BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I was just in the area this past weekend - actually across the state line in Terra Alta. I am still hunting for rides, so I'm interested to see what you find. I can highly recommend the 25-mile "Garrett's Greatest" or whatever it's called, which is found on the Garrett County gran fondo site. It has a couple of decent climbs, but is not savage like the other, longer rides on the site. The longer rides also have shortcuts back to the start/finish marked on the maps, which I believe avoid the climbing. You could maybe use some of those to string together a route.

There are also some rides listed here, though I can't vouch for them:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes?search%5Bstart_location%5D=terra+alta&search%5Bstart_distance%5D=25

Here's a site with info an WV trails and some maps, too.

The entire length of the Mon in WV has trails next to it. The sections I have ridden on were all paved.

There is a trail that is not yet official that goes from Point Marion, the confuence of teh Cheat and the Mon to the WV line. it's only a mile or two and is pin pretty good shape.

http://www.montrails.org/

http://www.montrails.org/images/trail_map.pdf

I think some -maybe all - of the "proposed trail" that goes from Point Marion to the GAP is ridable, but maybe not wonderful for skinny tires.

The Decker Creek trail goes off to the East from Morgantown. I think there would probably be a good way to make a circuit from Point Marion on the trails to Reedsville, then back by roads to the Cheat Lake trail.

Google won't let your route by the Cheat lake trail in their bike directions. But literature indicates that it is a crushed limestone path, so I'm guessing it's OK for bikes.

Since it's West Virginia,. if you leave the rail trails, you will have plenty of opportunity to whinge about elevation changes.

You might want to read up on some threads I've contributed to on super low gears. A few less teeth on your lowest chain ring can make all the difference for some people (although mostly for folks that are less athletic than you.)

Yeah, the feeling I am getting about road riding in Garrett Co is that it's going to be tough.

I ride a triple on my bike. I wouldn't give it up -- well maybe for a compact crank with a mountain cassette, lol.

http://www.highmountainsports.com/page.cfm/roadrides.html

@sarah_q I ride a triple on my bike. I wouldn't give it up

I gave up my triple with a 28-tooth small ring for one with a 22-tooth ring. Won't go back unless I move to teh flatlands.

But then, I'm slow. I mean, I'm slow swimming, but I'm REALLY slow on a bike.

mick, you might want to check out the new 2x10 mountain bike systems from sram and shimano. damn near the entire usable range of a mtb 3x10 system but with the simplicity and nicer shifting of a 2 ring crank.

cburch .. check out the new 2x10 mountain bike systems

Is the chain of "Clydesdale" strength?

I've never broken a chain, but I worry about it. The ACA touring bike FAQ says it's a valid concern.

i use a 10spd mtb chain and i am most definitely over 200lbs. like so many things you get what you pay for. the higher end chains have a significantly higher load capacity. also with sram or kmc chains its very easy to carry a few spare links and an extra power link if breakage is really a concern.

the fatter you are the more likely you are to break a chain. oh man. one more thing I have to worry about!

The riding out there is amazing. You won't be disappointed. I rode this loop last fall and loved it.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/153212

Big Run State Park and the Savage River Forest have some of the nicest, quietest roads I've ever been though.

Thanks for the route. It hits the fan at mile 53