P
Pearlzzzzz!
Guest
West Virginia
5 days, 4 nights.
Fast track to get there, 407 – QEW – Lewiston crossing – 190 – 90 (nice along the river and Lake Michigan) – 79 (ho hum at the top but increasingly more curvy and scenic) – pass Grove City famous
Shopping – Washington City gorgeous view – WV 33 east to Elkins Motor Lodge (62+ tax , nice dining room, 1863 tavern w/history – breakfast down the road ‘Scotties’, very good, nice locals).
In WV on 79 I recommend a stop at the tourist centre, near Morgantown, to get pamphlets which include ride routes/maps specifically for m/c riders. Everything you need to know. We were told the east side has the exciting mountain routes, central to west is flatter & scenic, below Charleston is where the mines are and off limits.
This ride took 12 hours with minimal gas stops, in time for dinner.
We were 2 miles outside of Elkins, observing the incredibly dark, storm sky silhouetted by mountains. Didn’t stop for rain gear hoping to beat the storm. One mile out we were bombarded by severe branch breaking winds, huge rain pellets and could not see a thing. Explosive lightening, crashing thunder like I’ve never experienced. Some places close by, had flash flood warnings.
When it let up, and we were drenched, my friend laughed. I knew it was going to be a good trip.
Second Day - the exciting east side through the mountains.
From Elkins we made our way south on scenic 219 to the charming town of Marlinton. 219 cuts through mountains, roads ascend and descend at approx 8%, but what makes this perfect for twisty addicts are the tight radius switchbacks, for miles all the way to Lewisburg (another charming town) continuing to Peterstown. At the bottom you dip into Virginia along 460 – 77 – on to 20 going north again. 20 is curvy going through small towns, back up to 33. (Hinton is interesting to see).
This can be a long day ride depending on your skill level.
Going north on 20 which is the interior, we were caught in severe weather, with flash flood warnings in the counties were had to ride through. We left 20, an hour ride to 79 following the storm paths. We ran out of time and rode at dusk, at night for a few hours. A large regal deer shot across the road right in front of me. I slowed down to a speed that I thought I could stop at and survive “The Deer”. Nothing happened so we sped up again. However, take note: you can see the deer at the back of meadows, lottsa deer everywhere. And at dusk you get to see them up close at the side of the road.
Third Day – the central scenic route
From Elkins take 33 west until you get to 16 south, scenic wide sweeping roads. Skirt along 4 to 19 north (the Elk River scenic route, ho hum). Before hitting 79 back on 33, ride 5, a back road. See miniature horses. An easy shorter day ride.
Fourth Day – leaving Elkins
Along 250 south through the Monongahela Forest to 220 north at Monterey -another beautiful mountain ride. (If you have time go all the way to Staunton, then up 11 to Harrisonburg). Up 220 to PA
we went through four states WV VA MD PA in a few hours. Cumberland across 68 west back on 219 north to visit Shanksville PA – Memorial for Flight 93, Sept 11 2001. The road going in is really twisty.
Up 219, in the dark again until Dubois. Did not see any deer in PA. 219 sweeps and guarantees a good countryside ride.
If you miss meal time, Sheetz gas bars have an all night food bar.
Fifth Day – getting Home.
From Dubois, 219 north – 90 – 190 to Lewiston crossing. Ride up PA, NY was easy and fast. It only took 2 hours to get back into Canada because we budded in an enormous line up, and got the finger. (5 hours to enter the US from Cda). Ever notice how much faster riding with Km’s is after dealing with miles? QEW – 407.
Getting Home took about 7 hours.
Next time I ride WV, I would take 79 to Charleston and check out the south/west quad.
Then over towards 219 north and do it all again.
Thanks to Rosey Toes for getting the bike ready to go. Thanks in advance cause I have to come back.
Thanks to Kahuna for fixing the visor.
5 days, 4 nights.
Fast track to get there, 407 – QEW – Lewiston crossing – 190 – 90 (nice along the river and Lake Michigan) – 79 (ho hum at the top but increasingly more curvy and scenic) – pass Grove City famous
Shopping – Washington City gorgeous view – WV 33 east to Elkins Motor Lodge (62+ tax , nice dining room, 1863 tavern w/history – breakfast down the road ‘Scotties’, very good, nice locals).
In WV on 79 I recommend a stop at the tourist centre, near Morgantown, to get pamphlets which include ride routes/maps specifically for m/c riders. Everything you need to know. We were told the east side has the exciting mountain routes, central to west is flatter & scenic, below Charleston is where the mines are and off limits.
This ride took 12 hours with minimal gas stops, in time for dinner.
We were 2 miles outside of Elkins, observing the incredibly dark, storm sky silhouetted by mountains. Didn’t stop for rain gear hoping to beat the storm. One mile out we were bombarded by severe branch breaking winds, huge rain pellets and could not see a thing. Explosive lightening, crashing thunder like I’ve never experienced. Some places close by, had flash flood warnings.
When it let up, and we were drenched, my friend laughed. I knew it was going to be a good trip.
Second Day - the exciting east side through the mountains.
From Elkins we made our way south on scenic 219 to the charming town of Marlinton. 219 cuts through mountains, roads ascend and descend at approx 8%, but what makes this perfect for twisty addicts are the tight radius switchbacks, for miles all the way to Lewisburg (another charming town) continuing to Peterstown. At the bottom you dip into Virginia along 460 – 77 – on to 20 going north again. 20 is curvy going through small towns, back up to 33. (Hinton is interesting to see).
This can be a long day ride depending on your skill level.
Going north on 20 which is the interior, we were caught in severe weather, with flash flood warnings in the counties were had to ride through. We left 20, an hour ride to 79 following the storm paths. We ran out of time and rode at dusk, at night for a few hours. A large regal deer shot across the road right in front of me. I slowed down to a speed that I thought I could stop at and survive “The Deer”. Nothing happened so we sped up again. However, take note: you can see the deer at the back of meadows, lottsa deer everywhere. And at dusk you get to see them up close at the side of the road.
Third Day – the central scenic route
From Elkins take 33 west until you get to 16 south, scenic wide sweeping roads. Skirt along 4 to 19 north (the Elk River scenic route, ho hum). Before hitting 79 back on 33, ride 5, a back road. See miniature horses. An easy shorter day ride.
Fourth Day – leaving Elkins
Along 250 south through the Monongahela Forest to 220 north at Monterey -another beautiful mountain ride. (If you have time go all the way to Staunton, then up 11 to Harrisonburg). Up 220 to PA
we went through four states WV VA MD PA in a few hours. Cumberland across 68 west back on 219 north to visit Shanksville PA – Memorial for Flight 93, Sept 11 2001. The road going in is really twisty.
Up 219, in the dark again until Dubois. Did not see any deer in PA. 219 sweeps and guarantees a good countryside ride.
If you miss meal time, Sheetz gas bars have an all night food bar.
Fifth Day – getting Home.
From Dubois, 219 north – 90 – 190 to Lewiston crossing. Ride up PA, NY was easy and fast. It only took 2 hours to get back into Canada because we budded in an enormous line up, and got the finger. (5 hours to enter the US from Cda). Ever notice how much faster riding with Km’s is after dealing with miles? QEW – 407.
Getting Home took about 7 hours.
Next time I ride WV, I would take 79 to Charleston and check out the south/west quad.
Then over towards 219 north and do it all again.
Thanks to Rosey Toes for getting the bike ready to go. Thanks in advance cause I have to come back.
Thanks to Kahuna for fixing the visor.
.
