Blackwater 400 Adventure Ride (Sept 26/27)

[garry]

After the great time we had on R Doug's WV dual-sport ride, I thought it might be fun to try to combine my Laurel Highlands 200 route (in PA) with his route in WV and see what I could come up with. After a bit of dragging Via points around in MapSource I've come up with a 400 mile loop that starts/end near Hidden Valley ski resort (route 31 between Donegal and Somerset in PA) with an overnight at Canaan Valley resort in Davis, WV. No need to bring camping gear and worry about weather. Just a change of clothes and raingear should suffice.

I had to give thisroute a name, so in honor of the legendary Blackwater 100 cross-country race that was held in Davis (home of Blackwater Falls state park), I thought the "Blackwater 400" was appropriate. It's 200+ miles of mostly public dirt roads (some more like jeep trails) each day with some pavement to connect the dirty bits. Ride Donegal to Davis on Saturday, spend the night at CVR, then do Davis to Donegal on Sunday via a different route. Best done on a thumper but the majority of the route is big bike friendly if you have some off-road skills, a skidplate and crashbars. I think I can find escapes to the hero sections if you don't want to chance throwing your GS/etc down in the rocks... You will work harder and have to go slower in spots on a big bike, but it's all good.

Details coming... I have not selected a place to stay in/near Donegal. It's only an hour ride from home for me, and there is a chance that a local guy may let us crash in his rustic cabin that is right at the start if he decides to attend.

[buff36]

I am in. Hi Garry.

[marc11]

I am IN...even if I have to quit my job to get there.  I am not missing a third WV dual sport ride.

[R Doug]

I'm in (of course)    

[R.Markus]

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

[stainlesscycle1]

woohoo - looks like i could be in!  this is a good one for the morini camel i assume!

[R Doug]

woohoo - looks like i could be in!  this is a good one for the morini camel i assume!

Sweet.  How did the Fix-the-driveway weekend go?

[R Doug]

Garry, should we start reserving rooms?  If so, where's a good place to stay near the starting point?  Thanks.

[buff36]

Doug what are you taking. I am trying to make it.

[R Doug]

If the DR sells by 9/15/09, I'll purchase the crash bars and luggage for the 990 and take it.  If it doesn't sell in time, I'll take the DR.  

[garry]

Garry, should we start reserving rooms?  If so, where's a good place to stay near the starting point?  Thanks.

Yes, I agree it's time to get some rooms reserved. If you want to split a room at CVR, I'm game for that.

I only live an hour from the start point, so I'm debating on whether to head out that way Friday night or not. Never booked a hotel out that way, but I assume there are some cheap mom and pops along route 31.

[R Doug]

Yes, I agree it's time to get some rooms reserved. If you want to split a room at CVR, I'm game for that.

I only live an hour from the start point, so I'm debating on whether to head out that way Friday night or not. Never booked a hotel out that way, but I assume there are some cheap mom and pops along route 31.

Very good.  We'll split a room at CVR.  I'll look for a place around seven springs to stay Friday night.  

[garry]

Very good.  We'll split a room at CVR.  I'll look for a place around seven springs to stay Friday night.  

I'd be willing to split Friday night with you with you as well. Makes for an easier start to the day.

[R Doug]

Garry, how's this for Friday night?

http://www.7springs.com/page/category.detail/nav/5052/Hotel.html

[garry]

Garry, how's this for Friday night?

http://www.7springs.com/page/category.detail/nav/5052/Hotel.html

What kind of $$$ are they talking? All that appears to be in Donegal is a Days Inn with mixed reviews and $89/night rates. Meh. Lots of budget options in Somerset. The start of the loop is roughly mid-way between the Donegal and Somerset exits, somewhat closer to Donegal.

[R Doug]

There's a Holiday Inn in Somerset that's $108 / night w/ my AAA membership.  It has good reviews.

http://www.holidayinn.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/sozpa?rpb=rate&crUrl=/h/d/hi/1/en/rates/sozpa&ias=y

[marc11]

So is this confirmed as the place to stay?

