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

[trikepilot]

I was riding with a local guy who told me it was currently 6 to 7 feet deep. I took his word for it and didn't press my luck.

I find that hard to believe based on my past experiences on the road. Will definitely be up to go check it out.

On a related note, Jon posted a photo of his bike on what looked like a concrete road that has water running across it. Most folks familiar with the area will recognize it as a crossing at Seneca Rocks. This is a photo of the same spot I just tripped across, taken a year ago and the water was probably 3+ feet lower.

I have seen this bridge 20 or more feet underwater!!!!!

Just wondering if Dirt_Dad or anyone else familiar with the area knows if these other roads are passable for a detour???

Maybe they are just hiking trails?

They are just hiking trails.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

On a related note, Jon posted a photo of his bike on what looked like a concrete road that has water running across it. Most folks familiar with the area will recognize it as a crossing at Seneca Rocks.

::025:: This is exactly why it is so fantastic to ride in this area... I have never seen that bridge you're parked on near Seneca. Don't recognize it at all. There is always some new road for me to discover. That is awesome. Also a good reason for people not to limit themselves to just the suggested routes I have posted. I have barely scratched the surface of the many possible twisty fun roads in this area.

I was wondering if Trike would recognize you had picked the wrong bridge for my location since I took him over my bridge last year. That one is over by Rt 72, but on the other side of the river. It's the road I keep calling the "out and back" over the mountain to the river.

But there are a lot of more exciting ways to come north through the mountains...even if you want to follow BRP, if the roads that cross over it can be worked in, you will enjoy!

BRP should certainly be done once. But it does have some stunningly boring sections between northern NC and an area north of Roanoke, VA.

I find that hard to believe based on my past experiences on the road. Will definitely be up to go check it out.

I expected nothing less of you.

 

[trikepilot]

If you've never done BRP & Skyline Dr...good plan (you should do this for the scenery).

But there are a lot of more exciting ways to come north through the mountains...even if you want to follow BRP, if the roads that cross over it can be worked in, you will enjoy!

The BRP is nice but a little goes a long way. 470 miles of 45 miles-per-hour gets old quickly. Plus... any speeding ticket up there on the BRP is a federal ticket and shockingly pricey!!!

I would cherry pick the sections of the BRP that have the good scenery and then hit up other and better roads to get north.

For example.... start at the Southern end of the BRP in Cherokee (right after the Cherohala) and run the BRP up to past Grandfather mountain. Then hop backroads over to the Damascus area of VA and explore the Shenandoah north and west to around Lexington. Then start meandering your way up into the mountains aiming for the Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks area before sneaking up through the North Fork Valley (Potomac River) and on into Romney.

This is just my $0.02 but I have lived in and traveled extensively in the Shenandoah Valley area of VA, the Potomac Highlands of WV, and the Asheville area since 1989. The BRP gets alot of attention - and justifiably so - but it is not the end all and be all of the region for travel by bike.

 

[snakebitten]

Hey, what ya got against 45mph? O

 

[SilverBullet]

The BRP is nice but a little goes a long way. 470 miles of 45 miles-per-hour gets old quickly. Plus... any speeding ticket up there on the BRP is a federal ticket and shockingly pricey!!!

I would cherry pick the sections of the BRP that have the good scenery and then hit up other and better roads to get north.

For example.... start at the Southern end of the BRP in Cherokee (right after the Cherohala) and run the BRP up to past Grandfather mountain. Then hop backroads over to the Damascus area of VA and explore the Shenandoah north and west to around Lexington. Then start meandering your way up into the mountains aiming for the Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks area before sneaking up through the North Fork Valley (Potomac River) and on into Romney.

This is just my $0.02 but I have lived in and traveled extensively in the Shenandoah Valley area of VA, the Potomac Highlands of WV, and the Asheville area since 1989. The BRP gets alot of attention - and justifiably so - but it is not the end all and be all of the region for travel by bike.

I plan to return again to the area semi frequently and will do this on another trip. I will also be riding on non holiday weekdays with school in session so LEO patrols should be at minimum. 45 mph typically means 49-50 mph grace limit so as long as your eyes are alert and scanning, 60 mph to 50 mph reduction comes in a split second so unless a radar gun has you nailed, I'd expect a warning at most. I just did the Natchez Trace Parkway and everybody gave me the same cautions. Didn't see a single LEO on two different days.

_

 

[trikepilot]

But there are bike bike riders around here like TrikePilot who will throw his Tenere into anyplace he'd throw his WR. I do have some limits. O

Dammit.... again... I resemble that comment! >

I never really knew or appreciated what I had till Snakebitten christened the Tenere as TBDBITW. Now I can't get enough!

 

[snakebitten]

I'm honored to be blamed. But it IS a minority point of view.

I even intellectually disagree with it, at times.
But then I find myself following somebody that gets suckered in by their gps and suddenly the conditions are "outside" the traditional Big Bike norm. And once again, the amazing Tenere earns that provocative label. It goes all dirt-bike on ya.

I love it when that happens.

