Uber Twisty Fix (WV to VA to MD and Back)

[R Doug]

Garry, Vince (WVRidgerunner), and I were able to get our twisty fix on today by covering the twisty parts of Rt. 50 (WV), Rt. 33 (WV and VA), Rt. 42 (WV).  Sure, there were other roads, but the twisties located on the three roads mentioned were just what the doctor ordered.  Plus, Garry threw in a nice little surprise for us today by going north on Rt. 3 off Rt. 33.  Though it didn’t contain any twisties, this road was in great shape and offered priceless views.

I’ll let Garry and Vince chime in later in this thread regarding the roads.  Garry does a much better job of talking about the roads than me.  However, he has a little explaining to do with his choice of Dumpling Run Road (see pictures below).

I apologize in advance for not taking any pictures of the uber twisty sections.  But, the three of us were too busy eliminating the chicken strips off our tires.  Also, I’ll have you know that despite our best efforts to look like Rossi in the twisty sections, we did not (knock on wood) obtain any Performance Certificates today.  However, Vince and I did get a nice verbal warning from one of WV’s Finest at the top of Scherr Mountain (Rt. 42).

Ok, before the quick pictorial of the day, here are the stats:  315 Miles, 6 hours on the bike, 51 MPH (average), and arrived home at 8:30 PM.

As follows is the Route from my driveway and back.  The uber twisty sections are crudely circled in red.



Now the pics…

We meet up w/ each other in Morgantown and departed at 11:00 AM.



First stop was the Exxon at Cool Springs after our first little twisty bit going down the mountain.  



This little gas station in the middle of nowhere still holds its old Roadside Attraction charm.



You have to pet the burros.



C’mon little burro, don’t be afraid of the Hi-Vis!



Next stop, Seneca Rocks for lunch.



Here are the bikes at Seneca before lunch at the Front Porch.  We picked up a friend at Cool Springs.  Dick, a 70+ year old man, on a 2nd generation FZ1 was a mad man on that thing.  He left for home after lunch.  We headed towards Harrisonburg, Virginia.



After SEVERAL miles of uber twisties (sorry again, no photos), we started home and made a nice detour on Rt. 3 (north) and 6+ miles of a dirt road called Dumpling Run Road.



ADV Riding Daytona 675!!!



Garry and Vince pose at the top of the mountain on Dumpling Run.  Garry says, “All Your Roads Are Belong to Us!”



On the way home, we stopped at the corner of Rt. 219 and Rt. 50 to discuss mine and Vince’s close encounter with the WV State Trooper.  The sun was setting and offered up some cool shots.  Garry had his camera out taking some, and this caught my eye.



Right before home, I topped off the gas tank and saw this in the parking lot of hotel close by...  

You may have a large wiener, but I bet I’m faster than you!



Feel free to post up any questions about the roads we were on today.  Most were in excellent shape.  And, if you have a twisties fix, you can’t do much better than the roads we were on today.

[garry]

I ended up with 456 miles for the day, but about 150 of that was slab/highway getting to/from WV. Sometimes you just have to take the fast way to the good stuff even though it sucks. Oh well. I had a great time. Pics to follow once I get them resized, uploaded, etc.

[garry]

OK here are my pics from the day...

Vince and Doug at Cool Springs:


The burros look no worse for wear after the winter:


Doug makes a new friend:


The Love Deer 2007:


Obligatory Seneca Rocks pic (no road signs this time though!):


Bikes at Seneca Rocks for lunch at the Front Porch restaurant:


Stream in VA where we turned around on 33:


Bikes at the same spot:


The very straight road leads to a very, very twisty road:


Doug tells me I'm #1 at picking good shortcuts:


The Ninja Adventure model:


The road to come:


Old church/cemetary at 219/50 junction. Always thought it was interesting, but the light was decent today:

[garry]

I guess I should explain Dumpling Run Rd. I had taken CR-3/CR-7 from Brandywine to Moorefield before and it's a very nice scenic road. Kinda twisty on the south end, then mellows some, but a great change of pace from twisty strafing. The problem is, Moorefield is a little out of the way from Petersburg (our real destination), so I looked for a way to cut over from CR-7 to 220. Streets and Trips routed me on Dumpling Run Rd to Spring Run Rd. I was hoping for a "Smoke Hole Rd" type option, but it was not to be.

I had no knowledge of the road before arriving at it yesterday. Hard-packed dirt. Knew it wasn't going to be too long, but had no idea what kind of shape it was in going over the mountain to 220. In reality, it wasn't too bad. There were more than a few short sections with thick enough gravel to have the bike feel sketchy, but mostly it was no biggie if you took your time and picked the best line. Definately a fine ADV type shortcut for KLRs, Stroms and the like, but a little Ninja bike adventure never hurt anyone. Hey, at least there weren't any water crossings!

