A Litas Gathering in the Allegheny National Forest
Camping in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains? Yes, please. Last year, a few of the Litas collectives met up in Pittsburgh at our annual Glory Daze motorcycle show and came up with a plan for an annual campout in the Allegheny National Forest. The location offers endless off-road trails, a historic state highway, and best of all, real toilets and showers onsite! Despite some rain, the first annual No Coast Campout event was a hit among the region’s Litas groups and will be back again next year for those interested.
Kelly Griffith and Caitlin Maiden of The Litas Cleveland were kind enough to answer some post-event questions and give an inside look at the event and what’s to come.
Kelly Griffith and Caitlin Maiden of The Litas Cleveland were kind enough to answer some post-event questions and give an inside look at the event and what’s to come.
How did No Coast Campout come about?
Kelly + Caitlin: At Glory Daze 2022, The Litas Cleveland met up with The Litas Buffalo and Pittsburgh. We had a brief chat about how fun it would be to meet up for camping. We took the idea and ran with it.
Kelly + Caitlin: At Glory Daze 2022, The Litas Cleveland met up with The Litas Buffalo and Pittsburgh. We had a brief chat about how fun it would be to meet up for camping. We took the idea and ran with it.
What did you hope for in the first year?
K+C: No Coast Campout was truly birthed by a need to have a campout closer to our three collectives to accommodate all rider skill levels. We thought about having it open to anyone for the first year, but toned it down to all collectives wanting to go. We knew collectives of the Litas have the same bottom line and wanted to keep the event small. In the end, we had over 70 attendees, from 12 collectives; Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, Buffalo, Toronto, Milwaukee, Hunterdon County (New Jersey), Lancaster, West Michigan, Newburgh, and Hamilton (Ontario, Canada).
K+C: No Coast Campout was truly birthed by a need to have a campout closer to our three collectives to accommodate all rider skill levels. We thought about having it open to anyone for the first year, but toned it down to all collectives wanting to go. We knew collectives of the Litas have the same bottom line and wanted to keep the event small. In the end, we had over 70 attendees, from 12 collectives; Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, Buffalo, Toronto, Milwaukee, Hunterdon County (New Jersey), Lancaster, West Michigan, Newburgh, and Hamilton (Ontario, Canada).
Weather is always a factor when organizing an event. How did the attendees manage under the circumstances?
K+C: We had a lot of rain on the forecast, which lead to about 20 no-shows. Those who did attend were well prepared with rain gear and great attitudes! Several people opted for area Airbnbs to spend the nights out of the rain. Several groups banded together with some follow trucks to do some area sightseeing in the rain. We also had spots of beautiful weather and couldn’t have asked for better weather for field games and bonfires on Saturday.
K+C: We had a lot of rain on the forecast, which lead to about 20 no-shows. Those who did attend were well prepared with rain gear and great attitudes! Several people opted for area Airbnbs to spend the nights out of the rain. Several groups banded together with some follow trucks to do some area sightseeing in the rain. We also had spots of beautiful weather and couldn’t have asked for better weather for field games and bonfires on Saturday.
What do gatherings like this mean to you and the team as motorcycle enthusiasts?
K+C: There is just something magical and heartwarming about getting so many womxn riders together, in such a beautiful place. It was important for us to foster a sense of community at No Coast Campout. We didn’t want to see each regional collective grouped off by themselves. To attempt to ensure this, we had community dinners both nights and all the camping was grouped together.
K+C: There is just something magical and heartwarming about getting so many womxn riders together, in such a beautiful place. It was important for us to foster a sense of community at No Coast Campout. We didn’t want to see each regional collective grouped off by themselves. To attempt to ensure this, we had community dinners both nights and all the camping was grouped together.
Where would you like to see this event in the future?
K+C: I would love to see No Coast as a well-established event pulling Litas from all over the U.S. and Canada. As for the near future, we knew we wanted to get one year under our belts before expanding the event. For 2024 (June 21-23) we are opening it up for 150 campers (100 in 2023) and adding more organized activities.
K+C: I would love to see No Coast as a well-established event pulling Litas from all over the U.S. and Canada. As for the near future, we knew we wanted to get one year under our belts before expanding the event. For 2024 (June 21-23) we are opening it up for 150 campers (100 in 2023) and adding more organized activities.
No Coast Campout is held at Loleta Bear Claw Campground
Photo: Jennifer Reihner
Marienville, PA
