WGingerich
Here is the final schedule for the Marietta Weekend, followed by gpx files and maps of the routes.
Friday, September 27
9 AM – Meet at Bob Evans in Macedonia (266 Highland Rd) for breakfast
10 AM – Ride to Marietta departs
11 AM – Rest stop at New Philadelphia Marathon Station at US 250 and SR 416 (110 Commercial Ave SE)
Noon – Lunch at Main Street Barrel House in Barnesville
4 PM – Approximate arrival at Marietta Microtel
6 PM – Dinner at Las Trancas Mexican Restaurant (short walk from Microtel)
Saturday, September 28
8 AM – Holly River West Virginia Ride departs
Noon – Lunch at Hometown Diner, Diana, WV
4 PM – Approximate arrival at Marietta Microtel
6 PM – Dinner at Spagna’s Italian Restaurant in the Harmar Historic District of Marietta (301 Gilman Ave)
Sunday, September 30
Departure and route home are on your own
Friday’s ride to Marietta. Takes us on county roads and state highways through this very rural, undeveloped area lying south of New Philadelphia between I-77 and SR 800. The roads are mostly curvy, with some nice elevation changes, especially in the Wayne National Forest where we go up and over several ridges including a few switch backs and drop offs. It took me a while to locate suitable rest stops in the southern portion of this ride – it really is that sparsely populated. If you want to meet us at the rest stop in New Philadelphia, be there by 11 AM Friday.
gpx file for Friday’s ride to Marietta: 2024 Marietta Ride, Day 1
Saturday’s ride in West Virginia. Takes us on a mix of federal and state highways, and a few county roads, all of them paved and in good condition. This is a quintessential West Virginia route — twisties and sweepers through largely rural and undeveloped areas, with a fair amount of elevation change. I had been on some of these roads previously, but learned about others from MSTA routes developed by local riders who know the roads well. Some of the roads are lane and a half, or even single lane in places, with gravel roads and dual tracks leading off them to places unknown… We will have lunch at the Hometown Diner near Diana, an honest to goodness local spot with plain good food and the friendliest people you can find anywhere. Esther, a sweet lady whose husband passed earlier in the year, waited on me when I pre-rode the route, and she’ll be there when we show up on Saturday. She suggested I serve the water and iced tea to our group when we arrive. I think you will enjoy this ride. If you can’t make to the Marietta weekend, you owe it to yourself to ride this another time.
gpx file for Saturday’s ride In West Virginia: 2024 Marietta Ride, Day 2