[R Doug]

So is this confirmed as the place to stay?

Garry and I booked a room at Hidden Valley Resort for Friday night.  

http://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/

We'll see you there.

[buff36]

I am out cant take 2 week end off in a row

[marc11]

Garry and I booked a room at Hidden Valley Resort for Friday night.  

http://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/

We'll see you there.

What about Saturday?

[garry]

Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV. I don't know if Doug made a reservation there yet or not. I've been a bit distracted with life lately...

[garry]

I did a final scouting ride today. The route is final pending review from R  Doug.

The weather forecast looks great.

The plan is to stay at Hidden Valley resort (route 31, Donegal) on Friday night since the route leaves from their entrance road the next morning. There is John Harvards brew pub at the entrance road for Friday night dinner/beers.

Saturday breakfast will be at HV resort or the Laurel Mtn Inn (a few miles east on route 31, just past Koosier State Park). Need to call HV and see what the options are.

Kickstands up and rolling at 8am from the HV entrance road on route 31. The route is 212 miles each day. That's about 8 hours in the saddle. Figure 10+ hours on the road with lunch, breaks and photo ops. I hope to be at Canaan Valley resort between 6 and 7pm.  

Dinner and beers at CVR. They always had an all-you-can-eat prime rib buffet on Saturday nights. Hope they still have it. There is a bar on site. Six packs can be purchased at the gas station on 32 before you enter the resort.

Don't have a firm plan for breakfast on Sunday yet, but the overall plan is the same. On the road at 8am and hope to be back at HV by 6pm. I will be riding an hour home from HV (some in the dark I suspect).

Both days are 212 miles. All public roads AFAIK.

If you plan on attending, please post up so that we know who to expect. I will edit this post with the attendees:

Garry
R Doug
Chad (from RCR)
Bob (from RCR)
StainlessCycle  

[garry]

BUMP!!

Anyone? Mark11? DantesDame? Buff36? Other?

Looking to be a small group (which isn't a bad thing). This route kicks butt. Huge fun as linking dirt roads together goes (no singletrack).

[roadrunner]

Some body want to lone my a dualsport so I can go on this ride?  Sounds like a blast.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Anyone? Mark11? DantesDame? Buff36? Other?

Looking to be a small group (which isn't a bad thing). This route kicks butt. Huge fun as linking dirt roads together goes (no singletrack).

I'm contemplating it, but doubtful.  Still, it does sound like a good time  

[forester]

Wow this sounds like it has potential to be just awesome - sorry I just found out about it today.

[R Doug]

Garry, I think this thing may end up becoming an annual classic.  

[garry]

Garry, I think this thing may end up becoming an annual classic.  

Let's get through the first one :-)

It could easily grow into 3 days by doing a loop south of CVR (staying at CVR for two nights) :-)

[DuckWV]

If I can get off work in time on Friday, I want to come up and do the ride south, then probably wimp out on the north leg.  How late do you think I can get a room in PA?

Duck

[PABiker]

Hey Garry, I'm pretty sure that Mark, Chad and Bob from RCR are coming too.

See you Sat morning.

[garry]

Hey Garry, I'm pretty sure that Mark, Chad and Bob from RCR are coming too.

See you Sat morning.

That'll be cool. I was hoping some RCR peeps would be representing... Remember, the plan is to leave the HV entrance road at 8am. Full belly, fully tank, empty bladder.

[garry]

If I can get off work in time on Friday, I want to come up and do the ride south, then probably wimp out on the north leg.  How late do you think I can get a room in PA?

Duck

You could call Hidden Valley and inquire how booked they are. I'm sure someone would be willing to take your money :-)

Saturday is the more technical of the two days, so you'll get to see the best of the route even if you just do one day and then home/south on Sunday. You could even join us for the beginning of Sunday which wanders around the Davis area a bit, then head home/south.

