Trying to find a straight road in WV..

[deilenberger]

So far - I've had no luck..

Today I found the road to top the Dragon..

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... urce=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

20 miles of unrelenting elevation changes, 300 degree switchbacks, gravel, 1 lane - wonderful. Was great fun. Never got out of 2nd gear.. lots of it done in 1st (gotta love being able to go from 1mph to 40mph in 1st gear.. The road has large warning signs on it "20 miles of extreme curves and elevation changes - NO THROUGH TRUCKS!" - unfortunately - the one dump truck didn't get the message..

Bike has been running as usual - flawless - since Monday when I left. Have covered lots of the great roads in WV (28 end to end, 219 end to end, 66, 33, you name it - now 72..)

Have another two days of joy and my search for the straight road.. weather has been great since a few big storms blew through on Monday.. 60-70F, sunny, dry. What's not to like?

More reports when I get back home..

[mogu83]

Don,
You don't really bring your computer along on a motorcycle ride ---- do you?

I'll be heading to Virginia/ W.Virgina tomorrow morning, but I'll be on the Valk. So if you see something large and black with driving lights coming up behind you on one of those twisty roads, just slide over, I'll wave when I pass.
After Laconia the tires on the R are gone (new Road Pilot 2s in the garage), so with new tires and a 12K service it will be ready for the National (MOA).

Met two R riders from this list at the laconia Beemer rally but they are lurkers on the list. I know your out there guys.

[celticus]

So Don, Where are you staying while wandering in W.Va.?
Mark

[deilenberger]

So Don, Where are you staying while wandering in W.Va.?
Mark

First night was actually Virginia - right over the border, Stephens City (on Rt 81.. which I didn't go on.. ) Last night was Snowshoe Inn on St Rt 66, tonight is Canaan Valley Resort - the site of the RA Rally that was a washout (literally.. I was here..) due to Hurricane Hugo.. Tomorrow - dunno.. will be heading north and east a bit, get a start on my ride home, which will happen on Friday.

[deilenberger]

To answer Harry - sure. Been doing it for years - Google Maps is a great tool to find the roads you'd never find otherwise..

Here is what "The Snake" (local name for it) Rt 72 - looks like in Google maps:





Gotta love it.. Harry, didn't see your Valkery behind me on that road. Not that it couldn't - but didn't see much of anything except the guy I was riding with... and even that was rare since forward concentration was pretty much demanding 100% of my time.

[deilenberger]

A few more photos - I'll be doing a trip report on my website..



Entering WV at Harper's Ferry - where you leave it within about 1/4 mile.. This was the most traffic we saw on any road in WV.. the majority of the roads are very sparely travelled.



Sennaca Rocks, and me - new Aerostitch (old one shrank..)



Boyer Station, Rt 28, WV - near Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory - cool free tour..



Downtown Thomas WV



Uptown Thomas WV - the two lanes of the main street are on different levels - about 40 feet different. The rear of the buildings in the first Thomas photo are on the left of this view..



GPS at the end of the trip.. I don't believe I actually achieved quite the indicated Max Speed..

[websterize]

Don, I motored home via "The Snake" Friday morning after staying at Canaan Valley Resort. Holy cow. I picked the wrong week to take off, so I can't make the RA Rally there in a couple of week. I'll probably return to Canaan Valley this fall. It's a gorgeous place.

Heard about WV 72 from Don's 2008 ride report.

Here is what "The Snake" (local name for it) Rt 72 - looks like in Google maps:

[deilenberger]

Don, I motored home via "The Snake" Friday morning after staying at Canaan Valley Resort. Holy cow. I picked the wrong week to take off, so I can't make the RA Rally there in a couple of week. I'll probably return to Canaan Valley this fall. It's a gorgeous place.

Heard about WV 72 from Don's 2008 ride report.

Bill, leaving tomorrow morning for the MOA rally in TN - the wandering up to the RA in WV. Still looking for a straight road in WV.. and yeah - I'll have the computer with me

[Motorcycle_Girl]

All I can say is WOW it looks like you are having a great trip! I am jealous!

Celeste

[deilenberger]

All I can say is WOW it looks like you are having a great trip! I am jealous!

Celeste

Those were last years..

Just got to the motel in Stephen's City VA - all back roads once I got out of NJ.

Great day riding, and got a few photos I might upload later.. now it's off to the pool..

[deilenberger]

See:

https://share.findmespot.com/shared/fac ... jGc6aPQklu

Password is "bumble" (no quotes).. and hit NO for the security warning.

Just got out of the pool (WARM!).. and goin' for dinner shortly.

[BigSmile]

Note to self - DO NOT READ POSTS LIKE THESE IN THE MORNING BEFORE WORK.

Not helpful for my productivity.

Great pictures and maps.

thanks,
BigSmile

PS I too hate when my clothing "shrinks" and requires me to get larger sizes )