EOM routes

[cota95]

of what they entail. Looking for degree of difficultly/type of roads, what you'll see, etc. Did I miss it somewhere?

Thanks, George

 

[extrememarine]

George,

I should have something from the "routing company" after the weekend. Unfortunately, their "CEO" is out conducting "research" this weekend...

Jeff's disclaimer note gives an overall description of the area, but not a description route by route - I'm sure it was either work, family life, or a hurricane might have played in somehow as well...

Wayne

 

[cota95]

George,

I should have something from the "routing company" after the weekend. Unfortunately, their "CEO" is out conducting "research" this weekend...

Jeff's disclaimer note gives an overall description of the area, but not a description route by route - I'm sure it was either work, family life, or a hurricane might have played in somehow as well...

Wayne

Thanks, I'll stay tuned.

 

[wheatonFJR]

My guess (and suggestion), is that people ride these routes like they are a new road that they've never been on before...take it easy, stay within sightlines.

I think the "degree of difficulty" can usually be obtained by viewing the routes on S&T (or some other software) and looking for the amount of "wiggliness"TM of the route lines.

I think that Jeff Ashe has put in WAY more than the normal amount of time putting together routes for folks for this gathering.

I think personal responsibility dictates that people carefully observe the routes beforehand and ride accordingly. We are all big boys and girls now and should not expect to be spoon fed at this stage in our lives. (We're not that old yet... :lol: )

Rule #1 - Have fun!

Rule #2 - Ride in a way that rule #1 will always occur.

BTW, I am not affiliated with the EOM committee in any way. I would not dare to attempt that amount of work.

I am so looking forward to EOM!!! Everybody ride safe! :clapping:

There. I have officially jinxed myself.

 

[Larry33319]

My guess (and suggestion), is that people ride these routes like they are a new road that they've never been on before...take it easy, stay within sightlines.

I think the "degree of difficulty" can usually be obtained by viewing the routes on S&T (or some other software) and looking for the amount of "wiggliness"TM of the route lines.

I think that Jeff Ashe has put in WAY more than the normal amount of time putting together routes for folks for this gathering.

I think personal responsibility dictates that people carefully observe the routes beforehand and ride accordingly. We are all big boys and girls now and should not expect to be spoon fed at this stage in our lives. (We're not that old yet... :lol: )

Rule #1 - Have fun!

Rule #2 - Ride in a way that rule #1 will always occur.

BTW, I am not affiliated with the EOM committee in any way. I would not dare to attempt that amount of work.

I am so looking forward to EOM!!! Everybody ride safe! :clapping:

There. I have officially jinxed myself.

I will agree with everything he said with the exception of him jinxing himself. I would also add the very important "Ride your own ride" bit. If the road starts to get a bit more than you expected, slow down. You have a complete route that will take you back home very easily. No point in pushing harder than you are comfortable with and do something silly because of it.You do not want to become one of the fabled stories from the EOM, unless it is something you do after several adult beverages back at the parking lot, possable involving the Legendary Dolly.

 

[Fred W]

I'm thinking that cota's question was along the lines of being more informed, so that he could better choose which of these awesome routes to pick from that would best suit him. Once we are out on the road, as always,it is our own responsibility to ride safely and within our own (or our own group's) capability.

I would seriously doubt that there are any routes that are beyond the capability of any rider, so long as they can adjust their speed to suit. Whether that would be the best choice in routes for the maximum enjoyment is the question.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm thinking that cota's question was along the lines of being more informed, so that he could better choose which of these awesome routes to pick from that would best suit him...

Everybody has a map or GPS...seems Jeff shouldn't have to try and "rate" the routes, building them is enough work. I was only stating that we can do that work for ourselves by looking at the routes beforehand and determine how much squiggle we want on our ride.

Used to be at these events, you would just show up to a great area, someone would say x, y, or z would be great roads to ride...and off you would go whichever way you decided to go. Then it was, how about some suggested maps online. Then it was, hey can I get a gpx file to go with that great map I saw online. Now, we are to "rate" the routes??? What if none of them are "easy" and they're all "hard"? :huh: What if the routemaster's idea of easy is different than your idea of "easy".

