Chapter 485 Ride Journals


April 6, 2008 - Rick Hormell, Steve Morris, and I met at noon at the Sheetz in Sabraton. After gassing up, we decided to take Rt. 857 over to Rt. 73 south. We turned onto the Halleck Road to go thru a number of twisties and then took Rt. 119 south to the intersection of Rt. 50 near Grafton. Heading east on Rt. 50 we came into some nice twisties before coming to Cool Springs. Rick and Steve pretty much left me in their dust through those curves. Rick was scraping his floorboards on just about every curve. I heard mine scrape a couple of times and decided that since I had a cruiser, that was what I was gonna do...slow down and cruise through those turns. I'd catch up with them a little ways down the road.

A short distance past Cool Springs, we turned left onto Rt. 72 and rode it through the little town of Rowlesburg and along the Cheat River until we came to Rt. 7. Saw a number of rafters and kayakers on the river. Hope they stayed out of the water. Sure would have been a cold swim. We then headed west on Rt. 7 back to Morgantown.

The air was a little cool, and the day somewhat cloudy, but still a good day for a ride. All in all, I'd say we put close to 100 miles into this ride. Brad Headley, Second Officer.


Arden Run April 12, 2008 - 1PM meet time at Hardee's in Clarksburg. KSU at 1:15 Riders: Steve Morris-Morgantown, Bobby & Cindy Kern & Buddy-Clarksburg, Tom Wetzel-Clarksburg.

Cindy had a friend mention that there was a spaghetti dinner at a Church in Grafton so it was decided to travel Rt. 20/57 to Phillipi and then to Grafton.

First stop was Sheetz in Phillipi, and from there we went North on Rt. 250 to Rt. 38 to Rt. 92 in Nestorsville. We took a left onto ClemTown Rd which runs into Moatsville. The town is like a look back in time, all that was missing was a horse and buggy coming down the road. There are 7 roads leading out of the town with a large creek running thru it. Very picturesque setting. From there we traveled Clemtown road to Arden road and took a left up stream along the Tygart River.

We stopped at the "PARTY" rock to watch the kayakers shoot the falls. Buddy enjoyed the rock, as many of us did in our younger years, except we usually peed in the water and not ON the Rock.

We then headed across the "Blue Bridge" and north to Grafton. At the church, Cindy and Bobby met their friends that were hosting the dinner for the Humane Society and there we were treated to a great home made dinner with all the desert you could eat.

From the church we wanted to get Steve headed back toward Morgantown and traveled East Grafton Rd to the Cofax turn off. Nice to have a State Trooper for a Tailgunner , made Bobby a little nervous though. Colfax is another one of those towns that just don't match up with other towns, beautiful place. After a quick stop at Middletown Mall, Steve headed North and the Kern's and I took Rt. 73 to Saltwell Rd then Rt.19 and back to the barn.

No long runs, short stops with plenty to do. A great day for a 100 mile ride. Weather was great...I think I got burned. This is a ride you can do over and over and never get tired of it. Pictures of Arden....hummm sounds like a book. Tom Wetzel, First Officer.


Blackwater Falls Run April 27, 2008 - 10:40AM 6 bikes, 2 riders and Buddy depart Hardee's in Clarksburg. By the time we reached Nestorville 3 non member riders we met at Hardee's have joined us. With clear sky's in our vision, we left Hardee's with Blackwater Falls as our destination. Riding thru Quiet Dell not so quietly we showed our formation to be quite good. Parsons was to be our first stop for a short break, then we added jackets and gloves because the weather seemed to still be a winter breeze, not a summer breeze. We arrived at Black Water Falls only to find the power was off all over the area. We then went back to Parsons for lunch at Subway. We then headed toward Cool Springs for a COOL ride. Hung out at the Springs chatting with numerous riders enjoying the day. We then took 50 home. We had great straight stretches, some good twisties and a great day. Pictures can be seen here. Debbie Wetzel, Secretary.


Waynesburg, PA Ride May 25, 2008 - 9:30AM 4 bikes, Debbie, Rick, Steve, and myself depart Sabraton Sheetz in Morgantown and head to Hardee's in Clarksburg where we meet up with Bobby and Cindy. Bobby led us north on Rt. 19 thru Shinnston to Worthington where we picked up Rt. 218 north thru Farmington and Fairview on towards Blacksville and into Waynesburg, PA. After a stop for gasoline, I took a few "back roads" to Garard's Fort and to mine and Debbie's home where we rehydrated and took a short break. From there we headed back south along the Mon River to Two Rivers Marina and Campground where we had a great lunch. Hey... we're Southern Cruisers....we like to eat! We then rode thru Point Marion, PA and took Rt. 119 south to Morgantown and Westover where we picked up Rt. 19 once again and headed to Fairmont. In Fairmont we split up with Bobby and Cindy taking Rt. 19 south and Debbie, Rick, Steve, and I taking Rt. 73 back north to Morgantown. Debbie and I then headed back home to PA. Brad Headley, Second Officer.


