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

[Against The Wind]

Rain schmain.....at least it's not snow..........

[R Doug]

Rain schmain.....at least it's not snow..........

+1  

ESTN last year on Rt. 250, Cheat Mountain, West Virginia!

[googus]

Ok any ideas on waterproof boots that will not cost over 100bucks:)

[R Doug]

Ok any ideas on waterproof boots that will not cost over 100bucks:)

Nope, but there are these things:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Emergency-Boot-Raincovers-p-16449.html

[FizDog74]

Ok any ideas on waterproof boots that will not cost over 100bucks:)

Tourmaster Solution's are probably the closest you are going to get, but still a tad over $100 IIRC.

[googus]

Thanks guys I might have to break down and go to a dealer today and pick up some riding boots since it looks like a rainy day ahead.

Is McCalls Lodging near the lodge? Map source is having a hard time with address

[Scratch33]

Ok any ideas on waterproof boots that will not cost over 100bucks:)

My Plan B when caught out in the rain without waterproof boots has been to just stick plastic bags over my socks and put the boots on.

[Norwegian Blue]

Alas, I'm moving myself from the "I'm absolutely going" to the "we'll see if I'm going" column -- we had a mini family reunion this past weekend, and the nine-month-old twins showed up with nasty colds.

Apparently, most everyone who was here has gotten sick -- including my wife. I had hoped to dodge that bullet, but I woke up this morning with a head full of concrete.

We'll see how it develops, and I'll make it a game-day decision. While riding in the rain isn't as much fun as riding in glorious weather, it wasn't enough to keep me at home. Sneezing inside my helmet and not being able to sleep well when I would like to be on my game -- that might be enough to keep me home.

Game day decision.

And I even went and bought a new helmet yesterday.... Sad

[Mach VIII]

Does anyone know if gas is generally available in W.Va and VA?  I and a couple of others are coming up from Charlotte, NC where there is pretty much NO gas available anywhere.  It's something of a crisis here at the moment.  I/we MAY be able to scrounge up enough gas to make it past the NC/VA border, but we'll need gas thereafter (or at least I will).  Our route would be taking us north out of Charlotte on I-77 before (likely) making our way over to US 219 in WVa.

If I'm unable to verify the ready availability of gas, I may have to scrub the trip, which would majorly suck!!  

Any insight or first-hand knowledge would be a major help.  Thanks.

[FizDog74]

Does anyone know if gas is generally available in W.Va and VA?  I and a couple of others are coming up from Charlotte, NC where there is pretty much NO gas available anywhere.  It's something of a crisis here at the moment.  I/we MAY be able to scrounge up enough gas to make it past the NC/VA border, but we'll need gas thereafter (or at least I will).  Our route would be taking us north out of Charlotte on I-77 before (likely) making our way over to US 219 in WVa.

If I'm unable to verify the ready availability of gas, I may have to scrub the trip, which would majorly suck!!  

Any insight or first-hand knowledge would be a major help.  Thanks.

I have not heard of any problems in the area, but you may want to call the hotel and ask about the area. Also may want to check the regional forms over at advrider.com.

[chornbe]

My sister said something about lack of gas availability in WV, too. If this is for real, combined with the rain, screw it. This is looking more and more ominous.

*EDIT*

I asked about this with a guy at work who has a house in Hatteras, and this was his response:

I have heard expensive, but not scarce. No complaints on the Hatteras fishing blogs yet, but I could ask if you like.

I asked him to poke around and hope to get favorable news.

[chornbe]

PS... I called Marlinton Motor Inn. The woman who answered chuckled a little and said, "No, everything's fine."

[Scratch33]

   Now you've done it -- you've sparked a gas panic in Marlinton.

[FizDog74]

Chris,

In case you haven't, please check your email.  

[Allan]

Tourmaster Solution's are probably the closest you are going to get, but still a tad over $100 IIRC.

I got the Tourmasters and they pinched my ankles something fierce. They ended up going back and being replaced by Sidi Way Tepor Boots. Now they are called the Sidi Way Rain Boots that seem to have the same specs and are $50 more.  

[SWriverstone]

Latest forecasts are improving! Most rain activity will be tomorrow (Friday) and Friday night, tapering off by Saturday morning. Computer models from the NWS at Dulles Airport are showing a precipitation-free weekend north of Marlinton...and the Charleston NWS will probably update their predictions later today to reflect the same.

NOAA Prog maps for 8pm Friday show little-to-no precipitation after 8pm Friday.

So it's probably gonna be a soggy ride down for everyone...but Saturday's looking like it could be okay! (And Sunday even better.)

Scott

[chornbe]

Chris,

In case you haven't, please check your email.  

will do. (as you can tell, I hardly check my gmail)  

[FizDog74]

will do. (as you can tell, I hardly check my gmail)  

Replied.  

[DrD]

ROOM AVAILABLE!!!

Dot and I have decided to bail on ESTN 2008.  I know, we are wimps.  

We have a room at the Marlinton Inn for Friday and Saturday night.  I think I can cancel now without charge.  However, if any of you want a room I'd rather just call and swap it over into your name.  PM me.  If I don't get any takers by late PM I will call and cancel.

But I don't care what anybody says, WE ARE KEEPING THE SHIRTS.

[Oh, we won't be there for dinner on Saturday night, so two seats there, too.]

[dark_isz]

I tried to make this trip, but it just didn't happen. Sorry I'll miss all the fun

My UN-Ride Report:

I'd been feeling apprehensive about this trip all week. No real reason, just that ominous feeling. I was planning to ride up Thursday, and so spent the better part of Wednesday watching what looked like tropical storm off the SC coast. I thought if I could get an early start, I could beat the rain and gale force winds. On my way out of work Wednesday night, I got a tounge-lashing from my boss, which put me in a funk. As a result, I didn't sleep well, but was up at 5:30am and on the road by 7. BDC's tried to merge into me twice as I fought morning traffic to get out on the interstate. Finally I got out of traffic and as I settled into a nice clip for the slab, there appeared a sea of brakelights ahead. An accident about half a mile in front of me closed the interstate for an hour. Yep, an hour of me waiting patiently as the skys grew darker, the wind picked up, and the rain started to fall. After an hour of watching the K-bike riding cops zip up and back on the breakdown lane, I signaled to one of them that "I" (pointed at myself) wanted to turn around (spinning finger in the air) and follow them (pointed at officer) back to the last exit (pointed behind me, the direction they were traveling) I got a "thumbs up" in reply, so I fired up the bike and swung on the breakdown lane behind the cop. Once we cleared the traffic, he moved into the regular travel lanes and dropped the hammer. I wasn't up to following the cop at 100+ the wrong way down the freeway (ominous feeling still there), so I slowed to 50ish and watched him dissappear. 3 miles later I was at the exit, which was of course closed. As I coasted up the ramp, the trooper blocking the ramp signals me to pull over. I tried to explain that I was following the K-bike officer, but the car cop chewed me out anyway. (He had every right, so I let him) After he told me how stupid I was about 10 times (I agreed every time) I asked if he could just write the ticket and let me on my way. He graciously warned me to not do anything that stupid again and let me go. It was at that point that I realized I was now dreading the rest of the 7 hour ride in intermittent rain and gusting winds, so I headed home.

I cancelled my room at the Old Clark Inn if anyone needs it, call fast!  

It also opens up a dinner if anyone still needs a seat.