Motorcycle Route Author
By MCR Contributor (1039 McR Points)
on May 15, 2011
Rider Reviews
Written Directions
Route starts in Newcomerstown, Ohio. Turn off OH-36 at Rt258 sign - follow the signs to stay on Rt258, it splits off at several points. Head up to Stillwater and continue on Rt800 (a much more "laid-back") road, or turn around and scare yourself silly all over again like we did!Scenery
Scenery? Too bad you wont get much time to enjoy it! Tree filled valleys, amish farms, quaint villages - it's a scenic ride, but, read on... Update from an Bludy L in May of 2017 "The scenery is typical of southeastern Ohio with a mixed of farm fields and woods. Leaving Newcomerstown you'll follow the Tuscarawus River so the road is fairly flat with only gentle curves. As you pass under the I-77 bridge and head up the Dunlap Creek Valley there are more but subtle elevations changes and bigger curves. Once you climb to the the top of the ridges you'll stay on high ground for most of the rest of the ride. Here you'll encounter sharp curves, rapid elevation changes, and blind hill crests. It will remind you of the roller coasters at Cedar Point. The last few miles of the route are down in a valley what lets you wind down a bit. The scenery is a mix of woods and open farm fields and is typical of southeastern Ohio. As you pass through Peoli, don't blink or you might miss it, consider stopping at the Methodist Church as baseball legend Cy Young is buried in the cemetery adjacent to it."Drive Enjoyment
Surface - this road ranges from absolute crap, to decent in terms of road surface. It was recently repaved in sections with the lovely loose gravel / asphalt over the top of the old road mix. This makes for skiddish in-turn handling, and sidewall contact a frightening thing.Turns and Hills - once you split left (about 10 miles east of newcomerstown) - get ready. Turns are blind, just cresting off hilltops, often decreasing radius, 45 degrees or tighter. There are several left / right hairpin turns in succession that are completely blind and downhill to boot. Scary, and if you screw up, there's oodles of trees, buggies and stone hillsides for you to slam into.
Until you have to turn left to follow 258 (at Salt Fork Rd / Post Boy Rd intersection) things are easy, but do not let your guard down. After that, gird your loins. Update from an Bludy L in May of 2017 ""The Ohio DOT does a fine job of maintaining this road. The pavement is in excellent shape but watch out if you go in the early spring as you may find road salt or sand and gravel on the road. There are no road has no shoulders or guard rails throughout the entirety of the ride. Also this is Amish country so beware of horse droppings on the roads. Update from an anonymous contributor in May of 2017 "Surface - this road ranges from absolute crap, to decent in terms of road surface. It was recently repaved in sections with the lovely loose gravel / asphalt over the top of the old road mix. This makes for skiddish in-turn handling, and sidewall contact a frightening thing.
Turns and Hills - once you split left (about 10 miles east of newcomerstown) - get ready. Turns are blind, just cresting off hilltops, often decreasing radius, 45 degrees or tighter. There are several left / right hairpin turns in succession that are completely blind and downhill to boot. Scary, and if you screw up, there's oodles of trees, buggies and stone hillsides for you to slam into.
Until you have to turn left to follow 258 (at Salt Fork Rd / Post Boy Rd intersection) things are easy, but do not let your guard down. After that, gird your loins."
Tourism Opportunities
There is nothing on this road. NOTHING! Except scary tight turns, blind dropoffs, and more challenges to get your adrenaline pumping. You might see one of the "children of the corn", but that's it. No gas between Newcomerstown and Stillwater. Gas up in Newcomerstown before you head out.Special notes: If you do this route - be really, really careful. 1st time, even 55mph is pushing it. You will be on the edge guaranteed. Many elevation changes, loose gravel, tight (very) blind turns in series, unmarked turns, buggies and poop in the road (from the buggies), will all try to destroy you. I wouldn't say I'm Valentino Rossi, but I'm not terrible either, and this ride is frightening. I rode with a experienced friend who has ridden much of the Poconos and Allegheny backroads. This is one of the scarier rides he's been on. Even if you've done 100 track days, have 20 years of riding experience, there are too many potential "what if's" on this road to bomb it in any sense. We nearly became a bumper for a amish buggy, and a 10 foot long, 1/4" deep gravel patch through the entire lane mid turn (which almost seemed intentionally placed there) damn near sent me to the E.R. - be careful. It's a good technical challenge, but NOT to be taken lightly. If you are VERY comfortable with bike control and don't panic when the rear (or front) breaks loose a bit, have fun! Update from an Bludy L in May of 2017 "You'll find the Westchester General store at the intersection of 258 and 342 a little more than halfway through the ride. This is the only choice along the route. However, Tatman's Restaurant is found a the end of the ride and Newcomerstown offers numerous convenience stores and restaurants. Update from an anonymous contributor in May of 2017 "There is nothing on this road. NOTHING! Except scary tight turns, blind dropoffs, and more challenges to get your adrenaline pumping. You might see one of the "children of the corn", but that's it. No gas between Newcomerstown and Stillwater. Gas up in Newcomerstown before you head out.
Special notes: If you do this route - be really, really careful. 1st time, even 55mph is pushing it. You will be on the edge guaranteed. Many elevation changes, loose gravel, tight (very) blind turns in series, unmarked turns, buggies and poop in the road (from the buggies), will all try to destroy you. I wouldn't say I'm Valentino Rossi, but I'm not terrible either, and this ride is frightening. I rode with a experienced friend who has ridden much of the Poconos and Allegheny backroads. This is one of the scarier rides he's been on. Even if you've done 100 track days, have 20 years of riding experience, there are too many potential "what if's" on this road to bomb it in any sense. We nearly became a bumper for a amish buggy, and a 10 foot long, 1/4" deep gravel patch through the entire lane mid turn (which almost seemed intentionally placed there) damn near sent me to the E.R. - be careful. It's a good technical challenge, but NOT to be taken lightly. If you are VERY comfortable with bike control and don't panic when the rear (or front) breaks loose a bit, have fun!"
