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Post by Bob on Jul 3, 2008 15:35:39 GMT -5
Just returned from Hocking Hills and I have to tell you, what a beautiful area to ride. I was very surprised by the curves on the routes through the area. Some of them you can only ride around 15 mph or so.
The ride down was horrible though, left last Sunday and just below New Philly, it started to rain, by the time I hit New Comerstown it was a monsoon that wouldn't quit! I pulled off and went to the McDonald's to wait it out with other bikers and decided to ride Rt. 33 to 16 then down to Hocking Hills by Rt 13 & 664, luckily the rain stopped and the ride was enjoyable but the roads were still wet.
On the way home the ride was perfect, made sure to take Rt 664 and 13 back so I could really enjoy them.
There were many bikers in the local cabins and campgrounds in the area. Had a great time, I would recommend the trip to anyone that needs a getaway and is fairly close.
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jul 3, 2008 17:32:19 GMT -5
Hocking Hills has been a favorite of bikers for many years. I was surprised to read in a national magazine about riding in Hocking Hills. They loved it and gave good reviews.
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Post by tamarack on Jul 7, 2008 7:46:24 GMT -5
Wow! I've never been to that area before but we just spent a few days camping down there. I sure wish I had the bike and not the cage. Drove on 664, 364,668 and others. Definately going to make a trip down there on the bike!
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Post by Denny on Jul 26, 2008 15:53:06 GMT -5
If you get another chance to ride in H.H. area try a little road called Big Pine Road(County Rd 11).A really nice forest road with just enough turns to keep it interesting.It runs from 664 to Conkle's Hollow,it goes farther but that's the fun part.
Thompson Ridge road is another road a lot of riders mention.I've heard it called the little Blueridge,but I didn't see that when I rode it.I think I would reserve that nickname for 78 between Glouster and Ringgold.
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Post by Denny on Jul 29, 2008 13:57:47 GMT -5
Since I'm still loafing(not working) I decided to do some exploring in the Hocking Hills area,and since most of the back roads in this area aren't on a Rand McNally map I got out my DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer and headed south. The roads in this area come in two types-scenic or twisty.In the scenic category the best new-to-me road would have to be Clear Creek road.This road turns off of SR33 about three miles north of the SR180 turn off,just look for the Clear Creek metro park signs.The dominate feature of this road is the forest that engulfs you for nearly the entire length of the ride,but a couple really cool rock out croppings add a little spice here and there.Although the pavement takes a turn for the worst after the metro park the scenery sure doesn't,it's well worth putting up with the decline in pavement quality to stay on this road to Snortin' Ridge,where I turned south,or continue on Clear Creek a couple more miles to a couple Covered Bridges.BTW,Snortin' Ridge turns into Jack Run which takes you over to SR180 or a left on to Buena Vista which isn't bad either. In the twisty category the best new-to-me road would have to be the combination of SR678 and Kreaschbaum road.And to make this combination a MAJOR twist fest add the section of SR374 from SR180 to SR33 ;D.If you want to pick up this twisty combo it's probably best to do it from south to north since a couple turns are pretty tricky coming from the north.To get to Kreaschbaum road from SR33 go south on SR664 for about 5-6 miles,turn right on to Big Pine road(an excellent road itself) and continue on Big Pine for about 4miles,turn right on Kreaschbaum.Kreaschbaum will dead end into SR678,turn right onto 678 and continue to SR180.When you get to 180 turn left and continue for about a quarter of a mile and turn right onto SR374.When you descend the hill on 374 watch your step because there are a couple true 15 mph turns on that hill.Those big signs with the arrow on them aren't for show!
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Post by Bob on Jul 30, 2008 3:27:54 GMT -5
What a beautiful area it is. I am thinking of riding back down in a couple of weeks to explore the area some more myself.
Thank you all for the feedback.
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Post by breeze on Jul 30, 2008 18:07:20 GMT -5
OK... who let the secret out??? Nobody was supposed to know about these roads.....I guess i'm the lucky one. The wife and I spend the majority of our riding time in the "hills". As many times as we have ridden these roads, they are still a hoot every time we are there.
