Ducati Monster Forum

Riding at west Virginia twisty for my first time .  Trailered four bikes from Ohio (4 hours).
(2 supermotto , 1 triumph s3 and 1 monster 620)
Omg, we wake up early  off for breakfast , immediately twisty.  No time to even get to relax to make it to breakfast 5 min away. Wow. Barkley area then rode to steam train at Cass.  Twisty all the way.  The other three riders were really fast whereas I at the banks pussy out and slow down :(.they had to wait for me according to them couple minutes at stops.  Very cold and extremely windy day.  It was weird watching wind blow leaves as you are in a corner.  Freaky n scary at first.  

Sunday -  another route shortly.


Is the whole state twisty. Wow.  It's insane

I spent a long weekend riding in the Marlington (We based in Marlington) and Cass area.  We had a GREAT time and explored some awesome roads and scenery.  A very large portion of WV is awesome riding.

Check this out - Look and you can see one of the dishes from the Greenbank Telescope array!
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Scenery/Dish01-1024.jpg)

JM

weeeeeeeeeeee

(http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/wv/wv3.gif)

Ahhhh....southeast WV. Simply sensational riding in every direction in that area. That direct vicinity is my home base for twisty riding as I own property at Snowshoe. Last weekend was epic with the flawless weather and near peak coloration of the trees. The Green Bank Observatory is a neat stop if you've never taken the tour.

I was out near Seneca Rocks today.  The weather was great, and the scenery was amazing! 

Epic twisty ride in W. Virgina.  Especially i think it was route 60.  OMG.  I can't wait to go back again.  We logged Sat and Sunday 500 miles.  One cop stopped us but let us go.  Other than that pure fun.  I need to go out there and practice and get better like other buddies.  They baby sat me.  I was behind about 1-2 minutes  but still I had a blast.

SADLY....   [bang]   :'(  :'( :'(
A good weekend just got ruined.  I am 20 miles away apt in columbus .  MY BELOVED DM620 That i love so much simply because it was my first real bike and I have now almost 52,000 miles on her

Fell from the trailer.  Not only that.  Jumped off from the trailer to the street.  F'n Columbus shitty bumpy ass roads.   The cables must have got lose after we unstrapped and dropped of one of the riders.  Checked the straps and it was fine but didn't hold.  Shitty trailer needs suspension.

I will take full stock of her later this week but initial inspection

Ducati performance Remus left side pipe cover is shot... (wonder if i can buy the cover alone)
1 CRG lever (brake) shorty broke off
Handle bar
Light ( Just had HID light custom done...  The bucket and bezel done)
Rear set (needs welding)
Speedy gauge looks out of place a bit
front fender scuffed only ( i think)
fork seems ok.. bit of scuff (i think )

Dont think there is major structural damage.  Frame slider did good job considering.

You can't understand how it feels to see that.  I love that bike and want to put more f'n miles on her.

Me and a buddy both on Monsters were in WV the third week of September.  It was a blast!  We stayed at Snowshoe as our homebase and there's twistys in every direction.  66, 33, 28 and 219, 250 were the highlights, but i wouldn't say there's a boring road out there at all.  We got rained on from the remnants of a tropical storm and it was really foggy in the mornings.  I didn't get all the riding in that I wanted to so I'm definitely going back next summer!

Ok, idea time.  What would any/every one say to the idea of doing group destination thing some time next summer?  Think Ducatis In The Rockies, but we could make this Ducati With The Hillbillies. 

Discuss.

I'm in.

Sounds intriguing...I live in Hampton Roads area so am definitely interested depending on dates.

I'm thinking the best plan would be picking a spot with good roads all around, renting a few cabins and do it over a long weekend.  That way there would be plenty of time to go out and venture through different areas, and if there are enough people, have groups of different skills/pace to keep things interesting for all.

B and I would definately be game.

We're looking into VW for our Columbus Day long weekend next year.

 [Dolph]

That's the best thing I read all day today!  I know some Toronto Monsters that would totally be down with that.

Snowshoe Resort's got all the amenities, it's at the top of the mountain - just getting there from the interstate I-79 is a ride in its own right.  It's a resort developed and operated by the same company as Whistler, so it's really good quality, definitely refined enough for any ducatisti.  there's many rooms in low rise lodges or cabins, there's restaurants and bars in the mountain top village, hot tubs, pools gym, etc..  There's also other activities like mountain biking, shooting, 4-wheeling.  Needless to say I had an awesome time riding and also when it was raining.

The summer's the off-season up there, so there was hardly any other visitors, no traffic on any  of the roads, no cops, no cagers, I'd literally see about a dozen cars the whole day.  And the resort had a special 4 nights for the price of 3.

I'm going back regardless.  I would love to meet other DMFers

Donzo

Ok, so a plan is starting to take shape.  I'll go ahead and say we should consider Snowshoe the location.  Now we just need to figure out a date.  Columbus Day has been mentioned already, but I'd almost like to get something in a littler earlier, while the days are still longer.  Any other thoughts?  What about July 4th,  or Labor Day?

Hellz yeah! I'll be following along on this one for sure. Also like the idea of varying group rides. When is Columbus day?

It just passed.

Ya, I had lunch at that little crossroads at Seneca Rocks.  It is really scenic.  We headed to Spruce Knob afterward, the highest point in WV which was a wicked ride through the trees.  Man, can't wait to get back there!

In for labor day.

Didn't you say yesterday that West Virginia made your butt hurt?

I'd most likely be in for a WVA ride provided I'm in town and not working. 

as a matter of fact I  did.  I guess you can TAKE IT , and I cannot.

