Thursday May 4th
Around noontime, I was packed up and ready to head out. 2022 KLR650 Adventure ABS. I’ve had for 6 months, and 238 miles.
Stopped down at my dad’s house to check in on the boyfriend’s KLR…
It wasn’t ready to go on this adventure…
So off I go, and stop at G&R Tavern for a friend bologna sandwich. Yum!
Took all secondary roads for the ride down to Marietta… not a single interstate.
Finally pulled in the hotel parking lot 6 hours and 220 miles later. Phew.
Met up with friends and off to Wings Etc for dinner. Chicken bacon ranch wrap and fried pickles.
Then had a great time hanging out with everyone that evening. And thanks to Blind Squirrel for the moonshine! Tasty!
Friday May 5th
The next morning, I talked Crumpadump and his brother into trying out the adventure part of their bikes and following me on a route. Off we go along the Ohio River.
Then we meet up with a friend of mine from the area. He’s the one that actually set up and tested this route.
So off we go! And onto the gravel and backroads of southeast Ohio!
First stop, the Dunbar Piers. All that remains of a bridge built for a railroad in the 1860s, and abandoned in 1916.
And a natural stone bridge alongside the road.
Henry Covered Bridge, built in 1894.
We didn’t stop at the bridge, because this guy was about to pull out and continue on the road in front of us, and we didn’t want to deal with him. So, we kept moving.
Stopped at Root Covered Bridge, built in 1878.
Came across a railroad caboose!
Enjoying the backroads!
“Dry weather road”. That was fun! Gravelly and a steeper uphill!
Stopped for a little break, all different types of bikes!
Triumph Tiger 800. BMW GS 1250. Kawasaki KLR 650. KTM 1090.
Beautiful smelling pine trees!
Pulled off here, can just barely make out a smoke stack on the far left.
(picture taken earlier in the year)
Millfield Coal Mine Disaster in 1930.
Barry the leader!
Tolly and Corey!
Kidwell Covered Bridge, built in 1880.
Lunch at Sonic in Nelsonville.
Bacon cheeseburger, Tots, and a Strawberry Limeade.
We then hit a beautiful section of road! It was smooth, just winding enough, and beautiful trees!
Palos Covered Bridge, built in 1875.
Stop at Historic Kincaid Cave.
Beautiful bikes…
Sure am loving this KLR! THIS is what I wanted in an adventure bike!
Barkhurst Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1872.
Shin Covered Bridge, built in 1886.
Getting dirty, and loving every moment.
Harra Covered Bridge, built in 1875.
Bell Covered Bridge, built in 1888.
(and just last September the bypass was built around it)
Last stop was at the Barlow Fairgrounds
For the Mill Branch Covered Bridge, built in 1871. And moved to this site in 1980.
Water crossing leaving the parking lot!
Traveling back through Marietta… with a flurry of activities on the one street.
And was spotted by another adv friend from the area!
Pulling back into the hotel full of FJRs and various other motorcycles!
Super happy with how this bike did!
8 hours and 172 miles. Heck yeah!
Saturday May 6th
Heading out to the bike in the morning, and surrounded by FJRs!
Tolly has his rubber ducky ready for another adventure!
So off Corey, Tolly, and I go on another route Barry had laid out, although he was unable to join us today.
Finding some cool backroads!
And came across plenty of water crossings!
As our side road was popping back onto Rt 26, 2 FJRs passed in front of us...
And then we popped back onto another dirt road, and had a bit of an uphill slick section to tackle.
I thought it was going good, until I turn the corner and see a pickup truck coming down at us…
Luckily he pulled over, and made sure he knew there were 2 more riders behind me coming up the hill.
It was somewhat slick and bumpy, but full of adventure!!
I powered to the top of the hill and a flat section and didn’t have anyone behind me. Walked down the hill a bit and saw them passing the truck and making their way up the hill.
Awesome Rider #1… (Corey)
And Awesome Rider #2… (Tolly)
Back on some better roads, we were tooling right along.
More water crossings!
This one was big…
And deeper than I was expecting!
I’m just happy we all stayed on our wheels while going through the water on the concrete sections…
This one was cool.
Hune Covered Bridge, built in 1879.
We then went and took a break at the campground near the covered bridge.
Then down rt 26 to the Rinard Covered Bridge.
Which has some interesting history to it.
Smile!
Back onto the back roads we go, and find one that’s rutted pretty good. And downhill. Figured we go down it once, and good to go…
Until we come across a tree blocking the ENTIRE road. And couldn’t even make out a way around it for bikes.
So then back up that sketchy spot…
Stopped for a break at a Sports Club, that supposedly is open for lunch. But it wasn’t.
And this is why I like this bike. We can be tooling along on a paved road, and then see a gravel road and take it!
Heck yeah! I was having fun on the loose gravel going uphill.
Pretty road along a stream.
Luckily this concrete bridge/water crossing had the water running UNDER it…
More pretty roads
And ending the day with 122 miles in 5 ½ hours.
Horse decided to drive down Saturday evening to surprise and hangout with everyone. Dinner at Wings Etc with him, and oreo churros for dessert!
And he just so happened to bring the truck, a ramp, and some straps. Since the weather forecast wasn’t looking so great for Sunday… so we loaded the KLR up Saturday night.
Sunday May 7th
And luckily we did, because it was pouring Sunday morning! By the time we got up and down to breakfast, almost everyone had scattered. But we enjoyed breakfast with Tyler and Sonya.
And then we headed north. Nice and dry in the truck, and the KLR getting a bath in the back.
Decided to stop at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum in Pickerington. (just east of Columbus)
Being a life-member, I got in for free.
Saw a bike ridden by a Findlay local and Hall of Famer Steve Morehead.
And wow! Fewer than 15 gallons of gas for California to New York! 196 mpg!
And found the plaque for my grandpa on the memorial wall.
Because of him, I became an AMA life member the day I was born.
Dinner at Smokey Bones.
And stopped at Rural King on the way home, and I’m happy to follow him around because FREE POPCORN!
Unloaded the KLR when we got home- and he now has 750 miles on the odometer.
Spotwalla link
I’ve been through Ohio with a 
with no name, it felt good to get out of the 
…