Chuck78

And here's a nice writeup on WV-15: Valley Head to Webster Springs is classic mountain pass driving with a little bit of everything: climbing switchbacks, straights, and sweepers. Medium to fast corners. Variable road quality, but mostly good to great. Some homes lower down the mountain, which thin out as you climb toward the peak. Webster Springs to Diana is more mountain pass driving, albeit relatively shorter at ten or so miles. More homes and residences here, but traffic (cars and people) isn’t bad and there are still almost no stops or intersections to speak of. Road surface quality here is iffier, but still eminently drivable (nothing as bad as in the Northeast). A fun little section. Diana to Sutton is lower elevation driving, but still features plenty of hilly and winding country roads. Nice road quality, fast corners, as well as some decreasing radius turns. There are homes near Diana and more as you start to approach Sutton, but the middle section is a real peach. The section that approaches Sutton is probably the least interesting because at that point it starts to get pretty residential. Just turn around and do it again in the opposite direction. In aggregate, probably one of the single finest stretches of uninterrupted driving road that we have come across to date, if not the finest— Ed.

Very helpful video showing the best mountain section of US250 in VA near the WV border. similar to US33 on the same mountain on the WV/VA border. A little slow paced riding, but excellent example of these fine mountain roads. This camera position seems to help give a better perspective on the road than a helmet cam I feel.

WV-72 Dry Fork Rd this should display the terrain layer, but if not, select the terrain layer, as you will see the road lays in the sides of a mountain and looks very very awesome. (I think the shortened goog.gl URL's may expire, so I included the longer ones as well, in a way as to not have the forums display them since that feature doesn't work right) http://goo.gl/maps/0Rtbh maps.google.com/maps?saddr=WV-72+N&daddr=WV-72+N&hl=en&sll=38.998108,-79.528999&sspn=0.203582,0.308647&geocode=FbftUgIdklJD-w%3BFZOWUwIdvIpB-w&t=p&mra=ls&z=13 -------------------------------------- Coal City Rd: http://goo.gl/maps/vW7qa maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Coal+City+Rd&daddr=Coal+City+Rd&hl=en&ll=37.633402,-81.257973&spn=0.103726,0.154324&sll=37.667109,-81.195574&sspn=0.051839,0.077162&geocode=FSi6PgIdwrko-w%3BFVPLPQIdry8n-w&oq=Whitmer+Rd&t=p&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=14&z=13 -------------------------------------- WV-61 Deepwater to Kincaid, also WV-60/16 to WV-60 to Hawk's Nest, with WV-16 south of the split also highlighted (very nice climb with a few really great turns and amazing scenery http://goo.gl/maps/ty1Ce maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Kincaid,+WV&daddr=WV-61+N+to:Midland+Trail+to:W+Main+St%2FMidland+Trail+to:WV-16+S&hl=en-US&ll=38.098902,-81.202698&spn=0.206144,0.308647&sll=38.088635,-81.17197&sspn=0.103087,0.154324&geocode=FVh0RAIdpOon-yldb39rycNOiDG999m3rW6tWg%3BFafARQIdAQ4o-w%3BFQ4wRgIdFkMp-w%3BFbm2RQIdSkcq-w%3BFctHRQIdv8Ep-w&t=p&gl=US&mra=mi&mrsp=4&sz=13&z=12 -------------------------------------- Moyer's Gap Rd to Reddish Knob Rd http://goo.gl/maps/t6zb9 maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Moyers+Gap+Road&daddr=Reddish+Knob+Spur,+Dayton,+VA&hl=en&ll=38.490413,-79.28833&spn=0.102518,0.154324&sll=38.495519,-79.321804&sspn=0.10251,0.154324&geocode=FTTFSwId1F9F-w%3BFY_pSgIdTd5G-ykvc3Ous7e0iTFKwijKrF_tSw&oq=Whitmer+Rd&t=p&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=13&z=13 -------------------------------------- and here's WV-250 (rough in areas) Moundsville to Hundred, and then WV-7 from Hundred to New Martinsville. http://goo.gl/maps/63SDT maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Moundsville,+WV&daddr=Hundred,+WV+to:WV-7+W&hl=en&ll=39.761047,-80.632782&spn=0.402738,0.617294&sll=39.623408,-80.692177&sspn=0.201771,0.439453&geocode=FeEiYQIdG_Uv-yk5OUGwvuA1iDFOoHu9WZGogQ%3BFW6GXQIdJ0s0-ynDIvGNTPM1iDG8z01IVwj_Rw%3BFfLLXAIdwj0u-w&oq=Big+Bend+Camp&mra=mi&mrsp=2&sz=12&t=h&z=11 Use the satellite view on that route and pick out all the tight roads that are in the triangle between the route and the Ohio River, and then google search them or zoom in to street view and see if you can tell if they are gravel or paved. This could be well worth your time, they look VERY TIGHT. -------------------------------------- CR 28/11 (the turns are mainly gauleys and dropoffs on the inside, so fewer blind turns due to cliffs/hills on the insides) http://goo.gl/maps/Tmz0q

