Ohio's Route 555

[hschisler]

shadowofshoe (Mike from Hilliard, OH) and some others recently discussed Route 555 in southern Ohio. My wife and I rode about 20 miles of this 58 mile beast today, with a friend on his GL1800. All I have to say is: You win. I give up. UNCLE!

This road will wring you out, with enough twisties and blind summits to satisfy the toughest rider. I want to go back now and ride the entire length, but this time one-up. Mrs. hschisler concurs; she says it's not a lot of fun looking at the back of my helmet on a road like this, with constant turns, drops, and loops; she says she's usually looking the wrong way when I enter a turn.

A road like this also makes one want to have a lighter bike. :o I did, however, get to practice the usual advice to keep the LT in a lower gear and use the higher RPMs. :cool:

I have attached a bird's-eye view of the route FYI to help you find it. It's SE of Columbus, and runs from Washington, OH on the Ohio River, northwest to Portersville, OH -- about 30 minutes from my front door.

Finally: Mike, you were right on target when you called for a regional gathering of folks to ride this route. Maybe I can make it next time you go that way. Just give me a week's notice so I can rest up!

[ironbuttwannabe]

Yes it is an awesome road. I rode it on Saturday night. Got down there just in time to get done before dark. Also rode on a fun rode Route 78 from McConnelsville to Highway 77. Never rode with a 1800, but 1500's have no chance of keeping up with an LT. Some people said i should go into motorcycle racing. If it wasn't for owning a farm i would seriously consider it. Next year i hope to have a Suzuki Vstrom to take on the twisties, also then i won't have to ride my LT from farm to farm.

[bowlesj]

Alright, you guys got me. Next time I come up to Columbus I'm going to make time to come through Parkersburg and do this 555. Besides that being my old racing number the Ohio guys on advrider talk about it all the time.

Have to see once and for all if there really is a lengthy rode in Ohio to compete with these WNC roads!

See ya then,

[hschisler]

Alright, you guys got me. Next time I come up to Columbus I'm going to make time to come through Parkersburg and do this 555. Besides that being my old racing number the Ohio guys on advrider talk about it all the time.

Have to see once and for all if there really is a lengthy rode in Ohio to compete with these WNC roads!

See ya then,My work here is done. :rolleyes:

[bowlesj]

My work here is done. :rolleyes:

Go to bed Howard:rotf:

[hschisler]

More info on Route 555:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally05/features/555_ride/555.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally05/features/555_ride/555_ride.htm&h=213&w=297&sz=14&hl=en&start=19&tbnid=mkFytfHdnoeErM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dohio%2B555%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26c2coff%3D1

(sorry, John :o )

[bowlesj]

Yes, I saw that video. Looks like typical Ohio wheel floating cresties and very rough pavement. True?

[tarheel_rider]

The pavement is rough and the road is pretty torn up on the southern end - but still worth the ride.

[hschisler]

Yes, I saw that video. Looks like typical Ohio wheel floating cresties and very rough pavement. True?Yes, as Joel says in his reply. There is a stretch of several miles between Chesterhill and Portersville that is brand new asphalt; looks like it was paved last week. :) That new pavement may continue on north to Zanesville but I don't know for sure; we didn't ride that section yesterday.

[javandyke]

The wife and I have been riding the roads in the South Eastern corner of Ohio for 30 plus years and there many great ones. We have ridden 555 alone and with our regular group many times and enjoyed it a lot. However, we find 555 to have deteriorated a good deal over the years and we no longer count is as one of our favorites. The blind summits and poor pavement, particularly on the southern sections, have us looking to other better maintained routes with better sight lines. We also find that the locals kick a lot of gravel into the really tight turns. 555 has just become too dangerous for us. It could be our advanced age, but we like to think we've just gotten a bit smarter.

