WV Podunk Rides #2

WV Podunk ride #2
March 6-8
Route: Rt 2, 35, 93, I64, 119, 1, 3 and 34
Weather: Blue skys, all around me

Map:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ai2p_aCSBwSsLA6f4LsGUA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VhJSBkCUI/AAAAAAAABrM/f3deHzTvuVY/s800/Map.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Wow, the weather couldn't have been better, time to get the bike back out. Getting stuff prepared, I open a saddle bag and the hinge busts. I go inside and order 4 hinges from Bob's, go back out, take off the bags and ride nekkid.

This time I opt for Rt2 towards Pt Pleasant wanting to hit up the ammo bunkers again in the hills. Supposably this is where the Mothman hangs out. It's a pretty cool spot. Back in the war years, the Gov put in an ammunition factory, there's scant reminders throughout the grounds of ammo bunkers and buildings, which is now a wildlife area.

From Pt. Pleasant I cross the bridge that replaced the Silver Bridge, the one that fell in the 60's. I shot west on 35 for about 15 miles and hung a left a Rio Grande, which is the spot of Bob Evan's farms and the first diner.

Here things get a bit sketchy on my route. I had no map on me (removed the bags) and I only had a vague idea of where to go anyway. I meant to go south, and I knew I should have turned a left back a few miles but stay straight (west) and enjoy the empty 2 lane. I end up in Oakhill. Oakhill is probably 10 miles west of Rio Grande on 35. I really took the long way. No biggie. Shoot south on 93 in Oakhill and I'm back on track towards Ironton, OH.

I ride through Ironton, cross the bridge into Ashland, KY and hit up the interstate 64 to my Aunts in Dunbar, WV. Fried chicken is for dinner and I like my fried chicken and call it a night. Funny thing is, my last ride I got a fried chicken dinner out of it.

Next morning, wake up and hit the road before 8am and went south on 119 to Logan, WV. The Hatfield and McCoy ATV trail is all over the place, Crosses 119 in multiple spots.

Man how some people live. Thought the section 8 was bad in the city? Check out some parts in southern WV and eastern KY. Not one to tramp on what people do, but it blows my mind. Whatever...

But regardless of the local yards, Rt10 from Logan to Hamlin was a fabulous ride with the Guyandote River to the right and not a cloud in the sky. 10 turned out to be a great road with tight turns going up and down and over and around the mountains. From 10, I take 3 for a few miles and hit up rt 34 which took me back to my aunts. Woke up and was back on the road at 8 this morning to be back at the dining table just in time for work.

Planning on Atlanta next week...

Pix...

Gates to ammo bunkers off of the road. There's 6 pull offs I think. IF you didn't know the bunkers are there, you would go right by.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wRqJk4B9P63TLmDp8BzrMA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdZXCVRAI/AAAAAAAABpg/0WrBbftaMfc/s800/DSCF1302.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Behind the gates maybe 50 yards down, a bunch of brush. Notice the 'thicker' area of brush.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xNl_sTR6cWXNH1wThVo1nw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdeGYqNEI/AAAAAAAABpo/ER9QDeupbh4/s800/DSCF1304.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Ammo bunker is what's under the brush. These are all shut and locked up. Used to be able to go inside. Hard to tell how many of these are out there.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Frx06WXYWmLi1GRf_RhTuw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S3l5TYiS3rI/AAAAAAAABoQ/QRW3ydv1Yjg/s800/PtPleasant2.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/Random?feat=embedwebsite">Random</a></td></tr></table>

Gratuitous shot...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ief6DlzPObDB0fUGfKM-9g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdbVvY7iI/AAAAAAAABpk/VjVWgItPW-I/s800/DSCF1303.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

What's left of the ammo mill. The fence hasn't been there all that long.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eC_dZmIn5-jF3qN7dNV9-w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdlgT9ZWI/AAAAAAAABp0/SW7JtnLVk6o/s800/DSCF1307.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

It's a decent size loop. Ammo bunkers on the north road, factory on the south and roads cutting through the middle. Here's the middle...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yhOh2ApAjVqf2zpohyj8kg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdoJEJhKI/AAAAAAAABp4/rQroZS98_2Q/s800/DSCF1308.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Welcome to Chemical Valley. Dime a dozen.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HIbmjLQFlj-aSDjBxqPuMQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5Vdp2mqgBI/AAAAAAAABp8/dxYCKAzlII8/s800/DSCF1309.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Down by the point where the kanawha and the mighty ohio meet is the heritage part of town. There's been a project of the murals being painted on the flood walls. Maybe 10 panels so far and I have to say they are executed pretty well. This is Chief Cornstalk, see a bit of the mural in the background.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ifGQufRr7Rgj0ow2GWiK6w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VdwEKTmJI/AAAAAAAABqI/AYum8MeXtFI/s800/DSCF1312.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Lordy Dunmore
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sly9Lxs_PcKtVXvWrbkvxw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5Vdy7jaIbI/AAAAAAAABqM/6nTP1aHi-MA/s800/DSCF1313.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Mural detail. Mind you each panel is maybe 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TSteTHmiju_DTNnWmQcBdA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5Vd1f7QsbI/AAAAAAAABqQ/9h_qFi4rscc/s800/DSCF1314.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

