What I like about Mail Pouch

[Kumpel]

My first event with the HSTA, the MI contingent was the Mail Pouch. What a great group of people, lots of different bikes, lots of different riding interests, and we had a great time riding the local roads. Since then I have attended four, and each time the roads get more familiar and more fun, the fellowship greater, and the venue is not bad either.

See ya at the next one!

What brings you to the Mail Pouch?

[BlueRidgeGal]

I have heard nothing but good reports about the Mail Pouch event, therefore this year will be my first time attending and I am looking forward to it along with visiting many of the interesting sites around the area.

[stevegrab]

For years it was my CBR600F4 and now my VFR :D

Its the local Ohio event and I haven't missed one since joining the MSTA in 2000. I always look forward to the event, the roads are excellent, the friends are great, and the organizers and their staff do a great job. There's a reason it is one of the largest regional events.

Looking forward to another fun time down in SE Ohio (of course I get down that way on day rides occassionally but it isn't the same).

We've even started pulling in more people from the southern states (NC, VA, TN, GA) who have some great roads in their area.

[shil]

I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio but hadn’t ridden in Southeast Ohio ‘til last Fall. I will be back.
Hoping to make it to the Mail Pouch in August.

[stevegrab]

I lived in NE OH for a number of years (before riding) and just assumed that all of OH ws flat and boring, full of corn fields and the occassional curve and hill. As I got into riding and ventured further from home with fellow riders I was glad to find that we have some very good roads for motorcycling not far from home.

[OldButNotDead]

Born in Martins Ferry, OH. Went to school in Athens. Learned to ride on US250 from Tappan Lake to Elkins, WV. So running South of U.S 40, West of "the river", 'cross the Muskingum to Hocking Hills is like old home week. Only change I see is the condition of the roads back in the sixties and seventies was way better. For me, I run old routes from the days of a Honda 160 or 350 in my mind while I run the infinitely better hardware of today. Definitely a fun place to ride. NE WV from Marietta up to Morgantown and West to the river isn't bad either.

[stevegrab]

Born in Martins Ferry, OH. Went to school in Athens. Learned to ride on US250 from Tappan Lake to Elkins, WV. So running South of U.S 40, West of "the river", 'cross the Muskingum to Hocking Hills is like old home week. Only change I see is the condition of the roads back in the sixties and seventies was way better. For me, I run old routes from the days of a Honda 160 or 350 in my mind while I run the infinitely better hardware of today. Definitely a fun place to ride. NE WV from Marietta up to Morgantown and West to the river isn't bad either.

US250 is still nice, but has gotten too much traffic in a lot of areas. I still enjoy stretches of it and rode it recently coming back from the Fall Colors Ride. If you can deal with the traffic of Elkins, Fairmont and a few other places there's lots of nice twisty stuff in between.

[indypup]

What brings you to the Mail Pouch?

The ROADS! and good friends. ;)

[OldButNotDead]

US250 is still nice, but has gotten too much traffic in a lot of areas. I still enjoy stretches of it and rode it recently coming back from the Fall Colors Ride. If you can deal with the traffic of Elkins, Fairmont and a few other places there's lots of nice twisty stuff in between.
It's a bit far from Marietta, but 250 from Huttonsville to Churchville, Va is now in good shape and a great ride. You can hit the best parts of 33 E of Elkins, 250, and VA/WV39 in a series of loops with VA42 and 219 connecting them. Now that would be a LOOOOOOOOOng day, but it is doable.

[stevegrab]

One year at Mail Pouch we were riding near Sutton WV and my friend mentioned "that road over there, the scenic one near Snowshoe." I said, "Oh WV150, the Highlands Scenic Hwy?" And he said yeah, lets go over there. It was after 4PM when we got to the first lookout on the east end of the road. That was a long ride back, with lots of time running slab (50) and then some dark back roads arriving at the hotel rather late.

Since then I try to limit myself to more reasonable length rides.

[OldButNotDead]

One year at Mail Pouch we were riding near Sutton WV and my friend mentioned "that road over there, the scenic one near Snowshoe." I said, "Oh WV150, the Highlands Scenic Hwy?" And he said yeah, lets go over there. It was after 4PM when we got to the first lookout on the east end of the road. That was a long ride back, with lots of time running slab (50) and then some dark back roads arriving at the hotel rather late.

Since then I try to limit myself to more reasonable length rides. I love WV. Too bad we don't have an event in Canaan Valley or Marlinton during the long riding days of June or July.

[stevegrab]

We've done a few overnight or even 3 day rides down into the Bartow WV area. Used to stay at a nice motel there (the Hermitage) which has been closed a couple times in the last 5 years or so.

Agreed that it makes a nice destination, the Fall Color Ride event is nice, but the weather in late Sept / early October is a little dicey (especially for the long ride back to NE Ohio).

[brider]

I love WV. Too bad we don't have an event in Canaan Valley or Marlinton during the long riding days of June or July.

