We have spent so much of the summer working on a fixer upper house that riding has had to take a back seat to more pressing projects. The house has been a challenge but my good riding buddy Kim and I are slowly turning the tide on what was a very neglected but potentially beautiful home. Will have to write about it some time.
I deliver motorcycle training courses for the state of West Virginia’s motorcycle safety program. Seems most of my recent riding has been on range bikes during training. Today was a day to get the DR out for a little stretch. The temperature today eased its’ way up close to 60 and the sky was dry and blue.
The ride started on top of one of the ridges near Charleston. I coasted down hill and rolled into the town of Marmet. I turned away from the Kanawha River in the Lens Creek Road. Lens Creek Road follows Lens Creek slightly uphill into the wooded hills. Our route turns right on Four Mile Hollow Road. Four Mile Hollow turns to gravel as it enters the State Forest. FMH is a narrow one lane that climbs steadily into the forest. The road sees very little traffic and today the smells and colors were just great, exactly what a mid October day in the Appalachians should be.
Climbing Lens Creek Hollow
There are many gravel roads through the forest but I transitioned back on to pavement at the Kanawha State Forest Drive. Another narrow road about one and a half lanes wide. The Drive eventually widened into two lanes and took me into the camp grounds. Even though the weather has been warm and sunny, only few sites were being used. The Kanawha State Forest was a CCC project and the campgrounds reflect the design layout of the era. That is the sites are smallish and close to the road. Nevertheless they are beautiful and spotless.
Leaving the campgrounds, I continued down the ‘ Forest Drive past Dunlop and Polly Hollows and rode alongside Davis Creek for a bit.
I continued down the Drive until I passed the park offices. This dropped me out in the town (gathering of a few houses?) of Loudendale.
I found myself riding alongside Davis Creek again until I turned right on Connell Road. Connell climbed and wound its way up a steep ridge. I wandered around a bit looking for a familiar land mark to get my bearings. Eventually I stumbled on to a road I thought I recognized.
From there I felt my way around until I found the road back to my own ridge.
Just a short 45 mile poke and a very needed break from “home” work. It is amazing how a little time on my bike will always make me feel so refreshed!
Here are a couple more photos of the forest. Thanks for riding along with me!
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