That's pretty much my planned route for Saturday as well, except that I continue east on 39 past Goshen, take 252 north, then the uber-twisty 56 and a bit of the BRP on the way south to Buchanan. Then head over to Eagle Rock, etc. I don't have the mileage for it, but it's a full day of twisty goodness (340 miles?). I usually do out-back-out on 39 and 311 just because they're so good. Some sections o 219 are worthy of that too. Depends on weather and traffic.

So where is the nanner pudding? Paint Bank General Store?

OK, so I've never been to the area.  Besides riding Highlands Scenic Hwy and visiting the Jefferson Baths I have no plans.  Any must visit lunch stops in the area?  Any Sat. afternoon bluegrass venues nearby?

OK, so I've never been to the area.  Besides riding Highlands Scenic Hwy and visiting the Jefferson Baths I have no plans.  Any must visit lunch stops in the area?  Any Sat. afternoon bluegrass venues nearby?

Go to one end of Smoke Hole Road. Ride to the other end. Turn around, repeat. Loop until exhausted.

Or just ride every other road in the area. It's kind of a rider's paradise.

If you get up further North and East, the Lost River Grill is always entertaining. The Greenbriar Grill in Marlinton is a staple of the area; it's not even remotely standout, but it's a good place for a lunch break, before or after buzzing down to the Greenbank radio telescope observatory for a look around. The pizza/grill place at Seneca Rocks offers decent food while watching the climbers on the rock face. 219 between Marlinton and Lewisburg offers some beautiful scenic riding with a couple of really fun sections here and there, and Lewisburg is basically a mid-sized pretty modern town with all the amenities.

I can't speak to the music offerings in the area.

OK, so I've never been to the area.  Besides riding Highlands Scenic Hwy and visiting the Jefferson Baths I have no plans.  Any must visit lunch stops in the area?  Any Sat. afternoon bluegrass venues nearby?

I don't how scenic the Highlands Scenic Highway is. There is at least one nice overlook. Not sure it's worth doing even once given the other options in the area. The ride from the hotel to the start of it is HUGE fun though (on 219) and continuing north (down the mountain) is big fun too.

The General Store in Paint Bank on 311 is worthy. The loop Smoker posted will get you there.

To the north on 219, Hellbender Burrito in Davis has lots of fans (right near Blackwater Falls State Park if you want something to see). The Purple Fiddle in Thomas has eclectic acoustic music on weekends, but I think that is evenings only.

A visit to The Hutte restaurant in historic (but tiny) Helvetia is always nice. Take 219 north and make a left on some county roads. Follow to Helvetia. Continue out to route 20 and take that south to Webster Springs, then 15 over to 219 and back south for a nice loop.

The Cass Train Museum (66) and Greenback Radio Observatory (28) make a couple nice tourist stops with worthy riding in between and you can make a nice loop out of them.

The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center is a nice visit and lunch at "The Front Porch" in downtown Seneca Rocks is nice on a nice day, watching the climbers across the way.

It's pretty much sport-touring heaven in that part of the world. Great riding in every direction. Stuff to see if you're into that and some interesting eateries along the way.

For scenic overlooks, the Germany Valley overlook on 33 (between Seneca and Franklin) is a favorite. The Confederate Breastworks overlook on 250 is nice. There is a nice one on 39 just to the east of 220. The overlook at the WV/VA state line is pretty awesome, as is that section of 33. The VA side is epic IMO.

This a nice loop that includes Cass Railroad, Greenbank Observatory, and Helvetia with lots of nice riding along the way (211 miles):

https://goo.gl/maps/dDMgtH7GQgo

You can add an hour of awesome riding by taking 250 east to Monterey (then double back) if you want. So good it's worth doing twice.

I'll be there with a couple of dirty filthy Harley Guys (r) (c) (tm), so yeah, we'll be doing road-only stuff, too.

Whatcha be riding?

Would this be an ok ride?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marlinton+Motor+Inn,+21507+Seneca+Trail,+Marlinton,+WV+24954/Mingo/Thornwood/Monterey/Warm+Springs,+VA/Marlinton/@38.3782415,-80.1343568,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m38!4m37!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c80089d83aba9:0x97154a91a0f96320!2m2!1d-80.0927205!2d38.2663176!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b75cb25fd2b31:0x1a368014ab43533!2m2!1d-80.0542344!2d38.4987251!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b3fdfdd3288b5:0xffd2ab1d625e936!2m2!1d-79.738457!2d38.558083!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b459643f76c35:0x2a1c06347b906c97!2m2!1d-79.5806036!2d38.4123429!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c99d150d7c8ed:0x7bc493cc20df8d2!2m2!1d-79.7905863!2d38.0460901!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c7ffc306d4683:0xddc86c2389c8f734!2m2!1d-80.0945099!2d38.2234533!3e0

Quote from: chornbe on April 28, 2017, 08:49:26 AM

I'll be there with a couple of dirty filthy Harley Guys (r) (c) (tm), so yeah, we'll be doing road-only stuff, too.

