Ride Report from sunday 10/4

[rawlins87]

So today my buddy Jason and I went for a ride. I rode my 600rr and he was on a 929. We had planned this ride a week in advance, invited many of my friends and also invited CR/OR but no one took me up on my offer. We had planned many rodes but the main roads we wanted to ride was 78, 26, and 536. These roads are Intermediate to advanced riding levels (being that you ride at a "spirited pace") Although anyone is capable of riding these streets, just not riding outside your limits.

The ride started at 9am as we left our meeting place in baltimore. We cruised about a half mile down the road to 256, which we took down to 13. As anyone that is familiar with 256 knows that it sucks (no turns, no good scenery, but a decent road with no gravel) We cruised 13 down through Somerset and New Lexington. We were suprised with 13 because, although on paper (map) it looks like a boring road with barely any turns we were decieved. A couple nice sweeping turns to help us get in tuned with the bikes to prepare us for what lays ahead.

We stopped at a place the locals call 6 Miles strip (or something or another). Did a little break. Piss, drink redbull, and eat some jerky. At this point in the road 13 went south and 37 east. (the state routes shared the same road for sometime). We rode east on 37 until we reached our first point of interest, route 78. This was right outside of McConnesville

Route 78 Report

Route 78 is what I would consider a dream road. This road has it all. It is an Ohio Byway so you know we had Great scenery during this route. Boys, this road has it all nice straight aways, gentle sweeping turns, medium turns, sharp turns, 180 degree cut back and "hair pin" turns. Also ALOT of elevation changes and off camber turns makes it very interesting. 78 is were Burr Oak state park is (for anyone that know of the place). 78 is cleary marked road, good black top (repaved in 06 is what I heard), only a couple spots off gravel on a 20mph turns so it was easily visible. This is a fast paced road, even though it may have ALOT of sharp turns each turn is banked and letting the bike "fall" into the turn and do its thing turning requires minimal effort. Although I did overshoot one turn and went left of center, luckily for me no cars were coming. I was try to push myself on an unfamiliar road By far this was our favorite road and the only road we rode twice. 10/10

We rode 78 from McConnesville down to where it intersected 13. Yep we on 13 again We headed down 13 to SR329. Route 329 Report First off anyway possible AVOID this road. NONE of the turns are marked. So we had absolutly no clue what was around the next turn or over the next hill. (No some of you may think why are you being such a bitch about signs. Well have you ever had an O shit moment traveling in a car on an unfamilar road. Well know put yourself on a bike and even a little spill means damaged bike and possibly getting seriously hurt) Aside from all this the asphault was horrible, their are no admenities, gravel on more than a couple roads, and just a bad road for a motorcycle. 2/10

From 329 we went north on 550. Route 550 Report 550 was a decent road, fairly straight with some decent turns inbetween. We choose 550 as a road that was fairly straight so we could ride at a faster pace and make more ground to get to 26/800/536. Fairly level road with barely any elevation changes. There were a couple small towns to ride through. A nice very very little rest stop area on the north side of the road. There were places for gas, restrooms, and food. I really can't remember too much about this road (mainly because it was kinda bland) 6/10

Now at this point in time were in Marietta . Its 3 and a half hours into the ride, and my stomach is rumbling. We road through the historic downtown of marietta, old buildings and brick road for good scenery. Let me tell you that it was difficult to find a place to eat. We managed to find a Applebee's. Its sad but alot of business closed and abandoned buildings throughout the town. While eating Jason busted out the helpfull map and we chose which way we would ride from there. We got help from the staff to get up pointed in the direction of SR-26

Route 26 Report Route 26 is a highly rated road on Motorcycleroads.com I didnt think it was too impressive. The beginning of 26 out of Marietta is excellent. Just paved roads, no gravel, very nice turns, and clearly marked. We passed 4 motorcycles on this road (2 sets). I was thinking "wow we must be in for something good" being that if other riders are on this it must be a sweet ride. Now I'm sure it has something to do with the county changes along 26 (which there are a couple!) but the road went from perfect to shitty to good. I'm talking about old roads, lots of gravel on what it seems like every turn. This section of 26 we took our time and rode very safe so we wouldnt wash out. Then it went to a good older rode with no gravel. This rode is VERY curvy. Definetly worth riding but riders beware of your enviroment. Also it has alot of nice hills and elevation changed. Which was a good improvement over 550. 7/10