[stainlesscycle1]

i'll be there + 1 (maybe)

[stainlesscycle1]

just to verify ?

lodging friday:
http://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/

and saturday:
http://www.canaanresort.com/



if end up going alone - i'm looking to split a room with someone...

[R Doug]

You got it, those are the places.  

[buff36]

If a person wanted to join in sun when and where

[DuckWV]

Looks like I'm out  .
At least it's for a good reason.  I have to fly out next Wednesday to Palm Springs to help my son drive his '73 Ford Ranchero across the country so he can leave it at home while he goes to Okinawa for 2 years  .  
Can't take this weekend off, then be gone for most of a week.  Wish us luck, he says it is a good running car,  I hope so.

You guys have a good ride.  I hate to miss this one.  

Michael

[stainlesscycle1]

i'm in, but no +1.  still looking to share a room if anyone wants to save some moolah.  

[R Doug]

What happened to our weather!?  There's now a 70% chance of thunderstorms on Saturday.  ARGH.  I don't mind riding in the rain, but I do mind riding on some of these roads in the mud with Scorpion tires.  

Regardless, I'll be at HVR Friday evening sometime.  I'm not sure when I'll get to leave work for I've been putting in long hours to avoid the need to work this weekend.  Let's hope I can make it to HVR before dark.  There sure are a lot of critters in that neck of the woods.  

[garry]

I made a minor tweak to the route and it's now as final as it's going to be. Here is a link to the Garmin GDB file:

www.motoroads.net/BW400/Blackwater400-Final.gdb

If you have a Garmin GPS, I would recommend bringing it and having the route loaded on it. There are a LOT of turns... It will be a small group, so we should all stay together, but it could be handy in the event someone wants to take an escape route to skip a section.

[Sandbag]

I would love to join you all but the weather is  

[R Doug]

I would love to join you all but the weather is  

Your motorcycle won't care.  

[R.Markus]

Dual sporting is more fun when the weather is shitty...especially if you're staying in hotels at night.  

You alls have the fun!

[garry]

A couple guys from RufCutRiders forum have bailed (PABiker and Ridaholic). I guess we'll see who actually shows up at 8am. Bring rain gear :-)

[R Doug]

I'll be at HVR sometime this evening.  

[garry]

I'll be at HVR sometime this evening.  

Will you have eaten dinner before arriving? Just wondering if I should wait for your arrival to eat or not. I expect to be out of work by 3:30 or 4pm, on the road about 5pm and arriving there about 6pm.

[Sandbag]

Your motorcycle won't care.  

True but I am planning on attending a DS ride in Western NC next month so I have to make a choice & the one in NC is supposed to be 99% off road.  

[stainlesscycle1]

saturday looks wet. sunday should be dry.  i could care less what the weather does.  i'll be there around 6pm.

[garry]

The bike is packed. Just need to kiss the wife goodbye and I'll be on the road circa 5pm. Should be at HV around 6pm - 6:15pm.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Have a great weekend. Maybe a spring repeat will be in order  

[R Doug]

Greg (stainlesscycle1), Garry, and I arrived at Hidden Valley last night and had a nice dinner together.  We woke up this morning to rain and it doesn't look like it will get any better throughout the day.

Morning after breakfast:



The arrow indicates the direction of the weather while the oval indicates the general riding area of today's 212 miles of dirt (mud) roads:



And thanks to a nail, my day ended early.  Stupid TUBE tires!!!!  



Garry and Greg pressed on towards Canaan Valley while the bike and I were given a ride home by a flatbed.  



I phoned a few local bike shops in an attempt to get a tube installed today, but no one was open.  

[R.Markus]

And thanks to a nail, my day ended early.  Stupid TUBE tires!!!!  





I phoned a few local bike shops in an attempt to get a tube installed today, but no one was open.  

Are you kidding me? That's a 20 minute job to fix on the trail side.  

[R Doug]

Are you kidding me? That's a 20 minute job to fix on the trail side.  

No spare tube / no tire irons / no air compressor.  