Memorial Day Parade & Ride May 26, 2008 - Long day. Brad, Debbie, Rick, and Steve leave Morgantown to meet up with another group of rider's led by Bobby Kerns coming out of Clarksburg. We gather at the Mcdonald's parking lot at the junction of Rts. 119 and 50 just outside of Grafton. All together we had 13 bikes, 14 people, and one VIP mascot, Buddy. Bobby led us to our staging area near Front and Bridge streets. At 10AM we took up a position on the bridge overlooking the railway station to block traffic in one lane. At approx. 11AM, with a scorching sun beating down upon us, we finally began our trek thru Grafton. There was really a nice turnout of people for this parade and Chapter 485 really got a nice welcome from the crowd. I do believe that Buddy was the most popular rider though.

By the time we made it to the end of the parade, our bikes, and us, were on the verge of overheating. Cindy asked a nice young couple sitting on their front porch if we could park out bikes and our butts in their driveway to cool off for awhile. They graciously allowed us to fill their driveway and the ground under their shade tree with our machines and body's. After we left there, we took a trip to the new National Cemetary. From there it was lunch at McDonalds. Deb, Steve, and I headed home back up Rt. 119 north.

Bobby led the remaining members east on Rt. 50 to Cool Springs, then turned left onto Rt. 72 and rode along the Cheat River thru Rowlesburg toward Kingwood. At the intersection of Rt. 7 and Rt. 92 they took the Kingwood Pike on into Morgantown where they picked up Rt. 73 back south to Fairmont. From there it was Rt 19 south to home.

Pictures of the day can be seen by going to the Ride Pictures Page. Journal by Brad Headley, Second Officer and Bobby Kern, Road Captain.


Greenbriar River Retreat Weekend June 6, 7, & 8, 2008 - Friday morning. 9:00AM Debbie & I leave home in PA and head to Burger King in Morgantown to meet Rick, Steve, and Dave Thomas who is from the Monroeville, PA area. At 10:00AM the five of us head south to Tom & Debbie Wetzel's home. After a brief stop there, Steve leads us west of Rt. 50 to Ellenboro where we gas up and pick up Rt. 16 South. For those of you that really likes twisties, this road definitely has them. The temperature is starting to rise now so we really have to rehydrate. We next stop in a little place called Nebo in Clay County and guzzle down the liquids. We continue down Rt. 16 to Gaulley Bridge where we gas up again. Then it's on to Ansted for a bite to eat. Did I mention it was hot? Dang! Here we hop on the Midland Trail, Rt. 60 and head east to Rt. 12. About 5 miles beyond the town of Alderson is our weekend home on the river. Same place we stayed at last year in August. Check out the pics of the "cabin" on our photo page. It's now between 6 and 7PM and we are beat. Tom, Debbie, and Rick head to Lewisburg to pick up some supplies. A number of beers, BS, and Crown later and we all retire for the night.

Saturday morning. Steve has a couple of different routes planned for today. He and Dave will travel one route of approx. 270 miles and the rest of us take a shorter ride of about 170 miles. Dave & Steve head out early and we get on the road an hour or so later. Gonna be another scorcher....Rick Hormell is our road captain for the day. We head up Rt. 219 to Marlinton where we had lunch at a nice restaurant beside the river and then took Rt. 39 east into VA till we come to Rt. 42 south at Millboro. These roads are all nice with some slow, sweeping curves and some twisties also. The temps are somewhat cooler along the tree lined two lanes, although it is stll hot. We took Rt 60 west back to the cabin. Some of this section we had to climb onto Interstate 64 and the heat was almost unbearable. We stopped in Covington, VA for gas and the attendant was nice enough to allow us to come inside the station and cool down in the air conditioning. One bank thermometer in the town read 104 degrees. Did I mention it was hot? We were all pretty beat by this time so we jumped back on the bikes and headed back to the cabin. As we were going thru Lewisburg, it was still 99 degrees out. After a few hours rest at the cabin, we went back out for dinner at a local chinese buffet. Picked up some more beer and downed a few when we got back to the cabin. That's all she wrote for this day. We were exhausted, mainly from the heat.