Research the western panhandle area south of Wheeling, in between the Ohio River and Pennsylvania. Looking on the maps in the past, I noticed a massive amount of incredibly tight roads in that area, but I have zero rider reports on any other than 250 south from Moundsville, WV to Hundred, WV - which is supposedly one of the twistiest. OH-536 is not too far across the river from Moundsville, and is probably the most technical long ride on any Ohio State Route. It's really hard to beat the mountain roads... Lots of massive curves with good banks (sometimes very very steeply banked), some very long curves, some tighter curves and switchbacks, has it all... 33 and 250 especially. Reddish Knob/Moyer's Gap and Howard's Lick Rd are probably in the category you are asking about, based on looking at them on the map. and Dry Fork Rd north of US33 a little west of Seneca Rocks. Just finally looked into that one, very tight and finally repaved a year or so ago (was terrible before). It's a very narrow road, so you can't blaze through the blind turns very readily or safely. "Layover road" is what they call them, for two cars to pass, one car has to lay over to the side of the road down onto the shoulder in order for the other to pass. in the New River Gorge area as drc said, WV-61 near Deepwater (to Kincaid?), and southwest of the gorge area on Coal City Road are some very tight ones. Gauley Bridge to Hawk's Nest is also a very epic 20 minutes of road that you have to do, nonstop twists, rises, and drops on the side of a smaller mountain at the edge of the river. Lots of elevation changes and tighter curves.

I played around with some interesting looking routes back to Ohio from Seneca Rocks, WV after discovering that the twistiest section of WV-72 "Dry Fork Rd" (very twisty road way up on rugged hillsides) is almost directly on the backroads way back to Columbus from Seneca Rocks... This route takes WV-72 Dry Fork Rd to WV-50 to a very flowing and twisty WV-20 to the Ohio River. Then it hits the most challenging road of the day - OH-536, and then dips down OH-26 a little ways to hit some great familiar routes by way of 536-260-565-145-530--78-13-685 http://goo.gl/maps/iETvz This route starts out similar, but catches WV-7 to WV-250 Hundred to Moundsville, then OH-556 to 145 to 800 to the I-70 slab... http://goo.gl/maps/rrpoj WV-50 near Cool Springs:

I found some great photos and road trip accounts on http://www.ridingwv.com that I linked below: I distinctly remember this long downhill heading east on 33, with a very nice turn at the bottom. This was coming down and then back up through a gulch in the side of North Fork Mtn if I recall... it was a very nice warm up and preview of what was to come in the next 15 miles! US33from VA looking into WV. Amazing scenic overlook ahead, this is the mountain ridgetop border of the two states. West Virginia DOT added uphill passing lanes to their side of the mountain, which surprisingly do not detract whatsoever from the tightness and twisting of the roads, and allow you to pass all of the slow tourist and trucks. This is simply the most fun and exhilarating road I have ever ridden. I wish I could find pictures that capture the steeply banked turns & the very high degree of incline on the roads. Smoke Hole Rd: Smoke Hole Canyon Smoke Hole Canyon is a blissful dream ride along this bubbly little river: More Smoke Hole Canyon