I have no fault with the question...I think we should all be aware of how curvy the road is gonna be. I just think it's beyond the scope of someone trying to give suggested routes. Trying to build routes a state or two away from where you live, preride them, make gpx files is more than a ton of work while pulling down your full time job. I'm just saying that each of us can spend a little time ourselvesbeforehand and can come up with our own indivualized analysis that suits "our own riding style" just fine. Let's not make this route building job more than it needs to be.

That being said...I'm NOT the routemeister...and I'm sure he'll have the answers to your questions with much less effort than this little sidetrack entailed.

I'm just happy to have suggested routes, whether or not I use them, they are great idea starters for routes. :clapping:

 

[cota95]

I'm thinking that cota's question was along the lines of being more informed, so that he could better choose which of these awesome routes to pick from that would best suit him...

Everybody has a map or GPS...seems Jeff shouldn't have to try and "rate" the routes, building them is enough work. I was only stating that we can do that work for ourselves by looking at the routes beforehand and determine how much squiggle we want on our ride.

Used to be at these events, you would just show up to a great area, someone would say x, y, or z would be great roads to ride...and off you would go whichever way you decided to go. Then it was, how about some suggested maps online. Then it was, hey can I get a gpx file to go with that great map I saw online. Now, we are to "rate" the routes??? What if none of them are "easy" and they're all "hard"? :huh: What if the routemaster's idea of easy is different than your idea of "easy".

I have no fault with the question...I think we should all be aware of how curvy the road is gonna be. I just think it's beyond the scope of someone trying to give suggested routes. Trying to build routes a state or two away from where you live, preride them, make gpx files is more than a ton of work while pulling down your full time job. I'm just saying that each of us can spend a little time ourselvesbeforehand and can come up with our own indivualized analysis that suits "our own riding style" just fine. Let's not make this route building job more than it needs to be.

That being said...I'm NOT the routemeister...and I'm sure he'll have the answers to your questions with much less effort than this little sidetrack entailed.

I'm just happy to have suggested routes, whether or not I use them, they are great idea starters for routes. :clapping:

You shouldn't have any fault with the question (and I wouldn't much care if you did). This was a simple and valid question about what would seen and could be expected along these routes. If the ORGANIZERS do not have the information, please allow them to tell me to take a hike.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Sorry, I guess my ******* was showing...

 

[cota95]

Sorry, I guess my ******* was showing...

I'll get over it. Let's have a beer together in KY.

 

[extrememarine]

**EDIT** I just spoke to Jeff, we'll have a few words about each route in a day or so.

Jeff is still out riding, and I'm sure he will chime in as soon as the afterburners cool on Tuesday...

I will say, that I believe this years biggest challenge in routing was to ensure that we stayed away from any really narly gravel / dirt / goat trails.

Last September we rode into and out of this area. Awesome roads; but we did hit a stretch that turned bad south (not directionally, but conditions wise) and was one of the most challenging pieces of two up riding I've ever done. Words of encouragement from Grumby were something like, "Ya gotta git on top of it" as he went around me spraying rocks, pinecones, and debris... We powered through, but it is not a stretch that is on any of these routes (right, Jeff??). Because I am such a gluten for punishment, I'm sure, at some point, I will find my self bouncing up or down a goat trail minus with two lines of thought running through my mind - 1 being "WTF", and the other being "See, I told you this Ohlins set-up is the shiznit off road".

If I were independently wealthy, I'd of already run each of these routes myself (twice & backwards, too) and reported back. Sorry, not happening this year, so put it on the feedback notes.

As has already been stated, the absolute most important thing about any of the roads in that area, is to RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. I have days in the saddle that are so-so, and I have grown to accept those days, running where I am comfortable that day, hour, minute. I have days where I feel above average; the bike, the road, the conditions, everything just clicks. and I have learned to truly savor and enjoy ALL of the days I have in the saddle.

