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

[maddjack]

I usually take I-70 to just east of I-77 and take RT 285 south to Rt 256 East to 800.

I take I-70 to get to the good roads quicker.

The rest of my ride is all backroads......

I usually hit 800 to 148 to 26 to 556 to 7 then back up 536 to 78 back to 7 then down to 260 to 565 then down 145 into Marietta.  I then take 676 out of Marietta to 555 north into Crooksville then 669 out of Crooksville to Somerset I then catch 668 north for about 10 miles to just north of Brownsville.  I make a right and I live 1 mile down the road from Flint Ridge State Park...

That loop is about 7 hours or so and one of my favorite.

Ahhhh big loop I would do the same.Good roads

[shil]

Made my reservation today.  They're good: I asked for a reservation at the end of September, they asked if I was with the group.

Thanks for organizing this!

[R Doug]

Made my reservation today.  They're good: I asked for a reservation at the end of September, they asked if I was with the group.

Thanks for organizing this!

 

They'll let anyone in Marlinton apparently!  

[maddjack]

Made my reservation today.  They're good: I asked for a reservation at the end of September, they asked if I was with the group.

Thanks for organizing this!

Good to hear,I'll buy you a beer.

[shil]

Good to hear,I'll buy you a beer.

Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.  I’m looking forward to meeting more STNers.  I’m also looking forward to trying a pepperoni roll.

[SWriverstone]

I rode some fantastic roads in Virginia within 30-40 mins. of Marlinton...more options for ESTN! Check them out here.

Scott

[maddjack]

I rode some fantastic roads in Virginia within 30-40 mins. of Marlinton...more options for ESTN! Check them out here.

Scott

I have ridden some of those,they are fun and senic

[rich_oh]

reservations made.  counting the days.  had a blast last year.  thanks garry for setting this up.  

[tankhead]

Most likely will be there.   It will be my first day off for the new school year.  I am a teacher for those not in the know.

[cjgauthier]

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...

            I found a Pocahontas County Motorcycle Touring Map from my last trip. I e-mailed the county to have them put it up on their site. It had 8 nice looking routes within the county with historical and other points of interest. When they get back to me I'll post a link or scan them in and post them myself.
http://pocahontascountywv.com/home.aspx They have a pretty good site.

[FizDog74]

I just saw this post. It sounds like fun!

I was wondering what kind of pace the rides will be? Reason for asking, I was thinking about bringing the GF out and doing some 2-up touring. I can still run a decent pace with her, but obviously not balls-out.

Not sure how crazy some of you mo-fo's are yet.

[R Doug]

I just saw this post. It sounds like fun!

I was wondering what kind of pace the rides will be? Reason for asking, I was thinking about bringing the GF out and doing some 2-up touring. I can still run a decent pace with her, but obviously not balls-out.

Not sure how crazy some of you mo-fo's are yet.

We generally split up in to small ad-hoc groups when we ride, nothing formal.  You can talk to people while you are there to get a feel of how they are going to ride the next day.  But, you're always welcome to go at it solo too.  

[DosEquis00]

I was wondering what kind of pace the rides will be? Reason for asking, I was thinking about bringing the GF out and doing some 2-up touring. I can still run a decent pace with her, but obviously not balls-out.

Not sure how crazy some of you mo-fo's are yet.

From my own experienced everyone is fine and they all ride at their own comfortable pace. The faster people can move ahead and the others will catch up along the way. The only guy you have to watch out for is Rincewind who is on a one man mission to get Triumph into Moto GP.

[Rincewind]

The only guy you have to watch out for is Rincewind who is on a one man mission to get Triumph into Moto GP.

 

Yeah right!  It's the guys on the Blackbird XX's that will burn up the road.  That's a well know fact.  

[FizDog74]

Thanks for the responses.  

My bike is WAY undersprung for the two of us, so I try not to push it too much. I'm hoping to have a bike more suited for 2-up by September anyway.

I will talk with her this weekend about it and see if we can make some plans to attend. I've been wanting to check WV out in more detail for a while now.  

[DosEquis00]

That is the attitude as you can't go wrong for that area as I remember all the roads on the way down, in the area and on the way home being truly nice for riding. There is always a group of 2-up riders at most events.

[fjrSKI]

I was wondering what kind of pace the rides will be? Reason for asking, I was thinking about ... some 2-up touring.

Not sure how crazy some of you mo-fo's are yet.

Just between me and you, the rest of the folks on this forum are really out there, I mean way crazy, the voices told me so.  Everyone pretty much rides the pace, albeit their pace.  We had a 2-up couple in our group last year.  Worked out well.  Keep in mind, WV roads will test your suspension.  

[DosEquis00]

Just between me and you, the rest of the folks on this forum are really out there, I mean way crazy, the voices told me so.  

Yea, I already warned him about Rincewind

[cjgauthier]

      I got no reply from anyone at the county site whose link I posted, so I scanned in their maps. I'll upload and let the experts evaluate. If you like any let us know. I guess Marlinton is the county seat because the routes all pass close by.   The maps are beat up and maybe better looking if viewed in a picture viewer and enlarged.
   

[R Doug]

Cool maps, thanks for seeking them out and the efforts of posting them.

I cover most of the good roads within your maps in the “quadrant loops” posted on page of this thread.

Some of the great main roads on your maps that are ones you should not miss include the following:

   Rt. 33 from Judy Gap and parts east

   Rt. 250 from just east of Monterey to Huttonsville.  

   Route 20 is good

   Rt. 15 is excellent between Webster Springs and Flatwoods

   Rt. 39 from Lexington over to Warm Springs (contains the Goshen Pass)



Some roads you’ll want to avoid, that may seem appealing, include the following:

   Rt. 219/250 between Huttonsville and Elkins (straight road snooze fest)

   ANY part of Rt. 19 around Summerville

  Rt. 220 can be pretty straight and boring except for between Franklin and Petersburg

  The Highland Scenic Highway.  This offers some beautiful scenery with little traffic, cops, and intersections.  However, it’s a little straight for my taste.  The curves on that road can be entertaining at 100+ and could honestly be taken at those speeds easily.  But, if you think you would enjoy that type of roads at the posted speed (or 10 over), go for it.  Just keep in mind... the Cherohala this is NOT.