Sunday morning. Home again, home again....Dave got up early and left a couple hours before we did. He as a couple extra hours of riding to do than we have. Steve lead us north on 219 till we came to the Highland Scenic Highway. This is just a nice 45mph ride along the top of the mountains. Some beautiful views up there. Not a long road and it rejoins Rt. 219 north of Marlinton. From here I take over road captain duties and lead us north to Huttonsville. We are supposed to meet up with a crew from the Gilmore County SCRC chapter at 2PM. We have a quick bite to eat and wait till 2:30 for the other group. Don't know if they were early and left or whether they were late and we left, but we had to get back on the road. We headed north to Elkins, then took Rt. 33 over to Rt. 92 north and stopped in Belington for gas. There Tom & Debbie parted company with us and they headed home via Phillipi while we continued north till we picked up Rt. 7 in Reedsville, then headed to Morgantown where Steve and Rick left the wagan train. Deb and I continued north from Morgantown back home to Garard's Fort, PA.

Great weekend, great people, great roads! Did I mention it was hot? Pictures can be seen here. Brad Headley, Second Officer.


July 6, Cabelas Ride - 8 Bikes met up at Hardees in Clarksburg. Members riding were Bobby, Cindy Kern, Steve Morris, James Krupia, Scott Tharp, George and Aaron. We also had 2 bikes join it Aaron's dad and Jason Whitehair. Aaron's girl friend rode with him. We left Hardees heading to Cabelas... Leaving Hardees, we turned right on Joyce Street. Turned left onto RT 50 West then turned off at the Wilsonburg Exit. Went over and picked up old rt 50 west to Gregory run road. Turned right onto it and rode over to Rt 20 turned left and rode through Wallace onto RT 7. Turned right and rode to Rt 2 in New Martinsville. Turned right then made a pit stop for a water, and potty break. Continued north on Rt 2 to Wheeling. There we turned right onto Rt 70 and on to Cabelas. We all walked around and looked at the stuff and got some good pics inside of some of the animals. Then we left there went straight across the road to Cracker Barrel where we had a great lunch. Then got back on the road. Heading east on Rt 70 to Washington PA. There we picked up I79 south. Rode to Mount Morris Pa. Stopping there to say our goodbyes to the Motown folks. Went to leave there and my shifter broke. Was able to get it shifted and on to Clarksburg. Steve and George left us at Motown, Aaron and his girlfriend left us at Fairmont. James, Scott along with me and Cindy came onto Clarksburg. It was a great day... Formation was the best I have seen. It was awesome. Did hit a little rain just south of Waynesburg Pa. It was getting black when we stopped at Mt Morris. However rest of the ride was dry. I really liked the ride, the company, and comradary we all shared. Thanks one and all for the awesome day. Bobby Kern, Road Captain

July 12, Route 40 Ride - Ten bikes, 14 riders met up at the BP Station in the Glenmark Shopping Plaza outside of Morgantown at 11am. Hope I don't leave anyone out, but on the ride were Bobby & Cindy Kern, Scott and Donna Byrd, Scott Tharp, PB Oliverio, Mike Lucci, Aaron Carr, Caitland Farley, George Calvert, Brittany Roscher, Rick Hormell, and Brad & Debbie Headley. KSU at approx. 11:15 after a brief preride meeting.

We headed up Rt. 119N to Pt. Marion, PA where just outside the little town we turned onto Rt. 166 and a few miles up that road we came to Friendship Hill, colonial home of Albert Gallatin, patriot, congressman, senator, secretary of state, and just all around good guy from the late 1700's.

After a tour of the home, we then backtracked and took Rt. 119 north again to Rt. 40 East to Ohiopyle State Park. Crowded place. Parking spots were few and far between but we finally found some. Spent approximately an hour along the Youghegheny River. Powerful, scenic river with rapids and waterfalls.

When we left there, it was getting close to mid-afternoon when we stopped at Glesin's Restaurant for lunch. Fine food, friendly waitresses, and reasonable prices were enough to fill our stomachs for the rest of the journey.

Since it was getting late in the day, we decided to continue east on Rt. 40 to Rt. 219 south. There at the junction of interstate 68, PB Oliverio and Mike Lucci split off and headed home on the four lane. The rest of us continued thru Accident, McHenry, Deep Creek, and into Oakland, MD where we stopped at the local Sheetz store to gas up.

From here we decided to take MD Rt. 39 west, and WV Rt. 7 into Terra Alta and head toward Kingwood. At the bottom of Caddell Mountain, the Clarksburg/Fairmont contingent took Rt. 72 over to Rt. 50 and on to their homes.

The Morgantown crew continued on Rt. 7 thru Kingwood and into Reedsville where George and Brittany headed home via the Kingwood Pike. Rick, Debbie H. and myself stayed on Rt.7 to Morgantown where Rick hopped off and Debbie H. and I returned to PA.

Great day, great weather, really great people on the ride. Thanks to Cindy, Aaron, and Caitland, pictures of the day can be seen by going to the Ride Pictures Page. Brad Headley, Second Officer


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