History. Flood wall in background
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/x2hkEh6-shd6KMqq7W5hSw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5Vd4fV_rNI/AAAAAAAABqU/fuQcAa_BRXU/s800/DSCF1316.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Cool monument in the river park
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MIHFXbvOhzh1yzFIFAMoTw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5Vd6qIoyaI/AAAAAAAABqY/ppH82cMyj7E/s800/DSCF1317.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Next day on 119 to Logan...
Coal, the blood of WV.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YBGVYNUDaS6_GR9nSwBXZw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeAWRneyI/AAAAAAAABqo/hRGtsvAHM0I/s800/DSCF1323.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Hey there's ol' chief again. Chief Cornstalk SP. Nice park.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xGPXvlc5LceNce13Q2GJVg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeHGRTYMI/AAAAAAAABqw/ucL59WW8Efo/s800/DSCF1331.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Maybe 5 feet away. One almost came up to me on the bike, then thought otherwise. 6 altogether.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h5iuEPBsOrz1WSJJi0zF4w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeEIov2UI/AAAAAAAABqs/ozJe21PiEN0/s800/DSCF1327.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Rode Road
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XhAwDu2iVs-XYN5rCdcB1w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeJTRc3yI/AAAAAAAABq0/rPOQSoLbJ4Q/s800/DSCF1332.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Empty cars
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZSn-ZkvTQHUHzWAJUQNF2g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeP8sdUPI/AAAAAAAABq8/Un92EIEDSUM/s800/DSCF1334.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

There was a few of these
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/07xx8lvzPOSidgnl5pWRVA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeR0DGqSI/AAAAAAAABrA/0DJklR76gGg/s800/DSCF1337.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

In the turn...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/318N9Ld8cguarNr76ni8Lg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S5VeTtxHbvI/AAAAAAAABrE/khNKcdVdTNk/s800/DSCF1338.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/PtPleasant?feat=embedwebsite">Pt. Pleasant</a></td></tr></table>

Nice report. Thanks for sharing.

WV pics/rides

Love the Podunk reports. Keep'm coming!

nice report, i love riding along the Ohio, love watching the barge traffic slip thru the locks on thier way down to the Missisp.

I guess you've probably been to Lord Fairfax Stone to jump across the Mighty Potomac River (where its not so Mighty!), right? and perhaps up thru Shanghai, (WV, that is?)

RM

I assume the ammo dump was for dynamite for the mine??
I found this rather interesting especially the murel of the battle.

No pics of the Mothman himself? From my last time through

Right on guys, glad to see some interest in WV. We have a good bit of history here and the only state in the Union to be created from secede. WV is the rebel of rebels.

rocketman said:

I guess you've probably been to Lord Fairfax Stone to jump across the Mighty Potomac River (where its not so Mighty!), right? and perhaps up thru Shanghai, (WV, that is?)

RM

Click to expand...

No I haven't and I'll take that as a request. I'm currently in Atlanta and by my surprise, Fairfax will be on my route to Pittsburgh over the weekend.

I assume the ammo dump was for dynamite for the mine??
I found this rather interesting especially the murel of the battle.

Click to expand...

Ammo plant in Pt Pleasant was set up in '42 to manufacture TNT for the war effort, and closed as soon as the war ended.

The ammo plant is also the site of many of the Mothman (local talent hero extraordinaire) sightings. There's also a large swamp/marsh in the middle of the grounds. Chemical liquid that you could probably walk on. We have stuff like that here.

Good photos and observations with some history thrown in for good measure!
Thanks Criminal!

Hey Ted, Thanks for the add. I like the hairy pelt on his chest.

Here's another mothman in the 'museum'...

