!
Scott McCrory
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
The 2026 event will be my 8th Wailn Wayne Weekend, and it continues to be one of my all time favorite events. It's great to catch up with old and new friendships, ride fantastic woods, street, gravel and dirt roads in SE Ohio, test new bikes, scout out wares, enjoy feats of skill, learn motorcycling and camping techniques, encourage the next generation, put gear to use and clear one's mind of everyday worries.
I live an hour away and regularly ride SE Ohio woods and roads each season, but I don't get to see as many moto-friends outside of events like Wailin Wayne Weekend. Its positive vibe makes it easy to strike up conversations, enquire about people's bikes, their modifications and what they think about them, trips they've done and what's coming up. You see people's riding styles change and their lives evolve in ways that social media can't convey. So, while some are lucky to experience the area all season-long, Wailin Wayne Weekend adds a layer of personal connection that shouldn't be missed.
Brad McFadden
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
2026 will mark my 5th year at Wailin’ Wayne Weekend, and it has evolved from a 'must-attend' event into a cornerstone of my riding season. To me, WWW is significant because it acts as a bridge between the various realms of the adventure world. We come from different backgrounds, but when we’re out on the trail, differences disappear and we’re just trying to make it up that rutted out hill. In a climate that often seeks to divide, this rally does the opposite. Whether we are navigating main corridor trail or technical unpaved township roads, Wailin’ Wayne provides a unique environment where we overcome shared adversity. Those moments of challenge on the trail create a level of camaraderie and a bond that lasts long after Wailin’ Wayne is over.
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The ADV world is often a solitary pursuit. Wailin’ Wayne plays a crucial role by transforming that solo hobby into a shared experience. It serves as an annual homecoming/reunion of sorts and it’s the one time a year when the 'solitary rider' gets to experience being part of something much larger. By bringing together trail riders, adventure tourers, and pavement enthusiasts in one place, WWW fosters a culture of mentorship and inclusivity. It’s where old friendships are cemented and new ones are forged, ensuring the Ohio ADV community remains vibrant and growing.
Bob Pawloski
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
WWW is what I would describe as a gateway drug. Once you go and meet some of the nicest people and have one of the best weekends riding motorcycles with like minded friends, you are hooked and want more. As an introvert, WWW has helped me break out of my shell and navigate a crowd. and make new friends. When I started volunteering it changed everything. What I thought was a great thing, turned into an awesome thing. Being involved helps me feel even more connected. Without WWW my ADV adventure would have taken a different path or more likely a shorter path. The friends and the connextions I made have inspired me to keep going down this road. They have driven me to become a better rider and a better person.
To me it is, no person left behind. If the bike brakes, or the person brakes, or the skill level is not ready for an experience, the group stops and helps. Everyone I met at WWW has been extremely nice and welcoming. I feel the size is pretty key in making WWW one of the friendliest and most welcoming events. When you return, it is like a family reunion. And when are new, you are welcomed into the family with open arms.
Bob Schiffbauer
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
For me Wailin Wayne is the best ADV rally I attend all year and I have a little bit of experience in it and that I will have attended 4 or 5 each year prior to www. The attendees are friendly and helpful. same can be said of the staff trail riding in Wayne national Forest is awesome and the whole vibe with Waylon Wayne is just excellent. I talk it up to all the guys I ride with and even have gotten several of them to come down and check it out.
This year I'm hoping to lead a beginner's ride that will be 80% in the woods and at the same time be something that a new Rider can safely do, something along the lines of, I wish there was something like that when I first started 5 years ago riding ADV. We'll just have to wait and see where that goes. I am currently riding a mountain bike trying to determine the best and safest routes to pick for a new Rider. Once the weather improves I'll be able to explore more trails and hopefully come up with a route a novice rider can feel comfortable on. if that doesn't work out, I'll still be around to help with the setup and tear down and empty trash cans and anything else that needs to be done during the week... Semper Fi, Bob
Michael Stewart
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
COMING SOON
Jacob Turley
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
COMING SOON
Jonathan Vickery
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
When I moved back to Tennessee after living in Colorado and New Mexico for many years, I kept hearing about this rally called Wailin’ Wayne Weekend (WWW), especially from friends at March Moto Madness (MMM). My first year, I got connected with David Williams and came early to help him set up the reserved power locations for campers. It was great spending time with him and getting to know him better. He is a truly remarkable human being.
Once the rally started, there were many friends from MMM. Of course I was able to meet a whole bunch of other since there were probably 700 people registered. This was a great experience with guided rides, good food, the beer tent, and numerous opportunities to buy more gear from the vendors.
Every year, it has gotten better and better. Chad is a very special man and goes above and beyond to make sure everyone enjoys their time whether they have been coming for years or are a first-timer. His enjoyment and excitement about this event is on display all the time.
Anyway, this and MMM are my 2 go to rallies that are on my schedule every year. I do not see this changing.
