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RoadRUNNER: Off Roadin’ in Eastern Ohio
Written by: James T. Parks
RoadRUNNER Magazine   http://www.roadrunner.travel
04/28/2009
Coshocton, OH
 
Coshocton, Ohio, our home base, lies nestled in the rugged foothills west of the Appalachian Mountains. (Photo: James T. Parks and Christa Neuhauser) » More Photos

Not long ago the idea of a dual-sport Shamrock Tour took root when Steve Mauk, a long-time off-road rider, ignited my imagination with tales of scenic gravel roads and trails winding through the overarching canopies of hardwood forests in his native Eastern Ohio. We collaborated on choosing a home base for this shamrock (Coshocton, Ohio) and the riding areas, and we scheduled the trip for mid-June when the roads would be dried out from spring rains and all of the plant life would be in full bloom.

The Plain People
(Day 1: NE Quadrant)

Eastern Ohio is well known among many motorcyclists for its challenging two-lane tarmac, but fewer people know that the Buckeye State also is a great dual-sport destination. Coshocton, Ohio, our home base, lies nestled in the rugged foothills west of the Appalachian Mountains.

On Tuesday morning, we fire up the five bikes and head out. I'm riding my orange KTM 450 EXC; Christa is trying out my red Kawasaki KLR 650; Manuel is piloting the BMW 650 XCountry; Florian is rarin' to make tracks
on the red Honda XR 650L; and Steve leads the way on his Suzuki DR 350. Cool temperatures and an overcast sky greet our journey into Ohio's Amish Country, northeast of Coshocton.
Eastern Ohio is well known among many motorcyclists for its challenging two-lane tarmac, but fewer people know that the Buckeye State also is a great dual-sport destination. (Photo: James T. Parks and Christa Neuhauser) » More Photos

Gleaming white Amish houses and barns dot the rolling landscape. Instead of cars on the serpentine gravel roads, black, horse-drawn buggies are the primary form of conveyance for this Protestant religious sect that has forsaken most modern-day conveniences. (Be careful not to spook the horse when you pass an Amish buggy.) Even buttons are too ostentatious for The Plain People, who prefer to use pins or hooks to fasten their garments....

For the complete touring article, including facts & information and the map(s), visit www.roadrunner.travel.



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