Wife decided that we are going there in july , for a week. Any experience on where to stay , eat , what to see ? We both love the mountains and small towns . Would like a log cabin or any type of rustic , country type place to stay .THANKS

 

My GF and I have the same agenda as you're asking here. Been watching for a post like this for a while and seen yours today. Last summer, 3 guys and I rode on Ohio's Route 536. IMHO, A lot better than Tail of the Dragon. Spent the night at Lafayette Hotel (Downtown Marietta) known to have ghosts in there. Spooked my buddy at the similar sounds of his grandma's last breath in the hotel room while he was resting on bed, LOL. We planned on riding the Windy 9 roads, but the weather forecast spelled rain for the next 2 days and hampered our plans.


However, We'll head down at the spur of the moment when there's hot and dry spell weather for several days.


Anyone ???.


Thorey

 

I would check airbnb or vrbo. I have used these many times to find a nice place to stay. Used it last year in Marietta, nice house within walking distance to restaurants and shops when you get back after riding. Also like having shared common space to relax.

 

I want to go down that area for a four day weekend, go around Marietta and Parkersburg. Parkersbug has some civil war stuff around town. One of the churches split during the civil war. Half were for slavery and the other half was not. Both beautiful churches.

My problem is, my wife would never do on a bike. Car; yes. Bike; hell no!!

 

I went to college in Athens, just an awesome area. If you are looking for relaxing check out Hocking Hills, a ton to do in the area and plenty of nice cabin setups. Just confirm they are biker friendly, many are built on a hill with gravel roads leading to them, which is not ideal.
While in the area stop at a little biker bar called Jimbo’s in South Bloomingville, Oh. It’s super cool with a bunch of history and right in the heart of some great riding.
Next head toward 78, 56, 555, 526, 26.... and the list goes on. Enjoy the area!

 

Nelsonville, OH (13 miles NW of Athens) Great riding around Hocking Hills, JimBo's Burgers and Beer, 23356 State Route 56. South Bloomingville, Ohio 43152 great biker burgers and beer. Log cabins to rent around that area

http://www.hockinghillsmaps.com

 

Google Maps, Athens, OH to Morganville, OH. Go one way and return the other.

http://athensohio.com/category/wheretostay/cabins/

 

When is the best warm and dry spell in Athens Ohio area?

 

Not much more to add, nice relaxing area to ride. Another different place to eat, that is along the river in WV, is Hillbilly Hotdogs.

 

If anyone is ever interested in riding the Athens / Southeast Ohio region just let me know if I can help. We live about 45 minutes from Athens and of course 90% of our riding is regional.

Rt 32 is a great rural 4 lane with very few trucks, running from Cincinnati to Athens. Very few traffic lights in 120 miles.

Rt 50 comes in from the west through Hillsboro, Chillicothe and McArthur...through Athens...and on to Parkersburg and then into WV and VA.

Rt 33 comes into Athens from Columbus and Lancaster. You can ride it south to Pomeroy and visit this rivertown which is quaint and historic. Eat at the Wild Horse Café which is a definite biker stop-in.

Rt 33 continues south (really more east) through big hills and eventually crosses the Ohio River near Ravenswood. You can pick up I-77 there and ride north to Parkersburg/Marietta or south to Charleston.

Almost anywhere you go will offer lots of twisty and scenic state routes winding through farmland and hills. There are a lot of great rides along the Ohio River from Wheeling, WV all the way to Cincinnati.

If scenic 2 lane roads are your thing, you can ride the river road which follows the Muskingum River from Zanesville to Marietta. The mileage is about 60+ but you'll need more than an hour. There are nice stops such as Duncan Falls Lock & Dam, Rokeby Lock, McConnelsville, Stockport (old mill, lock & dam), and eventually the very historic and scenic town of Marietta.

If real twisties are your thing you can ride OH-550 from Marietta to Bartlett, or 555 (The Triple Nickel) from Little Hocking to Bartlett. From Bartlett you can stay on 550 back to US-33 and Athens, or you can take 555 its entire length north to Zanesville.

Lots more places and ideas......