Carmen
Well-known member
Just got back from a four day trip to West Virginia. I was nervous as I prepared to leave last Thursday because of unstable weather, but it all turned out alright. I had sunshine, cloudy periods and drizzle, but thankfully no downpours that required me to use my rain suit.
My first night's stop was in Somerset PA. There I was greeted at the hotel by a large number of riders on cruisers (mostly Harleys) who were in the area to attend the "Thunder in the Valley" festivities in Johnstown PA. I've never seen so many guys polishing their chrome in a hotel parking lot. I basically took 219 south to reach Somerset and it took me about 10 hours from my home in Aurora.
My second night was spent in Elkins WV. To get their I proceeded south on 219. Then east on 68 until I reached 220 just before Cumberland Maryland. I took 220 south to Franklin WV. At that point I turned on to 33 which took me through the beautiful Mononghalia National Forest (forgive the spelling). I continued on 33 to Seneca Rocks, at which point 33 turns west towards Elkins WV. This second day of riding saw me cover less than 350 km. I was able to explore the mountainous area at a relaxed pace, and still get to my hotel by 5:00. Route 220 became beautiful the minute I got off I-68. These are the mountains of western Maryland and I was pleasantly surprised by the rugged scenery. As I continued south on 220 the road and the scenery continued to impress. The minute I reached 33, I felt like I was in the Adirondacks. The mountains got higher and roads snaked through valleys and over mountain passes. Two places that impressed me the most were Germany Valley and Spruce Knob. The road to Germany Valley winds up and over a mountain pass at over 3500 feet and over looks the historic community. There is a scenic area to pull over and take pictures. As well there are civil war memorial plaques there. Quite interesting stuff.
I then continued on 33 to Seneca Rocks. I had to park the bike quite a distance to reach the information center, something about the property out front being an ancient Indian burial ground. I'm glad I made the effort though. It was there the park ranger gave me a map directing me to a road to the top of Spruce Knob (WV highest mountain at over 4800 ft.) Getting there involved me back tracking south on 33 for about 30 minutes, but it was well worth it. The mountain access road is directly off 33 and it is not a toll road like Lake Placid and Mount Washington. It also takes twice as long to climb than the previously mentioned places. It took me 30 minutes to get to the top. This is mainly because it doesn't just go up but follows the ridge for many miles before circling to the summit. Like most mountains, the summit greeted me with alpine vegetation and a temperature about 20 degrees (f) lower than the base. The scenery was outstanding and provided a 360 degree view from the fire tower.
The return trip north and west on 33 to Elkins WV continued to impress with wonderful winding roads and mountain vistas. As I said previously it was a relaxed pace that allowed me to enjoy the moment and be a tourist. I didn't want the day to end. If time permitted, I could have spent another day in the area.
Elkins WV is situated at 219/33, so this made my departure route to Clearfield PA (my final night stop) easy. As I rode north on 219 to the town of Parsons WV, I thought I was in a time warp. Their were confederate soldiers walking around a park with fires burning, surrounded by large grey tents and plumes of smoke filled the air. From there I continued north into Maryland, finally entering PA. This leg of the trip was also relaxed. My riding day was perhaps 8 hours, arriving in PA at dinner time. They have got to change the name of 219 to some thing like the "Ontario Highway." I couldn't believe how many Ontario bikes I saw.
From Clearfield Pa my ride home was 7 hours. I arrived home by 3:00 pm.
The Good:
WV is fairly close, and the scenery and roads are spectacular. As well hotels and food are cheaper than what we're use to. The people there are what set it
apart from The mountains of the north east. The are very friendly and often approached me to start conversations about Canada. Unless you're a total introvert you'll never be lonely riding solo in West Virginia.
The Bad:
Deer, and lots of them. I had deer cross in front of me three times in a one hour period while riding on 33. Thankfully I saw them all coming at a range of about 100-150 feet. As well I saw another couple during the same period standing at the side of the road watching the cars go by.
My first night's stop was in Somerset PA. There I was greeted at the hotel by a large number of riders on cruisers (mostly Harleys) who were in the area to attend the "Thunder in the Valley" festivities in Johnstown PA. I've never seen so many guys polishing their chrome in a hotel parking lot. I basically took 219 south to reach Somerset and it took me about 10 hours from my home in Aurora.
My second night was spent in Elkins WV. To get their I proceeded south on 219. Then east on 68 until I reached 220 just before Cumberland Maryland. I took 220 south to Franklin WV. At that point I turned on to 33 which took me through the beautiful Mononghalia National Forest (forgive the spelling). I continued on 33 to Seneca Rocks, at which point 33 turns west towards Elkins WV. This second day of riding saw me cover less than 350 km. I was able to explore the mountainous area at a relaxed pace, and still get to my hotel by 5:00. Route 220 became beautiful the minute I got off I-68. These are the mountains of western Maryland and I was pleasantly surprised by the rugged scenery. As I continued south on 220 the road and the scenery continued to impress. The minute I reached 33, I felt like I was in the Adirondacks. The mountains got higher and roads snaked through valleys and over mountain passes. Two places that impressed me the most were Germany Valley and Spruce Knob. The road to Germany Valley winds up and over a mountain pass at over 3500 feet and over looks the historic community. There is a scenic area to pull over and take pictures. As well there are civil war memorial plaques there. Quite interesting stuff.
I then continued on 33 to Seneca Rocks. I had to park the bike quite a distance to reach the information center, something about the property out front being an ancient Indian burial ground. I'm glad I made the effort though. It was there the park ranger gave me a map directing me to a road to the top of Spruce Knob (WV highest mountain at over 4800 ft.) Getting there involved me back tracking south on 33 for about 30 minutes, but it was well worth it. The mountain access road is directly off 33 and it is not a toll road like Lake Placid and Mount Washington. It also takes twice as long to climb than the previously mentioned places. It took me 30 minutes to get to the top. This is mainly because it doesn't just go up but follows the ridge for many miles before circling to the summit. Like most mountains, the summit greeted me with alpine vegetation and a temperature about 20 degrees (f) lower than the base. The scenery was outstanding and provided a 360 degree view from the fire tower.
The return trip north and west on 33 to Elkins WV continued to impress with wonderful winding roads and mountain vistas. As I said previously it was a relaxed pace that allowed me to enjoy the moment and be a tourist. I didn't want the day to end. If time permitted, I could have spent another day in the area.
Elkins WV is situated at 219/33, so this made my departure route to Clearfield PA (my final night stop) easy. As I rode north on 219 to the town of Parsons WV, I thought I was in a time warp. Their were confederate soldiers walking around a park with fires burning, surrounded by large grey tents and plumes of smoke filled the air. From there I continued north into Maryland, finally entering PA. This leg of the trip was also relaxed. My riding day was perhaps 8 hours, arriving in PA at dinner time. They have got to change the name of 219 to some thing like the "Ontario Highway." I couldn't believe how many Ontario bikes I saw.
From Clearfield Pa my ride home was 7 hours. I arrived home by 3:00 pm.
The Good:
WV is fairly close, and the scenery and roads are spectacular. As well hotels and food are cheaper than what we're use to. The people there are what set it
apart from The mountains of the north east. The are very friendly and often approached me to start conversations about Canada. Unless you're a total introvert you'll never be lonely riding solo in West Virginia.
The Bad:
Deer, and lots of them. I had deer cross in front of me three times in a one hour period while riding on 33. Thankfully I saw them all coming at a range of about 100-150 feet. As well I saw another couple during the same period standing at the side of the road watching the cars go by.
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