For what it's worth, one of our favorite rides in SE Ohio includes a short truly awsome stretch that goes from Rt. 78 South to Hannibal locks. Route 536 is only about 15 miles long but it is all new pavement this year and runs along a ridge with gorgeous scenery. Any road that has signage stating "no trucks" can usually be counted on for some fun. For a really nice ride start by taking route 26 from Marietta up to Woodsfield, turn right onto 78 to 536 and back to the river. This is 67 miles I'm sure you will enjoy. I've attached a map that gives a hint of what it's like.

[ironbuttwannabe]

thanks for the advice on 536. I still love 555 even though there is gravel. Im only riding solo so it is a lot easier for me than two up. Last year i was riding with a friend on 555. He saw gravel on the road with his 1100rs and panicked. He decided to brake and almost went off the cliff. I just went right through the gravel with my 1100lt with no problem. Braking in the corner is the worst you can do.

[hschisler]

Jim, that's excellent. Thank you!

We may have to put together a "Best of Ohio" m/c roads file somewhere on this site or elsewhere.

[wipatters]

Guys, I've got to tell you that when we took it, this was the first trip through real twisties for me, on any bike let alone the LT. Yes, I was a true twistie virgin. :) In fact, it was also the longest trip I had taken on the LT, ever. I was only up to a max of 2 hours riding.

For those of you just tuning in... I had never been on a motorcycle until last October when I took the MSF BRC, about two weeks after buying the LT. So I've been cautiously and meticulously building my skills.

I so wanted to catch some of the nice scenery along the way but knew I couldn't take my eyes off of where I really wanted to be. After riding that route I was thoroughly beat. I did become more comfortable with my low gear/high rev self. That's for sure.

I have to admit that I really welcomed the 2 hour super slab ride home. It allowed me to set the cruise and finally breathe.

Messenger13, Tarheelrider, and ShadowofShoe are a great bunch to ride it with. Thanks guys, and oh-yeah I can't forget to thank Mona too! It was great fun and an awesome release from all that goes on around us.

[hschisler]

Well Bill, then we need to ride some more of it!

[wipatters]

Well Bill, then we need to ride some more of it!

that we do

[shadowofshoe]

WOW-
I can't imagine being late to thls party!!! On route 555 the majority has now been repaved including Mona's favorite part: the 1st section south off 13?
We tend to head there directly after a good rain......I think it rained around Memorial Day :( :( :(

Howard-I know EXACTLY how you and Bill felt. As an novice LT rider with 2-up riding of any significance also being new my 5 previous bikes,20 yrs. ago experience was of little help. I had told Mona to avoid leaning too much if at all cause I mistakenly believed this way I woulndn't have to also overcome any mistake by her.

So...we find ourselves on 555 with Mona ramrod straight and me (those that have met me..Charles Atlas I am!!) muscling the whole package thru the above mentioned 8 miles. When I reached the junction of 78 I said to Mona "Get me the f--- off this road and was shot the rest off the day-no joke-couldn't ride a lick!!!
7600 miles later we love it...as only the very perceptive could tell :D :D

Now to give some mention to some great roads we rode sat/sun.
541 from 79 above Nerk its length to 77.
60 from 541 into Holmes county
658 off 541 S/E of Coshocton at Birds Run its length
These roads are MUST rides most have ASPHALT shoulders!!!

ON 658 while gong thru twisties in the shaded woods (read hard to see NOW) 2 bikes passed the other way....last thing I saw was the sleek sidecase handle of an LT??? Sportbike leading,Who was that on the LT???

Mike

[mostlyirish]

The wife and I have been riding the roads in the South Eastern corner of Ohio for 30 plus years and there many great ones. We have ridden 555 alone and with our regular group many times and enjoyed it a lot. However, we find 555 to have deteriorated a good deal over the years and we no longer count is as one of our favorites. The blind summits and poor pavement, particularly on the southern sections, have us looking to other better maintained routes with better sight lines. We also find that the locals kick a lot of gravel into the really tight turns. 555 has just become too dangerous for us. It could be our advanced age, but we like to think we've just gotten a bit smarter.

