C
criminaldesign
Guest
I wrote this up last week or sometime and forgot to post. Enjoy
These past few days I've been hitting the back roads on back roads, some paved, most turn to gravel and 2 spots where I had no other choice than turn around cos of the mud. Gravel sure, but mud no thanks, not on this bike.
A number of the roads, I've past countless times and felt I should know at least where they go. WV invented the backroads, there's a lot to cover and the gazetteer helped bring it to light.
I would guess I cover close to 500 miles of roads in areas close Ravenswood, such as the interior county roads between Rt 68 and just past Interstate 77, and the farthest route led me to Buffalo via Evans.
These are the type of roads where you pass maybe 2 trucks in an hours time, mountain roads that crest at the peak with great green views and wildlife, sporadic mobile homes precariously perched in the most impossible places, this is the cut. I found places where I could reside in the hills. The valleys are wonderful but notorious for flooding. The roads are hit and miss, sometimes good sometimes not much to it. I aimed for loops but it's easy to get turned around, ending up in spots that don't make sense. It's been the best riding this year that I did a route this morning, it's addictive and it's making me jonse for a dirtbike.
On Medina Rd looking for road 3, I finally narrowed it down to the right branch of the road. A couple were on the porch smoking. I yell, "Is this 3?" The man answers "Yeah, but you aint going down it on that…" mentioning 4 wheelers and other devices made for such roads. Oddly enough I ended up on road 3 this morning on the opposite side which indeed turned to mud. I heeded the warning…
Roads between Rt 87, Rt 62 and Rt 21 were surprisingly decent, even the back back roads. Man it was nice. Green hills, the road riding their backs, breaking out of the trees hiding the sky. 21 coming back from Charleston I branched off on 19 that hit the middle of Rt 34. 34 is 18 miles of 35mph corners.
Blah blah blah...
The machine and friend
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dvs6qWdMf_IHM4Z634CqjA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjwuUuVPI/AAAAAAAACcM/6m2i2d2H-t8/s800/DSCF1689.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
This is what the majority of the roads around the house turn into
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3pebnqoyawxEbxr2rhNYMw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjqh5QPGI/AAAAAAAACb0/rLFxE1AOGeE/s800/DSCF1646.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jtz9cq-ECr05DO4elY1B-A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjrhiQQJI/AAAAAAAACb4/Eqz589RL2eI/s800/DSCF1651.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
End of Meathouse Rd between Medina and Sherman.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k6ncjpLpmp4-aHuza5iAtg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjsk9p5bI/AAAAAAAACb8/FyhiqYz-DGo/s800/DSCF1668.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
More Meathouse heading down the hill
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fbjhpWQSIBMjFWGPvS7YgA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjtosY2FI/AAAAAAAACcA/kTnn3mDYWW4/s800/DSCF1670.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Cemetery on Woodsville off of 68 heading towards Rockport
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5MN2Ez8l_6WeYy7hmrmYSA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjvhRtxLI/AAAAAAAACcI/upDiAausLHo/s800/DSCF1683.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Typical WV road round these parts
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aOYlAkaKtUNw6-NFYaL_1w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjym9iUaI/AAAAAAAACcU/ugDV5V1KpzI/s800/DSCF1703.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Hit rain around Gay
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T8G3fCC47Gc82PVBACDeew?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjz7F2d0I/AAAAAAAACcY/BYSAaOlSxvE/s800/DSCF1707.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Which way?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BXtD4rJjni6HsuhMk3dJfQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj0YFkW3I/AAAAAAAACcc/0sJ4DMsoqgs/s800/DSCF1708.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
I love the sign. Made from siding... Somewhere between Evans and the Kanawha River
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iFH1DJ2VDfMmhA5ZGKt_IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj2eZEciI/AAAAAAAACck/xv7mmVfflK0/s800/DSCF1728.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Smoke break
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wh6WXeDsnBTEcO7So2ezag?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj3v5iVII/AAAAAAAACco/e5TsvVrLYnQ/s800/DSCF1737.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
HEading down road 64 or something like that
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RgEIK4yaOH0hE9a_Nrg5VA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj4ijUPeI/AAAAAAAACcs/G0ZA-4IIZeM/s800/DSCF1741.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Typical WV landscape
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6EoD7xHItJev-5AqJVpHUQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj5qkY30I/AAAAAAAACcw/hf49zVwh4CY/s800/DSCF1753.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Wilding road I think
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t8EvhTw7pbLMtXPwv9H2ig?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj6rw7QNI/AAAAAAAACc0/oKz-iyk0YeU/s800/DSCF1758.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Alright, here's 3. I found the back way to the spot where the guy said you can't do it. I went down the road a mile or so and sure enough it was total mud
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0pPa1yAoiuUAGu2tJ-utmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj74-WcAI/AAAAAAAACc4/cHzc6kGMVUI/s800/DSCF1759.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Like so...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N6lXIpV1HydJggGTNIrWdw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj-doQSXI/AAAAAAAACdA/lyGf3-Uw18U/s800/DSCF1761.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Nice and green
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6t5IipbYbNSdZ87HcaqfYg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj9I09U2I/AAAAAAAACc8/vg21IY05pv0/s800/DSCF1760.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
These past few days I've been hitting the back roads on back roads, some paved, most turn to gravel and 2 spots where I had no other choice than turn around cos of the mud. Gravel sure, but mud no thanks, not on this bike.
