2011 SE Ohio Fall Ramble

[Bryguy]

... 255 is closed...

800 should have resurfacing completed this week on the section between Antioch and the river...

Hey Brian/Denny, what are they doing on 255? They just resurfaced it a year or two ago. Will 255 likely be closed a month from now?? I hope not...it was one of my favorites. Also, if we take 26 east to 800...will 800 be open up to Woodsfield??

With 800 being resurfaced, 536 in bad shape, if is 255 closed, it might not make sense to do anything out east except for maybe out and back on 556.

So maybe...

...26 east

to 260 south

to 800 north

to 145/556 east to the river.

Turn around at the river, head west on 556, get back to Woodsfield, take 78 west.etc.

See any issues with that?

I really hate to omit 255, especially since it was in tip top shape last year...beautiful road...but if it's closed, it's closed.

I think 800 should be done by now. When I was out there a few weeks ago, they were on the second layer and it looked like they were only working between the river and Antioch. This section is beautiful

If you're going to skip 255 my only suggestion would be 26 north from Woodsfield to 145/556, less traffic and more curves than 800 north.

I work a bunch starting tomorrow and riding to MotoGP next weekend.

I really don't think ODOT could still be working on anything there by the planned ride date (they're too busy ruining the other roads one bad patch job at a time. I'll plan a recon mission to 255 the first week/weekend in September, unless I can squeeze it in before that.

I need to check 676 too. I saw detours signs out around Chesterhill or someplace for it recently.

I'll keep you posted with any updates.

Mark, I was just down that way last Friday...FYI...Rt 83 from Cumberland to Rt 78 aint a bad road (if you like high speed sweepers)...just ask Bryan or Denny. There are still plenty of roads down there to have some fun on. Looking forward to it :yahoo:

Rode this area today. Still one of my favorites :clapping:

 

[wheatonFJR]

If you're going to skip 255 my only suggestion would be 26 north from Woodsfield to 145/556, less traffic and more curves than 800 north.

I'm only looking to skip 255 because you said in a previous post above that it was closed. I love 255...I wish that it was open. Did I misread something? Is 255 open or closed?

I agree, 26 north to 145/556 east...although there always seems to be lots of gravel on 26 north of Woodsfield where it gets tight.

I need to check 676 too. I saw detours signs out around Chesterhill or someplace for it recently.

I'll keep you posted with any updates.

Thanks for checking, Bryan. :clapping:

 

[Bryguy]

If you're going to skip 255 my only suggestion would be 26 north from Woodsfield to 145/556, less traffic and more curves than 800 north.

I'm only looking to skip 255 because you said in a previous post above that it was closed. I love 255...I wish that it was open. Did I misread something? Is 255 open or closed?

I agree, 26 north to 145/556 east...although there always seems to be lots of gravel on 26 north of Woodsfield where it gets tight.

I need to check 676 too. I saw detours signs out around Chesterhill or someplace for it recently.

I'll keep you posted with any updates.

Thanks for checking, Bryan. :clapping:

Just to clarify, If you HAVE to skip 255 due to closure, your alternate route sounds good up there.

I'll check to see if it's opened up yet.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I just made up a revised route that adds 83 and has a lot of 260 and 26 on it. It also reverses the direction of the "loop" that has been run in previous years. If 255 is out-boy I hope not- it has that omitted, and runs down and back on <edit>556 which is a great road.

It actually looks like a pretty tasty route. 370 miles of exciting roller coaster roads...with rest breaks at mid-morning and every hour in the afternoon. Lunch at noon in Marietta at the Wendy's and Kickstands Up at 0800.

Does anyone want to see it??

 

[timk]

Doing a litt recon trip for future camping, we went to Hocking Hills State Park. A few roads in that are are freshly paved 686 being one. Of course Ohio put the 18 inches of rolled gravel along the sides. Made a beeline to Ryans in Marietta on 33 as we were hungry.

I can't find 686 Tim in Hocking Hills...where is it?

I doubt if the Ramble route goes through there, lots of cars run though that beautiful park, but it would be a nice area to ride through on the way east to the Ramble. :clapping:

It's 668, wifey just informed me.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I just made up a revised route that adds 83 and has a lot of 260 and 26 on it. It also reverses the direction of the "loop" that has been run in previous years. If 255 is out-boy I hope not- it has that omitted, and runs down and back on 536 which is a great road.

It actually looks like a pretty tasty route. 370 miles of exciting roller coaster roads...with rest breaks at mid-morning and every hour in the afternoon. Lunch at noon in Marietta at the Wendy's and Kickstands Up at 0800.

Does anyone want to see it??

