ESTN 2008: West Virginia - exactly where and when?

[garry]

I just got off the phone with a very nice lady from Marlington Motor Inn. Looks pretty good to me. Hotel and bar on site. Pool with jacuzzi *might* be open, but they generally close it around Labor Day unless the weather stays nice. They have a conference room we can use for stuff (maps, welcome table, etc). Restaurant on site is big enough to hold the group from what I've been told.

Marlington is about an hour south of Canaan on route 219, also in the middle of lots of great riding. Tons of overlap between the two areas. Same tourist attractions, same great roads.

1 adult in a room with two double beds: $53.95/night (tax included)
2 adults in a room with two double beds: $63.95 (tax included)

All rooms have cable TV, refrigerator, coffee maker. No wireless internet. Cell phones don't tend to work there due to being so close to Greenbank Observatory.

Once I get quotes/etc in writing and clarify any questions ya'll might have, I'll put it up to a vote/poll between Canaan and Marlington. The dates I requested in both cases were Sept 26 - 28.

[sprint_st]

Actually the best riding in WV is during the week so, why not a Monday through Friday event.   It won't collide with anything major and we can have the main party on Wednesday night so riders who can't spend the entire time can slide their travel days to fit. I would recommend Spruce Knob Lake campground.  It is gravel for most of the way but the view is tremendous.  You can drink and make as much racket as you want cause only the deer and bear will get upset.  Price is good, but you get what you pay for, a tent pad.  Better gas up cause there ain't none up there.  Dual sporters should love it.  If you are lucky enough to be there during a thunderstorm it is a once in a lifetime experience to see trees exploding all around.   It has other excitement too, going out into the woods at night to get firewood and picking up rattlesnakes.  Food is great, you pick it, you cook it.  Sorry guys, been a long morning and I'm losing what few screws that are still left    Keep up the good work Garry, you name the time and place and I'll be there.

[R Doug]

Marlinton sounds like a good deal!

I just got off the phone w/ Gretta at Snowshoe Resort.  They could put us at the base of the mountain for $72 / night / room+ tax.  

For $20 per person, we can have a group buffet dinner at Brandy's Restaurant.   The buffet restaurant also serves breakfast at $10.00 per person.

Personally, I don't have anything against Canaan.  But, I believe staying a bit further south provides better day trip options to the north and south of the area.  

[JoBu]

Way to go, Garry!!    Marlington sounds like a great deal.  Great prices, great riding, great company...who can ask for more???  

Cheers,

Joe

[maddjack]

I just got off the phone with a very nice lady from Marlington Motor Inn. Looks pretty good to me. Hotel and bar on site. Pool with jacuzzi *might* be open, but they generally close it around Labor Day unless the weather stays nice. They have a conference room we can use for stuff (maps, welcome table, etc). Restaurant on site is big enough to hold the group from what I've been told.

Marlington is about an hour south of Canaan on route 219, also in the middle of lots of great riding. Tons of overlap between the two areas. Same tourist attractions, same great roads.

1 adult in a room with two double beds: $53.95/night (tax included)
2 adults in a room with two double beds: $63.95 (tax included)

All rooms have cable TV, refrigerator, coffee maker. No wireless internet. Cell phones don't tend to work there due to being so close to Greenbank Observatory.

Once I get quotes/etc in writing and clarify any questions ya'll might have, I'll put it up to a vote/poll between Canaan and Marlington. The dates I requested in both cases were Sept 26 - 28.

In reality it might be a good change of pace for us Canaan regulars and rt 39 is that much closer

[R Doug]

In reality it might be a good change of pace for us Canaan regulars and rt 39 is that much closer

+1 !!!

[kendenton]

In reality it might be a good change of pace for us Canaan regulars and rt 39 is that much closer

+2 on Rt 39

[R Doug]

I'm 100% for the Marlinton Motor Inn  

http://www.marlintonmotorinn.com/

[sprint_st]

Put me down for a pre-vote   on both the dates and location.  Great job Garry!!!

[garry]

I just discovered that Marlinton has an Autumn Festival at the end of September, including a Roadkill Cook-Off. We might be there at the same time. Could be a fun post-ride diversion. Doubt it gets crazy busy...

http://www.pccoc.com/Roadkill.cfm

[R Doug]

Work is a little slow this afternoon and I just had a cup of coffee.

So... check out some of the indicative routes you can take from Marlinton, WV.  First, Here's an idea of everything within a 2.5 hour ride from Marlinton...



Next, here are two indicative routes that are approximately 300 miles each.  The first one picks up some of our favorite roads as if we stayed at the Canaan area and the next one picks up some twisties we would not try to make from Canaan.

This first one includes the best section of US 219, Rt. 250 over Cheat Mountain, 28 up towards Petersburg (instead of Petersburg, you could cut off on Smoke Hole Road), Rt. 33 over to VA and back, Rt. 21 and 614 down to Rt. 250 again to pick up the good part over through Monterey, Rt. 600 down to pick up Rt. 39, and back to Marlinton.



This one picks up Rt. 39 over to Richwood and a few routes to get you down to Lewisburg.  Next, you pick up Rt. 311 to New Castle (awesome!) then a quick run past Roanoke to pick up the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Follow the BRP all the way up to Lexington, VA where you can hit the Goshen Pass (incredible!) followed by the best section of Rt. 39 back to Marlinton (Whoot!!!).

[Cricket1]

Garry:

Marlinton sounds good to me. As R Doug pointed out, the more southern location gives route options not really available when staying at Caanan valley.

Late Sept. should be great weather. I've done tours that weekend for the last 3 years in SE OH, WV or Ky, and it is perfect.

Count me in!!

[MK96xj]

I was on the BRP just north of Buchanan VA on my way back from Thanksgiving. That was some twisty goodness even in the car. Made the wife and daugther sick

[R Doug]

Even more great potential day trips...





I can see I'll need to plan on at least 4 days for ESTN 2008 if it's in Marlinton.  

[garry]

Doug must be really bored at work, but there are no shortage of awesome twisty rides. Not crazy tight switchbacks, but hundreds of miles of stuff that makes you giggle doing 50 - 70 MPH on them. I'm betting I can round up info from ADVrider on the "Parsons Loop" for an all-day big bike friendly, lots of dirt roads type ride.

[tankhead]

marlinton.  but let's make it the last week of august before school starts in the fall..........PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[rich_oh]

been wanting to do a multi-day ride out of marlinton.  perfect spot IMO.  can't wait!

[fjrSKI]

Marlinton & Sep 26 sounds like a winning combo to me.
Super job Gary.  Rooms are reasonable, and there is camping nearby.

[gforce]

Couldn't make the nat'l last year, so I'm glad it's gonna be in West by God VA.

Can't tell what my schedule looks like that far ahead, but I'll have it circled, for sure.

Thanks to Garry for the excellent front-end work.

[chornbe]

been wanting to do a multi-day ride out of marlinton.  perfect spot IMO.  can't wait!

Marlinton is a GREAT home base. Last time I was down there, we did one compass direction each day, and did 200-400 mile loops. What a fantastic long weekend.