Marietta Weekend Ride – October 6-8, 2023

[WGingerichParticipant]

Plans are shaping up nicely for the Marietta Weekend Ride, October 6-8. The only thing left to do is order up the weather – I got this wrong last year and I promise to do better this year.

Elaine and I pre-drove the routes last weekend, and I am totally psyched. I borrowed some roads from MSTA routes that were developed by local riders who know the roads, and boy do they ever! About half of the roads are small back country roads with hills and twisties aplenty, lots of tree canopy, and outstanding asphalt. West Virginia makes the drilling companies (all over the place!) repair and resurface the small roads they use, and much of our ride will take advantage of these roads. The roads are small – lane and a half in places, little or no shoulder, decreasing radius and off-camber curves, limited sight distances, and few guard rails. The main route (TECHNICAL) has one 10 mile section of fairly rough, patched asphalt, and another 5 mile section of gravel, so I’ve developed an alternate route (PAVED) that avoids these sections. Any bike can do the two rougher sections – it’s just a matter of whether you want to ride the rougher roads.

Hotel:
Microtel at 506 Pike St, Marietta. Expedia shows 10+ rooms still available as of Sept 9.

Friday
Departure: Bob Evans, Macedonia (266 Highland Rd), 10 AM, October 6 — come early for breakfast
Rest Stop: 11:15 at Marathon on US 250 in Uhrichsville (102 W McCauley Dr)
Lunch: Gulla’s in Bellaire, OH, a no-frills Italian eatery in the family for 4 generations
Dinner: on your own but a group usually goes to Las Trancas Mexican Restaurant next door

Saturday
Departure: 9 AM from Microtel Lobby
Lunch: Moonie’s Restaurant, West Union, WV
Dinner: 6 PM, Boat House BBQ in Marietta old town (218 Virginia St)

Sunday
Return is on your own – if you’re not tired of twisties and would like a good route home I suggest SR 676 west to SR 555 north to Zanesville

Friday GPS Route:  2023 Marietta Day 1

Saturday GPS Routes: 2023 WV Route TECHNICAL    2023 WV Route PAVED

 

Morris Ridge Road, Monroe Co, OH

 

Big Flint Road, Tyler Co, WV

 

Big Run Road, Tyler Co, WV

 

Boat House BBQ, Marietta, OH

[Tim SmithParticipant]

This sounds like it’s going to be a blast! Im in!

[John AdamskiParticipant]

Sounds like a great trip, I’ll call the hotel & get a room. John

 

[Author]

Posts