Any Good Roads Around Scranton?

[Hulked Up]

Hi all,

I'm planning a 3 day weekend trip at the end of April and want to explore Pennsylvania.  I've always been fascinated by the coal and railroad history but have never done any riding in the state other than passing through.  My plan at this point is to base in Scranton as it's a decent day ride to get there.  I have a bunch of magazines and on-line resources and put together some routes from Road Runner and Rider.  

Are the roads in eastern Penna any good?  It seems like the really good stuff is in the central part of the state.  That makes my ride just to get out there 6 and a half hours; too long.

I've attached a GPS file with a ton of potential routes.  Any local knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

[Sport-Touring]

[ConPilot1]

Oh we've got lots of good roads around here.

Where's st2sam. Sammy, fill this guy in.

 Potholey though, some chip + seal here and there, but there's a lot of nice roads in the Poconos.

there's good riding from here to NY state line, Jersey state line, central PA, SEPA and out in the middle of the boonies. If you got a Strom or something similar you'll enjoy it more. Lots of dirt roads too out in the country.

739 though the Pokies and RT 97 along the delaware is nice. 940's good........42 is nice and anywhere up along Rickett's Glenn, although I'd avoid 87 between Dushore and Mehoopany, that got wiped pretty good by the floods last year in spots.

87 or 287 south though Fishing Creek/Benton to Bloomsburg is always a nice road.

6 is still nice up north along the river, until you hit 6 west above Towanda. Then it's all Marcellus damage, dirty, trucks all over the friggin place, they've really screwed some nice roads like the prom queen. Bad.
It's really sad.

But up through Promised Land and Hawley and Paupack and Honesdale and such, is untouched by that shit and is still nice.

[st2sam]

Hulkster, PM me the dates and your phone number.
The Curve Cravers, my ride out group, ride every Sunday weather pending.
What bike will you ride out? I ask because we only ride dirt when we're lost.  
Most of the best paved roads are a little SW of Scranton, WB.. The better dirt roads NE of Scranton. (IMHO)

I was married in Greenfield many moons ago at Sacred Heart Church , my wife's family is originally from Greenfield...

[Hulked Up]

Hey Sam!

We're looking at the weekend of April 27-29.  Saturday will be the big ride day.  It will be a street ride, though some guys may be on GS's.  I'm not sure of my own ride as my VFR is in the shop and I may take the KLR.

I'll email you the gpx file to look at (too big to attach here).

[Scratch33]

Redfox is a train nut - her grandfather worked on the Norfolk & Western.  Steamtown USA's on our 'to do' list this year or the next.  

The last time I rode to Scranton I stayed at the Radisson, which is in the beautifully restored former Lackawanna Station.

[scottzilla]

I'll be in NorCal that weekend.

[ConPilot1]

Redfox is a train nut - her grandfather worked on the Norfolk & Western.  Steamtown USA's on our 'to do' list this year or the next.  

The last time I rode to Scranton I stayed at the Radisson, which is in the beautifully restored former Lackawanna Station.

If you're into trains make sure you take the ride on the old coal steamer up over the Nicholson Bridge. You can get info for the train ride tour at Steamtown.

[Hulked Up]

Thanks for the train info.  I just assumed Steamtown was closed for the season, but was surprised to see it's not.  Have to make some time for that.

[foosnut]

Hulked Up,

If you are coming down from the North look to find a way through the small town of Susquehanna and Lanesboro (50 miles north of Scranton). Susquehanna (my home town) used to be a major railroad town. Although it has now fallen on hard times like a lot of small towns.

The Starrucca Viaduct (Lanesboro)is the oldest stone railroad bridge still in use and is a MUST see for a railroad buff.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starrucca_Viaduct

And the old Erie Railroad station in Susquehanna is worth a look. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susquehanna_(Erie_Railroad_station)

I haven't been home in a long time and I am not sure if the restaurant in the station is open. I also don't know if you would want to eat there as the food and service can be sketchy. But if the bar is open you should go in and have a soda at least to check out the place.

[foosnut]

Here is a link that works for the Viaduct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starrucca_Viaduct

[Hulked Up]

The Starrucca Viaduct (Lanesboro)is the oldest stone railroad bridge still in use and is a MUST see for a railroad buff.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starrucca_Viaduct

Cool, thanks.  Susquehanna is actually on the route I got from Road Runner.  Sounds like this will be a fun trip.

[scraperman1]

Hey,

      I also have to give a +1 to the Raddison, I stayed there for a CSBA rally and it was a really nice place that wasn't ridiculously expensive. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. As far as roads go, 390 and 590 are both pretty cool, plus 447 going north is fun. You'll have great time up there. Enjoy,

[Jeets]

Watch your speed on 590


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[st2sam]

Here is a link that works for the Viaduct
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starrucca_Viaduct

   

[Hulked Up]

That's what I'm talking about!  Thanks Sam.

[foosnut]

Hey Sam,

My first wifes Uncle used to be postmaster in that Post Office....


Hulked up, there is a road on the other side of the creek, (take the bridge, you can't miss it) that leads under the viaduct and you can walk on some tracks beneath it and get right up to touch it...I personally have walked across the top of it several times as a teenager....I find this bridge much more impressive than the more famous Nicholson Viaduct.

[st2sam]

Hey Sam,I find this bridge much more impressive than the more famous Nicholson Viaduct.

  The Nicholson Viaduct is also amazing in it's own way, including some nice roads in that area!
 


(I miss my ST3  )

[Royal Tiger]

If you don't mind a bit of distance from Scranton, PA 125 northbound from Pine Grove to Shamokin HAS to be ridden, especially as a visitor to the area.

[Hulked Up]

If you don't mind a bit of distance from Scranton, PA 125 northbound from Pine Grove to Shamokin HAS to be ridden, especially as a visitor to the area.

Thanks, that route actually showed up on both the websites I used for research:

Motorcycle Roads.com

Motorcycle Touring in PA

Thanks for the input on which roads are worthy.  

[Royal Tiger]

Thanks, that route actually showed up on both the websites I used for research:

Motorcycle Roads.com

Motorcycle Touring in PA

Thanks for the input on which roads are worthy.  

I find northbound on 125 much more fun then southbound.  That 1st link has PA 339 on it, and even though it has you going southbound, I prefer northbound again.