Going to War (WVA that is)

Leaving southwest Va. my initial plans were to tour the state of West Virginia for a week but the forecast (4 days of rain) made it more of a weekend trip.



It was in the upper 50's so I stopped to put the liner in my jacket just outside of Meadows of Dan Va.

While replacing my liner this guy came out of the woods to pay me a visit.
Friendly as could be, I would have loved to take him along for the ride as it seems we were both enjoying the day.

I stopped here for lunch, just east of Hillsville Va. How would you like to have that view when you stepped out for a break?

I stopped for gas but the pump was out of order.

Hungry Mother State Park, just outside of Marion Va.

From Marion I'd pick up 16 north. A nice technical road with good views. Better bring your A game here.

Take it a couple times a year. Thanks for sharing pics.

More? nice pics.

At an overlook on 16 I ran into some riders who started BackOfTheDragon, a website dedicated to promoting the riding enjoyment provided by VA Route 16. They were extremely enthusiastic about getting the word out about 16. If fact they were hosting Yamaha and Can Am this day to help with 16's promotion.
I sort of have mixed emotions about this having ridden Deals Gap and 16. No doubt, 16 is a great road and anything that can help SW Va's economy I'm all for, but as I said above this is a very technical road with unforgiving shoulders, patched pavement and numerous decreasing radius turns. I see the potential for a lot of carnage if this becomes another Deals Gap. The good thing is the hospital is right down the road.

View from the overlook before you get to Tazewell Va.

Tazewell Va.

From Tazewell, I continued on 16 to Berwind Lake, just outside of War WVa. Backofthedragon may only be promoting the stretch of 16 between Marion and Tazewell but the road is just as rewarding as you head up into WVa.

Berwind Lake is a beautiful little lake that seems to be all but forgotten about minus the locals. At least they were the only folks utilizing it this 75 degree Saturday.

As nice as the Lake is, the campground appears to not get much usage. The office was closed so it was pay on the honor system. I had to let the water run for a while before I got to anything that resembled clear water. The park itself closes at dark and as it was, being the only camper, had it all to myself after 10pm.



I should probably invest in a smaller camp stove.

It was raining hard when I woke up (What's this, it was not supposed to rain until tomorrow) so not many pictures of coal country. I forgot to mention that Berwind Lake has no cell service so wifey must have been having a fit. I tried to check in in War in the am but no luck there either. A man saw me trying to call and stopped to let me use his phone.


Downtown War.

I stopped in Tazewell to let a thunderstorm pass.


If you think 16 is technical on a clear dry day, try it in the hard rain. So here I sit bitching about the weather. I guess It's all relative.

Glade spring post tornado.

I stopped at the New River State Park for lunch and made a mental note to return as the camping area looked very nice.



Even though the weather cut my planned trip short, I had a great 2 day ride, and who know's, if things clear later in the week I still might get the rest of my ride in.

Makes me homesick for my Hillbilly home! Nice pics and too bad it was cut short! Great riding in the WV hills.

Rode 16 in heavy rain storms last year on the way to Sparta for MSTA Tristar. Must say....at very LOW speed..LOL. One of my favorite roads anywhere. I enjoyed the return trip back north a few days later, when it was dry, a whole lot more. I hope that it does NOT become another gap. Haven't ridden any of it north of Tazewll, but guess I will have to try it now.

We went through War on the way to Party Boss's shindig last year. !6 is a great road in the dry with just enough gravel in the lanes center to keep you on full alert.



We were stopped in traffic in War. I asked these guys if their dog was a War Dog. They asked if I wanted to pet it.

Sign is a clue.



The north side of the mountains see very little sunlight.
Rocks fall off the hillsides into the road almost every day.


In the summer views mostly consist of a quick glimpse through the trees.
That shouldn't be a problem as you need to keep your eyes on the road.



There is an occasional straight section.

.

bk brkr

I'm almost sure I talked to the boy on the right in your picture when I was walking around Berwind lake. He stuck out because he kept taking his younger brothers pacifier and putting it in his mouth. His mother was like :ddog