SE Ohio Spring "Ramble" 2008

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Who is coming down from the greater Cleveland area friday afternoon - maybe we can meet up. Several of us may meet in dover area.

PS - just got recertified on CPR if any of you old geezers has a heart attack trying to keep up - :yahoo:

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My friend Dave on the ST1300, and I, are leaving Brecksville about 1:00, but were not going to take the "SLAB" down. We were thinking of catching US 250 South into Wooster, and then taking a nice spirited ride down US 83 into Cochocton. From there we'll wander down US 16 to US 60 thru Zanesville. US 22 takes us into US 93 south. 93 south turns into 13 south and we'll take that right into Athens, Aprox. Time 5-6 hours. PM me if any of this ride appeals to you guy's.

Dave

 

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If any of you guy's have Google Earth you can preview the "RAMBLE " to the "RAMBLE". " Wheatie" this would also be a great ride coming in from the Northwest for your group if you don't want to ride the "SLAB" all the way down into Athens.

Dave

 

[wheatonFJR]

My friend Dave on the ST1300, and I, are leaving Brecksville about 1:00, but were not going to take the "SLAB" down. We were thinking of catching US 250 South into Wooster, and then taking a nice spirited ride down US 83 into Cochocton. From there we'll wander down US 16 to US 60 thru Zanesville. US 22 takes us into US 93 south. 93 south turns into 13 south and we'll take that right into Athens, Aprox. Time 5-6 hours. PM me if any of this ride appeals to you guy's.Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the recommendation...I have taken 83 down to 78 from Cochocton.

I plan on getting off the slab in Indiana somewhere's and coming through Ohio south of Dayton and head east, finally ending up in the Hocking Hills area before getting to the Super 8. If I recall there is a certain Thompson Ridge Road around there to enjoy...along w/others. :yahoo:

I'll make the weather call probably Tuesday night...

 

[FredandJeannesRacer]

Just got my schedule for next week, and it's ugly. I'll be working Friday night, and won't be able to make Athens. (Da#it)

Maybe we could see you guys at one of the stops along the way, if that's OK.

Hopefully I don't get totally screwed and get mandated for Saturday too!

My job sucks!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Just got my schedule for next week, and it's ugly. I'll be working Friday night, and won't be able to make Athens. (Da#it) Maybe we could see you guys at one of the stops along the way, if that's OK.

Hopefully I don't get totally screwed and get mandated for Saturday too!

My job sucks!

You know the route and the stops...hope to see you there. :clapping:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Is anyone ready to Ramble yet? :yahoo:

Enclosed are some screenshot from Google earth...remember, these have some vertical curves to go along with the horizontal ones. :clapping:

OH 26 just east of Marietta, OH

OH 536 just west of New Martinsville, WV

 

[MartyA]

Now cut that out!

Took the FJR out Saturday it works fine I need more time....

See you in a couple of days.

 

[scrapedup]

T-Minus 5 days and counting. Puttin on a new pair of "Hoops" for the weekend. PR2's, I'll tell all of you what I think in a week or two.

Dave

 

[wheatonFJR]

As of right now...things are looking iffy, 50/50 for this Saturday. My call will be based on Saturday weather only...as I can ride on Friday or Sunday regardless of rain. I just prefer to ride the twisties dry if I can.

I will make weather call Tuesday night...based on NOAA National Weather Service.

40% chance of rain -too much...postpone till the following week.

30% chance of rain -flip a coin

20% chance of rain -its a go for sure

If I do postpone till the following week...obviously those that want to can ride this Saturday. You've got the route...

If this is postponed till the following week...I will accept the risk that I will be riding in percentages of rain that may be higher...but also betting that it won't rain two Saturdays in a row.

 

[drc32-0]

I got a chance to ride the whole route Saturday.First off-great route Mark!It starts good and just keeps getting better as the day goes on.The main thing that makes the afternoon ride better than the morning is the road conditions.A lot of the morning roads have some sand and dirt on them.The sand is on the hills (676,260,26)and the dirt is whats left over from the recent flooding on low lying sections (329,144).Unfortunately the worst case of sand is on the best section of 676,555 to the small town of Dale.Once we get past Dale 676 is in good condition.Use caution on the hills between 555 to Dale.

The morning section of 555 is rough,no debris just bad pavement.ODOT patched parts of this road recently but they just put long patches down instead of paving the whole thing.Now it goes-good pavement,bad pavement,good pavement,bad pavement all the way to 676.

