No Water Crossings, But...

rh2yadv · 03-11-2013, 08:29 AM

This Saturday, fellow ADV'er falcn, and I decided to go investigate the northernmost portion of the Trans-WV-Trail. Of course, we decided that getting there would be half the fun, and so I plotted a course from our meeting point in Imperial, PA, to the intersection of the TWVT with Route 22, via county roads and state parks. The temperature was in the 20's in the morning, so we trailered our bikes to our meetup point in hopes it would warm up some by the time we got there, which, thankfully, it did.

The plan was to ride out to the intersection of the TWVT and 22, then ride north to the northern terminus in Chester, WV.

I rode my XR400, and falcn was on his DR250SE. I loaded up the route files into my Garmin Oregon 450, and off we went, after a brief stop at DiStefano's Cycle in Imperial to jump start falcn's DR.

This was my first time with the Oregon, and the first time following a track on a GPS (instead of the more familiar turn-by-turn directions in the car). We missed a few turns on the way, but it becomes pretty obvious you are off course only about 30 seconds after you go past the turn off.

Anyway, one wrong turn led to an interesting crossing -- we popped up out of the woods and there was a big open field, with a giant stop sign and a warning sign below it:

DANGER: YOU ARE CROSSING AN ACTIVE RUNWAY

Yup, the county road goes right across the airstrip!

falcn has some photos of this, perhaps he can post up.

After getting back on the right track, we continued along the trail, and ended up in Chester WV, for a lunch that could not be beat, at Connie's Corner.

At that point, we could have taken the "easy" route back Rt 30 to Imperial, but decided we hadn't had enough fun yet, so instead we retraced our trail back the way we came. It was about 1h45m each way. Along the way back home, we stopped off in the Hillman State Park, looking for an R/C airplane airport that was mentioned on a sign we passed, but we couldn't find it once inside the park. The park roads were pretty greasy mud, too.

All in all, a very fun Saturday morning and afternoon, especially so after a LONG winter here in Pittsburgh.

Here's a highlight reel of the trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI41JumQmMU

Russ

SquirrelyGrl · 03-11-2013, 09:22 AM

What?!

Across a runway? Where's the pics?

Did you take any? Or just the vid?

falcn · 03-11-2013, 10:12 AM

It's a little airport - so the runway is not that impressive. Go to 12:00 minutes in the video to see the runway crossing.

I have a couple pictures I need to upload to my Photobucket account before I can post them.

rh2yadv · 03-11-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquirrelyGrl

What?!

Across a runway? Where's the pics?

Did you take any? Or just the vid?

Here's the overhead photo. You can see, Herron Road runs right across the runway:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=herro...ius=15000&z=16

falcn · 03-11-2013, 07:31 PM

Here are the photos from the ride - didn't stop much to snap pictures.

Ice hanging in the morning was much more impressive than the melt I took a photo of on the way home:

WATCH OUT!!

Piper cub with oversized tires. Might be a clip-wing model too. In the background you can see a little military spotter plane.

I think I need to put the stock fender back on and just buy a fender brace!

Russ's XR400 with Dual Sport kit.

rh2yadv · 03-11-2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcn

Here are the photos from the ride - didn't stop much to snap pictures.

Falcn, thanks for posting up the photos! We'll have to do this again sometime.

falcn · 03-12-2013, 10:13 AM

How was the bottom of your bike so clean after the ride!?

It was fun - shame we had such a short ride since the sun isn't up for long yet. I want to hit Caledonia Pike one of these days on the DS bikes, maybe trailer out and camp near the Benezette Store.

rh2yadv · 03-12-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcn

How was the bottom of your bike so clean after the ride!?

It was fun - shame we had such a short ride since the sun isn't up for long yet. I want to hit Caledonia Pike one of these days on the DS bikes, maybe trailer out and camp near the Benezette Store.

Must have been keeping the front wheel in the air?

Heh, I have no idea. Gave the bike a good wash on Sunday.

