drc32-0

Back in 2008 I took two months and camped and road around the Rockies in Colorado,Wyoming and Montana.You have a chance of a lifetime...don't pass it up!And the good old USAF(served '80-'84) is going to pay for it! If you can possibly swing it don't miss these places; Million Dollar Highway (between Durango and Ouray CO) Rocky MTN NP (Trail Ridge Rd) Snowy Range Rd (130 West of Laramie) The Tetons and Yellowstone area (esp The Beartooth Pass 212 and 296 Chief Joseph Senic Byway) Flatehead Lake/Glacier NP area (Going to the Sun Rd) We have been blessed with awesome beauty in this country...especially in the western states.You have a chance to see some of the good stuff...plus Canada! If your family appreciates natural beauty,this will be a trip that you will all remember the rest of your lives. Thanks for serving.

That's right,detour north on 555 to 669 back to 78 at McConnelsville.If you're coming from the Nelsonville/Glouster area you will still get the good stuff around Burr Oak.I guess it's a personal choice,but I think 669 is much better(and in better condition) than the section of 78 that you will be cutting out.Most of that section of 555 is also pretty good except the section from Portersville to Deavertown is starting to get rough.If you want to explore a little deeper you could cut out the Portersville- Deavertown section of 555 by by taking Tatman's road from 37 west of Portersville back to 669 west of Deavertown. 260 is an excellent road!In my opinon the best part of 260 is north of 26 to the Tiny town of Marr(except they're logging that area right now),but the section south of 26 is very,very good.260 and 255 are like twins,two of the best in S.E.O. I don't know how much time you want to spend in S.E.O. before moving onto W.V.,but if you want to play around a little,here's a very twisty route that I ride quite a bit... From Marietta... 26e to Dart> Archers Fork Rd s> 7 n> 260 n>Marr 537 e> 26 e> 800 s(1 mile)> 255 s>back to 7 You mentioned that you like riding forrested roads...it's hard to beat the Hocking Hills for forest rides.374,Thompson Ridge,Illsboro-Ceder Falls,Big Pine and some of 56 all come to mind. There is a ton of good roads in S.E.O.,it's just a matter of how much time you want to spend in Ohio before moving on to W,V.You can always ride in Ohio another day. Have Fun.

If you are going to pick up 78 anywhere west of Ringgold(555),I recommend going north on 555 until you intersect with 669.Take 669 from Deavertown back to 78 at McConnelsville.All of this section of 669 was paved last year...part of it is very twisty,part is a good riverside ride.It will T into 78 at McConnelsville. Of the three(800,255,536) you mentioned that you might take to the river,800 is in the best condition.All of it south of 255 was paved in the last two years.I believe 255 is closed right now,but it will probably be open when you plan to ride that area.255 is always fun,536 is starting to get rough. Have fun on your ride.

It's pretty easy to blame the bush/chaney cartel...two unfunded wars and a tax break at the same time...that's insanity.If the hawks refuse to personally go to war,at least they could pay for it. Are things great now?No,but at least they are not plummeting like the end of the bush/chaney regime. How much of the current debt is interest for Ray-gun,King George I and King George II spending.Google a gragh on our debt...Ray-gun started this out of control train. I've always said it will take about twenty years to recover from the mismanagement of the W administration. I love you repukes...we broke it,you fix it....NOW! It's sad that repukes would rather see Obama fail than see the country recover.Wasn't it Boner that said..."Our job is to make sure Obama is a one term president."He couldn't care less about the country,it's all about his party.

Just around town on the KLR.It looks like Sunday might be the day to get out for a longer ride.

You haven't noticed that complaining about what other people make is a constant theme around here? A lot of people aren't making what they think they are worth.That tells me that...A)The whole lie that non-union bosses will reward great effort is,of course,a lie...or B)These people that complain aren't as shit hot as they think they are.

Also some insurance companies offer discounts for AMA membership.

Get out and do some hiking.Winter is second only to fall as the most beautiful season in the Hocking Hills.If it's cold for awhile(at least three weeks),be sure to check out Ash Cave,Ceder Falls and the stream through Old Man's Cave area.I've seen the ice below Ash Cave falls at least 30 feet high and 15-20 feet wide boulder of ice.If you get there in the morning after a 6-8 inch snowfall it is freaking beautiful! You could go for a horseback ride along Big Pine road and Conkle's Hollow. There's apretty cool wind chime store over on Illsboro-Ceder Falls...she has an amazing collection of chimes with some beautiful tones. Then hit the hot tub!