Next time, instead of the very straight flat valley roads 220 and 28, head towards Shenandoah Mountain on the WV side of the WV/VA border, and take Sugar Grove Rd south from 33 down to Reddish Knob Rd/Moyer's Gap Rd, hit up both to the top and back to Sugar Grove, and then keep heading south on Sugar Grove until it turns into 614 or 641(?) in VA, which runs straight into 250. Sugar Grove Rd has lots of decent curves for a valley road, as it hugs the base of the mountains basically. Once you take that south to 250, hang a right for a mile of fun curves at the mountains' base and then a gas stop. Then turn around and head east and hit the other "best eastern US mountain pass" on 250. west of your gas stop there also leads through the valleys with a few more smaller mountain passes that are good fun. Also FYI, although US33E out of Columbus, OH heads more south than it does east, 33 is an east/west road, It takes a few jogs south in the mountains, but heads mostly east at that point. I have yet to check out 61 near DeepWater. and I only got to ride 60/16 Gauley Bridge to Hawk's Nest in the dark in heavy fog, but when I drove it in the truck this past May, I was blown away and wished that the forecast was better for our camping/rafting trip so we could have ridden the bikes... wow. These New River Gorge area roads are TOP NOTCH it seems. Southwest of the gorge, Coal City Rd caught my eye, and Denny said that and WV-61 Deepwater to Kincaid or whatever it was were two of his favorite roads of his entire trip. Did you ride WV-41 eastbound from WV-61 down into the gorge? I was on that a while back, and it was an absolute blast going down the side of the forested mountain into the gorge. Didn't do any past that however. Next time staying around the Elkins/Seneca Rocks/Brandywine area sounded like a good plan to me as well, especially after discovering reports of Briery Branch Rd to Reddish Knob Rd to Moyer's Gap Rd, and Howard's Lick Rd NE of Smoke Hole Canyon. You missed out on the Smoke Hole Canyon ride it sounds like. This is a must-ride must-not-miss route. the Canyon is so serene and has a handful of tight turns and the rest is very nice long sweepers following a beautiful bubbly little river, and then you turn left before it turns to gravel (cliffs on corner of turn with a grassy area in between the N and S lanes that Y into the canyon road). Then you make the next right, and you are on Smoke Hole Rd headed up into the side of a really good mountain for some very tight turns and nice elevation changes for 5 miles. You can catch Howard's Lick Rd up a ways NE of the end, and double back. Those routes I posted above would make for 3 days of amazing riding with more time to explore if you want to do some Iron Butt days, particularly on the 3rd map with 39 through the mountains. double back and head to Snowshoe Mtn! Starting in Gauley Bridge or Fayetteville is convenient for me, as it's only 3.5 hours from Columbus, and you can take the apparently very twisty 47 to 16 from Parkersburg to Gauley Bridge after work from Columbus, camp/lodge and then ride 61 and then 60/16 and then catch up to 39 into the mountains or up to Seneca Rocks etc... Last thing - you will find a huge difference in the areas of WV - central and NW WV are smaller tightly packed hills, where you are likely to find many very tight twisty roads. E/NE WV you are in the mountains, where you will find very flat straight valley roads mostly north/south, and then VERY INTENSE mountain pass roads mosty east-west with major elevation changes. just to the west of the mountains and down in southern WV you will find larger hills that offer a mix of both of the other terrain characteristics. I have been leaning towards the mountains, but I know there are a lot of other really great paved backroads and lesser travelled state routes like 61, 15, 20, Coal City Rd, etc just hiding out in the hills in the non-mountain areas. They are far more remote and just waiting to be discovered. Sorry for the long windedness, I just REALLY REALLY love WV and can't wait to get back there...

Awesome report, thanks Mary. Still hoping that our September trip works out, and was hoping for a quick weekend before then but that's jut a pipedream at this point. I was having trouble understanding your "33 to 28" section. Did you cross over Shenandoah Mountain into Virginia and then turn around on 33? That is the absolute best of the best, with 250 over the same mountain 35 miles south of there being the close second. I looked on the maps and I only see a WV-28 north of there a ways that stops at 220, but it seemed your trip was mostly south of 33 at that point, right? I haven't taken 39 through the mountains, but the very long stretch we did to connect to the Highland Scenic Highway very straight mountain rollercoaster) near 219 (very curvey at the northern end of WV-150 Highland Scenic Hwy) was a very enjoyable and very long lasting section of more than just a connector road. To hear you say 39 in the mountains area was very twisty, and that 16 from 47 to Gauley Bridge being very twisty - well, both reports were above my already decent expectations. Sorry to hear about the tickets, that always dampens the spirits on a ride. We went to Hocking two weekends in a row this month, and had 1 seized engine breakdown and shortly after one friend going down at 15mph on a gravel patch, and the next weekend, my buddy's ZRX1100 needing bump started every time (battery failed very rapidly), and then then losing traction from hitting the yellow paint lines while following me into a tight S-curve and sliding across the other lane (no traffic thankfully) and into the grass where he went down.... No real injuries and both bikes rideable (not the GPZ engine that seized, pickup truck ride home for him), but that was a heck of a way to proceed in the middle of only my 2nd and 3rd good long haul rides of the year... Talk about dampened spirits. Thanks again for your reports. I always look forward to hearing about your rides, and Denny's as well.

