Day 6: The Floyd Loop
It all begins with an idea.
June 2, 2024
182 Miles
Finding my bike almost tipped over on the center stand again the next morning, we left the hotel in Floyd under ominous skies. I went “gore-4” before we even left anticipating the rain. As we made our way north, we stopped at a coffee shop in Salem, VA - Mill Mountain Coffee - outside of the ones that I make, it is today the very best Americano I have had in my life.
More beautiful countryside and roads as we made our way to Stuart, VA to the Stagecoach Coffee - a very nice place I have visited more than once.
For a while, we gained the Blue Ridge Parkway with beautiful vistas, diverse plant life, and nice roads.
Coming back into Floyd early in the afternoon, I visited the cemetery outsides the Floyd Hotel. I remember at the time being really taken back by it. That evening, we had dinner at El Charro Mexican Grill - we all ordered the same meal. It was so funny to watch how each of us systematically took down the plate.
Day 5: Webster Springs, WV to Floyd, VA
It all begins with an idea.
June 1, 2024
229 Miles
Fully loaded, we left Websters Springs, WV behind. I’d like to come back and visit here again. We were headed south towards the Virginia border and Floyd, VA.
My field notes for the day are lost, but it was special riding on “pavement dirt” roads and nice state roads.
As we came into Floyd, I was immediately impressed. A very nice town that was thriving with tourism. At the hotel, freshly laid blacktop - the kickstand sunk right into it. After showers, we headed into town for food. Walking by The Floyd Country Store, we spotted some bluegrass. They were entering intermission, and they graciously let us in for the second half. A toe tappin’ experience that I will never forget.
Day 4: The Webster Springs Loop
It all begins with an idea.
May 31, 2024
229 Miles
I heard the pound on the door. It was the pound of a man who has been in command. It hits and sounds different. I shot out of bed. How can this happen! I’m sober, rested…I over slept. The crew was not pleased, but gracious enough for their standards. The only saving grace was that today, we would go unburdened on a day loop.
As we left Mineral Springs Motel, I was in the fog of just waking up, trying to keep up with them as they carved through the twisties out of Webster Springs - if I don’t die this morning, I would be shocked.
We at breakfast at a cafe not far from Webster Springs, then made miles to the Stone Tower Brews, a very nice coffee spot in the heart of Buckhannon, WV.
They day was filled with roads that you sensed were traveled only by the most local motorcyclists. Who would go down these? Wow, what they were missing! Our pace was engaging but not hair raising. Time to stop for photos, drink in the culture & views, and time for some short chats along the way - just the way I am liking it!
We broke off for some reason I cannot remember. It wasn’t bad or intentional, it just happened. As I entered Birch River, I took a sideroad and came screaming around a corner. Backing up and taking the entire road, a large hauling truck would have been my end if I hadn’t been fast on the brakes. ABS engaged, I came to a screaming halt. With my blood pressure through the roof, I elected to go to the hot dog stand. As the crew drove past, I explained the stop and they headed back to Webster Springs, me shortly behind them.
Another great evening in Webster Springs, relaxing along the river. Pure Magic!
Today, sadly, I took no photos except one. It’s not immediately clear to me why I didn’t over a year later. But so it goes.
Day 3: Romney, WV to Webster Springs, WV
It all begins with an idea.
May 30, 2024
237 Miles
Leaving the Koolwink Motel in Romney, WV, we stopped at the Romney Brew Station for early morning coffee. After weaving through beautiful country roads, almost out of a movie, we went to Green Bank Observatory - a special place worth visiting. After visiting the museum, I went to the gift shop and purchased an alien keychain for NCRoadToad, clipping it to his backpack where I believe it hangs to this day. Further down the road, we entered a beautiful river area, bridge, and Cass Scenic Railroad for lunch. A special place.
After a few planned lunch stops being closed, we continued onto the WV-150 Highland Scenic Highway - a real treat for riders.
As we flowed through nice twisties and exciting backroads, I realized very quickly - I’m in for something special!
