SR555 Ohio's Tail of the dragon

[vw151]

No  ,........ makes my mouth water  .

Thanks Joe for the response.

Dolph....

The big thing to watch for is gravel.   It was good that day but you never know with 555. 

[DoubleEagle]

Is 78 a good jumping on point ?

Dolph     

[velocipede]

Yes indeed, it is.  I actually did just that yesterday...took 78 W to 555 south to 7, then 555 back North to 37.  78 is a great road, too, particularly in that specific region.  I just put new rear shocks on my GT, and a new chain, and MAN, IT WAS FREAKIN' AWESOME!  Beyooootiful day out, hardly anyone on the road, and the ride just "clicked"...what was going to be a two-hour ride home ended up a 5-hour joyride...had a guy riding 2-up on a sport tourer give me  as I came around a corner in what I felt was decent form...probably just saying hi, but I took it as appreciation of my awesome riding form   .

[twolanefun]

I hate to be a PITA but you do realize this forum is open to anyone who wants to drop by. And beyond that others who are part of the forum could spread this beyond our cirlces. I also assume you know how the Dragon has been destroyed by too much enthusiasm within the two wheeled community and those who have abused it. I get over to SE Ohio about 4-5 times a year, 555 is not my favorite road over there, there are better ones, but it's in my top 10 and I'd like to keep it that way. Too much publicity, might lead to abuse by those who do not have the respect I assume most here have for great roads. So I'm suggesting a statement like it's a great road, send me a PM if you wnat to know more might keep this jewel of a road from becoming the LEO mecca that Deals Gap has become. Thanks for listening - Gene

[DoubleEagle]

There's certainly merit in that last post.

It would be nice to keep it a secret among just us " riders."

Don't want any unwanted "eyes " to start looking !

Dolph     

[Stick]

Of course, we first heard about SR555 in an article in the AMA Magazine! 

[ab]

I do agree to an extent with the posters concern but then the route is already posted in many places as good route for bikers...  


I tell you what though, my monster 620 sucks out in this routes when I compare it to my Triumph s3.  The truth hurts.

[vw151]

I hate to be a PITA but you do realize this forum is open to anyone who wants to drop by. And beyond that others who are part of the forum could spread this beyond our cirlces. I also assume you know how the Dragon has been destroyed by too much enthusiasm within the two wheeled community and those who have abused it. I get over to SE Ohio about 4-5 times a year, 555 is not my favorite road over there, there are better ones, but it's in my top 10 and I'd like to keep it that way. Too much publicity, might lead to abuse by those who do not have the respect I assume most here have for great roads. So I'm suggesting a statement like it's a great road, send me a PM if you wnat to know more might keep this jewel of a road from becoming the LEO mecca that Deals Gap has become. Thanks for listening - Gene

Seriously dude.  We are on the ducati monster forum.  You want us to just keep all these good roads a secrect so just us cool kids can ride them.  Come on.  Lighten up.  555 is not going to turn into a tourist mecca but if it did who cares.  You are right there are a ton of good roads in that area.  555 just tends to get the recognition. 

[vw151]

Is 78 a good jumping on point ?

Dolph     

The best part of 555 is when you turn south off of 78 so yes it's a good point to get on 555.   We actually started a little north of there in these videos.   

Personally East of 555 I actually like 78 better.  There are some really really good parts on 78 and it's generally cleaner and better pavement.   That and it has a giant shovel on it left over from Big Muskie and what's not to like about that! 

These pics are from last year when it was a little colder.   I was in full race leathers in the videos.  Not that anyone really care's what I'm wearing I  hope.

[velocipede]

Nice Pics....I've never stopped by the Big Muskee Bucket, but I pass the sign often visiting my in-laws.
As far as not mentioning roads in that area...I've wondered about that myself, and go back and forth between 1)Not wanting to ruin good roads with overexposure, and 2) Thinking that more riders would actually be a good thing, as it would probably stimulate the economy in an area that really needs it, and might actually result in better kept roads.  I've often thought, in fact, that the state should promote the area to riders, as a way of promoting tourism.  But, of course, I like the lack of  and the generally squid-free experience (Harley guys a-plenty, but they're generally actually pretty friendly). 

[vw151]

Nice Pics....I've never stopped by the Big Muskee Bucket, but I pass the sign often visiting my in-laws.
As far as not mentioning roads in that area...I've wondered about that myself, and go back and forth between 1)Not wanting to ruin good roads with overexposure, and 2) Thinking that more riders would actually be a good thing, as it would probably stimulate the economy in an area that really needs it, and might actually result in better kept roads.  I've often thought, in fact, that the state should promote the area to riders, as a way of promoting tourism.  But, of course, I like the lack of   and the generally squid-free experience (Harley guys a-plenty, but they're generally actually pretty friendly).  

I have a couple of things to say about this topic.   Not picking on one in particular.    