PS... AAA RV+ coverage.  The tow truck didn't cost me a dime today.  Now I can deal w/ the tire in my own garage.

[kurtw]

No spare tube / no tire irons / no air compressor.  

I can guess what your next purchases will be...  

Bummer. Can you borrow some tire irons and patch the tube to ride tomorrow?

[R Doug]

I can guess what your next purchases will be...  

Bummer. Can you borrow some tire irons and patch the tube to ride tomorrow?

Actually, I could.  I have access to a tire changer (Freight Harbor) that I purchased w/ a few other guys.  But, I would prefer to replace the tube instead of repairing it.

Regardless, the ride is off.  Out of the three bikes we started with today, a second was taken out of commission as the Moto Morini ended up being put in the back of a pickup truck with carb issues.  Garry didn't want to continue solo (which would not be recommended), so he turned around back to Pittsburgh.  

Today wasn't meant to me.  Another day.

[R.Markus]

No spare tube / no tire irons / no air compressor.

   

PS... AAA RV+ coverage.  The tow truck didn't cost me a dime today.  Now I can deal w/ the tire in my own garage.

That reminds me of my brother in law. On a trip a few years ago the crimped end of the battery cable on his Harley Davidson broke off and the bike quit running. By the time I noticed that hunk of shit wasn't behind me anymore and turned around to locate him, he already had his HD dealer map out and was on the phone setting up a tow. I couldn't believe it. With a couple simple tools and about five minutes of work we were back riding again. I don't understand the "credit card and AAA" style of touring. If I'd let him be towed he would have missed at least a day of riding over a simple problem. A flat tire on a dual sport is an extremely common problem that a few common tools could fix, and you wouldn't miss out on the rest of the trip that way.

Maybe I'm being harsh and it sucks that you had to miss out on some of the ride you guys have been planning for quite some time. The lack of preparedness and tools just kind of boggles my mind.  

[garry]

I had 3 tire irons, a tube patch kit and a 12V compressor with me. But that doesn't mean I know how to use them efficiently. Last time I tried to change a rear tire using just hand tools, I gave up after 4 hours and a destroyed (expensive) heavy-duty tube. Some day I need someone that knows what they are doing (tried the Neduro thread, didn't help) guide me through the process.

[R.Markus]

I had 3 tire irons, a tube patch kit and a 12V compressor with me. But that doesn't mean I know how to use them efficiently. Last time I tried to change a rear tire using just hand tools, I gave up after 4 hours and a destroyed (expensive) heavy-duty tube. Some day I need someone that knows what they are doing (tried the Neduro thread, didn't help) guide me through the process.

I'm not trying to give you grief about it. I'm sure it sucks enough as it is.

[forester]

I don't understand the "credit card and AAA" style of touring.

Oh, I understand it...though I   at those types.  That's not adventure.

A flat tire on a dual sport is an extremely common problem that a few common tools could fix, and you wouldn't miss out on the rest of the trip that way.

Exactly.  I rode 1,600 miles home from Central Colorado with a slow leak stemming from riding this sort of shit:



I *DID* have an air compressor and *DID* have a tire iron - though I didn't have any tubeless slime, but I do now - and it didn't matter, because with the air compressor, I got it home on my own.  For the record, Your brother in law would have been completely fucked if he had his Harley up there (but if he did, he wouldn't go thirsty, because I would buy him a soda - WORD).

Maybe I'm being harsh and it sucks that you had to miss out on some of the ride you guys have been planning for quite some time. The lack of preparedness and tools just kind of boggles my mind.  

This isn't harshness.  They forgot the 6 p s and that is cause for a bitch slapping.

6 p s....

Proper
Planning
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance.

Too bad I wasn't there we would have had that fixed (as R.Markus mentioned) in 20 minutes - if that.

[forester]

Garry didn't want to continue solo (which would not be recommended),

 

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

 

[R Doug]

I'm not trying to give you grief about it.

You're doing a shitty job of it.  