 

[mbabc]

Looks like 4 or so of us are rolling east from Louisville Thursday 4/30. Plan on riding I-64 as far as Charleston, WV, then smaller roads into Romney. Be there Thursday evening.

Hal, if you're game to join us send me a PM.

Mark B.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I plan to return again to the area semi frequently and will do this on another trip. I will also be riding on non holiday weekdays with school in session so LEO patrols should be at minimum. 45 mph typically means 49-50 mph grace limit so as long as your eyes are alert and scanning, 60 mph to 50 mph reduction comes in a split second so unless a radar gun has you nailed, I'd expect a warning at most. I just did the Natchez Trace Parkway and everybody gave me the same cautions. Didn't see a single LEO on two different days.
_

There are just as many police on weekdays as weekends up on BRP and Skyline, and they use laser, not radar. They pull the trigger and your number is theirs. What a school weekday gets you is simply a LOT less traffic to follow. We won't bother going up there in the car on a weekend.


That said, I generally run it a solid 10 over and have spoken to a couple when my speed has gotten a bit higher. They both gave me a warning and said that they try to cut bikes a little slack if we act like grown-ups, as opposed to peg-scraping Ricky-Racers or "Pirates With an Attitude" (I loved that one.)

 

[snakebitten]

Just a note for you fellas coming to do dirt,

I called Romney and asked what off-road tires would be available for the folks bringing Teneres. He stated he has a couple of sets of TKC80s, but no other knobbies.
(He does have other less dirt oriented tires)
He was kind enough to ask why I was asking and I stated that if I actually RIDE to Romney from down here in coastal Texas, that I'd likely burn my Big Blocks up getting there.
I said I'd be happy to throw a set of TKC's on it, but would prefer the Kendas or some other knobby. He let me know he'd be happy to have a set of Kendas in stock.

Why am I telling yaw? THOSE are my Big Blocks. LOL
No, seriously, if you do think you will need tires, let those kind folks know. And if you do beat me to the Kendas, really, no sweat. I'll throw on some Continentals. But I'm gonna air you down while you are sleeping. >

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Couple updates from Romney.

Food: The Ruritans will be on site and offering meals starting Friday at lunch, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning. As with last year, Romney is sponsoring the Saturday evening meal. All the others are up to you. I believe most people were pretty happy with Ruritans service last year. I heard only positive feedback on them.

Demo: In addition to the Suzuki Factory Demo Truck, there will be a Yamaha Super Tenere available for demo rides.

I'll have more info over the next week. Make sure everyone has a decent understanding of what to expect when they arrive. There will be a little more structure than what we've done in the past, but as little as necessary. You have to think 150+ riders showing up with a clue is better than 150+ clueless riders <insert smart-ass comment here>.

 

[True Grip]

I was thinking the strom troopers were clueless or they would have a Tenere. Bada bing

 

[snakebitten]

You're on a roll True Grip. Lol

So, are you saying that Suzuki is unwittingly being ambushed by picking the wrong weekend to hustle the Strom in Romney?

Seriously though, I've always had a soft spot for Suzuki and have had some fantastic bikes from them. But yea, being surrounded by SWARM of Teneres is a bit daunting.

 

[True Grip]

Let's say they got their work cut out for them ;D

 

[Scoop47501]

MBABC
I will see you there.
I have company with me now so we are doing a similar ride but probably not see each other till we reach Romney.
Thanks
Scooper

 

[mbabc]

Deal, see you there.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

So, are you saying that Suzuki is unwittingly being ambushed by picking the wrong weekend to hustle the Strom in Romney?

Seriously though, I've always had a soft spot for Suzuki and have had some fantastic bikes from them. But yea, being surrounded by SWARM of Teneres is a bit daunting.

It's not just the Strom, it's the full factory truck with everything the offer at the larger events. I always thought Suzuki was my least favorite of the big 4 Japanese brands. But looking at my history, behind Yamaha, I've owned more Suzuki bikes and ATVs than anything else. The DL1000 was honestly a life changing bike for me. It made me appreciate the road for the first time and turned me into a touring guy, not just a dirt guy. I'll always have a warm spot for the big Vee...and I'm really enjoying the hell out of my DR.

Not sure I'll get a chance to ride any of the demo bikes. But I do love that our event has attracted enough attention that the factories are taking notice and sending resources. Daunting or not, I'm really impressed the truck is coming. How many dealers do you know that get a factory demo truck from one of the big 4? Suzuki is not the only Japanese brand that is interested in our little get together. Don't be surprised if you see at least one other factory rep joining us.

 

[spam16v]

My last bike was a DL1k, loved it.

 

[snakebitten]

I promise, no Strom bashing by me. I'm a motorcycle love-hippy. O0

In fact, my ALL TIME favorite motor is the SV650. If Suzy ever built a dirty ADV bike around that motor I would go gaga over it.
I mean DIRTY though.

Tall, fully adjustable cartridge forks with real ADV geometry, 6+ gallon tank, pack-mule aluminum subframe, tubeless spokes,........all built around that sweet twin.......

Oh my, I'd snatch one up in a heartbeat. It could even have a beak. I wouldn't care.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Hell, I can just build you one. Lol