For those visiting the area, a few places to dine. First, Hocking Hills State Park; they have a large dinning room with a decent menu. We ususally do lunch there. They have a buffet, but too me, it doesn't look all that great. But, that's just me. They do have really good onion rings though. Second. Etta's....mmmmm You'll find this little jewel on Rt.56 in Starr. It's also know as the lunchbox cafe. They have great samitch's...The owners are really friendly and biker friendly as well.
I guess now that ya'll know about the "hills", i'll have to go back to Ky for some fun (hahaha).
Next time some of ya'll are heading down there, drop me a note. The wife and I are always riding somewhere in the area will be glad to share the sites and roads with ya...
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Post by Denny on Jul 31, 2008 10:52:59 GMT -5
Sorry breeze...I'm guilty as charged.I know exactly where you're coming from.I remember the first time that I saw Big Pine road listed on motorcycleroads.us-I thought,"d**n,that's not fair-THAT'S MY ROAD!"Oh well,it's still not heavily traveled and the money moving in and building log homes hurts it more than any added traffic from that website.I'm seriously afraid that since they built the Lancaster bypass,and the soon to be built Logan bypass, that it's just a matter of time until the beautiful Hocking forests,at least the privately owned ones, are decimated by McMansions. After visiting places like the Avenue of the Giants in California and Grand Teton in Wyoming I really appreciate the vision and philanthropy of men like Theodore Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller. Thanks for the heads-up about some good places to eat down there.I'll definitely give them a try. I'll get in touch with you about getting together for a ride sometime later this summer or fall.
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Post by breeze on Jul 31, 2008 15:06:13 GMT -5
Another biker regular for lunch is Jimbo's. If ya haven't done Jimbo's...do it next time your in the "hills". Jimbos is on rt.56 just west of the intersection of rt.56 and 664. It's a little pricey but not bad. A burger/fries and a soda will cost ya $8 bucks however, you wont need to eat the rest of the day i assure you. It's a big harley hang out as well but, CMH and HSTA string alot of rides thru there often as well.
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Post by Bob on Aug 1, 2008 3:01:38 GMT -5
The week of August 11 some friends of mine and myself may take a trip back down for a couple of days. Still trying to get final details worked out.
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Post by harleydon on Aug 3, 2008 20:52:30 GMT -5
Its been several years since I tried this area, and I havn't tried half the roads you guys are mentioning. It has to go back on my to-do list. The walking trails down there are worth seeing as well. I think I would like to take about a 3 or 4 day down there and just explore the roads and trails. Thanks for sharing this.
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Post by Denny on Sept 5, 2008 11:08:43 GMT -5
Anyone riding in the hills lately?
I went down again yesterday and rode around for a little bit.I went down primarily to ride Potters Ridge Rd(CR23) in Vinton county,but I also rode 56,374, Ilsboro-Ceder Falls Rd,Chapel Hill Rd and Harble-Garett Rd.I was a little disappointed with P.R. because it's a chip seal road-good chip seal,but still chip seal.The road its self is enticingly twisty,but that chip seal kept me questioning the traction.If this road had top quality pavement it would be a monster...in the same league as SR536.
It's been awhile since I've been on 56 and I forgot just how nice this road is...great scenery and freshly paved.Chapel Hill Rd,which connects with 56,also has new pavement.
Ilsboro-Ceder Falls Rd is new to me and one pleasant surprise.This road runs from SR93 at the village of Ilsboro to SR374 near the Ceder Falls park.It's one of those beautiful sweeping forest roads that the Hocking Hills are know for.I can't wait until the leaves change colors because all of these roads will be picture perfect in the fall.
Anyone want to get together for a leaf peeking ride in about a month?
P.S. There appears to have been a lot of love going around in the hills this year...I saw eight fawns yesterday...five in one group,all sporting a new coat of white spots.Very nice! I also saw one of the nicest bucks I've seen in a long while.He looked to be a twelve to fourteen pointer with a large open rack.I was going down Big Pine Rd and I just saw his hind quarters as he jumped down into a creek bed,as I went by I looked in that direction and he was looking back at me with that big rack held high.I remember involuntarily saying,"WOW" when I first saw him.He was that nice!Good luck in the coming months big guy. One last comment on the wildlife front...be on the look out for wild turkey...I've seen(and narrowly avoided)dozens this fall,especially on the northern end of SR374.
I love these hills!
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