ESTN 2008: Marlinton, WV (Sept 26 - 28)

[garry]

OK Folks, it's official. ESTN 2008 will be held at the Marlinton Motor Inn (http://www.marlintonmotorinn.com) from Sept 26 - 28.

The Inn is located 3 miles north of Marlinton on route 219. Tell them you are with the "Sport Touring.Net" group to get the reduced rates ($64/room per night, taxes included, double occupancy). We have 30 rooms reserved in our block. Any unused rooms and the group rate go away on August 29.

I confirmed that the Roadkill Cookoff/AutumnFest in Marlinton is also that weekend. You might want to make your reservations early. I'm already in :-)

R Doug has already started work on a T-shirt idea.

Both Doug and I know the area well, so there will be no shortage of twisty routes and road info available. I'm hoping to include an ADV-type option that is big bike friendly (all day on dirt roads and back roads). I have some GPS tracks and info already, but need to spend some quality time exploring next season.

I expect that the on-site restaurant will be hosting a group dinner. I hope that we can get a menu of dinner entrees that are all the same price that includes  soft drink, dessert and tip. That would let people pick what they want from a selection of entrees. I need to contact them and see what we can arrange. There is also a bar on-site, so maybe we could even get a quarter barrel...

We have their conference room reserved to be used as ESTN Central (registration, maps, info, etc).


Here is a fledgling web page with more ESTN info: http://www.MotoRoads.net/ESTN

Volunteers to hustle prizes and swag from vendors wanted. My intention is to publicize the sponsors on the web site as well as in a "road book" I want to put together. Maybe we can even get some logos on the T-shirt if they kick in some serious swag. I'm not going to move on this until well after the holidays since life is crazy for everyone.

That's enough for now.

[kendenton]

Garry, that all sounds great!  Thanks for putting all this together.

[tomballos]

Very good Garry.  Looks like you have your work cut out for you.  Thanks a bunch.

[R Doug]

w00t!

The most fun for me will be checking and double checking some potential routes (you know... in the close and personal way).  

I'll reserve my room tomorrow.

[garry]

The most fun for me will be checking and double checking some potential routes (you know... in the close and personal way).  

I'm thinking that a cloverleaf approach (ala Road RUNNER magazine articles) with four routes (NE, SE, SW, NW) might be cool. Plus a kick-ass ADV route. Put your thinking cap on and spend some quality time in Streets and Trips this winter...

[SWriverstone]

I'm thinking that a cloverleaf approach (ala Road RUNNER magazine articles) with four routes (NE, SE, SW, NW) might be cool. Plus a kick-ass ADV route. Put your thinking cap on and spend some quality time in Streets and Trips this winter...

Is that where they came up with that stupid "Shamrock Tour" name?  

I'll make a reservation soon!

Scott

[chornbe]

I'm thinking that a cloverleaf approach (ala Road RUNNER magazine articles) with four routes (NE, SE, SW, NW) might be cool. Plus a kick-ass ADV route. Put your thinking cap on and spend some quality time in Streets and Trips this winter...

While I can't give specific route advice myself (tho' I can cajole it out of the guy I normally go down there with), on past trips we've picked a compass direction for the day and found some fantastic all-day riding, never really wanting for anything. Food, fuel, twisties, mountain tops, valleys and, did I mention, twisties? Such a great area.

I'll see if I can get some of the better routes together from my riding buddy.

[R Doug]

Reservations made for me from the 25-27.  I may take Monday off work to depending on where I end up Sunday evening.  

[panther289]

Garry and R Doug thanks for putting this together. I'll reserve right after the holidays.  

[Scratch33]

Garry and R Doug thanks for putting this together. I'll reserve right after the holidays.  

+1!

[R Doug]

Hey guys, Garry's been doing most of the work, but I'll take any kudos I can get.  

[Cricket1]

Hey guys, Garry's been doing most of the work, but I'll take any kudos I can get.  

Ok Doug, great job!! I am sure the T-shirts will be a hit.