A number of the roads, I've past countless times and felt I should know at least where they go. WV invented the backroads, there's a lot to cover and the gazetteer helped bring it to light.
I would guess I cover close to 500 miles of roads in areas close Ravenswood, such as the interior county roads between Rt 68 and just past Interstate 77, and the farthest route led me to Buffalo via Evans.
These are the type of roads where you pass maybe 2 trucks in an hours time, mountain roads that crest at the peak with great green views and wildlife, sporadic mobile homes precariously perched in the most impossible places, this is the cut. I found places where I could reside in the hills. The valleys are wonderful but notorious for flooding. The roads are hit and miss, sometimes good sometimes not much to it. I aimed for loops but it's easy to get turned around, ending up in spots that don't make sense. It's been the best riding this year that I did a route this morning, it's addictive and it's making me jonse for a dirtbike.
On Medina Rd looking for road 3, I finally narrowed it down to the right branch of the road. A couple were on the porch smoking. I yell, "Is this 3?" The man answers "Yeah, but you aint going down it on that…" mentioning 4 wheelers and other devices made for such roads. Oddly enough I ended up on road 3 this morning on the opposite side which indeed turned to mud. I heeded the warning…
Roads between Rt 87, Rt 62 and Rt 21 were surprisingly decent, even the back back roads. Man it was nice. Green hills, the road riding their backs, breaking out of the trees hiding the sky. 21 coming back from Charleston I branched off on 19 that hit the middle of Rt 34. 34 is 18 miles of 35mph corners.
Blah blah blah...
The machine and friend
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dvs6qWdMf_IHM4Z634CqjA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjwuUuVPI/AAAAAAAACcM/6m2i2d2H-t8/s800/DSCF1689.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
This is what the majority of the roads around the house turn into
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3pebnqoyawxEbxr2rhNYMw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjqh5QPGI/AAAAAAAACb0/rLFxE1AOGeE/s800/DSCF1646.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jtz9cq-ECr05DO4elY1B-A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjrhiQQJI/AAAAAAAACb4/Eqz589RL2eI/s800/DSCF1651.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
End of Meathouse Rd between Medina and Sherman.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k6ncjpLpmp4-aHuza5iAtg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjsk9p5bI/AAAAAAAACb8/FyhiqYz-DGo/s800/DSCF1668.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
More Meathouse heading down the hill
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fbjhpWQSIBMjFWGPvS7YgA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjtosY2FI/AAAAAAAACcA/kTnn3mDYWW4/s800/DSCF1670.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Cemetery on Woodsville off of 68 heading towards Rockport
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5MN2Ez8l_6WeYy7hmrmYSA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjvhRtxLI/AAAAAAAACcI/upDiAausLHo/s800/DSCF1683.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Typical WV road round these parts
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aOYlAkaKtUNw6-NFYaL_1w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjym9iUaI/AAAAAAAACcU/ugDV5V1KpzI/s800/DSCF1703.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Hit rain around Gay
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T8G3fCC47Gc82PVBACDeew?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDjz7F2d0I/AAAAAAAACcY/BYSAaOlSxvE/s800/DSCF1707.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Which way?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BXtD4rJjni6HsuhMk3dJfQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj0YFkW3I/AAAAAAAACcc/0sJ4DMsoqgs/s800/DSCF1708.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
I love the sign. Made from siding... Somewhere between Evans and the Kanawha River
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iFH1DJ2VDfMmhA5ZGKt_IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj2eZEciI/AAAAAAAACck/xv7mmVfflK0/s800/DSCF1728.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Smoke break
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wh6WXeDsnBTEcO7So2ezag?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj3v5iVII/AAAAAAAACco/e5TsvVrLYnQ/s800/DSCF1737.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
HEading down road 64 or something like that
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RgEIK4yaOH0hE9a_Nrg5VA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj4ijUPeI/AAAAAAAACcs/G0ZA-4IIZeM/s800/DSCF1741.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Typical WV landscape
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6EoD7xHItJev-5AqJVpHUQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj5qkY30I/AAAAAAAACcw/hf49zVwh4CY/s800/DSCF1753.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Wilding road I think
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t8EvhTw7pbLMtXPwv9H2ig?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj6rw7QNI/AAAAAAAACc0/oKz-iyk0YeU/s800/DSCF1758.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Alright, here's 3. I found the back way to the spot where the guy said you can't do it. I went down the road a mile or so and sure enough it was total mud
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0pPa1yAoiuUAGu2tJ-utmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj74-WcAI/AAAAAAAACc4/cHzc6kGMVUI/s800/DSCF1759.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Like so...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N6lXIpV1HydJggGTNIrWdw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj-doQSXI/AAAAAAAACdA/lyGf3-Uw18U/s800/DSCF1761.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
Nice and green
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6t5IipbYbNSdZ87HcaqfYg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TCDj9I09U2I/AAAAAAAACc8/vg21IY05pv0/s800/DSCF1760.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Backroads?feat=embedwebsite">backroads</a></td></tr></table>