To split it into 2 rides, you get to do every mountain pass in both directions, so that it really doubles the different rides you do on this amazing terrain. Spruce/North Fork/Smoke Hole/Lost River ride: http://goo.gl/maps/d5l2k or the long URL: https:// maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Seneca+Rocks+Discovery+Center,+Roy+Gap+Road,+Seneca+Rocks,+WV&daddr=US-220+N+to:County+Rte+28%2F11%2FSmoke+Hole+Rd+to:Lost+River+State+Park+Rd,+Moorefield,+WV+to:Howards+Lick+Rd+to:County+Rte+2%2F3%2FSmoke+Hole+Rd+to:Spruce+Knob+Trail&hl=en&ll=38.790486,-79.149628&spn=0.854177,1.234589&sll=38.903057,-79.204559&sspn=0.213207,0.308647&geocode=FUSOUAIdptdE-yGcwF4_KYA3SSmRPX-xxCq1iTGcwF4_KYA3SQ%3BFfPYTQIdCYFF-w%3BFbadUQId_4dG-w%3BFYAQUwIdM5pL-ykvqPGVKxe1iTED-hLoxKfpNg%3BFVaDUQIdd9VL-w%3BFYQUUQId1D1G-w%3BFT2DTgIdxWxC-w&oq=Seneca+Rocks+disc&t=p&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=12&z=10 ShenandoahMtn-US33/Reddish Knob/Moyer's Gap/ShenandoahMtn-US250 ride: http://goo.gl/maps/U1Cc3 or just in case, the long URL: https:// maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Seneca+Rocks+Discovery+Center,+Roy+Gap+Road,+Seneca+Rocks,+WV&daddr=US-33+E+to:Hinton+Market,+Rawley+Pike,+Hinton,+VA+to:Briery+Branch+Rd,+Dayton,+VA+to:Reddish+Knob+Spur,+Dayton,+VA+to:Doe+Hill+Rd+to:Moyers+Gap+Road+to:US-250+W+to:US-250+E+to:Sugar+Grove+Rd+to:Reddish+Knob+Rd+to:Hinton+Market,+Rawley+Pike,+Hinton,+VA+to:Brandywine,+WV+to:US-33+W&hl=en&sll=38.552461,-79.232025&sspn=0.857022,1.234589&geocode=FUSOUAIdptdE-yGcwF4_KYA3SSmRPX-xxCq1iTGcwF4_KYA3SQ%3BFYZjTQIdutRG-w%3BFfDgSwIdDKRJ-yFyiiclpHOfAinDjKm3rsG0iTFyiiclpHOfAg%3BFdidSgIdXGVI-ynV0fE5wri0iTHHqtr33Teutw%3BFY_pSgIdTd5G-ykvc3Ous7e0iTFKwijKrF_tSw%3BFYOwSwIdwgFF-w%3BFWmqSwId65pF-w%3BFe63SAIdZ2xD-w%3BFV_7RwIdptFF-w%3BFaqiSwIdXMhF-w%3BFRQwSwIdSC5H-w%3BFfDgSwIdDKRJ-yFyiiclpHOfAinDjKm3rsG0iTFyiiclpHOfAg%3BFUheTQIdJ9JG-yntXZ0urc-0iTFh_WYEs8sAjg%3BFbJyUAIdLrhE-w&oq=Brandyw&t=p&mra=mi&mrsp=13&sz=10&z=10 and for good measure, the very high elevation and very scenic (but less technical) Hawk's Nest/WV60/WV39 route: http://goo.gl/maps/kuuEg long URL: https:// maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Hawks+Nest+Rd&daddr=Gauley+Bridge,+WV+to:WV-16+N%2FWV-39+E+to:WV-20+N+to:WV-55+E+to:Seneca+Trail+to:Maury+River+Rd+to:VA-39+E&hl=en&ll=38.084851,-80.183716&spn=1.725115,2.469177&sll=37.824701,-79.436302&sspn=0.108204,0.154324&geocode=FWSfRQIdkz0q-w%3BFXhnRgIdshAp-ynbLNbNZMhOiDGYV31EkmXGDg%3BFcVURwIdvRQp-w%3BFU5VRwId-Ggy-w%3BFUNBRgIdjog4-w%3BFUhERwIdTNE5-w%3BFcXVQwId4JpC-w%3BFWnVQAId1UBE-w&oq=Gauley+Bridge,+WV&t=p&mra=mi&mrsp=7&sz=13&z=9