1. Deals gap is a totally different location which actually happens to be near by a pretty established tourist trap of an area.

2. Tail of the dragon is really the only road that has been ruined down there if you want to call it that.  Personally a ton of dudes on motorbikes gathering together to ride is kinda cool to me.   Squids do suck but it just comes with the sport bike territory.

3.  The thought that our posts on this model specific bike forum is going to cause rural SE OH to explode with motorcycle tourism is completely ridiculous.  555 has been mentioned in "best roads" lists for years, the location simply is not attractive for tourism.  There aren't mountains, there isn't much in terms of towns, there is just the Ohio River, Marietta and some fields.   It's not going to blow up and even if it did there is still hundreds of miles of other roads around that area that are as good or better than 555.  Much like tail of the dragon where it's a good road but there are tons of roads surrounding it that are also awesome.  

Honestly to think we should keep this stuff private while we are on a motorcycle forum is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard and completely goes against the idea of a forum.    

[velocipede]

It's not going to blow up and even if it did there is still hundreds of miles of other roads around that area

Yeah, I think anyone who's been to the area would agree with that.  Deal's has enough critical mass from other attractions that motorcycling is just part of the crowd source.  Personally, I rode down there (TN & SC) this summer for the first time and had a blast, and never really felt like it was "spoiled", but I've read comments from locals that seem to indicate it's not so fun when insanely hot weather isn't keeping most people away.  And, let's face it, the Ohio economy needs a boost, and the SE corner of the state has been long-suffering through the loss/downturn of coal and other industries, The small amount of tourist $$ they get from campers, hikers, etc could be greatly increased with an influx of pirates, power rangers, and euro-bike weenies  spending their money in restaurants, hotels, and cheesy leather shops. And, as a bonus, if ever does get to be a popular area, we could all pregnant dog and complain about how much better it was before all these new-school posers "ruined it" for us "real bikers"...[old man voice] I mean, I used to ride from Marietta to Zanesville on one wheel, the whole time, with no cops at all! Those were the days! [/old man voice]
That being said, it's also nice to have the road to yourself  [moto]

[zooom]

Honestly to think we should keep this stuff private while we are on a motorcycle forum is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard and completely goes against the idea of a forum.     

well...that is Gene's ( twolanefun ) general viewpoint...he views alot of the roads and routes he knows ( and he does know ALOT of roads and routes ) as HIS and therefore is not very generally sharing of them (at least publicly) unless he views said person as a trustable and/or known person...I know he rides a lot of miles every year ( last I checked he rides between 20 and 30 thousand miles a year)...I know when I rode to Indy in '08, he gave me some great route advice on the way out to Lancaster...some people just have their way of thinking and doing things and are not as open to change or other viewpoints and get set in their ways....seems to happen moreso with age, but still...that is just how he is...and I know he isn't exactly alone...but I would moreso agree that the internet as a general tool, with forums and all, makes access to all information much easier and more attainable....if not by someone personally directing you, then by a GPS or mapping program...and by that route and means...nothing is sacred.

[jetpuff716]

I have a couple of things to say about this topic.   Not picking on one in particular.    

Honestly to think we should keep this stuff private while we are on a motorcycle forum is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard and completely goes against the idea of a forum.    

Well, I think Gene's right, SR555 will soon be ruined and forums like this one will be the cause.  I would recommend following Gene's advice and avoid posts about specific roads and routes.  But, rather share them more discretely than in an open forum. 

Hardly anyone knew of U.S. Route 129 until the early '90s when Snavely began publishing news letters and got Deal's Gap mentioned in Rider Magazine.  As a result motorcycle riding increased dramatically at the Dragon.  And just think that that was well before the current level of proliferation of the internet and enthusiast forums like this one.  Estimates are that the number of motorcycles and sports cars on U.S. Route 129 almost doubles each year.  And common sense would tell you it's not because of any other nearby attractions. 

So, the more and more publicity this and other forums give to great roads, the more likely they will gain in popularity, and popularity isn't limted to the responsible riders.  The unintended consequence will be more attention of law enforcement.  So just keep spreading the word and soon there won't be hidden gems of roads left.  Cheers!
 

[DoubleEagle]

The best part of 555 is when you turn south off of 78 so yes it's a good point to get on 555.   We actually started a little north of there in these videos.   

Personally East of 555 I actually like 78 better.  There are some really really good parts on 78 and it's generally cleaner and better pavement.   That and it has a giant shovel on it left over from Big Muskie and what's not to like about that! 

These pics are from last year when it was a little colder.   I was in full race leathers in the videos.  Not that anyone really care's what I'm wearing I  hope.

I've ridden over to the " Shovel  " a couple of times ......and yes 78 is a very good ride !

Stopped in McConnelsville just across the little bridge and ate at the Boat House over looking the River.

Dolph