The search for a 100% paved shortcut from CR-7 to 220 continues, but I suspect it doesn't exist. Just have to suck up the extra miles and somewhat boring bit of 28/55 from Moorefield to Petersburg if I want to ride CR-3/CR-7.

[RideWV]

Nice ride, sorry I missed it.  Instead I got a bad sunburn and couple of splinters from doing volunteer construction work for my brother  

Dumpling Run road is intriguing.  Did you go through Dorcus?  Did you notice the road names of a lot of those dirt roads around there are like "Delta Road 13".  Plenty of dual sporting out there that's for sure.

James

[garry]

Dumpling Run road is intriguing.  Did you go through Dorcus?  

Yes we did. At least if I believe the map we did.

[RideWV]

Dorcas from space.  Nice chicane.

[jschmidt]

Been there. The roads and the area are highly recommended. Many of my three day no destination trips end up in that region.

[st2sam]

Thanks for the pics. and mini-report, I hate you guys!
It rained here Sunday most of the day, got out for a few hours mid afternoon. I hit the very North East corner of PA., lots of twisties but the pavement was so beat-up my teeth were rattling and my Kidneys hurt! The one thing I do notice is how smooth the roads are in WV. and S. Central PA., compared to where I live...A few more weeks and I'll be able to enjoy some of those roads!

[R Doug]

I guess I should explain Dumpling Run Rd.

To be fair to Garry, he told us up front that he saw this road on the map and it would provide the most direct link for us to get over to Petersburg from 3/7.  Though I was providing him w/ the dbl bird in the photo above, it wasn't because I was upset at Garry for the road. My   salute was simply paying homage to ADV Riders, since that appears to be their official way of greeting one another.  

We agreed as a group to proceed and I'm glad we did.  It was a BLAST to be offroad.  And, the view going down the hill was great.

[Jesse]

Garry and Vince pose at the top of the mountain on Dumpling Run.  Garry says, “All Your Roads Are Belong to Us!”
.....picture snipped

Looks like a fun time ...great pictures!

Jesse

[garry]

FWIW, the Dumpling Run Rd "shortcut" is 13 miles to Petersburg, 6 of which are dirt.

The continue on CR-7 to Moorefield route, then 55 to Petersburg is 26 miles, 13 of which are kinda boring with traffic.

Next time I'll do the Moorefield route unless I'm on the Wee Strom. Longer, but faster, and much less chance of rashing up a sportbike plastic.

[AV8OR]

If you guys ever need a lookout of a road ahead of time, let me know and I can possibly fly over it, snap some pics, and let you know its condition.


Doug...thought I would see you at the track this weekend. I went up saturday to get a few laps in on a duc sport 1000 but the weather was crapola. Sunday i was flying all day and didnt get to the beaver. I gotta stop over sometime.

Jon

[tankhead]

Looks like a great time.  Memories of 33, Seneca Rocks, 55.  It seems like only last December.........wait it was December 19th and 20th.  What a great part of the country.  I have to get out there again soon.  Most likely this summer for sure.  I hope you guys are doing well.  
Chris

[MacGyver]

I was blasting down 33/220/250 on Sunday around 10 am or so.   I remember specifically look at that downed tree and thinking, 'wouldn't it suck to hit that while canoeing/kayaking/spulunking/whatever'

The traffic was nonexistant on any of the uber twisty parts.  It was a banner day for chicken strip removal.

Too bad I missed y'all.

Here is a snippet from rt 33:

[vulcanbill]

So...you got a peg down on a 636?  Mental note...

My wife's been riding the y2kvfr in the garage and her stitch is gray / black.  It's a little creepy really.  

[R Doug]

McG, is that your video!?  If so, what bike are you on?

What a great video of that section of Rt. 33.  By far, that was the best part of the entire trip.  Thanks for posting!  

[garry]

So...you got a peg down on a 636?  Mental note...

Once (accidentally at the track), but never on the street. Where did that come from?

[MacGyver]

That's me puttin' along on my Uysses.  The bike came with a RAM mount on the handlebars, but after seeing how it looks(and sounds, the mic was in the windblast), I might change it..

[tankhead]

I remember riding that section of 33 going the opposite direction.  I also remember laughing out loud. RDoug, remember Scotts Route 26?  Well 26 is like that but maybe 10-15 MPH slower and tighter for about 5-8 minutes.  Great video McG!