BMWBMW Celebrates 50 years of The Square Route Rally!!
Not many things in motorcycling last for a half-century, so anything that lasts that long must be for a very good reason. Sturgis, Daytona, and the Four Winds Rally are gatherings that have been going on for more than 50 years and now there is another event that earned that distinct honor: The Annual Square Route Rally (SRR) hosted by BMW Motorrad Club Washington DC. The first SRR took place in 1974 when the Club, under the original name of BMW Bikers of Metropolitan Washington (BMWBMW), organized an annual weekend rally in the Catoctin Mountains. Providentially, this turned out to be a winning formula for a great weekend escape from the humid jungles of DC and Baltimore. The roads are scenic and winding. The caterer serves delicious BBQ. The campus features grassy camping and bunkhouses. There are guest speakers and seminars. And lots of door prizes bring joy to the lucky.
The 50th Square Route Rally will take place at the YMCA Camp West Mar in Sabillasville, Maryland on June 6-8, 2025. Camp West Mar features 5 bunkhouse cabins for those who prefer solid roofs and grass fields or a mature tree canopy for those who love camping. Many of our guests find places to stay at an AirBnB or nearby hotels. Camp West Mar has a large dining hall, an open pavilion with picnic tables that serves as Beer Haus & Seminar Central, a decent WiFi signal and large spacious bathrooms & shower houses. There are also two large fire pits for those who enjoy laughter, storytelling, and cigars around a campfire.
One of Maryland’s best ice creameries, the South Mountain Creamery, is a short, scenic ride from camp. Civil War buffs have many choices including Gettysburg, Sharpsburg & Antietam, Harper’s Ferry, and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. There are also covered bridges to explore nearby. For those interested in Arts & Shopping both Gettysburg and nearby Shepherdstown boast many galleries, shops, and sidewalk cafes in restored downtowns. Riders seeking relaxation can visit the spas in Berkeley Springs which hosts one of National Geographic’s top 10 panoramic overlooks in the nation, just west of town on the incredible Route 9. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters is 139 miles away, with great roads in between. And then of course there is the riding! Camp West-Mar is an easy ride from some of Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia & Pennsylvania’s greatest roads. The Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) is close-by and convenient for a day trip. Favorite routes include the Dave Keuch Memorial ride to Gettysburg, the Route 9 Loop, the Northern Virginia Piedmont Loop, and the Burkettesville Wander.
After a day of great riding, enjoy a delicious catered BBQ from Bollinger’s Restaurant, door prizes, a Tiki Bar, and the Hot Pepper Jam bluegrass band. SRR Alumni are invited to drive or ride to this event, so come join us to reconnect and help us remember why the Square Route Rally is so much fun. We will be opening up our registration page before the end of November so get ready to make some new memories!