| Author | Message | ||
     Okc99 |
I decided to play hookie for 2 days and go on a trip to SW Ohio. It's a region that us former Hoosiers never think about because we grew up so close to it. "It can't be that exciting because I've been to Columbus and it's flat!". After reading a few articles in RoadRunner Mag, I decided to give it a try because it was about the only direction from DC that I hadn't done a multi-day tour of. I paid the $5 on the RoadRunner website and downloaded the Shamrock tours of the region. Starting out this morning at 9am, I was not very impressed with the SW loop that was their Day 1 trip in the Mag. The article had talked about how this region is equally as challenging as anything in the Carolinas and I just didn't see it. They talked about blind hills everywhere (not blink turns, blind hill tops) and I didn't see that either. But then, about 15 miles into it, BAM! I almost hit a truck coming over a hill because there were zero indications of where this sucker (Rt 147) was taking me! The next 3 hrs where very, very impressive. The shear number of non-repeatable patterns in the curves and elevation changes kept you guessing constantly. It is very unlike WV regions like 250, because after a while you can tell how the curves are going to be. But here in SW Ohio, every mile is totally random. It's like this....imagine throwing a 50 miles piece of string over hills and dales. That's what it feels like. Kind of like you're driving along someone else's giant piece of spaghetti. The first stop was in a small town very akin to Mayberry, literally! I walked in and I think I got 5 hellos from every staff member (all elderly ladies obviously). I sat down and was immediately told that I will "just have to stay for some of grandma's homemade pie" Pronounced "pie-ah". I ordered a meal and I could hear my waitress telling the other ladies that I was from DC because she asked. Low and behold, 2 mins later some 65 yo old waitress woman came up to me and said, " I hear you're from DC, I have a grandson there, John Franken, he works at a funeral home there. Do you know him?" These questions are hilarious....of course I do! Dc...a city of 5 Million, how could I not? I hang out in funeral homes all the time! Ok, I made polite chit chat and parted ways, but not before getting multiple "you be safe now, you hear" from all 5 waitresses. Oh and the diner was like a church, tons of religious knicknaks and doilies (sp?). I almost bought the Jesus coasters to put my Corona on later tonight. Is that sacrilegious? Anyway, here are some pics. They really don't to this region justice because I don't have a wide angle lens and can really capture the spaghetti like nature of these roads, but it's very impressive and very blind! ***NOTE: pics too big and will have to upload later*** (Message edited by okc99 on May 06, 2010) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Can't wait to see the pics... | ||
| Trevd |
Anxious to see the pics... My buddy and I are actually thinking about heading there this summer. | ||
| Okc99 |
 Note quite a Texas style sweeper, but it gets the job done. (Message edited by okc99 on May 06, 2010) | ||
| Okc99 |
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| Okc99 |
It's hard to take shots that due these roads justice because you need an aerial view to see the true layout. These last 2 pics give you an idea of the more "tame" parts of the loop! Is it necessary to match the color of your bike? No, but I do believe it gets you in front of the line to Buell heaven. (Message edited by okc99 on May 06, 2010) | ||
| Paralegalpete |
Nice blue and nice roads, (Message edited by paralegalpete on May 07, 2010) | ||
| Sfarson |
Okc... Many years ago this area of Ohio was in my sales section. I know what you speaketh of. SE Ohio delivers some of the best twisting, winding, coiled roads in the country. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
WV BUELL RALLY 3rd weekend in August http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/ 509463.html?1273092150 | ||
| Hooper |
I was born and raised in Cincinnati and used to barnstorm those roads in my Maserati...er, Toyota...all through high school. I need to go home and do it on a bike (then go down into Kentucky bourbon country). Good shots, and good for you for getting out there. |