Keep me in the loop for a Caledonia Pike run. Also want to see Michaux State Forest some day, too.

Sent from my Nook Tablet using Tapatalk 2

03-11-2013, 08:29 AM	#1
rh2yadv ^OP Ow! Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, Pothole Capital of the USA Oddometer: 32	No Water Crossings, But... This Saturday, fellow ADV'er falcn, and I decided to go investigate the northernmost portion of the Trans-WV-Trail. Of course, we decided that getting there would be half the fun, and so I plotted a course from our meeting point in Imperial, PA, to the intersection of the TWVT with Route 22, via county roads and state parks. The temperature was in the 20's in the morning, so we trailered our bikes to our meetup point in hopes it would warm up some by the time we got there, which, thankfully, it did. The plan was to ride out to the intersection of the TWVT and 22, then ride north to the northern terminus in Chester, WV. I rode my XR400, and falcn was on his DR250SE. I loaded up the route files into my Garmin Oregon 450, and off we went, after a brief stop at DiStefano's Cycle in Imperial to jump start falcn's DR. This was my first time with the Oregon, and the first time following a track on a GPS (instead of the more familiar turn-by-turn directions in the car). We missed a few turns on the way, but it becomes pretty obvious you are off course only about 30 seconds after you go past the turn off. Anyway, one wrong turn led to an interesting crossing -- we popped up out of the woods and there was a big open field, with a giant stop sign and a warning sign below it: DANGER: YOU ARE CROSSING AN ACTIVE RUNWAY Yup, the county road goes right across the airstrip! falcn has some photos of this, perhaps he can post up. After getting back on the right track, we continued along the trail, and ended up in Chester WV, for a lunch that could not be beat, at Connie's Corner. At that point, we could have taken the "easy" route back Rt 30 to Imperial, but decided we hadn't had enough fun yet, so instead we retraced our trail back the way we came. It was about 1h45m each way. Along the way back home, we stopped off in the Hillman State Park, looking for an R/C airplane airport that was mentioned on a sign we passed, but we couldn't find it once inside the park. The park roads were pretty greasy mud, too. All in all, a very fun Saturday morning and afternoon, especially so after a LONG winter here in Pittsburgh. Here's a highlight reel of the trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI41JumQmMU Russ __________________ I've never met a motorcycle I didn't like.

03-11-2013, 09:22 AM	#2
SquirrelyGrl Squirrely Girl Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Victoria Secret green pj's of Ponies & Puppies Oddometer: 673	What?! Across a runway? Where's the pics? Did you take any? Or just the vid? __________________ "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything" SuckerPunch

03-11-2013, 10:12 AM	#3
falcn Squidless Soul Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Oddometer: 126	It's a little airport - so the runway is not that impressive. Go to 12:00 minutes in the video to see the runway crossing. I have a couple pictures I need to upload to my Photobucket account before I can post them. __________________ 1994 Ducati E900 (Elefant) 1993 DR250SE YXR100 - race bike (YSR with XR100 motor)

03-11-2013, 07:31 PM	#5
falcn Squidless Soul Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Oddometer: 126	Here are the photos from the ride - didn't stop much to snap pictures. Ice hanging in the morning was much more impressive than the melt I took a photo of on the way home: WATCH OUT!! Piper cub with oversized tires. Might be a clip-wing model too. In the background you can see a little military spotter plane. I think I need to put the stock fender back on and just buy a fender brace! Russ's XR400 with Dual Sport kit. __________________ 1994 Ducati E900 (Elefant) 1993 DR250SE YXR100 - race bike (YSR with XR100 motor)

03-12-2013, 10:13 AM	#7
falcn Squidless Soul Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Oddometer: 126	How was the bottom of your bike so clean after the ride!? It was fun - shame we had such a short ride since the sun isn't up for long yet. I want to hit Caledonia Pike one of these days on the DS bikes, maybe trailer out and camp near the Benezette Store. __________________ 1994 Ducati E900 (Elefant) 1993 DR250SE YXR100 - race bike (YSR with XR100 motor)

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