Riding season continues here in the Mid-Atlantic, and yesterday I discovered a really terrific road...of course, others have mentioned this ride on motorcycling sites, but it was new to me. I set out West from Frederick, MD and made my way to Interstate 68, by way of the Sideling Hill cut. I stopped there to photograph the fall scenery:
As interstates go, 68 is quite pleasant, but normally I would ride old US 40 in that area. On this trip, however, I kept to the slab to save time, until I reached the exit for Flintstone...there I got on Black Valley Road, which heads north and crosses the state line, becoming PA 326.
326 is a nice ride...very scenic blend of farms and forests, with one section in the Buchanan State Forest that is quite wild indeed. The real treat came later, however. 326 is very narrow and has numerous blind curves and hills...and the road isn’t always in great shape, so while a beautiful ride, it’s not an ideal motorcycle road. I followed 326 all the way to its terminus, just east of Bedford, PA, and from there I took US 30 east to Everett.
The real fun began there...PA 26 south of Everett is a superb road...it starts off easy, rolling through still more farms and forests, but the road is in great condition, with nice sweeping turns and open sight-lines. As you get closer to the MD state line, it becomes more technical, but the road conditions remain first rate and generally you can keep the speed up. I have no pics from 26, because I was having so much fun, I didn’t want to stop.
Anyone else know this road? I highly recommend it.
Nice ride! I want to get up that way and see new roads, I'm a little bit south of you near Leesburg, VA. My usual circles are boring. I've been meaning to do that Rt40 route, all the way towards Deep Creek, then as you mentioned North to wherever!
I know the area...I like Halfway Rd. S of Middleburg, and Harmony Church isn’t bad. I’m sure you’ve also ridden US 50 west from Winchester...
If you want some good riding north of the river, try MD 550 between Libertytown and Highfield-Cascade...also Raven Rock Rd south to MD 77, which winds back east to Thurmont. Another good road is MD 17 between Brunswick and Smithsburg.
US 40 is great, especially out west of Hagerstown...
I know 26 up near State College, but I've never been on it very much south of that. I love 68. Might have to take a ride down 220 to Cumberland sometime, and then back up on 26. Thanks. Always looking for a new day ride!