I've carried tire irons/tubes/air in the past in the case I had to use them.  Like Garry, I'm not very proficient using them at all.  I took a gamble on today's ride and it didn't pay off.  Garry and Greg had 7 more hours of riding to go and I wasn't going to hold them up (period).  If this were a bigger trip, perhaps I would have been more prepared.  I'm just trying to laugh at myself today and I still think it's funny to see my bike put in the back of a flatbad.  

You Boy Scouts are such studs.  

[R.Markus]

I'm just trying to laugh at myself today and I still think it's funny to see my bike put in the back of a flatbad.  

I apologize if I sounded like an asshole, I just hate to see a ride end over something kind of small. I've been there and it sucks (on a tubeless tire even).

[forester]

You Boy Scouts are such studs.  

This thread is the reason they are laughing at ADVrider.  Those fuckers would have taken the nail out, patched the hole with a chunk of pine sap, taken the clutch cable off and used it as a siphon between the rear and front tires to make it to the gas station half inflated at both ends to have it patched up proper.  All in 5 minutes flat.

"Boo hoo, a nail stopped my ride" = Jo momma fodder.  

Hey RDoug, skip the tools, sell the KTM and buy this instead:



 

[DuckWV]

You guys are just trying to make me feel better about not making it, and not riding to PA to have to ride back in the rain without going on the ride that I started out to go on, but didn't make it...  
Anyway, what I was trying to say is, sorry you guys didn't get to make the ride.  I kept looking out the window at the rain from our office today thinking about you guys having all that fun riding   and actually still wishing I was with you.

Save the routes, I would still like a chance to go on this one some day.

Michael

[forester]

I apologize if I sounded like an asshole,

You are truly a nice guy Markus.  I mean that.  You would never get an apology like that from me.

My bitterness stems from having to pay $1k to rent a U-haul to haul my bike back 1000+ miles  because of shot bearings that ruined both the rear wheel, drive axle and drum brake assembly.  Broke down on a Saturday evening, no M/C shops opened 'til Tuesday and I had a business meeting Tuesday 240 miles from my house.

Special order parts for 10 year old bike = no work around possible. = truly fucked.

The fuel and extra costs due to the extra axles on the turnpike sucked even worse.

If you ever get in a real jam you will realize just how petty a puncture is and you will appreciate the view from there.  

[forester]

 

Meow.  

[SamM]

That's why my 950 Adventure is sitting in my shop and I no longer ride it. Too many ruined adventures. Never had a flat though. Dropped it once and it didn't run again for a week. Some adventure bike! I feel your pain R Doug. Broom it fast while you still can! Get yourself a new KLR.

SamM

[DogBoy]

This thread is the reason they are laughing at ADVrider.  Those fuckers would have taken the nail out, patched the hole with a chunk of pine sap, taken the clutch cable off and used it as a siphon between the rear and front tires to make it to the gas station half inflated at both ends to have it patched up proper.  All in 5 minutes flat.

Ha! You must be talking about ADV rookies. Real ADV riders would fashion a tube patch from fresh Grizzly Bear placenta, Bald Eagle egg yolk and some Jack Daniels. And it wouldn't take five cotton pickin' minutes unless one arm was tied behind his or her back.

[R.Markus]

Get yourself a new KLR.

SamM

You've got to be joking.

[R Doug]

In all seriousness, I've never changed a tube on anything other than my mountain bike.  I carried the tools w/ me on the DR just in case, but it would have been an adventure trying to figure it out.  

Even if I had the tools to do the change yesterday at the location I was at, I still would have used my AAA to get the bike home in the fear I would be out $300+ because I ruined my rear wheel.  My location at the time was near one of the only pockets of civilization we would be near all day.  However, if we were in one of the remote areas, I would have changed it w/o question because that would have been my only option.

QUESTION to R.Marcus, forester, et. al.

When I change the tube this week, should I put a plug in the tire too?