Also a little construction on 50 right before the turn off to555,800 about 3 miles after we turn on it,377 about 2 miles after we turn on.Nothing major-the first two are bridge repairs and the last is a minor slip.

All the crown jewels of this ride are in great shape!The evil twins-556,536 are smooth and beautiful,with the exception of a small blemish just outside of Beallsville on 556.78 is good,as is 555(northern section).564,a new road to me,has a little sand,but good pavement and great scenery-a small creek running through a nice green valley.

By the time we pull into Glouster at the end of 78 we will have been on most of the best roads that S.E. Ohio has to offer, and I'm willing to bet no one will be disappointed.Sore-but not disappointed.

P.S. Dave-if you guys want a little twistier route from Zanesville to Athens let me know.Also,541 is a blast between 83 and 60.

 

[wheatonFJR]

THANKS for checking the route Drc!! That was a really good route report. :clapping: :clapping:

 

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Dave on the 1300 and I are still going down on Friday, weather is supposed to be great. We'll ride most of the ramble and be in Athens by sundown. Spend the night Friday, hopefully the weather will hold out for us on Saturday. To tell you the truth I don't blame you Wheatie if you wait till the next weekend its a much longer ride down here than it is for some of us. Here's hoping that the weather cooperates for all of us.

Dave

 

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Sure drc if you know a better way down to Athens from Zanesville I'm all ears.

 

[cougar8000]

Sorry to say, but I had canceled my hotel and wont be going this week or next week. Started a new job few month back and only have 2 vacation days available. Last week took one to take wife to a doctor. Next week had to take a second one to take the oldest kid to a doctor.

Mark, thank you for planning. I got a route and will ride it later on.

You guys have a safe trip and enjoy your self.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Hello everyone, wife's surgery went well yesterday. She might be comming home Thursday or Friday, then I'll be playing nurse. I just wanted to say, have a great trip, have fun and ride safe...

 

[Ray]

Dave on the 1300 and I are still going down on Friday, weather is supposed to be great. We'll ride most of the ramble and be in Athens by sundown. Spend the night Friday, hopefully the weather will hold out for us on Saturday. To tell you the truth I don't blame you Wheatie if you wait till the next weekend its a much longer ride down here than it is for some of us. Here's hoping that the weather cooperates for all of us.
Dave

Dave - sent you a pm with my cell, I would like to join you Friday and take our chances Saturday if you are up for it. Friday is suppposed to be great - I am flying on the red eye from Phoenix geting in around 6 am Friday morning.

 

[Geezer]

As of right now...things are looking iffy, 50/50 for this Saturday. My call will be based on Saturday weather only...as I can ride on Friday or Sunday regardless of rain. I just prefer to ride the twisties dry if I can.
I will make weather call Tuesday night...based on NOAA National Weather Service.

40% chance of rain -too much...postpone till the following week.

30% chance of rain -flip a coin

20% chance of rain -its a go for sure

If I do postpone till the following week...obviously those that want to can ride this Saturday. You've got the route...

If this is postponed till the following week...I will accept the risk that I will be riding in percentages of rain that may be higher...but also betting that it won't rain two Saturdays in a row.

C'mon sunshine.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Hello everyone, wife's surgery went well yesterday. She might be comming home Thursday or Friday, then I'll be playing nurse. I just wanted to say, have a great trip, have fun and ride safe...

Great news!!! :clapping:

...just lookin' at the forecast...I will make the weather call tonight...however it's been holding for 40% chance of rain for the past few days. :huh:

Don't get me wrong...I ride in rain on most of my trips and I will ride in rain on Friday and Sunday and a little bit on Saturday if need be...but I'd prefer not to ride 500 miles to good roads just to have it rain...when if I wait a week it might be better.

Come on Sun! :clapping:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Sorry to say, but I had canceled my hotel and wont be going this week or next week. Started a new job few month back and only have 2 vacation days available. Last week took one to take wife to a doctor. Next week had to take a second one to take the oldest kid to a doctor.
Mark, thank you for planning. I got a route and will ride it later on.

You guys have a safe trip and enjoy your self.

I understand...hope your wife is fine...and that the new job is going well. :clapping:

Definitely get down here sometime though.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Has anyone had any experience with ACCUWEATHER.COM?

Someone alerted me to their website which gave VERY little chance of rain...whereas NOAA's National Weather Service is forecasting 50% chance of rain for Saturday and WeatherChannel.com is forecasting 40% chance of rain.

I'm thinking that Accuweather is all wet...but who knows?

Help me out here guys...I'm thinking of postponing this thing till the following weekend...but don't want to do it unneccessarily.