A group of us have ridden from the MPFB down to the Marlington area and back in time for the evening feed and tire kicking. It a fine day of twisties for sure. :D

[bldrman]

Your subject is so close to home that I've just gotta do a little stumping for Fall Colors here! As Steve knows, 150 is literally down the street from the Inn at Snowshoe. Rt. 250 out of Elkins is a nice run up 219 from the Inn. All of the above and much more is included in the six routes we have laid out with turn by turn directions or gps files. Come join us October 5th thru 7th for a memorable time! Syd:D

[CliffC]

I know it is a bit north of Snowshoe, but what kind of riding is there around Morgantown?

[OldButNotDead]

Cliff,
I'm sure there has to be something. All I remember of that area was trying to get through it to go somewhere else. West of there, South of there, NE and SE are some good roads, but to the best of my recollection, close to Morgantown, things got a bit congested.
Rod

[CliffC]

Cliff,
I'm sure there has to be something. All I remember of that area was trying to get through it to go somewhere else. West of there, South of there, NE and SE are some good roads, but to the best of my recollection, close to Morgantown, things got a bit congested.
Rod


Thanks, OBND. I too have passed through, but not stopped. Topography says that there is elevation changes from Morgntown, WVa to Hagerstown, MD so I would not think boring. But I have highjacked a good thread for a good event, so we will let it drift back to MPFB and Fall Colors comments. CC

[OldButNotDead]

Thanks, OBND. I too have passed through, but not stopped. Topography says that there is elevation changes from Morgntown, WVa to Hagerstown, MD so I would not think boring. But I have highjacked a good thread for a good event, so we will let it drift back to MPFB and Fall Colors comments. CC
Back in the "old days" (my words), "the day" (new modern speak), we would leave the Wheeling area and take 250 to 7 and go through Morgantown and pick up 7 on the other side running to Deep Creek Lake. It was a nice ride. There is a big jump in elevation from the Cheat River up to Cooper's Rocks (nice place to visit). If you drop down on US 50 there are some sweet sections there too.

[Denny]

What I like about this event is that the hotel is about 7 miles from my house.

That means I don't have to pay for a room. (c)

[RIDEMYST]

I like getting on gravel roads at this event! :$
Jay, you can chime in here. -JEP-

[BlueRidgeGal]

I like getting on gravel roads at this event! :$
Jay, you can chime in here. -JEP-

Jim ~ so will you be leading an off-road adventure at Mail Pouch this year? You seem to know where the best gravel roads are ... just kidding!

[VersysRider]

I like getting on gravel roads at this event! :$
Jay, you can chime in here. -JEP-
The gravel roads aren't so bad...The questionable bridges on said gravel roads are another story...

Note to self: Let big guy on ST1300 cross bridge first, then go across on Versys.

[RIDEMYST]

Jim ~ so will you be leading an off-road adventure at Mail Pouch this year? You seem to know where the best gravel roads are ... just kidding!
I will only take Duel Sport Goldwings on those roads from now on........and Jay that bridge didn't fall down when we crossed it! -JEP-

[VersysRider]

I will only take Duel Sport Goldwings on those roads from now on........and Jay that bridge didn't fall down when we crossed it! -JEP-
Convince Tina of that...she doesn't like bridges. Really, I don't think she noticed the bridge crossing, she was too worried about hearing banjos in the near vicinity.

[RIDEMYST]

I'll be glad to lead another ride.....(crickets making sounds)......^o) -JEP-

[RichGrab]

OK, I'm gonna jump in here. The MPFB is the only MSTA event I've gone to. Let me back up, I moved to NE Ohio in 2002 (from beautiful sunny Southern California) for family reasons. In 2007 after both my folks had passed my brother Steve invited me to go along with him and the NE Ohio guys to the Fly-By. Well, needless to say I went and was hooked. My problem since then was no bike, although I was a member of MSTA. In January 2012 I took delivery of a "new to me" 2001 VFR with very low mileage. I'm all geared up again and blazing the trails in Michigan where I moved in October 2007 for a job. SO, long story short I can't wait to attend again this year. I went in 2007 and haven't been to any other MSTA event (other than local club meetings and events and a ride or two.) I can't wait for those 3-4 glorious days of riding down to MPFB from NE Ohio, then riding around there, then back to NE Ohio. After that, the thought of slabbing home is not so appealing, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Thanks Steve, for introducing me to MSTA and the MPFB. See you soon, out on the open roads I hope.

[bcd]

Cool, glad you'll be there again this year!

[RichGrab]

Cool, glad you'll be there again this year!

Thanks Bryan. I am so jazzed to go. I am frothing at the mouth. And now I get word my tires (on order) not here till July 11th - and I'm planning on riding down for the AMA races at Mid-Ohio that weekend. Gonna be tight timing to get them mounted and scuffed in before leaving. But, "I think I can, I think I can."