I'm in, just made a reservation.  

[R Doug]

I'm thinking that a cloverleaf approach (ala Road RUNNER magazine articles) with four routes (NE, SE, SW, NW) might be cool. Plus a kick-ass ADV route. Put your thinking cap on and spend some quality time in Streets and Trips this winter...

There will be some refining of these as they are tested out during the spring and summer of '08, but I like these so far...

SE

307 miles and can be expanded SE of Lexington (or is it Roanoke?) to pick up some roads as suggested by Madjack.



NE

300 miles of the classics as typically covered from the CVR area (250, 33, and Smoke Hole Road)



NW

331 miles including one of my new favorites (Rt. 15 between Webster Springs and Flatwoods).  Also, the stretch between I-79 and Glenville, via Cedar Creek SP, is a hoot!



SW

318 miles of roads I have never done before, have heard good things about, and want to do.

[MK96xj]

Many squigglies. Right on Doug

[Mr.Awesome]

Very cool guy's! Should be a great time. I'll reserve a room after the new year. Glad it is at the end of the season. Just started a new job and probably wouldnt have had enough vacation saved up if it was in the spring. Looking forward to it!

[02VFR]

Nice routes..

I will make my reservations Friday.
I have the time off work already.....

Is it September yet??
 

[fjrSKI]

Many squigglies. Right on Doug

I have 54 hrs in so far this week, and I just told my boss when i taking my comp time.  

See you in September, when the summer's through...

[JamminJere]

Wow Doug!

Those loops look great! Its gonna be a blast. Hope to see you at Cacapon..

Jerry

[chornbe]

Doug! Rockin, man!

Would you by any chance have those in GPX or GPB(? - the garmin) format?

[garry]

Doug! Rockin, man!

Would you by any chance have those in GPX or GPB(? - the garmin) format?

Once Doug and I dial in the routes I can put them in DeLorme Topo 6.0 and export them as GPX files.

[R Doug]

Once Doug and I dial in the routes I can put them in DeLorme Topo 6.0 and export them as GPX files.

Sweet because I have no idea what you guys are talking about.  

Seriously, I do have them available as *.est files for Microsoft Streets and Trips.  But, I really want Garry to review them and make any needed changes.  Also, a friend of ours, RideWV aka James, grew up riding in south eastern part of the State and I'll bet he can make some worthy suggestions too.  

[Heaven Bound]

I threw a link over on the WVST site to see if anyone has more to suggest...after all, those guys have nothing better to do than ride and post 

[R Doug]

I threw a link over on the WVST site to see if anyone has more to suggest...after all, those guys have nothing better to do than ride and post 

*  Paging HeavenBound *

You had better chime on the roads in your neck of the woods.  Don't keep the good ones hidden from us!

[maddjack]

Intresting on the first one doug,its virtually the same one I have planned
The only difference for me is a possible food gas stop in Lynchburg,also if anyone is intrested the D-Day memorial is in Bedford right near Lynchburg,if you are into history its worth a sidetrip there

[R Doug]

That's funny Maddjack.  You need to remind where the stretch of road is you told me about earlier that I should try near Lynchburg (I believe).  

I'll most likely do day rides on Friday and Saturday and the SE loop will be one of my trips w/ the SW being the other.  I can pretty much ride the other loops from my home fairly easily and I will hit Rt. 15 either comming to Marlinton on Thursday or when heading home on Sunday.  

Though I have not been on most of the roads located in the SW loop, I suspect the SE loop will be considered the bomb!  

Consider the following...

SE loop contains a kick ass section of Rt. 311 stretching from WV into VA.  Then, you can have a few relaxing miles on the BRP (perhaps doing a quick loop over to the Lynchburg area and back to expend the trip).  Then you get to do the MAD section of Rt. 39 from Lexington, VA over to Rimel, WV.  This is followed by a relaxing section of 39 though a beautiful farm filled valley back to Marlinton where you can enjoy some of the festivities at the Roadkill Cookoff!