Thinking of heading to WV from Indy for a 8 day ride.... suggestions of where to go, where to ride, and what to see... in general thinking of George Washington national forest, Jefferson nat'l forest, Monongahela natl forest, blue ridge pkwy.....but don't know much about the area....any suggestions.....

 

not a fan for interstates but I-77 is a fun road through West Va. Best stretch of interstate iv'e been on. Have a safe trip and enjoy!

 

I've ridden US-35 S from Ohio into WV, I-64E into Charleston, and I-77S through Bluefield into Virginia. As already mentioned, as far as highways go, that stretch from Charleston south through Bluefield was just awesome. Huge sweeping turns, plenty of scenic views. And tolls. It'll cost you $6 one-way inbetween Charleston and Bluefield, $2 at each of three toll plazas. But the views made it one of the most pleasant trips of interstate I've ridden.

 

We have some great riding here in WV. I think I would come across US 35 to Chillicothe, OH then pick up US 50 to Parkersburg. Take Rt. 47 to Weston and pick up US 33 to Elkins.
I would leave Elkins on 219/250 south, from there you could decide whether you wanted to follow 250 to Staunton, VA and hit the BRP or stay on 219 and head through some of the best scenery the state has to offer. Cass scenic railroad is in the area as well as Snowshoe Mountain ski resort. Scenic route 150 loops off 219 and goes through the Cranberry Wilderness, you ride the spine of the mountain and the views are pretty good.
Take 55/39 over to Summersville then on down to New River Gorge area. Make sure to ride Rt. 60 from Hico back towards Gauley Bridge. Head to Beckley and take in the exhibition coal mine and don't forget about the whitewater rafting in the Summersville/Fayetville/Beckley area.
You could then pick up 16 out of Beckley south to US 52 and ride 52 back towards Huntington through the heart of the Billion dollar coal field.
There are a lot of great roads to ride and venturing away from any of the ones I mentioned will usually still land you in some great riding but they may not have much in the way of amenities along the way. Just get on Google maps and look for the squiggly lines.

Buna

 

You could also stay on US33 out of Elkins and head to the Seneca Rocks area then take 28 south and that would take you by the Greenbank Radio Observatory and then on down to Cass Scenic Railroad/Snowshoe area. I like the railroad, ride up the mountain on the old steam locomotives. They have two trips, one halfway to the top and the other all the way to Bald ****. Just be prepared for cooler weather on the mountain and if it's hazy stick with the half trip.

Buna

 

Beckley area has alot of nice riding all around the new river gorge area and babcock state park and hawks nest etc and summersville lake.
here are some pics from our trip down there
heres all the pics http://s667.photobucket.com/albums/v...rip/?start=all
here are cpl of the neat ones

 

If you get up central PA way check out the oldest brewery in America "Yuengling"

 

I'm in Ohio and just went to WV a couple weeks ago. One of my
favorite weekend States. Took 50 to Parkersburg, picked up 47,
33 to Seneca Rocks. Rooms were booked and my regular motel
closed. Went north on 28, plenty of lodging that way. Next day
headed south on 28, turned onto Smoke Hole Rd. followed it to
220, headed south to 33, took 33 over to Skyline/BlueRidge. Went
south to 250 back to WV. The only part I didn't like was going
through Waynesboro. 219 back to Elkins, 33 to 35 home. Alot
of variations available. 2 1/2 day ride, 900 miles, priceless.

Jim

 

Good advice in the previous posts.

Smoke Hole Rd off 28 is fun. It was a gravel road up until about 8 or 9 years ago. Pretty much the whole area of eastern WV and western VA is nice riding. The main east west roads 50, 33, 250, and 39 are enjoyable. North south on 28, 220 and 42 are nice also. Then just connect them by riding on the little gray roads on the map. Most of the 600 numbered county roads in the Shenandoah Valley area of VA are enjoyable.

 

Gauley Bridge- speed trap and DOT helmets enforced. Fayetteville- speed trap. Summersville- speed trap. Most other areas are reasonable. Lots of good riding on the routes mentioned above.