Good to hear you had a fun ride.Just wondering...that pick up didn't happen to be a Dodge was it?For some reason,whenever I top a hill and a truck is stratling the centerline it usually seems to be a Dodge. Gravel in the center of the lane is pretty common until about mid-April,at least over here,just stay in the tire track and you'll be fine.

Odot was pretty generous with it's pavement last year in s.e.o.,maybe we could do a little swap next year...you show me some of your favorites in KY and I'll show you some of my favorites in S.E.O...it could be a fun win-win for both of us. BTW...your right it was a great day for a ride...I got in about 125 miles.

I take it that you work for a non-union boss? Even if you get your check on Monday,I would still be looking for another job. Good luck.

What is the tipping point?When they take away sports on t.v and beer. Until then you can do anything you want to Americans.

I was on 255 Saturday...they had the road closed signs up,but I was able to get through.It looked like they were cutting the bank back to prevent landslides,it didn't look like they were working on the road.I doubt if you could get through when they're working,but the weekends seem possible.Either way,come spring it should be o.k.,I hope. I was on 260,255,537,26 and 800...they were very clean for this time of year,except where they are logging between 26 and Marr. BTW,800 sure is sweet since they finished that section between Antioch and 255.

Thanks for the replies.No specific questions,I just wanted to see how other peoples experience with this company turned out.It looks like everything went well so I'll be giving them a call...and yes,I very well might be wanting another bike when I get back.

I'm going to be flying out to S.F. the first part of February and this company has the best selection of bikes that I would be interested in renting.The rates seem good and they're affiliated with pashnet,so that's a plus. Anyone have any experience with them? I've always been interested in the vstrom 650 so that will be my first choice.Vstrom riders...how does she do on the interstate?I'm sure it will be just fine on everything else,but I was just wondering about 200 interstate trips.I know my KLR isn't all that fun on the interstate. http://www.dubbelju.com/

Hey glass half empty guy....why don't you go out and do an act of kindness instead of being a buzz kill on one of the few positve threads.There are plenty of threads you would be right at home with your bitterness.

It's always nice to see one of these threads.There are definitely good people out there.I like to take pictures of seo roads when I'm out riding and several times people have stopped to make sure everything is o.k. Something I like to do...if a see a guy in a restaurant wearing a WWII,Vietnam or any veteran hat,I'll point them out to the cashier and pay for their meal.

A Perfect World...An older Clint Eastwood/Kevin Costner movie.

I was over on the FJR Forum looking at the pics from 2012 and came across this amazing slide show by a California rider.If you have any inclination to ride the western states,and California especially,I think you'll enjoy this slide show.She hits most of the great roads and scenic places and shows them with beautiful,imaginative slides.It's long at 25 minutes,but well worth the time. http://vimeo.com/57096350

Went over to Newark to check out the 2013 FJR but they were closed,so I headed over to Iron Pony to see one.I'm really leaning towards buying one in the spring and heading to California for a while.We'll see.I made a couple more stops in Columbus and headed home in the rain around 7:00.150 miles for the day. The weather was great,a good day for a mid January ride.

I was out on 555 and 669 last weekend.I wouldn't worry about the salt nearly as much as the sand.555 wasn't bad,but 669 had a lot of sand.It was still fun...just use commen sense,it is still winter.

If you're talking about the very last stretch with the big rock,that's Clear Creek RD through Clear Creek Metro Park just north of the Hocking Hills on SR 33. The stretch before that looks like 374 between 180 and 33...not sure though.

Pretty bleak outside with the cold temps and snow and all,so I was looking through some pics that I have collected over the years.Since I know a lot of people around here ride SEO,I thought maybe someone else might enjoy remembering some of these roads in better weather. 555 78 260 255 376 266 537 695

Sorry I didn't get a chance to ride with you,maybe next year before you leave if I'm still here.There's a good chance I'll be in California by spring though,we'll see. Good luck with your studies.

I'm still commuting.It's een about 27 the last three mornings.