Spring 2015 - Romney, West Virginia - May 1-3

[Dirt_Dad]

Did a little Romney ride research yesterday. IF you are looking to get dirty consider Green Ridge State Forest in Maryland. It's just across the state border north of Romney. It's been a while since I've spent any time in the forest and I have to say it's better than I remember.

Your amount of cleanliness will determine how much it has rained leading up to your visit. For me it rained all day on Thursday, was very windy on Saturday, and we were there on Sunday.

For the most part, the main dirt roads were dry and in very good condition. It was obvious where the muddy sections would be on these main roads based on the different colors of the road. If it is wet, be aware that the mud in this forest is extraordinarily slippery. 80/20 tires can be downright scary and knobbies would be better suited to a wet Green Ridge.

I did find a couple of "4x4 only" roads. Twigg and May were much more narrow, and still had plenty of standing water. Much different from the main dirt roads. Twigg had a sign up for "Washed Out Road," it did not say the road was closed. Use your own descretion.

Twigg and May Road (4x4) are off Jacobs Road in the West Northwest section of this map. The route identified on the map follows Twigg.



Video from yesterday. Gives both the main roads and a taste of the 4x4 road.
GreenRidge State Forest

Depending on how dry it is, this forest ride may be something you want to consider. Even the good roads are rutted in some places, so you must be comfortable picking a line and hitting some bumps. I'd call the main roads (non-4x4) as big bike friendly since there are few if any opportunities that I saw to bottom out or get much thrown at the bottom of the bike.

As always, ride your own ride, please do not ride beyond your comfort level. Conditions will change between yesterday and whenever you get there. Let's be careful out there.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

[eemsreno]

If I can make it over, I hope to bring Tiger Mike [now on a Hardly Ableson] and jbjke and maybe Clint [he just picked up a new ES ]

 

[LostinWV]

Please put me on the list hope to arrive Thursday. Thanks Andy-WV

 

[triman11427]

Looking forward to returning to WV this year. Has there been any discussion on forming groups of different abilities? Will it be the same informal format as last year?

 

[DonB]

I am in as well! Please add me...arriving Friday afternoon.
Thanks! ::012::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Looking forward to returning to WV this year. Has there been any discussion on forming groups of different abilities? Will it be the same informal format as last year?

Rides and groups are absolutely definitely informal. We do NOT have formal group rides or even designated ride leaders and there is absolutely ZERO vetting of anybody by any organizers or Romney Cycle. Leadership means that somebody did the empowering and none of that exists here.


This is partly because we just aren't that organized, partly because we will have such a range of how people can ride, partly because there are too many people to know everybody, and yes partly of liability when bad things happen. These roads can change as fast as a branch falls or through the day as the roads get get wet or dry. Meet folks, see how you feel from the conversations, and groups will form up.


The person at the front of each group will generally be there because they have an idea (or just tracks in a GPS) for where they are going, so we've been referring to them as group navigators. Because the nav person could be anybody from the noobie guy next door at one extreme to some ex-pro racer at the other extreme, it's up to YOU to figure out who you might be comfortable with.


You need to be able to know when to let the group leave you and meet up at the next stop sign. Or be the one waiting at the stop sign. It's all good either way and far better than waiting around for an ambulance to arrive.

 

[triman11427]

I think it's called "personal responsibility" and I'm all for it!

 

[snakebitten]

I'm looking for the group with the most scratches, dents, and corroded spokes. 8)

 

[trikepilot]

I am excited to meet follow devotees of TBDBITW!

 

[eemsreno]

I like rocks, sand, mud, pavement, dirt. I don't do dust for the fun of it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

While rocks and dirt are fun, we will have some sport bikes and 2-up leaf-peepers, too. I think we had one noobie kid on a little cruiser last year who was a little out of place.


As Karen's Mom keeps telling me, "People are all different."
::001:: ::018:: ::001::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I like rocks, sand, mud, pavement, dirt. I don't do dust for the fun of it.

Careful what you wish for...

I found some stuff this weekend during my 3 day "Romney Ride" investigation that made me just stop dead in my tracks and break out laughing.

Bike parked on the right side of the road - picture taken from left side of the road.




This is a picture taken from inside one of the many trench ditches in the middle of this country road. Pictures do not do this site justice.



I have lots of pictures and video to go through. I want to do it over the next few days so I can let people know where stuff is at.

 

[mbabc]

Damn, I thought we had big pot holes!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Damn, I thought we had big pot holes!

You name it, I had pot holes, mud holes, bridges overflowing,









...ice


Oh the sacrifices I go through to find you guys a place to ride. My life is so hard. :

Did I mention the water crossing?


Are you scuba certified?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

For anyone interested, just got word that 2 rooms were cancelled at the Koolwink. I don't know if there's a waiting list. If not, they could be available.

 

[eemsreno]

DD
Your just on toy bikes there.
Anything goes when on toy bikes.
I go looking for that when on the WR.

Found this near home.

Colorado

 

[Dirt_Dad]

DD
Your just on toy bikes there.
Anything goes when on toy bikes.
I go looking for that when on the WR.

We've have plenty of stuff like that around here. It all seems to be close to home for me. Rocks, rocks and more rocks. I'm not a fan of rock crawling on a bike or ATV. I'm more of a speed freak. I'm happiest throwing a roost, with a front wheel lifting off and power sliding at every opportunity. I can admit I have immaturity issues.

 

[trikepilot]

Careful what you wish for...

I found some stuff this weekend during my 3 day "Romney Ride" investigation that made me just stop dead in my tracks and break out laughing.

You know me, DD... looks perfect!! Hope to find lots of that kinda terrain to play in!!!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

You know me, DD... looks perfect!! Hope to find lots of that kinda terrain to play in!!!

Thought you might like that. This spot was NNE of Elkins. Cravens Run Road is just a little south of Kerens off 219. I took it off my Saturday ride route because I found (was shown by a local) roads I like better up north. Let me know if you want a route to include this ugly rutted up road. I know it's not where you were planning to go.

I've just about finalized my Friday and Saturday routes. Will be getting them out in the next couple of days so others can consider them. One is going to be easy forest roads and great twisties up through PA. No seriously challening terrain. The other will be a much more challenging ride of steep mountain dirt roads, loose gravel swtchbacks, minor water crossings, likely mud, and great paved twisties. Knobbies and skid plates highly recommended.

 

[True Grip]

TNWalker and I got one of the Koolwink rooms.