Took a little 3 day trip to West Virginia to do some riding and sight-seeing. Had a hotel in Summersville. We went to Summersville Lake and Dam, New River Gorge Bridge, and rode a good part of the Midland Trail. We planned to ride the Highland Highway through the Monongahela National Forest, but that got cut short by a mid-afternoon thunderstorm. Nothing like getting caught on unfamiliar mountain roads in the pouring rain.

Logged 1150 miles in three days. Did some good rides and saw some nice sights. But I must say that WV cage drivers are way over the top. Driving like maniacs on those mountain roads. Tailgaiting and passing on blind corners. Several times I got off the road just to keep from being plowed over.

A funny thing did happen when we were visiting the New River Gorge Bridge. When we were heading back to the bike there was a club that was there. Not gonna name the name but they were from New Jersey. I tried to be friendly but several of them just snubbed their noses and tried to strut around like they were bad-asses. I got a good chuckle from it.

Did also have a bit of a downer. About 15 minutes into the Midland trail we came across a bike accident that had just happend. A guy laid his Ultra down coming around an uphill sweep. Both him and his passenger were thrown from the bike and the bike skidded all the way across the road and hit a guard rail. We stopped to assist them with some first aide supplies. She had some bad road rash on her thigh and arm. She was wearing short. He wasn't so lucky. Broken wrist and collar bone. There was another guy already there at the scene assiting with traffic. Coincidentally we had just met him a half hour eariler at New River Gorge Harley. We all waited until the paramedics and police arrived and then moved his bike down the hill to a store where his brother was en route to pick it up.

All in all it was a nice trip. I do realize that riding mountain roads that are public roads are not as fun to ride as places like Skyline Drive where people actually pay to get in and enjoy the ride. Not driving like maniacs to get to the store. Wish we had a little more time to do some more riding. But there is always next time.

Here are a few pics:

Overlook on Rt 19 on the way down Friday


New River Gorge Bridge


New River


Summersville Lake


Summersville Dam from the bottom


Summersville Dam from the top


The other side of the Summersville Dam


Gauley River








The same overlook as the first pic. Taken this morning.


Sunrise in the mountains


This is what we hit on the way home today

 

My dad lives just north of Summerville in Cowen.Sure is some beautiful country there.

 

sounda like a blast. thanks for the pics

 

I went White Water Rafting down the New River and under the bridge a few years back. What a ride that was. I was scared shiitless several times. I'd like to be there when they release the water from the damn (LOL). Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

awesome pictures.. glad you guys had a good trip and made it home safe!


thought u were going to NC?

 

Looks like a great ride. Thnx for sharing the pics. I especially like the one of the bike sittin in the middle of the bridge.

 

Nice trip... Great pics.
When your in West Virgina you need to be careful. My Crazy cousin is loose in them Thar hills.....[8D]

 

Those pics of your lone bike are AWESOME!!!!! [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Looks like a nice place to putt to.

 

I've been through that area a number of times...

Beautiful country, and thanks for sharing those pictures.