Whatcha be riding?

Would this be an ok ride?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marlinton+Motor+Inn,+21507+Seneca+Trail,+Marlinton,+WV+24954/Mingo/Thornwood/Monterey/Warm+Springs,+VA/Marlinton/@38.3782415,-80.1343568,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m38!4m37!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c80089d83aba9:0x97154a91a0f96320!2m2!1d-80.0927205!2d38.2663176!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b75cb25fd2b31:0x1a368014ab43533!2m2!1d-80.0542344!2d38.4987251!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b3fdfdd3288b5:0xffd2ab1d625e936!2m2!1d-79.738457!2d38.558083!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b459643f76c35:0x2a1c06347b906c97!2m2!1d-79.5806036!2d38.4123429!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c99d150d7c8ed:0x7bc493cc20df8d2!2m2!1d-79.7905863!2d38.0460901!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c7ffc306d4683:0xddc86c2389c8f734!2m2!1d-80.0945099!2d38.2234533!3e0

That is certainly a nice loop. You get some really outstanding sections on 39, 250, and 219. If you enjoy very scenic back roads with pretty good pavement, instead of doing 220 as your eastern north/south route (to connect 39 to 250), go farther east and take 678  up to McDowell on 250. It's 20+ miles of scenic, twisty back road. A favorite and one of the best 6xx roads I've ever done.

That is certainly a nice loop. You get some really outstanding sections on 39, 250, and 219. If you enjoy very scenic back roads with pretty good pavement, instead of doing 220 as your eastern north/south route (to connect 39 to 250), go farther east and take 678  up to McDowell on 250. It's 20+ miles of scenic, twisty back road. A favorite and one of the best 6xx roads I've ever done.

Thanks.  Here it is...

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marlinton+Motor+Inn,+21507+Seneca+Trail,+Marlinton,+WV+24954/Mingo/Thornwood/Monterey/Warm+Springs,+VA/Marlinton/@38.3841573,-80.0121153,10z/data=!4m43!4m42!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c80089d83aba9:0x97154a91a0f96320!2m2!1d-80.0927205!2d38.2663176!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b75cb25fd2b31:0x1a368014ab43533!2m2!1d-80.0542344!2d38.4987251!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b3fdfdd3288b5:0xffd2ab1d625e936!2m2!1d-79.738457!2d38.558083!1m10!1m1!1s0x884b459643f76c35:0x2a1c06347b906c97!2m2!1d-79.5806036!2d38.4123429!3m4!1m2!1d-79.5782003!2d38.1865308!3s0x884ca7f60df13e7d:0x3ce811b88c7054c1!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c99d150d7c8ed:0x7bc493cc20df8d2!2m2!1d-79.7905863!2d38.0460901!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c7ffc306d4683:0xddc86c2389c8f734!2m2!1d-80.0945099!2d38.2234533!3e0

Thats' an excellent loop!

Looks like rain Friday and Saturday now.

I may be the only rider going a northern route as I get to hit the roads you're riding south for on my way to and from.

It'll just be lonely old me with you hooligans getting LEO's attention elsewhere.   

Thanks.   

That's a nice morning or afternoon loop. Won't take the whole day, but plenty of places to branch off, on any of those four main sections, and go get lost if you wish... or stretch it out, smell the roses and kick back along the way. There's really nothing too terribly bad in the whole area. As "economically suppressed" as the area is, they spend money on their roads, and it's wonderful geography. Hard to not enjoy a day of riding home basing from Marlinton and its surroundings.

I believe, thus far, I'll be bringing the Thunderbird...

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There's a slight chance I'll be on a 2006 Multistrada 620.

Quote from: chornbe on April 28, 2017, 08:49:26 AM

I'll be there with a couple of dirty filthy Harley Guys (r) (c) (tm), so yeah, we'll be doing road-only stuff, too.

Whatcha be riding?

