Overall Route Rating
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4 out of 5 Rider Rating 4
3 Reviews

Ohio County Road 4 - Sykes Ridge Road

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By Akumu (4000 McR Points) on Jul 19, 2020

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Akumu
4000 McR Points
August 2, 2020
As stated in my summary, this road isn't some…
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ThomSS
3743 McR Points
September 9, 2020
I like the ride on OH-78 from 536 to 7, so we…
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Written Directions

If you wish to get West on Sykes Road, which will dump out onto Ohio Route 536 then you want to... Take Ohio Route 7 in Clarington, OH onto Sykes Ridge Road. Take care, it's a county route, and as such doesn't have a very big sign for it. (It's on the South side of Sunfish Creek, which branches off of the Ohio River) If you wish to get East on Sykes Road, which will dump out onto Ohio Route 7, which rides along side the Ohio River, then you want to... Take Ohio Route 78 East out of Woodsfield, OH and travel 7.6 miles down 78 East. You will turn right onto Ohio Route 536, and then after 1.6 miles STAY STRAIGHT to continue onto Sykes Ridge Road. (I do not recommend skipping 536 for Sykes. They're not even comparable. It's best to do Sykes AFTER having done 536 North as a way to bypass boring old 78, if you wish to go East..) If you're coming from Clarington, OH via Ohio Route 78 you will take Ohio 78 West for 8.7 miles. You will then turn left onto Ohio Route 536, and then after 1.6 miles STAY STRAIGHT to continue onto Sykes Ridge Road. (I do not recommend skipping 536 for Sykes. They're not even comparable. It's best to do Sykes AFTER having done 536 North as a way to bypass boring old 78, if you wish to go East.)

Scenery

There really isn't too much scenery, due to the trees. There's some rolling hills parts, and a few overlooks, but nothing too crazy.

Drive Enjoyment

It's not a home run, or anything. It's just a nice alternative to Ohio 78, particularly if you wish to go East after having done that crazy ass Ohio 536. There's some sweepers, a couple of twisties, and the lumpiness of the road adds some charm. There's 2 pot holes of some repute on this road, as of July 2020, they're closer to Clarington than 536.

Tourism Opportunities

No tourism here. Sure, there's plenty of towns around this, and nearby roads, but nothing on this road it's self.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Ride/Drive safe. One hairpin has a knocked over guardrail where someone went over the cliff. (Looked to be a Marcellus water truck.)
 

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Akumu
August 2, 2020
4000 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
As stated in my summary, this road isn't some slick shit killer like 536 or the freshly paved, as of July 2020, 255. It's more of an alternative to 78 E or W. I recommend coming up 536 North and then sliding onto Sykes, if you want to go East. By then you're already at the end of 536, pretty much. Pavement as of July 2020 is a 3 to 4 out of 5. There's one sudden dip in the road you can here me call out in the video. There's also 2 decent size potholes that may or may not be there when you ride this road. (I imagine they'll fill the things at some point. Those pot holes are much closer to the Ohio river side, and significant enough that you should be able to spot them well before you hit them, which is good, because God help you if you do hit them.) Overall 3.5/5
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ThomSS
September 9, 2020
3743 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Slingshot
I like the ride on OH-78 from 536 to 7, so we made a little loop. Came off 556 from Beallsville, turned south onto 7, pass the BP at OH-78 & 7 intersection, like Akumu said... after crossing bridge over Sunfish Creek, hang a right onto Sykes Ridge Rd, it's marked. (It's only about 3/4 of mile south of OH-556). We ran Sykes Ridge out to 536, went up to 78 East and back to Clarington (OH-7), 18 mile 30 minute loop, Sykes Ridge is a nice cruiser with a few views over the ridge. Road isn't in great shape, but it's easily doable, especially if your just cruising along. Hardly any traffic, encountered a car or two, was just a nice laid back ride, would do it again.
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rjratkus
October 15, 2021
83 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
nice road conditions and just enough turns and hills to make this an easy morning ride; Day 3 Marietta, OH to Parkersburg, WVA Name => Ohio’s Dragon Tail ~ 266 Miles Marietta OH to McConnelsville OH -> Wayne National Forest Run #27 in Ohio McConnelsville OH to Glouster OH -> Ohio’s Dragon Tail #4 in Ohio Glouster OH to Chester Hill Oh -> Ridgetop Fun on Rt. 377 #58 in Ohio Chester Hill OH to Brush Creek OH -> The Triple Nickel Rt. 555 #1 in Ohio Brush Creek OH to Beverly OH -> River Run Rt. 60 #27 in Ohio Beverly OH to Dexter City OH -> Ohio Rt. 339 #76 in Ohio Stop in McConnelsville for homemade sweets at MoCo’s Dip-n-Sip Dexter City OH to Lower Salem OH -> Old US 21 #68 in Ohio Lower Salem OH to Clarington OH -> The Roller Coaster Rt. 145 #56 in Ohio Clarington OH to Altitude OH -> Sykes Ridge Road County Rd 4 #58 in Ohio Altitude OH to Hannibal OH -> cousin of “The Tail of The Dragon” #2 in Ohio
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