Best cities & towns for motorcycle trip to WV. (Elkins: house, camping)

[TX Poppy]

I am planning a motorcycle trip from TX to WV this summer. My parents and grandparents lived in Thomas and I would like to visit Thomas and the surrounding area in July for 5 to 7 days. My plans are to stay in Elkins and to take day trips from there. I would like suggestions on inexpensive lodging and scenic rides within the state. I am open to suggestions.

[Silkdashocker]

Cool screen name, i call my dog Poppy sometimes.

I've hears the that ride from Elkins down to Marlington on route 55/219 is a really scenic one.

[BJC]

Ride from Thomas to Summersville using Rt 219 to Rt 250/US 33to Rt 119/20

This will take you through Parsons, around Elkins, into Buckhannon, down to Diana, on to Webster Spings, to Cowan then to Camden-on-Gauley (that sounds so nice) then to Craigsville, to Summersville. Get on Rt 19 South to see the New River Gorge Bridge.

Travel time 3.5 hrs

[David Kennedy]

If you can get to Thomas, you cannot make a single mistake in any direction...put Seneca Rocks on your wish list...

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by BJC

Ride from Thomas to Summersville using Rt 219 to Rt 250/US 33to Rt 119/20

This will take you through Parsons, around Elkins, into Buckhannon, down to Diana, on to Webster Spings, to Cowan then to Camden-on-Gauley (that sounds so nice) then to Craigsville, to Summersville. Get on Rt 19 South to see the New River Gorge Bridge.

Travel time 3.5 hrs

Let's make a loop out of that.

After you return to Summersville from seeing the New River Gorge Bridge, turn east on WV 39, which will take you to Richwood and then the Cranberry Wilderness. Stay on 39 to the Ranger Station near the Cranberry Bogs (Kennison Mountain), then turn north on WV-150, the Highlands Scenic Highway. This will eventually bring you back to US-219 near Slaty Fork, and then you can take 219 back in to Elkins.

[kookamus]

Stay at Hawks Nest Lodge if you can for a night. Nice place and remember the speed traps in the small towns.

[Two-Rivers]

Spruce Knob (highest point in WV), if you don't mind the dirt road.

[vec101]

What do you consider inexpensive lodging? How nice yet inexpensive do you want?

Elkins to Thomas, check out:
Elkins:
America's Best Value Inn (http://www.randolphcountywv.com/Lodging/americasbestvalueinn.htm - broken link)
Lodging (http://www.randolphcountywv.com/Lodging.htm - broken link)

About half-way between Elkins & Thomas/Canaan Valley
Alpine Springs Lodge (http://www.randolphcountywv.com/Lodging/AlpineSpringsLodge.htm - broken link)
http://www.randolphcountywv.com/Lodging/MountainRetreat.htm (broken link) or http://www.mt-retreat.com/

How about staying in greater Canaan Valley area (includes Thomas):
Lodging - Davis, West Virginia (http://www.canaanvalley.org/West-Virginia-Vacations/Davis-Lodging.html - broken link)
Lodging - Thomas, West Virginia (http://www.canaanvalley.org/West-Virginia-Vacations/Thomas-Lodging.html - broken link)
Lodging - Canaan Valley, West Virginia (http://www.canaanvalley.org/West-Virginia-Vacations/Canaan-Valley-Lodging.html - broken link)

The Purple Fiddle has rooms right next door in a house - convenient cuz can party at the fiddle then just walk next door, however not sure how nice and may be noisy.
Fiddler's Roost and Purple Fiddle Home Page

Another ride worth adding to your day trips - goto Snowshoe

[Blasey]

Adventure riders has a nice website for fellow cycle riders, although the site is mostly designed for on/off road and dual sport type bikes (like the Suzuki VStrom etc...) it has a lot of information about cycling WV as well as all the other states.

Southeast, The Lair of the Dragon - The Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains - ADVrider

Open Road Jounrney is also a nice site... it has some routes, pics, etc...
West Virginia Motorcycle Roads, Routes and Rides | OpenRoadJourney.com

Motorcycle Roads is also a nice site and could be helpful...
West Virginia Motorcycle Roads & Trips - Best West Virginia Motorcycle Rides & Routes

I;m sure there are more, just can't think of the others I use at the moment.

When you take the trip, keep a journal and take pics along the way - Love to see them.

by the way, if you stop Thomas, stop at the Purple Fiddle and see some of the entertainment. There is also a nice little resturant in Davis (Itailian/Pizza type place) that is really good.

Don't forget Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, possibly Dolly Sods and Seneca Rocks (as someone else mentioned), maybe even take a dip in Mt Storm (water temp runs in the 90's year round).

No mater what direction you go, you will enjoy the ride and the scenery!

My 14 year old Son and I took a nice trip last summer on the bike with just a couple of sleeping bags and a small tent and toured the entire area and camped at several of the back country camping areas. Had a great time. We also take the RV and stay in the same area and take side camping trips, everytime we go, we discover something different!

Enjoy!!!

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by Blasey

by the way, if you stop Thomas, stop at the Purple Fiddle and see some of the entertainment. There is also a nice little resturant in Davis (Itailian/Pizza type place) that is really good.

That little place in Davis is Sirianni's, great salads as well as pizza.