SE Ohio ride

[the Ferret]

This past Thur to Sun I was supposed to take my family doctor/friend/motorcycle riding/hunting buddy riding over in SE Ohio. He has been my family doctor for 36 years, ever since the day he walked in my motorcycle shop with a rare part he needed a replacement for. Seemed I was the only one he had found that knew what it was and where to get one. When I did, he asked "Do you need a doctor?" I did. So he became my doctor and we became friends. I sold him my 69 BSA Rocket 3 one winter when I needed a tank fuel oil to heat the house for my wife and two young children and being poor, had no money. He has had a zillion cool bikes over the years and currently owns a KTM 990, a Ducati Multistrada, and a BMW S1000

Anyhow, I know some great places to stay ride and eat over there, and he wanted to get in some away riding time. I planned the whole thing, got the rooms etc. At 6;30 PM the night before we were to leave, he developed heart issues and was taken to the hospital. The trip seemed in question. My buddy Jim who I had ridden to California with, and who had given up bikes completely a couple years ago, and had written this thread about,

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....t=quitting

had just bought a used BMW R1200GS 3 days earlier and had emailed me about it. (I knew he couldn't give it up). So I called him to see if he would join me. He waffled a bit because he hadn't ridden in a while and his wife was nervous about him taking a trip on an unfamiliar bike after just 3 days of ownership, but decided "what the hey"? and met me in Marietta, Ohio at noon on Thursday.

We had a great 3 days of riding (and eating) on some of the finest roads se Ohio/nw West Virginia has to offer.

On Thur afternoon we did the southern half of Ohio's famous Tripple Nickel (555) and rt 676 to rt 7 and back to the hotel. 288 miles for me today

Friday we ventured into W Va and did 47/33-119/16, and 2, crossed back into Ohio at the bridge in New Martinsville (the Ferry at Sistersville W VA which we normally would have taken back across the Ohio River was shut down for engine repair) and stopped and ate at the Riverside Cafe in Fly, then back down 7 to Marietta OMG what a loop. 277 miles today.

Saturday we stayed back in Ohio taking Rts 26/800/7/255/800/26/145 to the Historic Beallsville Diner, then back 145 to 78 to 800 in Woodsfield, Ohio where Jim had to peel off and head home. I stayed on 800 back to 26 and took 26 back to the hotel. A jacuzzi back at the hotel had my name on it and it was divine after a 171 mile day of curves.

This morning I packed up early and got on the road taking 7/50 and 32 back thru picturesque southern Ohio, and made it home in time to watch the British MotoGP. 197 miles for me today.

Weather was about perfect...a little nippy in the mornings (low 50's) to very comfortable upper 70's in the afternoon. Sunny skies all 4 days. 932 miles over the 4 days for me.

some pics















This concrete truck driver had a bad day



Going Home



I will add a pic of the map routes in a bit

Seriously anyone looking to have a great time riding hilly curves for a few days, could find a lot of worse places to ride than Ohio/W Va. If you need some advice, give me a shout.