Bored rainy day spawned ambition resulted in this revision: http://goo.gl/maps/nXQOD or the long URL: https:// maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Seneca+Rocks+Discovery+Center,+Roy+Gap+Road,+Seneca+Rocks,+WV&daddr=US-220+N+to:County+Rte+28%2F11%2FSmoke+Hole+Rd+to:Lost+River+State+Park+Rd,+Moorefield,+WV+to:Howards+Lick+Rd+to:US-33+E+to:US-33+E+to:Briery+Branch+Rd,+Dayton,+VA+to:Reddish+Knob+Spur,+Dayton,+VA+to:Doe+Hill+Rd+to:Moyers+Gap+Road+to:US-250+W+to:US-250+E+to:US-33+W+to:Spruce+Knob+Trail&hl=en&ll=38.614724,-79.137268&spn=0.856279,1.234589&sll=38.702592,-79.500847&sspn=0.053452,0.077162&geocode=FUSOUAIdptdE-yGcwF4_KYA3SSmRPX-xxCq1iTGcwF4_KYA3SQ%3BFfPYTQIdCYFF-w%3BFbadUQId_4dG-w%3BFYAQUwIdM5pL-ykvqPGVKxe1iTED-hLoxKfpNg%3BFVaDUQIdd9VL-w%3BFYZjTQIdutRG-w%3BFUrgSwIdsaRJ-w%3BFdidSgIdXGVI-ynV0fE5wri0iTHHqtr33Teutw%3BFY_pSgIdTd5G-ykvc3Ous7e0iTFKwijKrF_tSw%3BFYOwSwIdwgFF-w%3BFWmqSwId65pF-w%3BFe63SAIdZ2xD-w%3BFV_7RwIdptFF-w%3BFZcvSwIdi4dK-w%3BFT2DTgIdxWxC-w&oq=Seneca+Rocks+disc&t=p&mra=dme&mrsp=14&sz=14&z=10 That could be broken up into two rides, with the Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob/US33 North Fork Mtn pass/Smoke Hole Canyon/Lost River-Howard's Lick being one ride, and the US33 Shenandoah Mtn pass/Briery Branch-Reddish Knob-Moyer's Gap/Sugar Grove Rd S (to VA-614S)/250E-250W/(VA-614N to) Sugar Grove Rd N being a second, or alternately zig zag on that route to start at Shenandoah Mtn US33E and end Shenandoah Mtn US33W. This includes the 4900' elevation Spruce Knob lookout, and the 4300' elevation Reddish Knob lookout. This is a KILLER ride, I'm kicking myself thinking that if I planned my summer better, I could have been riding this now

Also, on that route through the northern reaches of the mountains and into Lost River State Park, I have read two OLD accounts of people saying that when the pavement gets old, the lower side of the road gets pretty rough and bumpy, therefore riding it from the Northeast (west to east, eastbound) is typically likely to be much smoother if the pavement is not recent. At any rate, it sounds like it is one of the most enjoyable roads in the area aside from 33 and 250 over Shenandoah Mtn and it's adjacent siblings. That route with the 4 mountain passes that I linked most recently above could be handled any number of directional routes, but the way I have it, you would hit one of the two major routes there (33 or 250) and then turn around and backtrack for the maximum fulfilment of riding the epic passes both directions, as opposed to taking a nice scenic sweepers valley route just west of Shenandoah Mtn at the base for a longer haul but more fluid route and less total distance potentially. You could start out from Smoke Hole/Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob area and head northeast to Howard's Lick/Lost River, then south the longest connector haul to 33 near Hinton VA, 33 E to the bottom of the mountain, south on whatever route that is at the base of the mountain, Moyer's gap west, turn around, cross the mountain base road again and head up to Reddish Knob overlook, then descend eastbound on Briery Branch Rd, then south connectors to 250 west over the mountains, and then ride the mountain base connector road back up, hit Moyer's Gap Rd westbound up the mountain and through the gap again but to 220N. At that point on 250, you could also just ride 250 up northwest to 219 or something sooner - the road that cuts up to 33 @ Spruce and Seneca (28/55???). All good options. I was trying to map it to hit 33 both directions, but that was a bigger challenge for a congruent route plan in less than 300 miles/7 hours. 250 and/or 33 should both be ridden both directions on that easternmost mountain pass. They are amazing, and a different ride each direction.

