WV Ride Planning tips

[10 ER AY]

My dad and I are riding up to WV around the 4th of July for a few days of exploring. We'll be staying in Davis, WV and launching daily routes from there.

Does anyone here have recommendations of cant miss things in the area?

My Dad will be on a Goldwing and he's pushing 70yrs old so I cant do any off road riding and I'm not really looking for super twisty roads, but does anyone have any sites that a tourist shouldnt miss while in the area? We've already got the NRO on the list and my dad wants to go ride the Ohio River and see it. Any thing else?

 

[justbob]

Cass Scenic Railroad.
Seneca Rocks
New River Bridge, take the old road down under the bridge.
Hwy 219 From Lewisburg to Elkins
Hwy150, Highlands Scenic Road

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Take a look at this first post in this thread. http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=6193.msg107127#msg107127
About half way down you'll find a list of rides and the distance from Romney. Those are all within range of you in Davis.

The closest ones is Rt 72 and River Road - this is an absolute must.

Another close by one is Mt Storm off to your east. Take Rt 93 to the end then turn right on Rt 42. It's an awesome banked curve road. At the bottom, just before the intersection with Rt 93, turn left on Scherr Road. Stay straight until turning right on Greenland Gap Road. Greenland Gap is a beautiful road with a stream and waterfalls. Ride it slowly and look around, it's a gem.

I agree with justbob, Cass and New River Bridge are great. If you're doing those be sure to stop and tour the Green Bank Telescope. Enjoy.

 

[spklbuk]

Practically in Davis is Blackwater Falls and nearby Lindy Point (ask park folks how to, it is in the park) easy access and one of most photographed spots in the state for a reason

If you do Cass include Snowshoe Mtn and consider Back Mountain Road in and out of Cass but much of it is one lane paved twisty but if you already ran WV 72, what the hell!

As stated, all things 219 N/S...WVs BRP and WV 150 Highlands Scenic Highway...WVs Cherohala Skyway

Either U.S 250 or 33 coming off I-81 out of VA into WV

U.S. 60 Midland Trail from Lewisburg to Hico when headed to New River Gorge (CR 82 goes down into Gorge and is Wingable)

or alternatively, WV 20 S to Charmco to U.S. 60 to Hico

You will miss many of the best technical paved roads if you do not include the southern coal fields. When coming in or going home, pick up Rt 16 from Marion, VA to Tazewell to Beckley, WV or vice versa.

 

[trikepilot]

Everything listed so far is pretty good. I lived at Seneca Rocks for 6 years and now live at the New River Gorge and all I might add is that the road up to Spruce Knob - at least the one one from Riverton is now fully paved so a Wing could easily do it. This is the highest point in WV and has an old CC tower on top that gives excellent views. Rt 33 from Seneca to Elkins has some fun twisties that are not too outrageous. Once down in the coalfields, stop off in Fayetteville (my hometown) for lunch at Pies & Pints, Diogis, or The Secret Sandwich Society. Depending on when you get here, gimme a shout (trikepilot at gmail dot com) and I can lead you around on a local ride.

 

[10 ER AY]

Wow - awesome stuff fellas! I'm adding stuff to our maps as you guys let me know.

Trikepilot- I'll be in touch. It'd be nice to have a local show us the off the beaten path stuff.

Thanks! Keep 'em comin.

 

[10 ER AY]

Just to set my mind at ease, are any of you that are close to Davis familiar with the Alpine Lodge and Sawmill Restaurant? I made us some reservations there based on pictures and google earth images. Is this place a roach motel or pretty decent? The lady making reservations sounded really nice.

 

[10 ER AY]

If any of you fellows with mapsource get bored and want something to do here is a link to my route. I'm not a mapsource expert, but I tried to incorporate as much as possible that you guys told me about. The only thing I've added to this route is the Hatfield Cemetery that we're going to check out on the way home. Let me know if I've made any obvious omissions or come real close to something great and didnt mark it.


Route Link

 

[Dirt_Dad]

If any of you fellows with mapsource get bored and want something to do here is a link to my route. I'm not a mapsource expert, but I tried to incorporate as much as possible that you guys told me about. The only thing I've added to this route is the Hatfield Cemetery that we're going to check out on the way home. Let me know if I've made any obvious omissions or come real close to something great and didnt mark it.


Route Link

Looks good, but you did miss Rt 72. That would be a shame to be so close and not do 72. Ride it between Hendrix and Red Creek. River Road parralles a lot of 72 along the water and is also a worthwhile ride.

I also see you have Blackwater Canyon Road (public road 18 / CR 27). That's a good one if you like it a bit rough. Rocky in places, and some very tiny water crossings that are more rock than wet. Definitely jeep passable, not car passable. Sometime you may need to ride between branches of fallen trees. I have never found the road to be impassable. It's a slow ride, but I always enjoy it.

 

[10 ER AY]

Thats exactly what I needed to know. I took Blackwater Canyon out and replaced it with 72. I would love to do Blackwater Canyon but my pops would hate it.

 

[spklbuk]

Thats exactly what I needed to know. I took Blackwater Canyon out and replaced it with 72. I would love to do Blackwater Canyon but my pops would hate it.

Be advised that 72, though paved, is narrow and tight. Doable on a wing, but use due caution.

 

[10 ER AY]

Be advised that 72, though paved, is narrow and tight. Doable on a wing, but use due caution.

As long as its paved - no matter how rough - I dont have to hear how his Goldwing isnt a dirtbike blah blah blah....