G Bobs ATV Blog: May 2009

Since I went riding with the boys over Memorial Day weekend and Jo went horseback riding she decided I needed to take her riding today. We got a late start so we decided to make a short trip to Cold Knob and ride one of our favorite loops there.

We had a good rain last night so the air was cool and the dirt roads we traveled were free of dust. In fact at 4500 feet elevation I had to put my rain jacket on as it was a little too cool.

Recent rain storms had caused some of the streams to wash out. Nothing we were unable to get across.

If you have never seen the south branch of the Cherry River you are missing one of the most scenic areas in this region. I've lost track of how many times we have been here and I still enjoy the views each time we pass. I have seen many people fishing along the river so there must be trout in the stream.

We didnt try any new trails today but I was saddened to see they have added a log landing on Beckys Run trail so I assume they will be logging that hollow soon. We saw 5 or 6 deer and one lonely turkey. We passed three guys on sport quads looking for a lost buddy and a couple other riders on utility atvs. All in all it was a great day and we logged right at 50 miles in about 4 1/2 hours. Its time to renew our membership in the Clear Creek Rod and Gun Club so we have access to these areas to ride and after a day like today its easy to write the check.

You can find the rest of the pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/geebob/sets/72157619069576868/

Memorial Weekend was a great ride as some friends came down to southern WV from Ohio and Pennsylvania to partake the great atv riding in WV. Since they all stayed at South Charleston on friday night and I was to meet them at the Hatfield McCoy Bearwallow parking lot at 9 am I had to leave the house by 5 am saturday morning. I managed to get out on time and after a brief stop at hardees in Sophia for a bisquit I was on my way. Since there was no traffic on the road I found myself in the Bearwallow parking lot at 8 am. I tried to take a nap while waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive but the anticipation of the days ride left me to excited to grap a nap.

Saturdays Ride

Consisted of Ruger, his father Lenny and inlaw John, Full Throttle, Wacker, Midget and Zippy and long lost riding buddy Prairie Pounder. All I can say about saturdays ride was it was long and dusty. We had one mishap as Lenny hit a rock and knocked a huge hole in the sidewall of his right front tire. 7 tire plugs later we all held our breath as we continued down the trail. I think we were all surprised to see the plugs hold up the rest of the day.

Did mention it was dusty on Saturday? I rode drag some of the day and it wasnt uncommon to have to stay a couple hundred yards back or order to be able to see.

Silly moment of the day. Came across these two guys buried in a mudhole. It took two of our atvs to pull them out. Of course Full throttle had to give the mudhole a try and he was finally able to get thru it. After he made a couple runs at it and we were loaded up and ready to take off, these guys decided to jump back in. I hope they found someone else to pull them out :)

In the long run we got in over 70 miles. They headed to their hotel in Beckley and I came on home to a happy puppy and my own bed.

Sunday

Sunday found the same group of riders unloading across from the Sunoco on Rt19 at 9 am. Jim25901 from atvwv.com joined us. Even though Wacker and Ruger had the same gps tracks as me they allowed me the pleasure of leading the days ride.

Its been published that the Boy Scouts of America have purchased the bulk of the area known as Garden Grounds so it remains to be seen how much longer this area will be available to atv riding.

I was thrilled to find water in the mudholes and since many of the trails were in the woods they we not as dryed out and dusty as saturdays trails.

We werent long into the ride when we came across this turkey dusting itself in the road. Apparently it knew hunting season ended sat as it was in no hurry to leave.

Boys will be boys when it comes to mudholes and Sunday was no exception.

We made our way out to spy rock which has a great view of the new river. I hated to see all the trash that people have been leaving out there. Doesn't anyone have any respect anymore.