After 3+ hrs at 85 to 100 I can take no more, you continue to take.

 [laugh] [laugh]

You stay on the seat too much.  Got to move around on that thing. 

Here is a clip that one of the riders took on his triumph s3.  I am last about 8 secs behind the 3 riders on the first stop where you see they waited.  Too bad I am not on any of the vids.  Darn.  The guy in front at the beginning was some rider (in group of 3) that just banged out on a str8 and passed us (four) and slowed down on the turn.  I guess we all then was like, it's on.   It was a a great section of rt 60.  This guys are fast and I can't keep them in sight, but still I had a great time.  You will hear the front guys talk some trash talking at the end... the usual .. about the guy

BTW, having scala rider blue tooth, the 3 of us except the front biker, we had a blast using it.  When our front rider was thinking of passing cars, we would all be  "he is thinking it.... he is thinking it.... "  or when didn't  we all be like "...he got got!"    Silly but a fun ride in general.

I know I will be back there next season if all variables hold good and keep on practicing.   [thumbsup]

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6259477510_dc5145499a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374145@N02/6259477510/)
2011-10-16 - 09-37-54 - West Virgina Twisty Ride - 43 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374145@N02/6259477510/#) by ab_duc620M2004 (http://www.flickr.com/people/35374145@N02/), on Flickr


(video taken by triumph rider)
Showing some love in West Virginia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tngVV-8fghM#)

Watching that video just made me think of something that irks me every time I head down there. As a seriously traveled man, WV mountain drivers are some of the most discourteous drivers out there. They will drive at 25 mph with a line of cars 15 deep behind them. Granted, everyone has a right to use the road but be polite to your fellow motorists. Steer that Rav4 to the right at one of the many pulloffs and allow others to be on their way at a more reasonable pace. It's not a huge issue on the bike as it has enough power to mangle the short straights where it's safe to pass. But in a car loaded down with 2 downhill mountain bikes, gear, food and luggage, there just isn't enough ooomph to pull off a pass. Stuck for 20 miles.   Anyways, group riding down here will surely run up onto lots of these snails and a premeditated game plan might be beneficial to keep the group tight and in formation.

Here are some shots of the gorgeous terrain.

Red Bull Rampage
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/21/1198143/77819_457238167381_609927381_6056498_1092404_o.jpg)

We both feel at home here.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/21/1198143/54526_457235262381_609927381_6056406_1540938_o.jpg)

Lean on me.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/21/1198143/51763_457398867381_609927381_6058081_3941359_o.jpg)

European invasion.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/21/1198143/51822_457238292381_609927381_6056502_3380955_o.jpg)

Always wanting to see what's around the next corner.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/21/1198143/52999_457238257381_609927381_6056501_5772911_o.jpg)

I will bond with the retardonator this weekend.It really is THAT different from what I have been riding. The 3 hour commute is killing me though.

In for next summer!
That is, of course, if this bunch of nonconformists can actually settle on a date.

Mike D, I can easily borrow a trailer if you want to skip 64. Might do that anyway as that'll let me bring more than one bike.

Labor day, I will be taking that friday OFF. Highly unusual.

I second.  I'm thinking that Labor Day will be the best time.  It's still warm enough, and the days are long enough.  Should be able to get in a couple of full day rides followed by BBQs at the hotel/camp site. 

Down!  [thumbsup] Grew up just a couple hours from there and worked all over WV for a couple years, so it's kinda feels like home to me. And FYI, DO NOT go to the strip clubs in that area. Mostly C-section scars and missing teeth.  [thumbsdown]

Actually rode the bike to VA 2 weeks ago to help a friend move. Had plans to go riding in WV while I was there, but the weather turned to shit the day after I got there.

Already starting to convince the wife she'd enjoy a holiday weekend more with me a few states away.

Bump for a good idea.
\
 Labor day weekend could be good as it would let those with longer rides have a chance to make it and not miss too much work. Anyone have a go to guy for a block of rooms?

I'm going to start looking into getting a block of rooms as soon as spring breaks.

If things work out, I maybe able to join.  Keep me in loop if possible when time comes.

Looks like this idea died.
Or is it just sleeping?
I say we wake it up, pour some coffee down its throat and get it moving!
Any takers?

I'm with you

I say meet up in Lewisburg the last weekend in August, August 24-26. Priceline shows 8 hotels in the area, and I'm leaning toward the Quality Inn.
If there's enough interest, I can call and see if we can get a group rate.

Canadian monsters here still interested in riding around hillbilly country.  Snowshoe Resort was really an awesome spot to make homebase.  Check it out. 

 I have lived in rural Appalachia all my life. The mountains of WV offer some great riding, as well as southeast Ohio, western Virginia, northeast Tennessee. I've crossed many of the roads mentioned in this forum. You'll find that late August to mid-Setember offers the best environment for riding in the area. Lower chance of precipitation, still plenty of daylight to ride in. I would chose Fayettville, WV. as a base. If the weather turns bad there is plenty of other activities to keep you entertained. Whitewater rafting, (Gauley season starts in Setember, considered the 2nd best in America) Zip-lines, mountain climbing. 3rd Saturday in October is "Bridge day" jump off the 900ft, New River Gorge bridge with your parachute. Ride safe "RacingJ" SEOhio.

I just got back from Beckley from doing the New River with ACE and they do have some great "other" activities well organized for your entertainment for sure!!!

Buehler??
 [cheeky]

Work sucks here...  Maybe as autumn comes on...