ESTN 2011

[garry]

Wait....Ohio? I thought it was WV.   I mapped out Marietta WV from my house then to Barber, and was 1044 miles. So much for my SS1000 idea. Still staying tuned however.  

Yup, things are moving right along. I wanted a location with great riding close to the hotel so people that wanted shorter days would have equally good options. It's pretty damn hard to beat Marietta as a location for riding twisties. If you want WV, well, cross the bridge and you're there :-) WV 250, 7, 16, 20, 33, 47, 74, etc are waiting just across the river.

[02VFR]

So the plan is evolving:

Right now it looks like ESTN will be based at the Microtel Inn and Suites in Marietta, OH on Sept 16-18. It is across the highway from the Super 8 and next door to a Hampton Inn on one side and a Bob Evans on the other. KMart and Applebee's appear to be in the same shopping center area. Both the Super 8 and the Microtel were listed as sold out as well for the previous weekend, so I guess that riverboat festival really is a big deal.

The Microtel is the top-rated hotel in Marietta according to TripAdvisor. I think it's pretty new. If you pick the "Best Available" rate, you can take advantage of a "Stay 2 - Save 20%" offer which knocks the rate down to $64/night for two adults plus tax (figure another $10 or so a night). Cheaper than the AAA rate.

I am trying to get a group reservation nailed down so that we have a block of 20 rooms at the $64 price. Or just reserve the block of rooms and let people find their own best rate. Its the block of rooms that I want to ensure people can reserve a room over the next few months without worrying about the hotel selling out. Waiting for a reply from the sales office.

OK, Marietta OH is 1 hour away for me so I will try to show up for this one, at least for a day ride..  Still have to see what my schedule at work is...

[maddjack]

Whenever its all official sticky it so we can book and plan  

[Mr.Awesome]

Hey!  Looka here - http://www.mbcpub.com/

Looks good!  3.1 miles from the microtel inn.  Anybody bringing a car?  

[garry]

Stuff to see and do including a ROADRunner shamrock route:

http://www.mariettaohio.org/thingstodo

[R Doug]

What's the date?  Has that been decided yet?  

[garry]

What's the date?  Has that been decided yet?  

Looking like Sept 16-18 as the town is sold out of hotel rooms the previous weekend.

[hurtin]

Definitely out on this one. Marietta is 7 states and 2 days away.

Then again, Charleston is 6 states and 2 days travel

Yeah but it is 2 days of nice riding.   . Catskills ->central PA->WV -> OH.

[garry]

I just laid out a nice 250 mile loop to visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/

[mugwump58]

He trundles off to check the work schedule....

[SLK50]

I just laid out a nice 250 mile loop to visit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/

  I've been there a few times, I'd say it's definitely worth the trip.

  And since you've gone that far, you could also fit in a little side trip to Iron Pony.

[garry]

Also laid out three all-day routes:

Ohio Sampler
Motherload (best of Ohio and some kick ass WV)
West By God (almost all WV)

Still need to figure out a good Hocking Hills all-day (300+ miles) route. Might have to ask for help from the locals on that one...

Now off to bed because I'm riding all day in the ...... WV panhandle and southeast Ohio!

[Max Wedge]

This is sounding better all the time!

[garry]

Rode most of the usual suspects in southeast Ohio yesterday.

The 50 miles from New Matamoras to Sardis (260, 537, 26, 800, 255) is stunning. Fresh pavement from last year. Mostly clean. Unrelentingly twisty. Not much civilization although some sections have houses along the road. No traffic. Not to be missed.

536 was dirty and had lots of super wide tar strips that ran the width of the road. Like they hacked the pavement up to run a pipe across the road or maybe fix a frost heave or something. The tar snake is over a foot wide at times. Very greasy in the hot sun yesterday. I hope ODOT fixes these nasty tar scars on an otherwise great road (once it cleans up after winter). 556 had a few of the tar scars as well, but didn't detract from the usual fun.

148, 8, 147 were good clean fun.

WV 250 is still beat up north of Cameron, but is in decent shape after the winter between Cameron and Hundred.

Awesome day on the bike.

[hurtin]

I want you all to thank my wife.  She has agreed to let me go over her birthday weekend.  I owe her big time.

[R Doug]

I want you all to thank my wife.  She has agreed to let me go over her birthday weekend.  I owe her big time.

We'll have to wait and see about this.  I haven't met you yet.  I could actually be upset your wife allowed you to make this year's ESTN after meeting you.  

[R Doug]

Awesome day on the bike.

That sounds like a great day Garry.  I spent the day in the dirt (er, mud) on the EXC getting practice for this weekend.

[garry]

We have a plan. ESTN 2011 will be held in Marietta, OH on Sept 16-18. More info here:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,62219.0.html

[TriumphTiger1050]

I see it was NC in 2010, so I will remain quite!  But Sparta!  Only thing in Sparta is..............well, Sparta!  You need a town like Asheville to be quite honest and not because I live here but you have the BRP in so many directions; great eats; a modern progressive city; loads of hotels; the Biltmore Estate; nice long rides along the French Broad; just a little ride to "The Dragon"; mild climate; and lots of great beer joints with local bands that perform.

But I understand another eastern state this year.  

[servicerifle]

Sparta has worked very well for us...twice.  I could also recommend a list of 10 other little towns, but Asheville wouldn't be on the list.