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Highway 43 Rides and Photos Post them here or they get lost... |
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#1
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West Virginia 43!
One of my goals a few months ago on the ill-fated Maryland 743 Ride was to venture out to Cheat Lake, WV to see if we could find WV 43. Unfortunately, we got lost, turned around, and dead-ended so many times that we ran short on daylight and hit PA 43 (which we knew existed) as a consolation prize.
But ever since then, I find myself looking at satellite pictures of WV 43. I knew it was there, and I knew I could find it if I looked hard enough. All I needed was time. Yesterday, I hit the road around 9am, and started winding my way north and west. I figured I'd head up to the mountains for a bit, then be back around 2 or 3. But as I got into the mountains, I figured I could keep pressing on, as there was some great riding past them. Next thing I knew, it was a little after noon and I was eating lunch 150 miles from home at the same Fox's Pizza we ate at at the intersection of 40 and 743 (there's still no sign). I wasn't positive, but I remembered that it was about 60 miles from there to Cheat Lake. WTH, I'm going for it. I hopped onto 68 and headed west. Got off at exit 10 and onto Fairchance Road, which runs parallel to 43. About a mile north of 68, and there's the end of 43......With a small section of new road open. I went up and back on it a few times, and found the closest to a sign as I could and snapped a picture. But I wanted more. There's 4 miles of road completed and closed off. There had to be some sort of access to it. So I kept heading north, across the PA border to try and go in that way. No dice. You can get on PA 43 heading north, but there are huge concrete barriers on both the on and of ramps for everything south of there. I got back on Fairchance Road and figured I'd try to take a side road over to 43. If you try this, watch out. Most of the roads between Fairchance and 43 turn to gravel as soon as you get on them. But not Morgan's Run Road. It takes you all the way to 43, and underneath a bridge. Then there's the freshly paved road that goes up the embankment. Up I went. The fresh pavement gives way to really, really old pavement that's narrow and has stuff growing through it. I kept creeping slowly forward, and it opened up a bit. I relaxed, came around a blind corner, and the road dropped down sharply (as it turned to gravel) into either a large puddle or a small pond. Luckily, I just put new brakes on the bike, and I've been doing my push ups and pull ups. I kept everything upright and got myself turned around. I parked, and hopped the fence protecting the virgin road. It's big, and it's clearly not going to be finished for a while. There's asphalt laid, but it hasn't gotten a topcoat yet, so if you did manage to actually get a bike to the road (and it'd probably have to be a dirt bike), the ride would be rough as all get-out. Oddly, all the overhead signs are up, as are some of the ground level ones, but there's nothing marking the road (no 43 sign) in the mile or so of it I walked. Anyway, it's there. I found it. I walked it. It's there. Whoo Hoo!
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You might be a king or a lowly street sweeper, but sooner or later you dance with the reaper. Make Doof Clenas Fun Again (MDCFA) Last edited by Killer of Bikes; 06-28-2009 at 07:43 AM. |
#2
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Congratulations.
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#3
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Above and beyond dude, way to go
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#4
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Look at all them 7s in that 43 sign. . . Well done sir!
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#5
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WELL done!
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Hi, my name is Chip, and I am a Poser. Frac Rat ~ Stimulator of Holes ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ From my Brother Don... I love his insight. Quote:
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#6
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Russ, you da man!
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mike 'Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.' - William Penn I want to live and ride free, unencumbered by all but God's love. '06' FLSTNI, $43 per gallon! |
#7
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That's good'un!!!
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#8
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Outstanding! Way to persevere and find the sign
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#9
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Nice bike. No wonder you wanna keep it.
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Dan '08 Ultra S&S SPO's |
#10
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Thank you, and yes. After I finished cleaning her up today, I sat and stared at her for a good 10 minutes.
__________________
You might be a king or a lowly street sweeper, but sooner or later you dance with the reaper. Make Doof Clenas Fun Again (MDCFA) |
#11
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Way to go Russ!
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Tom "Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."...Satchel Paige "Mother Nature may dictate I grow older but there ain't nothin' nor nobody can make me grow up." ..Me |
#12
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WHA???
...you mean they got a major road in WV that is NOT named after Robert Byrd... ...in-FUKKIN-creditible... |
#13
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen |
#14
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Damn Russ...ya didn't invite me!!!
Good job...
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John I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. ~James Madison, speech, Virginia Convention, 1788 |
#15
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It was a real spur-of-the-moment decision.
But I've already mapped out a route to Ohio 43.......It intersects with a 7 as well.........
__________________
You might be a king or a lowly street sweeper, but sooner or later you dance with the reaper. Make Doof Clenas Fun Again (MDCFA) |
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