Traveling from Clarion PA to Lancaster OH: route suggestions?

[darkstarmoto]

After researching this is what I was planning to use so far:

68 out of Clarion to WV39 to OH7S to 78W to 26S to 550 to 555 to 37W into Lancaster.

I ask because I'm hearing 555 isn't quite up to the hype.

 

[garry]

This would be a nice enough ride. S&T claims 326 miles:

68 is pleasant to Butler if traffic is light
422 to almost New Castle (big highway/slabby for about 25 miles)
168 south thru Darlington
Short bit of 51 north
Cannelton Rd becomes OH154 into Lisbon
164 west? south? thru Amsterdam to jct 9
L on 9 south to jct 646 near Germano
R on 646 west to jct 250
L on 250 east to CR-55/Deersville Rd (short, east end of Tappan Lake)
R on Deersville Rd to Deersville
L on 799 to jct 800
L on 800 south to Malaga
R on 145 south to jct 78
R on 78 west thru Glouster to jct 33
R on 33 west to Lancaster

[garry]

I ask because I'm hearing 555 isn't quite up to the hype.

Not sure what the hype is, but 555 certainly isn't the best road for a sporty ride in southeast Ohio. But it is pretty much the poster child for the blind rolling hills and blind corners that SEOH is known for.

555 is not a giggle in your helmet type ride. The blind rolling hills and sudden changes of direction are a real mental challenge. The trick is to find a less than balls out pace that lets you flow with the road. Then it's quite nice. The half south of Chesterhill is more open and flowing than the part  north of Chesterhill which is where the trickiest sections are. The twistiness mellows just north of 78.

If you want something more like a track day on public roads, then there are better options, but the blind rolling hills are what give southeast Ohio its unique vibe. Learn to ride/enjoy them and you can ride all day on endless twisties with little traffic.

[motociclista]

Garry gave you a detailed route, and I would only suggest maybe modifying the last section -- if you're still looking for scenic and twisty at that stage of your ride -- because US 33 is four-lane and boring and patrolled.

You could peel off 78 at Murray City and follow 216, then left on 93, right on 312 to its end at 664. North on 664 to 37 and then into Lancaster. Or even continue for another nice five-mile stretch of 664 to Rushville and take 22 into Lancaster. 664 is another road that draws out-of-town riders and for good reason. This route just gives you a taste. For more, you'd have to go south into the Hocking Hills and that's another whole ride.

[2Pokey]

I like garrys route to 800 but would leave 800 at 147 to 313 to 284 to 78. Then follow motociclista off 78 into Lancaster.

As for 555. It is fun, but parts of it will test all your skills, including panic braking. This road gets better with experience. If you try to push you limits the first time on it, you will find yourself testing your gear instead.  I rode 555 saturday and it was extremely clean. There is a bridge out just north of 669. I also prefer to ride it north (uphill) from the river. But if your just passing throug,h there are roads with better sight lines that you may enjoy more. Pick pretty much any of the 3 digit roads.

[darkstarmoto]

A little late I know but thanks for the suggestions guys. In true enough form we ended up on 555 and one of our riders bit it in a corner before Chesterhill & the "asphalt roller coaster" sections started.

He made out O.K. other than a broken collar bone.

[Smoker]

A little late I know but thanks for the suggestions guys. In true enough form we ended up on 555 and one of our riders bit it in a corner before Chesterhill & the "asphalt roller coaster" sections started.

He made out O.K. other than a broken collar bone.

Sorry to hear about your friend, glad you made it in one piece.