West Virginia Spring Ramble-Planning stages

[yamaholic]

<posted to midwestern section as well>

Well, for the past couple of years I've hosted an Ohio Fall and Spring Ramble ride for FJR's in the area. We've had a great time meeting the area riders, riding nice twisties, bench racing, etc.

This year I've decided (with input from past attendees) to do a West Virginia ride instead. The roads are better maintained and offer better scenery than in Ohio.

What I need from those who may attend is input on the event so that it meets everyone's expectations:

1.) Would you like to make this a 2 day ride?

2.) If yes to #1, what type of place do you want to stay (cheap motel, motor lodge, mountain resort, bed and breakfast, state park resort, etc)?

2.) What do you want to do? Just ride good roads or is there a destination you want to see such as the New River Gorge, Radio telescope, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley park, etc?

3.) When can you attend? Late April is likely the earliest time I would plan the event. There are several high-altitude (for the east coast) mountain ranges we will cross. Early May would be wiser. Throw out some dates!!! I'm flexible.

4.) If we decide to do a multiple day ride, my thought is to ride Fri/Sat to allow those a day to return home on Sunday. Everyone OK with this? Any other thoughts?

5.) Starting point? End point? My thought is to start in either Parkersburg, Charleston, Clarksburg, or along the PA/OH/WV Ohio River Valley border. Does this matter much to you guys? If not, I'll decide as plans develop.

Thanks for your input and looking forward to another great event!

 

[luvtoride]

Definitely count me in on this one...

#1-yes... a 2 day ride.

#2-cheap motel is the best for me. Have coffee maker... will travel!

#3-flexible with dates... as long as it doesn't coincide with st.net's national (June 14 & 15). I like late April... it's so beautiful when things start blooming. The weather could be unpredictible, though. Late April is still my vote, though.

#4-ok with me.

#5-I'm not familiar with the roads... so, not much help in this department... sorry!

 

[yamaholic]

10-4. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Randy]

Sounds real interesting, but, it depends on when it is. I have some commitments that can't be broken. Some weekends, a 3-day event would be fine. Others, I won't be around at all.

Assuming all the stars line up and I would be able to make it an event...

1) maybe you could do an informal ride/meet on Friday (those that are close can ride, those that have to travel will be on the way). Have an informal get-together Friday night. Leave Saturday morning for a full day of riding. for those that can/want to, they can stay over for a ride Sunday or use that as a travel day to go home. If you try to make it a 2-day event, and people are coming from all over to get there, it turns into a 4 day event.

<<<you screwed me up - you have 2 #2s in your list!!!>>>

2.) A relatively clean bed is all I need.

2.) Other than the ones you mentioned, I heard it's nice around Seneca Rocks. Doesn't matter - I'm more engulfed in the journey than the destination.

3.) May 6, 13? These dates are good for me know, but, could change at any time.

4.) See #1. I think we're on the same wavelength, but, need to factor in some will be traveling further than others.

5.) I'm coming from Central PA, so, doesn't really matter to me since none of those places are close.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...  If you try to make it a 2-day event, and people are coming from all over to get there, it turns into a 4 day event.

Good thoughts Randy...and he DID ask your opinion.

However, I would rather it be two solid days of riding because:

1) There is so much in WV to ride, and

2) If I am going to ride from IL, I would like to have 2 days to enjoy in WV. Otherwise, it would seem like I had to turn around as soon as I got there.

If Yamaholic schedules 2 days of riding in WV, I will leave Wheaton, IL ...

...THURSDAY am to get there for the Friday ride.

My .02

 

[luvtoride]

Yamaholic... you might want to think about posting this announcement in the South or Southeast regions, also. I'm betting that one or two riders will pick up on this ride.

 

[BugR]

Half tempted to suggest that you plan for the 9th/10th or 16th/17th June as I will be down for the ST.N national and could just extend the trip.

On the other hand just another excuse to take another long weekend off.

 

[luvtoride]

Hmmm bugr,

Not a bad idea! I'm also planning on attending the st.net national. I'd suggest the 16th & 17th of June.

The national is on Wed 14 & Thur 15, right? I plan on making a weekend of it and not returning home until Sunday, anyhow.

Yamaholic, you might want to consider this idea.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...I don't know if I can WAIT till June :blink: .

That would be 8 months since the last Ramble :bigeyes: . That's like tellin' my kids that we're doin' Christmas a little LATER this year.

CAN'T

HOLD

OUT

MUCH

LONGER...

 

[yamaholic]

I'm considering! And it's not a bad idea!

I'm definitely open to this. We don't have to decide yet, but I wouldn't mind having firm plans by mid-February.

Keep the ideas flowing!

 

[yamaholic]

Wheaton-

If you are itching for twisties, come on out before hand.

We can scout for day2, or just ride in Ohio.

 

[wheatonFJR]

yamaholic,

You set the time/date for the ramble and I will try to be there...whenever it is

 

[zorkler]

i have been looking at w/v myself and was planning a ride this spring . https://www.pocahontas.org/planningyou/motomaps.aspx you can check this site out . all i need is a clean bed . looks like you need 2 days just to ride in w/v . i will be riding out of staten island .ny .

 

[yamaholic]

Thanks for the link. I'm thinking the ST.N ride will likely emcompass Pocahontas county since it's close to Snowshoe. I was considering a little further North (33/50/32/55/219) and east so that mutal ride participants wouldn't ride the same roads. Then again...they are great roads; I certainly would ride them twice, so that may not be a bad idea.

I have one day's worth of riding planned in the Seneca Rocks area including a pass over the Appalacian, Shenadoa, and Alleghany mountains into the George Washington Nat'l Forest. A short run on the BRP near Staunton may be in order as well.

Day 2 I may route us south near 64/60 Charleston, then meander North on scenic highways TBD. I'll need to do some scouting to judge pavement conditions, scenery, traffic, etc.

 

[trinibob]

This sounds like to much fun to pass up this year the stn meet and this run in the same week!

Pending a full out boycott from the wife.

I am in for both.

Just need to know more about hotels and what not down here.

 

[luvtoride]

This sounds like to much fun to pass up this year the stn meet and this run in the same week!Pending a full out boycott from the wife.

I am in for both.

Just need to know more about hotels and what not down here.

Yup, a solid 5-6 days of riding for me. That'd be cool if the Ramble directly follows the st.net National.

Do keep in mind the st.net requires registration... that is if you want to play by their rules (I didn't think about not playing by the rules until after I registered ... damn!) Oh well, I want a tee shirt, anyhoo. They have a hotel all set up for a rally discount, too. All info needed is on their site. I do believe that I left a linkola somewhere.

Heidi

 

[wheatonFJR]

@Heidi/luvtoride,

Have you been on these ST.net rides before? What are they like?

Can you give a brief description? How many riders show up?

-edit- I see that the link answers the following two questions -edit- :cownoy:

Do people go out on a pre-arranged ride? Or do they ride from a list of routes?

 

[trinibob]

sounds like a bunch from all around west coast east coast canada and fla!

https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=75152" target="_blank">link

 

[BugR]

So what are people thinking? (Always a loaded question)

The weekend before or the weekend after the ST.N Meet

Chris