I think we are going to be able to pull off the "sag support" trip where a friend (or two) brings our mountain bikes down in his truck, and my wife and a friend and I ride our motorcycles down, and camp out and ride the epic mtb trails and the epic mountain pass roads. Mid-September. It won't be as much motorcycle riding as I was hoping for in WV for the year, but still will be a great 3 day weekend refresher. I can't commit to it, but I would entertain the idea of going to WV the weekend before labor day weekend to ride if anyone here was going... Reda is not to keen on me going solo, said I have to wait for her, but I'm dying to get out... Next year, our MTB friend with the truck may have his first motorcycle, so then it's gonna have to be something like this on the way: Awesome!

Okay, unfortunately I misinterpreted someone from Sport-Touring.net "there is also a GREAT two-track route from Skidmore Lake to Reddish Knob on Forest Road 85 with really great overlooks and panoramic views." I read lots of people saying FR85 was paved, and lots saying it was dirt/gravel. Moyer's Gap Rd was just paved (was gravel), so I was hoping for the best, but it turns out that FR85 IS paved around Reddish Knob and maybe the other two knobs nearby, but it is a two-track jeep trail (i.e. left and right tire tracks in the dirt/grass/gravel) from Skidmore to Reddish... Still, learning about Briery Branch/Reddish Knob/Moyer's Gap was a great discovery, and led me to find out about Howard's Lick Rd into Lost River State Park as well... Here is a dream route that I have to do, hopefully all in one trip: shortened URL: http://goo.gl/maps/kpAqu long URL: https:// maps.google.com/maps?saddr=County+Rte+2%2F3%2FSmoke+Hole+Rd&daddr=Lost+River+State+Park+Rd,+Moorefield,+WV+to:Lost+River+State+Park,+Mathias,+WV+to:US-33+E+to:US-33+E+to:Briery+Branch+Rd,+Dayton,+VA+to:Reddish+Knob+Spur,+Dayton,+VA+to:Doe+Hill+Rd+to:Moyers+Gap+Road+to:US-250+W+to:US-250+E+to:US-33+W+to:Smoke+Hole&hl=en&ll=38.653343,-79.064484&spn=0.855818,1.234589&sll=38.462998,-79.257774&sspn=0.214522,0.308647&geocode=FeMJUQIduz5G-w%3BFYAQUwIdM5pL-ykvqPGVKxe1iTED-hLoxKfpNg%3BFQWDUQId4OFL-yFNEfvk11akqSk9CBPCURq1iTFNEfvk11akqQ%3BFYZjTQIdutRG-w%3BFUrgSwIdsaRJ-w%3BFdidSgIdXGVI-ynV0fE5wri0iTHHqtr33Teutw%3BFY_pSgIdTd5G-ykvc3Ous7e0iTFKwijKrF_tSw%3BFYOwSwIdwgFF-w%3BFWmqSwId65pF-w%3BFe63SAIdZ2xD-w%3BFV_7RwIdptFF-w%3BFZcvSwIdi4dK-w%3BFU_TUAIdtjdG-w&t=p&mra=mivtw&z=10 This is mapped assuming the rider(s) will be staying in Smoke Hole Canyon at one of the two or three campgrounds there, but you can also camp on the mountains near Reddish Knob (Flagpole Knob and one other, there are numerous camp spots in the area with no facilities), or find lodging in Seneca Rocks or Brandywine

676 had two really nice twisty sections, one was right by 555 and fairly similar but better road surface condition (practically brand new). In between the two sections (if coming from Marietta to 555), it is pretty flat and all clearcut farm fields. Weird change of pace after riding 26/78 or any other roads out that way E/NE of Marietta. I'm trying to scope out a route from 550@377 back up to 685, and it appears that the routes are all tar and chip from the satellite view, but I have not ridden them yet to confirm. 329 isn't a bad ride at all there either, but south of there it is better (more fun). Good to know about 536. I get the feeling that 536 has the most blind/decreasing radius/off camber turns of any state route in Ohio, and I haven't found anyone else who will let me drag them from Columbus all the way out to Woodsfield to ride that area. Only done solo once 78/255/26 and a ton of side roads around 26 & 260.