Looks like a dirty joke if you ask me.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nbNBgCOH7XTkA9zsWqzb2Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6FWHu8F8wI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/x86pcllJFn4/s800/Mothman.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/Return?feat=embedwebsite">Return</a></td></tr></table>

I did an Ohio River tour a few years back - out Rt. 50 to Rt. 250 through the sad town of Littleton up to Moundsville. Then Rt. 2 with a few variations to stay hugging the river, down to Huntington. I did occasionally cross over the river, such as to Marietta to overnight and Pomeroy (careful, crazy bridge!) just to poke around, but always crossed back to WVa in the same place. There is a great hotel in Marietta called The Lafayette Hotel, inexpensive and full of history. Marietta also has blocks of historic houses and Indian mounds. On down, Parkersburg also has a whole district of huge old historic homes (from the first American oil boom). From there down it is just easy cruising through nice old towns and great river views.

One nagging thing about the ride - somewhere between Moundsville and Sistersville I came across this stone, encased in a lucite box. Anyone know the story behind it?


You know..... I bet we could arrange a ride this summer, meeting in Huntsville or Moundsville, staying overnight in the Lafayette... That would be a lot of fun

Ted said:

.... I bet we could arrange a ride this summer, meeting in Huntsville or Moundsville, staying overnight in the Lafayette... That would be a lot of fun

Click to expand...

That would be cool, let's see what we can do. I've rode through Sisterville a couple of times and never seen that stone. The history is cool on the river with the westward expansion along with instant wealth and instant decline

Just so we're clear, that's the Lord Fairfax Stone marker near Davis WV, not Fairfax Va, the river is a bit wider there than in Davis..

Click to expand...

Yep, be riding through Davis, WV on 32 probably by Sunday.


Ted, while around Moundsville, did you see the Palace Temple of Gold? Hari Krishna compound living in the hills on WV with this really cool temple/palace and grounds. Open to public to walk around. Costs a few bux for the temple, which I've been content walking around. By the way, road up the mountain to the temple is a great ride.

Here's some shots

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w9fhJS8rg0mtccQCqNT98w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KVtGy6mzI/AAAAAAAAB14/MHJUM2ihmVQ/s800/DSCF2425.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wICxTVyRhbUpDE0UXQCHJw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KVulrZIPI/AAAAAAAAB18/M2dR_lQmLXY/s800/DSCF2428.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pCZVDLQQ_1YW4vllBhkSGg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KVvrGz_nI/AAAAAAAAB2A/x5LkwsiplVc/s800/DSCF2429.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GefyPpbFHWLhvnDIdchjTA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KVwxuxUdI/AAAAAAAAB2E/v9vbc5DVfE8/s800/DSCF2432.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6h4RB-7BqORtrhCDeNTAvA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KVyeMX3fI/AAAAAAAAB2I/Nu7ovJ5PAEE/s800/DSCF2434.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/x1J5NgGRFHGFfgDH5OKSCQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KV0Xt2IkI/AAAAAAAAB2M/OvJGJlWlqUo/s800/DSCF2438.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8HCXk9rBgq4mTuGP1cawlA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/S6KV2E1ZKNI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/c0j8rxp6Nw8/s800/DSCF2439.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/TemplaeOfGold?feat=embedwebsite">Templae of Gold</a></td></tr></table>

Totally missed it! Let's add it to the itinerary

Rt. 2 goes almost all the way along the river, just need to break off for Marietta, and Rt. 68/892/68 south of Parkersburg, right in your neck of the woods!

Some things I think would be a blast on this ride:

- Stop at the sisters' houses in Sistersville
- Stop at Hillbilly Hotdogs for the Homewrecker!
- Mothman in Point Pleasant!
- A group picture at the "Mystery Stone" - which, after going through all my photos from that trip, seems to be related to the Mason-Dixon line survey, found it on Google Streetview here.
- Central City Cafe in Huntington
- Old Penitentiary in Moundsville
- The Temple place!

Well, you've inspired me! Today in Iowa it hit 65 degrees F. Truly a day not to be wasted. I rode my oilhead three hundred and four miles. I also did this while doing some work. So a win/win situation for me. I considered riding my ol' RS but it still has the winter oil and I didn't want to ride it hard on 10W40.

As usual great photos and comments!

I bet you can open the bikes up out in Iowa, James.

Stayed over nite in Des Moines last July. Hung around some BIke related bar across street from motel. I bet 300 bikes of all types were there.

criminaldesign said:

I bet you can open the bikes up out in Iowa, James.

Stayed over nite in Des Moines last July. Hung around some BIke related bar across street from motel. I bet 300 bikes of all types were there.

Click to expand...

Yep, you can really let those horses run on some of the roads here! I am unsure which motel you may have stayed at nor do I know the bar, but Des Moines is not a bad place to visit.

The roads are real straight for the most part in Iowa though there are some curvy stretches if you know where to find them. It is difficult to wear down those chicken strips!

Keep on keepin' on, and enjoy your ride!