Eastern Ohio

Rolling Hills Road Trip

Why did the black snake cross the road? I don’t know either. Maybe he’s fleeing to higher ground from the floodwaters that have recently plagued the Eastern Ohio countryside. Maybe the critters on his menu are just a bit more succulent on the other side. Either way, he doesn’t have far to go to reach safety. Traffic is light and the day is beautiful. Mr. Blacksnake need not be concerned with the speedy wheels of a certain Aprilia Falco. The Falco is hunting all right, but with bigger snakes in mind. Its prey has been found and we’re bearing down on the twisting, undulating, serpentine beast known as the Eastern Ohio back road.

Like the black snake, Ohio's country lanes are peaceful and somewhat benign. On the other hand, if approached too aggressively, they'll usually reward you with a painful bite. This is not an indictment against said roads, quite the opposite in fact. As riders, we look for challenging roads. We like to flick our machines back and forth, leaning into turns, braking in, accelerating out, up and down hills, and all the while catching glimpses of the landscape unfolding beneath us as we fly by. Most riders have a certain appreciation for living on the edge and these Ohio side roads certainly have plenty of edge to offer them.

Getting There is Half the Fun, They Say

Riding in Ohio will be a new experience. With the one exception of a jaunt taken along the Ohio River several years ago, I am in uncharted territory. The ride across West Virginia was fantastic, as usual, and I'm primed to make Canton in time to find a room and search for a nice hot meal. Interstate 77 is boring but reasonably scenic, and the earlier cloudiness has given way to a bright, sunny afternoon. ...

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