http://sportbiker.net/tag/reddish-knob/

Views from Forest Service Road 85 on the the Reddish Knob ridge on the VA/WV border... I confirmed that the road that dips out off of 33 by a lake on the VA side IS paved, and does connect to this route also. Looks like I just found an entire day trip, or weekend trip rather - split between 33 and 250 and the mountains in between... I am quite pleased to have spent too much time on the internet tonight to happen upon this... I don't think these are going to be high speed roads whatsoever, but sooooo much better to spend 35 miles at 45mph cruising the most scenic route to 250 (and hit the Briery Branch Rd > Reddish Knob > Moyers Gap Road mountain pass) than to cruise through the flatlands at the base of the mountains in VA... Here's a more pertinent and less cluttered map of the mountain passes and the park service ridgetop road connecter from 33 to 250 along Reddish Knob: http://goo.gl/maps/dxXHW https:// maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207813457435995713568.00050065a5b389ffdd53f&msa=0&ll=38.635109,-79.130402&spn=0.805612,1.231842

Use this link instead: http://, the forum tries to display map but incorrectly): http:// maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207813457435995713568.000500628d3673bd537be&msa=0&ll=39.006379,-80.16449&spn=1.602819,2.463684 Aha - the map is two pages, and each page only displays the routes on that page, not the other. I was wondering why the reddish knob ridge road was showing up, but not the roads that intersect it east-west up and down the mountains

I decided to make a saved google map with all the good sections of my favorite WV roads mapped out, not as routes, but as a guide to route planning. The only real connector roads included are a few that get you from the Ohio River down to the best stuff. In the process, I noticed a few twisty roads that looked really awesome on the map, so I noted them as something I need to investigate. Then I found a potential connector for 33 to 250 just on the VA border. Then I noticed all kinds of killer looking roads around that ridge road... Reddish Knob is on the main ridge road, which is a 35 mile one lane paved road on the tallest mountain ridge in the area. I found a goldmine of info from a sport touring forum: Below: Here's the view from the bottom of Moyers Gap Road just before it reaches Sugar Grove Road. After a brief stretch along Sugar Grove Road, I stayed on Moyers Gap Road, which climbs up and over another mountain pass heading west to Rt.220. I've got to say, Moyers Gap is now one of my all-time favorite roads in the region...especially when combined with the climb up Briery Branch Road to Reddish Knob. And even better was riding 33 to get there. (Some serious twisty action amid spectacular scenery.) Below: At the top of newly-paved Moyers Gap Road. It was exciting to ride down this road with pavement for the first time. It's a good long ride down to Sugar Grove Road, and the right shoulder gets your attention—you do NOT want to run off the shoulder on this road—if you do, you won't stop falling, tumbling, and bouncing off trees for about 600 feet. One of these days I want to do the "Ultimate Central Appalachian Passes" ride. You could easily string together, in back-and-forth mode, the following passes (from north to south): • Howard's Lick Road (through Lost River State Park) • US33 • Briery Branch Rd > Reddish Knob > Moyers Gap Road • US250 • US 39 That's 5 awesomely twisty mountain passes, all paved, varying from goat paths to wide US highways, all with spectacular scenery and typically with light to no traffic. Scott I think I really just hit my personal goldmine right here... The roads are on my newly created reference map that I made for myself and friends. Denny, I used several of your recommended roads from your post here, thank you so much for always sharing your twistiest roads tips... http://goo.gl/maps/eOxRc

How was the pavement on 536??? Much debris on the road?

Nice! I spent some time reading his route descriptions and his rally write-ups to come to the conclusion that I really need to spend more time north of the new river gorge area, as it is closer to home anyhow... so far I've got to highly recommend: WV-39 gorge to 219 is wonderful, 219 around Marlinton is incredible, 250 east of 219 is amazing (with new pavement some day, hundred to moundsville on 250 will be as well), 33 from Elkins, WV to Hinton, VA & back to Smoke Hole off 220 is great to INCREDIBLE on the WV/VA border, Smoke Hole Rd and the connecting county routes through the Canyon are amazing, the road to the top of Spruce Knob is amazing... Coal Ciity Rd and 60/16 to 60E or 16S are amazing in the gorge area, as is 61 south of Kanawa Falls/Gauley Bridge vicinity. From this motoroads blog, I have determined that maybe Snowshoe Mtn I should skip out on for now, as 66 is just a "pretty good" curvey road, and head north from 33 and Smoke Hole and ride Mt Storm instead, as he says 42 up Mt Storm is the best twisties road in the state. Also, he gave high acclaim to a long stretch of WV-20 that sounds amazing as far as the ultimate twisties one could happen upon. Seems as if there are a lot more great roads in that portion of the state and around the panhandle that I need to check out. I haven't most of his rally and road trip blogs, but will continue and take some notes on the best as far as my scenic/twisty tastes.