For what it's worth, one of our favorite rides in SE Ohio includes a short truly awsome stretch that goes from Rt. 78 South to Hannibal locks. Route 536 is only about 15 miles long but it is all new pavement this year and runs along a ridge with gorgeous scenery. Any road that has signage stating "no trucks" can usually be counted on for some fun. For a really nice ride start by taking route 26 from Marietta up to Woodsfield, turn right onto 78 to 536 and back to the river. This is 67 miles I'm sure you will enjoy. I've attached a map that gives a hint of what it's like.

+1 on 555 condition.
+1 on the Rt 26 recommendation. Have not taken the 78 to 536 option yet but will keep it in mind next time we are in the area. Thanks for the recommendation.

[hschisler]

Mike and all,

Some additional thoughts on all of this, now that a few days have gone by since we road 555:

1. It will be much easier for me -- and more fun -- one-up.
2. Part of the reason I was tense while riding it was because we were two-up. I wanted the ride to be smooth for my wife and I was trying too hard.
3. Probably the main reason I was so beat after riding it was because I was tense (see #2, above), and because I was holding on too tightly.

That said, I want to get back to that area real soon!

Also, 555 goes all the way to the south side of Zanesville.

[tarheel_rider]

Well, my vacation plans to attend MOA and then swing through to Michigan and Ohio got nixed by work issues. Now I'm heading up to Ohio for a family reunion on 7/28. Anybody want to meet for lunch in Marietta or Parkersburg and ride some of these roads south to north like we did a couple of months ago?

[hschisler]

Well, my vacation plans to attend MOA and then swing through to Michigan and Ohio got nixed by work issues. Now I'm heading up to Ohio for a family reunion on 7/28. Anybody want to meet for lunch in Marietta or Parkersburg and ride some of these roads south to north like we did a couple of months ago?Joel, it's on my calendar. You should note that 7/26-7/28 is the Honda Homecoming in Marysville, OH (NW of Columbus). They have non-stop factory tours. While you may not have a Honda, seeing a big VTX or GoldWing being built is really quite interesting. Check out Honda's site and see if you can work it into your trip. Maybe we need to ride north to south?

[tarheel_rider]

Joel, it's on my calendar. You should note that 7/26-7/28 is the Honda Homecoming in Marysville, OH (NW of Columbus). They have non-stop factory tours. While you may not have a Honda, seeing a big VTX or GoldWing being built is really quite interesting. Check out Honda's site and see if you can work it into your trip. Maybe we need to ride north to south?

Well, I'll be coming in from Raleigh NC in the morning, so riding north to south will be a little difficult. I like a long day in the saddle, but that may be a little much even for me. I would love to visit the Honda factory, but I can't make the schedule work. I need be in Howard (Mount Vernon area) at days end of the 28th after leaving Raleigh in the morning (very early).

[hschisler]

Well, I'll be coming in from Raleigh NC in the morning, so riding north to south will be a little difficult. I like a long day in the saddle, but that may be a little much even for me. I would love to visit the Honda factory, but I can't make the schedule work. I need be in Howard (Mount Vernon area) at days end of the 28th after leaving Raleigh in the morning (very early).Of course -- that makes sense. When that day rolls around and if it's still a "go" from here I'll be happy to meet you in Marietta or wherever. I'll take the interstate down and ride 555 home.

[shadowofshoe]

Joel and Howard--

I was planning on the previous W/E ...but in a couple of ways this will work better.
What day to meet and ride in parks/mary area???
We should get a group together..many roads around that area are sweet-but we shouldn't rule out starting from the Howard area if that works for Joel and his mile-eater :D
Let me Know soonish and I'll work my schedule accordingly.

Mike
Joel-I'll call ya.
Howard-I worked at Honda, you're right its a wild place-but rather be riding :D

[shadowofshoe]

Joel's probably wondering whats amiss in these buckeyes minds as last time I tried to get him to ride north to south as well :histerica :histerica :histerica

Mike