Mark, you are correct 536 WAS a great road...but it aint in such great shape anymore...it's still do-able, just have to take it easy...those 4ft patches of fill & tar that go all the way across the road in a bunch of turns take the fun out of the ride. But I'd still like to see the new route

 

[wheatonFJR]

I just made up a revised route that adds 83 and has a lot of 260 and 26 on it. It also reverses the direction of the "loop" that has been run in previous years. If 255 is out-boy I hope not- it has that omitted, and runs down and back on <edit>556 which is a great road.

It actually looks like a pretty tasty route. 370 miles of exciting roller coaster roads...with rest breaks at mid-morning and every hour in the afternoon. Lunch at noon in Marietta at the Wendy's and Kickstands Up at 0800.

Does anyone want to see it??

Mark, you are correct 536 WAS a great road...but it aint in such great shape anymore...it's still do-able, just have to take it easy...those 4ft patches of fill & tar that go all the way across the road in a bunch of turns take the fun out of the ride. But I'd still like to see the new route

I'm sorry Joe...I meant 556.

I'll post up an S&T map of the route tonight.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Mark, no worries...I'm sure we'll have a great time on some great roads...lookin forward to it :yahoo:

 

[Intech]

My plan now is to head out to Caldwell on Saturday, run the ramble Sunday, and then stay somewhere Sunday night. I don't know if it will be back in Caldwell or head east a ways for the ride home Monday. Looking forward to this. It looks like I will be solo.

 

[wheatonFJR]

BTW, does anybody have a problem with Kickstands Up at 8am?

I was thinking about having breakfast at the restaurant next door at 7am and KSU at 8am.

I usually fill up for gas the night before so I don't have to do that in the am.

If we start at 8am, we will be in Marietta about noon...vs 1pm...with the revised 2011 route.

...and done about 4:30pm vs 5:30 pm...with the revised 2011 route.

Lots of time for kibbutzing in the parking lot over a cold one before supper.

 

[Intech]

BTW, does anybody have a problem with Kickstands Up at 8am?

I guess that depends entirely on the parking lot social the night before! :drinks:

I have no problem.

 

[El Toro Joe]

No...I guess I could leave my house at 5:30am... :blink:

 

[Intech]

No...I guess I could leave my house at 5:30am... :blink:

Not a problem if you come down Saturday!

Is it the Best Western Caldwell Inn that you are staying at Mark?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yes, the Best Western. It is also where the ride starts.

 

[Intech]

Yes, the Best Western. It is also where the ride starts.

I guess I should have been more clear. there is one in Cambridge also and it is cheaper, but you are staying at the one in Caldwell?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yes, the Best Western. It is also where the ride starts.

I guess I should have been more clear. there is one in Cambridge also and it is cheaper, but you are staying at the one in Caldwell?

Yes, Best Western in Caldwell, OH is the base for this operation. It is right on 78 and an excellent jumping off spot for this ride. There is also a great family restaurant with food next door for breakfast or dinner. They also have gas close by.

They also have a prison close by...so watch yourself.

Believe it or not, the Caldwell, OH motel is cheaper than the motels down in Athens or Marietta.

 

[Intech]

well I went on faith that it is the one IN Caldwell and booked for Saturday and Sunday, so I guess it is official. You will have to put up with me!

 

[wheatonFJR]

well I went on faith that it is the one IN Caldwell and booked for Saturday and Sunday, so I guess it is official. You will have to put up with me!

Glad you're registered Bob! :clapping:

But no faith required...the thread title and post #1 had that info.

 

[Bryguy]

BTW, does anybody have a problem with Kickstands Up at 8am?

I was thinking about having breakfast at the restaurant next door at 7am and KSU at 8am.

I usually fill up for gas the night before so I don't have to do that in the am.

If we start at 8am, we will be in Marietta about noon...vs 1pm...with the revised 2011 route.

...and done about 4:30pm vs 5:30 pm...with the revised 2011 route.

Lots of time for kibbutzing in the parking lot over a cold one before supper.

Sounds good. That will give us another hour of riding before churches start to let out.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Well, here is the alternative route that includes that section of 83 that is so good and includes a lot of 260 and 26. On the east end it goes down and back on 556...I would also include a down and back on 255 if it is open next month.

For the most part it also hits most of the previous year's routes...but it takes the route clockwise instead of the usual counterclockwise.

This is just a preliminary route for perusal...Denny and/or Bryan would need to confirm if anything is closed around 676 at Chesterhill.

Whatever route we take...We start at the canopy of the Best Western (in Caldwell Bob).

Overall route - 370 miles

1st stop-gas/rest at Woodsfield after 2 hours - mile 100, "G" ON MAP

2nd stop - 1 hour lunch/gas stop in Marietta - mile 200 "L,G" ON MAP

3rd stop at gas station/convenience store - afternoon rest stop after 1 hour, "R" ON MAP

4th stop in Chesterhill somewhere - afternoon rest stop after 1 hour, "R" ON MAP

EDIT: deleted obsolete route maps to minimize confusion with final route.