[R Doug]

Hey RDoug, skip the tools, sell the KTM and buy this instead:



 

Cute, does it come in John Deere Green?  Looking at the road you were on w/ the V-strom, I think you would have been better off on this bike.  I suppose taking the wrong bike on a ride w/ the right tools makes you a stud?  Or, are you just compensating for something?

 

[forester]

 Looking at the road you were on w/ the V-strom, I think you would have been better off on this bike.  
 

Actually, you are absolutely RIGHT - I would have been better off with that pink bike, because I stalled that damned strom about a dozen times when it wouldn't idle slow enough at times, and at others, I just could not get the traction with the rear tire to get up the steep grade/loose gravel with it.

The training wheels would probably get stuck on some of the bigger rocks, but don't think for a second I'm too much of a macho man to ride that bike.  Fuck, I will take tampons and sewing machines with me if it will help me accomplish the job.

[R Doug]

I stalled the KTM yesterday on a similar section of road after coming around a corner and picking the wrong line.  With a combination of wet large lose rocks beneath me and nearly worn Scorpion tires, I couldn't get the bike going, it just wanted to spin.  Garry and Greg had to give me a push start so I could gain momentum.  

(note to self... next time use the right tires and carry a tube and tire irons)    


Here's the section where I lost momentum and couldn't get the bike going w/o spinning the rear.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

QUESTION to R.Marcus, forester, et. al.

When I change the tube this week, should I put a plug in the tire too?

I've never plugged the tire when the tube has been taken care of. Just make sure that there's nothing in the tire itself to re-puncture the tube  

[R.Markus]

I've never plugged the tire when the tube has been taken care of. Just make sure that there's nothing in the tire itself to re-puncture the tube  

 

[R Doug]

Cool, thanks!

[Sandbag]

The first time I tried to change tires on my XRL I was so pissed off & destroyed a new tube.  I took the tire to my buddy who raced MX for about 10 years & he was done in 4-5 minutes.  The next set I made him watch me change it & only stop me when I was about to screw somthin up.  Now I can charge a tube in no time flat & if the tire isn't too stiff I can change a tire by myself in about 10 minutes.  I do need to care a patch kit though.

[R.Markus]

I just put a new rear tire on the 300. The heavy duty tube in it is a Michelin and it's the thickest tube I've ever seen. I would recommend putting them in your 950 next time you have the tires changed.

I was going to recommend it earlier, but I couldn't remember what brand it was.

I also have a lot of friends that ride dual sport that use Slime in their tires and swear by it. I've seen them pull out some pretty good size nails and the tube just seals back up after they're pulled out. I haven't tried it out of laziness.

[R Doug]

Thanks for the tip.  I'm going to practice replacing a tire w/ a tire iron because I'm sure this will not be my last experience with a hole in the tube of my 990.  I plan on doing many miles on that bike and I need "in the field" practice.  

Given the fact Garry had the tools, I would have changed the tube if I needed to.  But, not wanting to hold Garry and Greg up, I used the small plastic tool in my back pocket to get the bike home where I could quickly get it changed.

[RideWV]

http://www.nuetech.com/tubliss.shtml

These really work.  But, I don't know about road use on a big bore bike.

James

[R Doug]

Interesting product James.  

Does anyone have experience w/ this device on a large trailie?  

[RideWV]

That's the question.  I don't see any kind of DOT certification.  Still, worth some research.  I bet someone on ADV has tried it.

James

[PABiker]

Look here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496876&highlight=tubliss

Also be careful using the heavy duty tubes on the big bikes, there has been reports of overheating blowouts during extended highway use:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459575&highlight=heavy+duty+tube

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486900&highlight=heavy+duty+tube

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346381&highlight=heavy+duty+tube

[1moreroad]

Sorry to hear that the ride didn't go so well.  None of us are born knowing how to change a tire, and all of us have to learn sometime.

[Lawn Dart]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you have a vehicle with tires, well, flats are kind of inevitable...  

Time to learn how to do a flat repair on the road...it's not that hard.  Just takes practice.

[R Doug]