By Stephen Smoot
Last month, Backroads of Appalachia made the North Fork their final destination in their ride across the state. Off road enthusiasts drove from Point Pleasant to the stopping point at Seneca Rocks, then a hot and fresh meal at North Fork Elementary School.
“They’re going to do it the other direction next year,” stated Annie Humes. This would be the third year in a row that Pendleton County has served either as the jumping off point or the destination. “We’re already talking to the Circleville Volunteer Fire Department,” she added.
She said that they fit the bill of an organization that could meet the needs of a group of 300 people in terms of providing both food and a place to eat.
Back Roads of Appalachia will return in September, but not for a ride. They will come back as part of their community service day initiative to give back.
Another upcoming development is a Potomac Highlands regional motorcycle map. The map represents a collaborative effort among Pendleton, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, and Mineral counties to take advantage of the growing recreational possibilities in individual or group motorcycle rides.
The effort was led by Michele Moure-Reeves, Hardy County CVB director. The map will build on previous editions to ensure that motorcyclists have routes of varying lengths that expose them to the best that the region has to offer. It will be released this May and include sites for food, recreation, scenery, historical interest, and more.
A Civil War themed map with similar purposes will come out toward the end of the summer.
Humes supported the purposes of the maps, saying, “No one is going to stop a motorcycle ride at the Pendleton or Hardy County line.” Visitors tend to ignore local political boundaries when enjoying the scenery.
