Day 8: Huntington, WV to Cumberland, MD (322 Miles)
 
Wow, what an amazing day of riding!  Picture perfect weather, clear blue skies, and good friends.  Route 50 didn’t let us down, but before we even made it to Route 50, we followed the Ohio River on Route 7 which was a tranquil way to start the morning, and then had a blast on Route 2, 331 and 62 into Ripley.  Our trip into Ripley for breakfast, once we left the river and headed into West Virginia from Ohio, provided us with a small taste of what we were to encounter the rest of the day. Four miles of twisties and hairpin turns was a perfect warm-up.  After breakfast we picked up Route 33 . . . mile after mile after mile of sweeping curves through the hills and backcountry of West Virginia.  We left Route 33 and jumped on 50, roads well traveled by Bill over 20 years ago, but not since.  Big sweeping curves, tight curves and even some hairpin curves, with 9% down grades, through West Virginia and Maryland, were spectacular.  With perfect weather, fabulous roads, beautiful scenery, and the company of Debbie and Tom and Anita and Dave, we couldn’t help but have one of those riding days we’ll never forget.  Tomorrow we will leave the group and take a side trip into Arlington, VA to stay with good friends (who also ride) for the night.
 

(l-r) Anita, Dave, Tom Debbie in Ripley, after breakfast.

An ice cream break at Dairy King somewhere on Route 50.

Tom of North County Powder Coating, San Marcos, CA (how’s that for a plug Tom?) overcome by a chocolate dipped ice cream cone, stopped for a nap.  It was all we could do to get him back on the bike.

 
The Route 50 foliage and scenery was wonderful.

 
One of many roads we traveled today.

A shot from Bill’s bike of the group riding through West Virginia.

Bill on approach to one of several bridges we crossed today.

 
More scenery through West Virginia.