New River Bridge in West Virginia

[Dirt_Dad]

With the Spyder out of the shop my wife and I set off for New River Bridge in West Virginia this past weekend. This was our "do over" trip from two weeks earlier when the Spyder had mechanical issues and my wife did the extended dirt road ride. West Virginia has a wide range of near peak, peak and past peak color depending on where you are in the state. Also along the way we arrived at Cass Scenic Railroad a few minutes before the train pulled out.

Fall Ride 2011

Sunday morning left us scraping ice off the bikes. Which of course also required us to slow down on some of the best roads WV has to offer. Better safe than sorry.

 

[JonnyCinco]

brrrrrrrrrrrrr

what do ya think of the can am?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

brrrrrrrrrrrrr

what do ya think of the can am?

Short answer: It's a fun machine. You feel like you're out riding with it, but it's nothing like a motorcycle. Reliability is the big outstanding question with it so far.

Long answer: http://www.stromtrooper.com/740500-post58.html

 

[bloke]

i sell spyders and it seems every 10th one has its issues but ive got customers with 1000s of trouble free miles and even customer with his and hers spyders that love em!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

i sell spyders and it seems every 10th one has its issues but ive got customers with 1000s of trouble free miles and even customer with his and hers spyders that love em!

The shop told us the manual clutch ones are usually the most trouble free. We are hoping our troubles are behind us. Time will tell.

 

[spklbuk]

That looks just like my backyard...oh wait, it is my backyard!

Looks like a great ride. Very cool video and pics. ::008::

 

[Twitch]

8)

 

[snuffcityrider]

Great pics! Do y'all take the Spyder down dirt roads? Just wondering how it does, my wife has one and I worry about gravel getting caught up in the belt.

 

[colorider]

Beautiful pictures!!!
::008::

 

[bloke]

Great pics! Do y'all take the Spyder down dirt roads? Just wondering how it does, my wife has one and I worry about gravel getting caught up in the belt.

oh man i can tell you a few stories about can ams and dirt roads i wish we took pics but i dont think can am woulda liked it, it was their demo unit ::015::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Great pics! Do y'all take the Spyder down dirt roads? Just wondering how it does, my wife has one and I worry about gravel getting caught up in the belt.

We did once, it was not a good time: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=2427.0

Sworn off dirt roads with the Spyder. Ground clearance is non-existant, and it's just not a hardy vehicle for anything beyond pavement.

 

[justbob]

That area of W Virginia was my first experience with mountain riding back in 1978. I try to get back over there at least once each year, I really love US 60 from Gauley Bridge to Hawks Nest.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Looks familiar!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Looks familiar!

Yep, I didn't figure I was the first S10 to be on that bridge. Great picture, I've ridden both an S10 and a V-Strom across that bridge this year.

This is probably my favorite shot of the trip.

I just like it, even with the extras walking around in the background.

spklbuk - if I had a back yard like that I'd probably never be far from home. Really love that area. Many of my favorite roads are nearby.

 

[spklbuk]

spklbuk - if I had a back yard like that I'd probably never be far from home. Really love that area. Many of my favorite roads are nearby.

Most of my riding consists of day rides for that very reason.

 

[spklbuk]

That area of W Virginia was my first experience with mountain riding back in 1978. I try to get back over there at least once each year, I really love US 60 from Gauley Bridge to Hawks Nest.

60 on east over Big Sewell ain't no slouch...often my run for letting off steam...esp. on me Versys.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I've always made it a point to stay away from Gauley Bridge. Over 5K speeding tickets in less than 4 years makes it a town I want to avoid.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201008140354

I rode through nearby Cedar Grove this past spring. They had a real shady looking police car (old beat up) nailing some guy as I exited that town. Rt60 between Cedar Grove and Rt19 is off limits for me. Too bad, it looks like there's some nice sections in there.

 

[rem]

Sounds like Hobie and Cooter are ruling the roost over there. Best avoid it until the local merchants demand a change. Hard cheese, I guess R ::007::

 

[spklbuk]

I've always made it a point to stay away from Gauley Bridge. Over 5K speeding tickets in less than 4 years makes it a town I want to avoid.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201008140354

I rode through nearby Cedar Grove this past spring. They had a real shady looking police car (old beat up) nailing some guy as I exited that town. Rt60 between Cedar Grove and Rt19 is off limits for me. Too bad, it looks like there's some nice sections in there.

What's funny is that the 2 brothers who are responsible for the current Gauley Bridge traffic patrol used to work Rt 19 in Summersville. And at the time, S'ville was an officially listed AAA speed trap. According to local grapevine, the 2 bros were summarily dismissed by S'viile city when it was discovered they were diddling the wifes of 2 of the town councilmen! At least that is local conjecture as to how these two jokers came to work near the mouth of the Gauley River or how Gauley Bridge got to be a speed trap. )

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Those pictures of the icy seats were taken at our hotel in Sumersville. Glad the brothers weren't still there to collect their toll from me as spent money in the town.