From 26 we rode 3 miles up route 800 to route 536. Route 536 Report This road is almost hidden! The State Route marked comes up directly right before the road. Once your on the road you know this is a serious road. With signs saying no semis, sharp 10mph turns, steep grades (elevation changes). This is ohios tail of the dragon deals gap 318 turns 11 miles---536 150 turns 12 miles. This rode has many 180 reversals and 10-20mph turns. Several 30 mph turns and even less 45mph turns. Now for comparison on 78 when the "Suggested" turn speed was 30 we were traveling 50+ mph but on 536 whatever the suggested speed was that was what we traveled. This was the slowest we rode all day, and not by choice. This a serious riding road, no cell phone coverage, no admenites, not that many place to pull over. Awesome scenery we took several photos which i will share once Jason emails them. At the end of 536 you can over look the Ohio River Valley and see the river and a sweet metal bridge that connects to West Virginia. This no nosense road is a great ride. This is the most difficult road I've ever ridden. Blind corners and off camber turns, riding through huge hills with little protection if you crash kept us ridding within out limits but it was still an awesome ride at that. 8/10

At this point its around 3pm and we just dead ended into Route 7 From 536. We crossed the bridge you could see from 536 to a quick jog into West Virginia. Yep we officially made it to WV. We stopped at a wallmart for Jason to get allen wrenches to tighten his scotts steering stabilizer. Then we hopped back on Route 7

Route 7 Report Nice road with very gently sweeping turns which runs parallel with the Ohio River. Nice scenery flat rode with no elevations changes. Very fast paced road. I decieded that we take this road for a "Change of Pace". Something we could just lay on the tank and relax and make gently sweeping turns. Now were about to turn onto route 800 6/10

Route 800 Report Now were back on 800 again 800 Reminded me very much of 26 except no gravel. Its more a medium paced road (slower than 78 but faster than 536) Tons of turns with elevation changes mixed in. Some nice straights 20-30-40-45 mph turns in the mix along with nice rolling highs and some hills that if they were dirt would be considered a hill climb. The best part of 800 is from Route 7 to the city of Woodsfield. North of Woodsfield is still a very nice road to ride. If this were in central ohio it was be an excellent road, but riding all these sweet roads we kinda got spoiled From 800 we rode north to Barnesville. Now were getting around a familiar area for me. Now 800 appoaches 147 so we went west on 147 to head back to columbus. 7/10

Route 147 Report We headed west on 147 to go near Seneca Lake on the way back towards C-Bus. 147 is a road worth riding. Its a fast paced road. Fast than 78 and faster than 550. Alot of nice hills and scenery. But the most park you head downhill. Nice fast sweeping turns with sharp turns in the mix. Lots of 30 Mph turns. Seneca Lake was a nice little detour but speaking of detours theres construction on 147 and the road goes down to 1 lane at two points. After Seneca Lake the road straighents out even more with less turns and more fast paced sweeping turns/straights. As far as admeneties on 147 there was a nice state park we stopped at which had restrooms, and there is 1 gas station in Sarahsville (which we didnt get gas because all they have is 87 and diesel). So far Sarahsville we head down to Caldwell. From Caldwell we pick of 78 again, becuase its the shit!

[rawlins87]

Repeat Route 78 Report

Now Again we 78 intersects into 13. But instead of heading south the 329 we head north on 13 to eventually intersect 37. Route 13 Report SR-13 Is a decent road to travel, but we encountered alot of traffic. I'm not sure if this is from the fact that is around 4:30-5pm or just the nature of the road. 13 is a medium-fast paced road. Alot of fast paced sweepers/straights with tons of sharps turns right over blind hills in the mix. Nothing really exciting about 13 other than we almost got his by a highway trooper hauling ass on a turn and some local jackass trying to side swipe us as we pass him. From 13 we hit 37 and head into Lancaster. I've travelled 37 many times and I'm sure alot of ppl on CR are familiar with it. It's deff. a central ohio road, lots and lots and lots of straights with a little bit of turns in the mix.

The ride was about 10 hours long. It was a little chilly in the morning but warmed up and was a beautiful day. Of my 5 years of riding Street this was the longest ride, best ride, and most advanced riding.

CLIFFS

78=win

329-avoid

550-fast fun, covered alot of ground in little time

marietta=economy fail

26--awesome road--horrible road--good road--county changes FTL

536=major win

WV--because we were 1000ft away

7--Nice cruising road

800--bottom portion is pure win top part is decent

147--fast paced fun Seneca Lake FTW (good catfishing)

78--Because is the beeeest

13--5-0 will hit you and rednecks hate bikes

37--back to central ohio shitty roads

[rawlins87]

Alongside 147

Alongside 147--2

Country side

At the State park on 147 It was mined in the 1960 and then the land was reclaimed and trees were planted in 1972

Outside a mining bucket (or w/e you wanna call it) and yes i tried to pick up that HUGE chain, but couldnt even budge it lol

Inside the bucket

bikes

[hue jass]

Awesome ride and report! Wish I could'a gone. Thanks for the pics!

[600ZZ4eb]

great report. hopefully i'll be heading out that way this saturday if the weather is stays dry.