If one of these routes takes you down a path that you're not comfortable with at that moment in time, STOP. turn around, and let the GPS take you around. If you don't have a GPS, take advantage of the parking lot socializing and make a friend with a GPS.

Please be patient.

Wayne

 

[extrememarine]

After consulting w/ our mapping guru, here is what we have to add.

First, after a second (which is actually probably more like the 999th time) look at the routes via Google Maps street view and Google earth – there are no apparent sections of gravel. That’s not to say that road surfaces could be less than optimal due to the effects of weather in the area.

Next, as spelled out in the disclaimer, the roads in this area tend to be more sweeperish than twisty. The other general observation is that services can be fewer and further apart. Ensure you allow an extra margin in the fuel tank, and I suggest traveling in pairs at a minimum.

Here are mileage totals for each route. Travel times will vary based on your pace – everything from velocity, to rest / fuel stop frequency and duration comes into play here – know yourself and riding style and apply that to the mileage listed.

CrackedIce – Northeast - 327 miles

CucumberlandGap-East – 336 miles

DragonHalaDeviledEggs-South – 477 miles

Loopy-North – 94 miles

SouthwesternEggRolls - 201 miles

TwoUpComfort - 208 miles

As with any time we ride, ride your own ride and we will see you back in the parking lot each day.

Wayne

 

[Fred W]

First, after a second (which is actually probably more like the 999th time) look at the routes via Google Maps street view and Google earth – there are no apparent sections of gravel.

I am so disappointed.

Without a little dirt, how do you know that you've had a complete ride?

 

[08FJR4ME]

First of all, THANK YOU JEFF!

You have done a great service for the FJR comunity putting these routes together for us. Second of all, I ain't scared of no goat trails.

Just a suggestion that worked out well when the wife and I took a trip this spring down to Virginia. As soon as we entered VA I stopped in at the information center and asked for a scenic roads map. The lady reached under the counter and gave me one. They don't put them out on display. We ended up doing some great rides by just going along those roads. I hope to do the same on this trip also. That's if KY offers a scenic roads map like VA does. This was i trick i learned from reading my Road Runner magazine.

Dave

 

[extrememarine]

there's plenty of dirt / gravel / goat trails to explore... It won't be too hard to find some.

I am so disappointed. Without a little dirt, how do you know that you've had a complete ride?

You should be. Trust me.

Second of all, I ain't scared of no goat trails.

This is a great tip, thanks Dave!

. As soon as we entered VA I stopped in at the information center and asked for a scenic roads map

 

[luvtoride]

Wayne, did you ever give those route suggestions that I had given you, to Jeff? I will tell you right now... there is a large section on one of the roads that is AWESOME TIGHT TWISTIES & isn't horribly far from where we'll be! If you forgot to tell him you did a huge disservice to the tight twisty riders in the group (that includes you). I'm looking at a map right this moment. The road is Rte 160 & runs between Lynch, KY & Appalachia, VA. There is also a tight sweeper pass on Rte 119 that is fun as hell! You can see it on the map. woohoo! The roads around Breaks Interstate Park are great... Absolutely wonderful. I haven't taken a close enough look at the routes yet... but these are definitely roads that deserve to be ridden if not already planned.

There is also a really cool back road off of 119 that is worth a ride. Definitely not a beat feet road but huge fun to ride.

I'd expect that if Haulin doesn't have time to plan this ride, I could take it on & send it him for final HA editing.

 

[cota95]

Thanks guys!

 

[extrememarine]

Heidi,

Many, many, many good roads; there's just not enough time to fit them all in. CrackedIce and cucumberlandGap come close. So I imagine it became an exercise in keeping mileage manageable for any given route.

So, by all means put together a route and post it.

I know there's a sweet little piece of heaven in SE Ohio that I'm going to hit on the way down...

Wayne

 

[luvtoride]

Lol... so, you didn't tell him.

I haven't done any mileage calculations, yet... but I'm thinking (actually wishing) this route to come in somewhere in the 250 mile range. I'm going to explore the option. You are right... so many, many roads.

The one in particular that I speak of (& surrounding area) would definitely be worth the ride.