JackFlash Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 A quick ride after getting off work today sounded like a real good idea.I haven't ridden much this year. There was that spill I took, back inApril, on the 555, just before the Epic ride out of Logan, with Doc and many of you folks. A pair of bent handle bars kept me from joining inon all the fun that weekend. With rainy weather, heat, and things needing done at home, my time onthe road this season has been much less than what is required to keepme happy. Today, on the way home from work, I decided that I was goingriding, even if it was only a trip down and around Buckeye Lake and back up to Newark. That was the plan. When I got home, I got a bite to eat, geared up, saddled up, and headedout. I'd gassed up at the end of my last ride, so after checking my tires all I had to do was hit the road. It was six o'clock when I pulled out of the driveway. Sharon Valley Road is a fast way to get out into the country, from where I live in town. That's the way I went. I took it to it's end, in WelshHills, and hung a right. The plan was to skim across the top of Newark, on Price Rd, and over to Cedar Run, north on Fallsburg Road to DaytonRoad, and then drop back down on the east side of Newark, near the "Basket." From there, I planned on hitting Staddens Bridge Road to Rt 668 south, 204 west, through Thornville and Millersport, then up 37,and head home through the back door into Newark from West MainStreet. Well, that was the plan. I hit Fallsburg Road, somehow missed Dayton Road, and kept going. Itwas a nice day to ride, and I didn't care. I ended up in Fallsburg anddecided rather than getting too much farther away from home, since Ihave to work tomorrow, I'll just hang a right onto 586 and drop downinto Zanesville. So, 586 to 146, and into Zanesville I went. I don't know my way around Zanesville. I fumbled around a little andfinally got my bearings. I figured I would go south of the freeway and probably take 22 into Somerset. Well, that was the plan, revised. Have you ever headed out, didn't really know where you were going,just picked a direction and went? Those seem to turn out to be thebest rides. I was enjoying this one. It was evolving as I rode. I remembered that the mouth of the dreaded 555 was somewhere south of I-70. After a couple wrong turns, a quick check of GoogleMaps put me on the right track. I couldn't resist. I hit the 555 and headed south. I must have missed a rain shower because the road was wet. Therewas a sign saying something about the road being closed onweekdays, but I didn't pay any attention to it. I just kept going. The temperature was just right and I was enjoying myself. I was alsobeing careful. That road is a tricky one and I didn't want to limp mybike back home a second time. Shadows were getting longer as the sun was slowly falling out ofthe sky. It was time to find a route back home. The map showed that in Deavertown, instead of turning left and following 555 south,I could just go straight and take 669 west, and then north, into Crooksville. That's what I did. 669 heads west out of Crooksville, on Ridge Avenue. I made a leftand headed west. Once I connected with SR 13, went through Somerset, and turned north, it was smooth sailing back to Newark. I didn't want to take 13. Up here, above New Lexington, it's straightand it's boring. But, like I said, shadows were getting long, and Ihave to get up early in the morning. I saw several groups of riders and some solo riders, like myself. I wonder which of you I passed today, out on the road. I pulled into my driveway just before dark, with 102 miles on the clock. It was not my intent to ride half as far as I did, but once you are out there, and it's feeling good, it's hard to not keep going. Heaven help me if I ever start riding towards California. Monday and Tuesday are my days off work. The weather for bothdays is looking good, so far. Who's up for a ride? Monday - 74 degrees with no rain.Tuesday - 80 degrees with 20% chance. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Glad you got out, sounds like you had a nice day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Sometimes no plan is the best plan of all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) I do it all the time. Just random turns left and right on a general heading. Sometimes using a lot of tiny back roads that just look interesting. More direct to go home when it gets late, but still avoid freeways for the most part. Usually a full tank of gas, about 200 miles. 3 or 4 hours. Exploring. Some times I'll hit the Ohio border, before starting back. Edited August 4, 2013 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnor Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 I'm good for anyday..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 I thought 120 miles was a quick trip! Sounded like fun though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFlash Posted August 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 I pulled into my driveway just before dark, with 102 miles on the clock. Edit: It was supposed to read, 122 miles. Plus, where's my edit button, Benny? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Now you need to come to my Laborday weekend Rally!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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