Kane Wagner
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
I've been going to WWW since 2018 and helped kick off the guided rides the year WWW was moved to Hocking College. Each year since I've guided tons of WWW riders every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Being an Ohio guy, and also in the Adventure Tourism game, highlighting the opportunities for ADV, Dual Sport, and Trail riding in the state of Ohio is a big reason for me to come to and support WWW. I've met great friends and have had a ton of people that follow me around Wayne National Forest at WWW.
My website has always had a link over to WWW, I've posted on social media in support of WWW, and have talked about WWW in multiple platforms including on our Appalachian ADV Community Podcast (which I just sent an invite email to Chad to come on). I've always told people that WWW is the Premier Ohio Adventure event, more like an ADV festival. Something for everyone with tons of stuff to see and do and tons of other entities from the industry/community hanging around base camp.
Yeah, WWW is cool.
Mark Warner
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
My introduction to Wailin Wayne Weekend was during the 9th Annual rally. Despite only being able to attend for three days, the experience left me yearning for more. From the moment I arrived, I felt a sense of belonging. The welcoming and helpful staff at the gate, along with the friendly campsite neighbors who took an interest in my bike, created an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement. It was a rare feeling of being part of something special. The event brought out the best in me right from the start - I even won my first raffle prize, a gift card to my favorite luggage company! Over the years, I've made new friends, tried out different bikes, and challenged myself in ways I never imagined. Each year, the experience only gets better with new friendships and unforgettable moments.
Wailin Wayne Weekend serves as a common ground for connecting with others and breaking down barriers. It provides a platform for riders to engage with individuals beyond their usual circles. Whether it's admiring someone else's bike, seeking out trail riding companions, or continuing discussions post-seminar, the event encourages interaction and dialogue. The Rally also gives people a physical place to meet up at. Those from outside Ohio gather with locals and the exchange just happens naturally. Every year after my first feels like a homecoming, or a family reunion of sorts. It's a special thing that you can only experience if you're there. While some are very good, pictures and video just can't compare to the amazingness that you feel by actually being there.
David Williams
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
My first Wailin Wayne was around 2015. I was amazed at how everyone there was so friendly and helpful. I have become friends with many of them and keep in contact year around.
I was never a rally goer until WWW. The family friendly atmosphere made everyone at all skill levels welcome. I knew after my first year I would return every year I was able. Being that WWW is family friendly event, there are events that everyone can participate in and enjoy. You don't have to ride to enjoy yourself. You can paint, watch movies, listen to music and of course, VOLUNTEER and give back to the sport.
Robb Wing
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
Wailin Wayne Weekend is probably my favorite rally of the year. It checks all of the boxes for me. I love the camaraderie, activities, vendors, available riding opportunities, demo rides, and especially the family friendly environment. I really enjoy seeing the friends that return year after year. Having run rallies for other industries, I know the difficulty of "herding cats" to make it all come together. I attend numerous rallies each year and I have to say WWW is the one I always hate to see end each year.
I think WWW has established itself as a premier rally experience which I think is evidenced by how many folks come back year after year accompanied by f-rst timers. The people make the rally and it's a great group of welcoming folks that I encounter every year. As a beer booth volunteer, I've met hundreds of new riding buddies over the years. Having been a first aid volunteer at WWW, the lack of patients indicates the level of safe riding that most riders embrace.
Ulysses Wong
Wailin Wayne Ambassador
I found the 8th annual Wailin Wayne quite by accident in winter of 2020-2021 and was very excited to check it out, if only for the very reasonably priced ADV training which I never had for my 2018 GSA. It is my first bike that is not purely street oriented. WWW VIII was also the very first rally I had ever been to. I received great training from D.A.R.T., met lots of really cool people and got to challenge myself on roads I would rarely experience on my own with other like minded people safely. I vowed to go back the next year and when I saw a call for volunteers, I knew I had to help.
For my part, the volunteering allowed me to challenge myself in that I am not terribly social. Volunteering gives me a nudge or an excuse to meet and interact with others. I appreciate the nomination but it’s really not warranted. I don’t do all that much and I get so much more out of it than if I just showed up. I’ve made friends with Chad, Dave, Rick, Doug and Tammi, Jonathan, Liz, etc etc etc. It’s a homecoming every year and I can’t express how much I look forward to it. I enjoy it some much that I’ve helped recruit at least 10 friends to come since and a couple of them, Cori and Brad will be coming for their 3r year and 2nd as volunteers
WWW makes a space for people to meet, bring dollars to a relatively small community and fosters not just camaraderie but education as well. There’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to trainers. Local and nationally known coaches. ALL coexisting side by side, to train people in how to enjoy still the strongest segment of the motorcycling industry. That’s what attracted me to WWW in the first place and then the ability to put that training into practice in such beautiful area is icing on the cake. AND if you run a BMW and are int he MOA…well that training is covered or heavily subsidized on to of the already reasonable pricing!
Clearly WWW is doing something right if the motorcycling community keeps sending more and more demo trucks and vendors for the increasing attendees