Dirt_Dad
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For those interested in doing a south from Romney ride on the Mid-Atlantic Back-Country Discovery Route (MABDR), I've now had a chance to check that direction from Rt 50 down to Rt 33. Which is probably close to how far people are likely to go on an out and back ride from the dealership.
The overwhelming part of the 50 to 33 ride is pavement. In fact, only the last 12 miles has any dirt. The northern part of this route is generically nice. I enjoyed it, but can't say it's much different from any of the other routes that have been published for this event.
The next significant section is Smoke Hole Road. If you haven't done it, this road is always a treat. Unfortunately Smokey Bear was right today.
Sometime between 8:00am this morning and when I arrived at noon the mountain had caught on fire in several locations. You could see and smell the smoke through the valley. Despite the road's name, this was a first time experience for me seeing any smoke around here.
There were fire crews along the road and a helicopter in the air. Also a number of Forest Service fire trucks speeding up and taking up most of the road.
Certainly hoping they get this one put out quickly. Unfortunately I doubt the constant wind was any help. All the activity on the road did force me to slow down and really look around more than usual. Smoke Hole Road is a beautiful road with beautiful streams.
By the time we're in Romney in about a month the leaves should be on the trees making this an even more beautiful sight. Always recommended.
Next on the MABDR was Siple Mountain Road. Lovely valley that was a nice ride on some fairly rough pavement.
Not terrible, but not smooth.
Finally the last section 12 miles north of 33 starts with a cattle guard crossing. When I arrived there were 6 dual sports surrounding a woman on an ATV. The dual sport guys told me the road was fantastic and then headed on their way, leaving me with the ATV woman. She proceeded to tell me all about the road ahead and the 6 (easy) water crossings. She offered directions and if I needed any food or water she pointed to her house. She told me she heard the dual sport guys coming and went out to intercept them to see if they needed anything. Very kind woman who wanted nothing more than to see if she could assist people riding near her house. The people of West Virginia are awesome, and it is a real pleasure to meet them along the way.
That last 12 miles was the first section of MABDR from southern PA to here that has challenge to it.
I do NOT want to overstate the challenge. It's up and down mountains with fairly wide switchbacks, and in the lower sections you'll find tiny water crossings. This was the biggest crossing I found on the ride today.
All of them were no more than 6 to 9 inches deep and you could see the bottom as you rode through them. Overall this was a nice forest road that is not as tame as the ones through MD and southern PA.
If you're looking for a pretty easy ride, with some interesting dirt, then heading south on the MABDR is worth considering. If you want to increase the dirt fun, after getting to Rt 33 turn right, at Senaca Rock stay left on 33 just a short distance to a right turn on Smith Mountain Road. Make sure to close the cattle gates behind you as your ride. When you get back to Rt28/55 turn left for a short ride to turn off for Dolly Sods. Head across Dolly Sods on your way back to Romney.
The overwhelming part of the 50 to 33 ride is pavement. In fact, only the last 12 miles has any dirt. The northern part of this route is generically nice. I enjoyed it, but can't say it's much different from any of the other routes that have been published for this event.
The next significant section is Smoke Hole Road. If you haven't done it, this road is always a treat. Unfortunately Smokey Bear was right today.
Sometime between 8:00am this morning and when I arrived at noon the mountain had caught on fire in several locations. You could see and smell the smoke through the valley. Despite the road's name, this was a first time experience for me seeing any smoke around here.
There were fire crews along the road and a helicopter in the air. Also a number of Forest Service fire trucks speeding up and taking up most of the road.
Certainly hoping they get this one put out quickly. Unfortunately I doubt the constant wind was any help. All the activity on the road did force me to slow down and really look around more than usual. Smoke Hole Road is a beautiful road with beautiful streams.
By the time we're in Romney in about a month the leaves should be on the trees making this an even more beautiful sight. Always recommended.
Next on the MABDR was Siple Mountain Road. Lovely valley that was a nice ride on some fairly rough pavement.
Not terrible, but not smooth.
Finally the last section 12 miles north of 33 starts with a cattle guard crossing. When I arrived there were 6 dual sports surrounding a woman on an ATV. The dual sport guys told me the road was fantastic and then headed on their way, leaving me with the ATV woman. She proceeded to tell me all about the road ahead and the 6 (easy) water crossings. She offered directions and if I needed any food or water she pointed to her house. She told me she heard the dual sport guys coming and went out to intercept them to see if they needed anything. Very kind woman who wanted nothing more than to see if she could assist people riding near her house. The people of West Virginia are awesome, and it is a real pleasure to meet them along the way.
That last 12 miles was the first section of MABDR from southern PA to here that has challenge to it.
I do NOT want to overstate the challenge. It's up and down mountains with fairly wide switchbacks, and in the lower sections you'll find tiny water crossings. This was the biggest crossing I found on the ride today.
All of them were no more than 6 to 9 inches deep and you could see the bottom as you rode through them. Overall this was a nice forest road that is not as tame as the ones through MD and southern PA.
If you're looking for a pretty easy ride, with some interesting dirt, then heading south on the MABDR is worth considering. If you want to increase the dirt fun, after getting to Rt 33 turn right, at Senaca Rock stay left on 33 just a short distance to a right turn on Smith Mountain Road. Make sure to close the cattle gates behind you as your ride. When you get back to Rt28/55 turn left for a short ride to turn off for Dolly Sods. Head across Dolly Sods on your way back to Romney.