Would this be an ok ride?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marlinton+Motor+Inn,+21507+Seneca+Trail,+Marlinton,+WV+24954/Mingo/Thornwood/Monterey/Warm+Springs,+VA/Marlinton/@38.3782415,-80.1343568,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m38!4m37!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c80089d83aba9:0x97154a91a0f96320!2m2!1d-80.0927205!2d38.2663176!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b75cb25fd2b31:0x1a368014ab43533!2m2!1d-80.0542344!2d38.4987251!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b3fdfdd3288b5:0xffd2ab1d625e936!2m2!1d-79.738457!2d38.558083!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b459643f76c35:0x2a1c06347b906c97!2m2!1d-79.5806036!2d38.4123429!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c99d150d7c8ed:0x7bc493cc20df8d2!2m2!1d-79.7905863!2d38.0460901!1m5!1m1!1s0x884c7ffc306d4683:0xddc86c2389c8f734!2m2!1d-80.0945099!2d38.2234533!3e0

Need an axle wrench & toolkit for that multi?

Whoa.  I always thought Ken had the 1000.  The mistique of small displacement lightweight bikes. 


Shows you how much attention I pay to detail.  It was red and said Ducati. What else you need to know!

Sadly I'm out.  My son's soccer team made it to the NJ State Cup finals, which of course is next weekend.  So I'm happy, but sad.

Sadly I'm out.  My son's soccer team made it to the NJ State Cup finals, which of course is next weekend.  So I'm happy, but sad.

Best of luck to you're son and his team.. 

Considering the forecast I thought this article was timely...
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/riding-in-the-rain-what-you-can-learn-from-nicky-hayden?utm_campaign=boosted-posts|tpfn&utm_content=common-tread-how-to&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=riding-in-the-rain-what-you-can-learn-from-nicky-hayden-post-041817-|tpfn

And why I'm having the take off put back on the front since the small sipes are gone on the current front PR3

Friday is looking damp to the north (Pittsburgh), so probably a direct-ish route in the afternoon down 219. The drummer from the band I play bass in (the girls) may join me. He rides a V-Strom.

Saturday is damp to the north, but sunny to the south. Glad I'm heading south toward Roanoke.

Sunday looks cool but nice as well, so my route home is quite long and hits every good road north of Marlinton in WV and VA, I think.

Of course this is mountain weather in the spring we're speculating over and you can't trust a forecast more than a day in advance (if that).

I came down 20 out of Buckhannon, a week or two ago, the pavement was chewed up on the highest spots.  More than average for WV spring time, so be careful.

Yeah, sections of 20 were getting pretty beat up the last couple years. Hope for a full re-pave spring eternal. I love that road between Diana and Rock Cave. It wasn't a bad winter, so WV mountain roads aren't as crapped up as they might be. Still have to be careful though.

20 was in the mix for my route home, but with Friday looking to be wet, I plan to spend Sunday going back and forth over the WV/VA border (39, 250, 33, 50) on the way home.

Sheri and I have family matters to attend to this weekend which just came up.  It's nothing serious, but it's something we need to tend to nevertheless.

I believe this will be the first Spring Meet I will have missed in a very long time. 


I'm not a happy camper this morning.

Damn. Sorry man. And this was your ball that started rolling this time.

Quote from: R Doug on May 01, 2017, 08:35:17 AM

Sheri and I have family matters to attend to this weekend which just came up.  It's nothing serious, but it's something we need to tend to nevertheless.

I believe this will be the first Spring Meet I will have missed in a very long time. 


I'm not a happy camper this morning.

Damn. Sorry man. And this was your ball that started rolling this time.

Ironically, this coming weekend is was the only weekend in May that would work for me to get away on the bike a few days.  The following weekends were already spoken for in one shape or another. 

Oh well, the good news is I'll be back in WV the entire first week of June on the motorcycle.  So, I'll get my fair share of riding in the area soon enough.  The biggest bummer of missing this weekend is seeing everyone!

Sheri and I have family matters to attend to this weekend which just came up.  It's nothing serious, but it's something we need to tend to nevertheless.

I believe this will be the first Spring Meet I will have missed in a very long time. 


I'm not a happy camper this morning.

Well crap. Hope to see you in September.

Sheri and I have family matters to attend to this weekend which just came up.  It's nothing serious, but it's something we need to tend to nevertheless.

I believe this will be the first Spring Meet I will have missed in a very long time. 


I'm not a happy camper this morning.

No 'nanna puddin for you!

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Spring meet eh?

Snow here Saturday night. 

Don't care....I'll be there regardless.

Well folks, the plans have been finalized.

The four of us are leaving Wed morning at 7:00AM sharp.  We are going to ride the slab for two straight days with a planned destination of Stephens City VA or thereabouts at the end of the second day. Oh, the sacrifices we have to make to have some fun. 

It looks like our heated vests and grips will get a workout.

After Marlinton, we plan to go down to Sparta NC for two nights before heading back North. We want to be home for mother's day.