Planning Trip threw Northern PA

[forrest11479]

I am planning a trip threw northern PA between route 80 and 86 and we are looking for suggestions on roads to take both paved and unpaved. We are riding tiger 800 and multistrada's with 80/20 tires so we don't want any crazy trails but gravel and unpaved roads are good as well as anything scenic or twisty roads in the area. Our start point is long island we will then head toward lake erie circling to the south and returning threw buffalo. Thank you for your help with any road along the route.

[wingnut11]

When I was out that way a few years ago I took 6 from Warren to Lantz corners then down 219 to Johnsonburg, then I cut over to St. Marys and took 120 from there to Lock Haven. I'd probably do it a little different if I was to go there again, but it was one of the best riding days on that trip even though I got stung in the face twice not long after leaving Warren.

[jkm]

Rt 555 seems like it would be a good bike road too. The State Elk herd is along that route if that sort of thing interests you...

[forrest11479]

Can you stop and watch the Elk like in a state park ? Or was this a warning that they might me crossing the road and we should go slow? We do like wild life and historic sites? so any suggestion of stops along the way including brewery's are welcome.

[Grinnin]

I go to Ohio at least twice a year.

U.S. 6 is nice nearly all the way from the eastern end to Youngsville. I've never used the far western part. Some parts are more curvy and some have been "improved" to near straightness. Still it's a balance (for me) of entertaining and efficient.

South of that are several shorter roads including 2-lane and 1.5-lane roads that can be strung together. 706, 414, 120, 555, . . . . You'll notice that my route trends south as I go west so it's not ideal for you. It's also not ideal for my GPS and I have to stop often to convince it to help me instead of leading me astray. The connections between these roads are sometimes tricky enough to make a GPS worthwhile. Sometimes the connections are straight-forward and any state map will do.

In general PA has some very nice roads and the northern part has little enough population to let a motorcycle move right along. I fall back on using 6 when I want to just move along, but I have had lots of fun half lost.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by forrest11479

I am planning a trip threw northern PA .

Do tell us, how far did you throw Northern PA ?

[forrest11479]

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

Do tell us, how far did you throw Northern PA ?

only a few feet it was heavy.

[backroadbob.com]

Route 6 doesn't even make my Top Ten list.
My Top Ten paved roads in ascending order are: 662/143, 223, 192/477, 321, 872, 87/487, 287, 144, 120/555, and 125.
PA 120 between Lock Haven and St. Marys may be the longest, most scenic ride in the state as it follows the Susquehanna River's West Branch ending in St. Marys where you can tour Straub Brewery.


My Top Ten Off-Pavement roads in ascending order are: Wild Boy Road, Caledonia Pike, Marshall's Farm Road, Keating-Pottersdale Road, Fork Hill Road, Cedar Mtn. Rd., Montour Rd., Jerry's Run Rd., Mill Run Rd., and Hoover Road.

See if you can incorporate any of these into your trip.

The DS routes are extensively covered in my Dual Sporting PA CD and Amazon book and the road routes are extensively covered in my Cruisin' America CD and Amazon book.

Happy Motoring!

[jkm]

Can you stop and watch the Elk like in a state park ? Or was this a warning that they might me crossing the road and we should go slow?

You can watch them. There are 'viewing areas', or you can strike out on your own and find them. Evening tends to be the best time. There's a beautiful Elk Center with displays etc.
And yes, they can cross the roads too.

[max384]

Originally Posted by forrest11479

Can you stop and watch the Elk like in a state park ? Or was this a warning that they might me crossing the road and we should go slow? We do like wild life and historic sites? so any suggestion of stops along the way including brewery's are welcome.

jkm beat me to it. That was going to be my first suggestion. Make sure you travel through the town of Benezette. That's also where the Elk County visitors center is and several elk viewing sites. I went through there for the first time a couple of months ago. I was amazed at how many elk there were, and they were all just meandering through the town in people's back yards. Route 555 is good... Except you've got to keep your speeds slow because the elk do end up in the road. I've also heard that in the summer stupid tourists stopping on the road to take pictures can be quite a road hazard as well.

Route 339 from Mifflinville down to Mahanoy City is a spectacular road, full of hairpin turns and chicanes. It's just south of I-80 though. The road literally starts right off the highway (well, the good part of it starts there anyhow). It's not a long ride, but definitely worth it IMO. Road quality varies along the road.

Route 42 is also a fun road. It's not as technical as 339, but still pretty good. Honestly, it's hard not to find a good road in northern PA!