Good list there, saving for future reference. There are a good bit of really nice very twisty roads west of Gallipolis and north of Parkersburg. Greasy Ridge, 271,218... We just rode Hocking the past two Sundays, and the roads were in great shape still, with minimal gravel. Didn't do HarbleGriffith, Thompson Ridge, or Goose Creek, but all else was great. Clear Creek Rd is the only one that was (STILL) in rough shape.Coming from the north, it is still worth hitting, as it links Revenge Rd into a really great part of 374 for the big hill climb and the pines section at Cantwell Cliffs. about 40% of Clear Creek was very enjoyable scenery, but having to avoid potholes and loose sections. The rest is awesome scenery and awesome riding. Still on my frequented list. Around the correctional facility at Christmas Rock/S Broad/Revenge Rd, they sealcoated the almost new pavement, and it was not as conducive to traction as we would have cared for going up the uphill tight S-curves slalom section that hugs the cliff faces. Hopefully the winter and more traffic will have it worn back down by springtime, as that uphill southbound blast is amazing leading to the prison.

In June 2013, 356 south from 56 left me with very fond memories. I don't think the pavement was terribly new then, but as I recall, I had no qualms with it at all. The last few turns before 50 proved a little tricky, however, a few bumps leading to suspension compression in a slight off camber S curve section and my buddy scraped his minimalistic crash bars, breaking front tire traction sliding into the ditch... Recovered alright and rode to KY with a slightly tweaked fork.

http://goo.gl/maps/KQWej Has anyone ever ridden on these roads - Howard Rd, Swett Hollow Rd, Oregon Ridge Rd? They would make a nice return trip from 685-13N-78E-555S-550W to head back into 685... I'm hoping for at least a rideable tar and chip seal road, but who knows - maybe gravel. 685 just got repaved, and Oregon Ridge Rd runs right into it, maybe we'll be so lucky to have another nice road right next to the short but awesome 685.

I heard mention that maybe some of the roads around Lake Hope were a little rough this season, can anyone confirm? Sounds like 278 and 328 are not, so maybe it was just a rumor. I think one or both of 356 and 691 got fresh pavement in the past year or two anyhow.

Yes, 33 from Seneca Rocks, WV to Hinton, VA is probably the most amazing thing I've ridden. Ever. From Elkins to Seneca Rocks is a good route with many nice hills and curves. At the North Fork Mtn crossing (south and around the corner from Seneca Rocks), it gets really awesome. Then you ride through the valley for a while past Cave Mountain's base and through some sweepers, and a few gentle hills as you are approaching Shenandoah Mountain off in the distance, which is absolutely incredible and very intense. GREAT views as you traverse up the side of the mountain (and the overlook at the top), intensely steep grades, highly banked turns as if it were a race track, many awesome curves and switchbacks... Wow. The VA and WV sides are completely different, but both are awesome. 250 over Shenandoah Mountain is maybe even a longer stretch of mountain fun, but 33 is definitely the best. Wow, 250 from the Ohio River (Moundsville, WV) to Hundred, WV looks pretty incredible... I've never really looked at it much before, but I did notice a serious wealth of roads near the panhandle of WV up in that area of smaller tightly packed hills that looked incredibly tight and twisty on the maps, like some KY roads I've been on... http://goo.gl/maps/bKmD1 (route highlighted, can't get it to display properly in the long link below) https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Moundsville,+WV&daddr=Hundred,+WV+to:US-250+S&hl=en&ll=39.79271,-80.559311&spn=0.42102,0.617294&sll=39.605159,-80.414944&sspn=0.105541,0.154324&geocode=FeEiYQIdG_Uv-yk5OUGwvuA1iDFOoHu9WZGogQ%3BFW6GXQIdJ0s0-ynDIvGNTPM1iDG8z01IVwj_Rw%3BFcHDXAIdHd80-w&t=p&mra=mi&mrsp=2&sz=13&z=11 ALSO... How's this for a recent road report? uploaded 3 months ago My wife is too busy until September to go with me, so I told her I might just do that, ride solo and camp. She said "I am not going to allow that!" Maybe I can do some sweet talking. On the plus side, my buddy said he'd drive down with us in September and meet us there and bring our mountain bikes in his truck, and we could ride there and do some motorcycle riding while those that don't (or don't want to) ride can do more hiking or mountain biking... Great plan. Still may need to go solo in the next few weeks just to get my fix for the summer. Bike is finally mostly rebuilt and on the road finally. Busy summer.