Closing out the day in Webster Springs at the Mineral Springs Motel, we walked the town, found a nice little family owned diner (cheap, super cheap), visited the sulfer springs fountain and veterans memorial. After dinner, we talked to the owner of the motel - a man whose face was scared with a lifelong injury but who shined bright, overcame life-long adversity, and was a brilliant guide to our experience there.
This is the beauty of the road - meeting people like him. We talked about the formation of the town, how it was divided between the haves & the have nots, the train that brought weary travelers in on doctor recommended visits from Philly, how his mother & father (on different sides of the traintracks) met and fell in love, how the great floods have changed the rivers, how logs were floated down the river during high water levels, about Webster Springs decline and beginning of their rebirth in the early 20th century. A really special conversation.
Day 2: Athens, OH to Romney, WV
It all begins with an idea.
May 28, 2024
365 Miles
A really nice day of riding. The night before I had stayed in Athens, OH - a quaint college town on the river. Even though many parts of the west are much older than the east (e.g., Santa Fe, NM), it has a lot more old school character than out west.
I quickly entered West Virginia, again headed east. Team Strange required that I get more than one city in multiple states to maintain flexibility since I wouldn’t be out that way again. In many cases, I wasn’t sure what the future held or what states I would go to. So getting multiple gave me options, and that was important down the road. After a quick stop in Ellenboro, WV USPS, I had coffee at the local McDonalds, and some locals gave me recommendations for what to see in the area. While I knew that I couldn’t and wouldn’t, I was patient as they explained it to me. Nice folks.
My family (mother’s side) is from the mountains of West Virginia. This places feels strangely like coming home. The weirdest feeling.
From there, Anmoore, WV. As I approached the USPS, my front tire dove, sending me straight off the side of the bike. When I sold the bike, it still had the leather residue on the F900 from getting thrown off. Just as I ended my roll, the Anmoore Police Chief decided to pay me a visit. We had a great conversation. He talked about his son, and his experience on the force.
From there, Inwood, WV, where I could not gain access to the USPS sign to take a photo - strangest USPS setup I have ever seen (before or since). I went it, explained my situation, and they were excited to help! Very friendly folks that invited me to hang out that evening. Given we were headed to Romney for the official start of the trip, I declined.
Day 1: Indy, IN to Athens, OH
It all begins with an idea.
May 28, 2024
323 Miles
Leaving Greenwood, IN, I still felt very heavy from the dramatic humidity changes from the American Southwest. My primary objectives for the day were to complete Team Strange 2024 checkpoints, visit the home of my grandparents & childhood, and make my way east towards our initial Appalachia Tour 2024 rendezvous.
The highlight of the day was visiting a childhood favorite in Farmland, IN, where my grandparents spent their adult lives. Traveling through Indiana and Ohio country was nice, but a reminder of why I moved out west. I was eager to make my way to the mountains.
Departure & Trip Prep
May 23, 2024: Depart Arizona
May 25, 2024: Arrive Indiana
May 26, 2024: Prep Work Complete
We departed Arizona loaded with two bikes on a trailer: Royal Enfield Classic 350 and BMW F900 GSA. We made our way to Greenwood, Indiana to begin preparation of three bikes for the trip, including an additional Suzuki VStrom 650. With the Classic & F900, our primary prep was luggage systems, aftermarket hyperlites, and general readiness. However, with the VStrom 650, we got into it deep. Oil change, readjusted the throttle, installed lights on switched power (Baja S1), installed Garmin Zumo XT on switched power, brake pads & brake flush, air filter, and a redo of the cockpit.
Once complete, we started making individual preparations for seperate rides. The scheme of maneuver looked like this:
Christian would leave for Team Strange 2024, making his way as far east as Grantsville, Maryland to then join two of his riding companions in West Virginia for two full weeks with them.
TheOldSheppard would fly from New Mexico to Indianapolis, stay for a few days, then leave with Skipio on a shorter tour through Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
At the end of two weeks, we would meet together at Mountain View Motorcycle Campground near Elk Park, North Carolina.
