View Full Version : Ohio State Route 555 Dragon Jr
Nighthawk
11-01-2006, 04:18 PM
Start at Zanesville and head towards WV on SR 555. Bridge work starts at SR 37 a little detour and your back on SR 555. Tons of tight turns and hills to get you airbound. Some corners are pretty bad and have gravel.
I rode this last year. I took 78 over to 555, south on 555 to the river, then crossed over the river and across WV50. I had seen posts on the internet that 555 and 50 were great roads so I checked them out.
I really did not think 555 was all that special. Seems like it was all full of potholes, tar snakes, and gravel. Maybe I was riding the wrong section?
I was also disapointed with 50, but found out why later in the summer. 50 from Ohio to 79 really has nothing going for it, but it turns out that 50 from 79 to Maryland is quite excellent.
Rt 16 in West Virginia is not far from Marietta, go east on rt7 across the bridge in St. mary's WVA, it's a great road, it ends up at rt60 at the base of Galluay Mtn. which is a great road also.
16 really looks good on the map. I have never ridden it. I have ridden 60, but it has been a long time. The section just before you get to Rainelle is awesome.
muchlove2ride
11-15-2006, 05:05 PM
I can honestly say that riding hawksnest and the Rainelle area (RT 60) are beautiful and thrilling but I like the length of the dragon for the long rush it gives a biker. I love riding the Smokey Mountains also and well guess im not the typical female because I like speed and turns way too much to wear lipstick and highheel shoes>
Chef88
02-28-2007, 04:50 PM
16 really looks good on the map. I have never ridden it. I have ridden 60, but it has been a long time. The section just before you get to Rainelle is awesome.
Wow.
My Great uncle & uncle were mayors to the town of Rainelle.
I will have to take a trek out there & check on some family history.
They both pass away before I had a chance to meet them.
casanewt
03-02-2007, 02:17 PM
16 really looks good on the map. I have never ridden it. I have ridden 60, but it has been a long time. The section just before you get to Rainelle is awesome.
Been on WV 16 & it is a fabulous road. I ran it from Marietta to Tazewell (I think). Check out my buddies over at wvsporttouring.com. Jeffro over there will get you all the WV ride info you need!
PlayWithGravity
03-31-2007, 04:30 PM
[QUOTE=Tank]
I really did not think 555 was all that special. Seems like it was all full of potholes, tar snakes, and gravel. Maybe I was riding the wrong section?
QUOTE]
Tank, I've ridden 555 (the triple nickle) a number of times, I'm sorry you didn't find as much pleasure in it as we have. Maybe you need to ride the full length of it. Starting from the north the road is hilly and the turns technical. As you move south it stretches out a bit making for some fun, fast sweepers - a real thrill to ride. Not much traffic at all, or LEOs, but you're right, you have to watch for gravel in the northern parts.
Ok, just to be fair I will give it another chance this year. This time I'll start in Zanesville.
Tank, starting in Zanesville is a good idea, the really dirty part of 555 is between rt78, and Chesterhill, from Chesterhill down to rt 7 it's always been clean. The last time I was on it, it was all clean, non of that "gravely" or loose pavement looking stuff.
pat0021
05-02-2007, 07:37 PM
Well i rode it today 5-2-7 from Zanesville to 7 near Marietta. And part of it was horrible with gravel in the center of the lane for miles. Probabaly the same area you're talking about JNOR. But it sure it a twisty windy hilly road with plenty of pretty sights!! Took about 2 hrs from Zanesville to Marietta. about 60 miles.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/pat0021/P5020016.jpg
I am off Friday, I think i'll head down that way from Zanesville to Marietta.
pat0021
05-02-2007, 09:32 PM
I am off Friday, I think i'll head down that way from Zanesville to Marietta.
That is one road you need to ride a lot to make any kind of time! Tons of blind hills and turns. But I am glad I rode it today. Gives me a little idea what to expect when I do the dragon at the end of the month. I was kind of surprised how narrow the road was though.
I know, i've probably been down it 25 times.
Nighthawk
05-30-2007, 10:51 AM
I went riding with my son and his GF this weekend down to RT 555. OK I just saw the back of his bike for about 5 sec, then he was gone. The section between SR37 and SR78 has new pavement (brand new) still has new pavement smell. So there are some rocks in the right hand corners.
Other then that it was so smooth.
pat0021
05-30-2007, 02:58 PM
I went riding with my son and his GF this weekend down to RT 555. OK I just saw the back of his bike for about 5 sec, then he was gone. The section between SR37 and SR78 has new pavement (brand new) still has new pavement smell. So there are some rocks in the right hand corners.
Other then that it was so smooth.
Cool!! That is new since I rode it then. Might have to make another trip!!:D But on my cruiser I can't take the corners real fast.
Ok, just like I said I would, I rode 555 yesterday. I was at the Gap last weekend and I two laned it from Jellico, TN up to Marietta. When I saw the 555 sign I remembered I needed to ride it again, and even though I was already running way, way late getting home I went ahead and rode it.
I am sorry to say I am sticking to my original opinion. I will say it is a good road for an Ohio road, but to compare it to the Gap is kind of unreasonable. Lots of gravel and potholes. The south end has new pavement for 20 feet then old pavement for 40 feet and this goes on and on for miles. The newly paved section is smooth but the middle of each lane was full of gravel. Long straight sections where you can just daydream away waiting for another turn.
Its a nice road for those of us who live close to it and really have nothing else to choose from, but if someone rode their motorcycle all the way from North Carolina to ride it they would be very dissapointed. I saw a lot of Ohio plates in the NC/TN area last weekend. I did not see any NC/TN plates on 555. As a matter of fact, I only saw one other motorcycle on the whole road.
That said, it still was much, much more fun than the freeway!
natanddiane
06-26-2007, 05:21 PM
We use 555 as " Dragon Training". We ride it as much as possible, then come down to NC for the scenery and the people.Granted, there are alot of holes and gravel, but these hazzards keep you on your toes. Ride aware, and protected, but have fun doing it! I personally recommend riding from Zanesville to Marietta. Other way just ain't as much fun.
Just rode RT 16 in WVA again last week. It's much better than 555, and a lot longer.
I'm going to hit 16 this year also. Toward the end of July I'll be returning from the Gap and I am kind of planning on taking 16 all the way from where it crosses 81 in Virginia all the way home to Ohio.
I think its going to be a great ride.
Nighthawk
07-20-2007, 11:22 AM
So if someone was to put together a little ride, say from St .Marys, WV to Hartland, WV on Rt 16. And it happened August 25 (Saturday) and the high school parking lot was the meeting place around 10am. That would be a good ride.
I just did rt 16 from St. Mary's to rt60, and up the mountain to Hawk's nest. We then took I77 to Rt 60 in Ohio back to Zanesville, and back home. It ended up being 475 miles, great ride, i'am in for doing it again.
Nighthawk
07-20-2007, 01:18 PM
I also put it out on Two wheel forum. Big Deal's Gap fans. under General Riding/Everday riding & General Discussion
www.twowheelforum.com
Nighthawk
08-07-2007, 12:40 PM
Looks like this is shaping up real nice. I have 6 folks from the Peacock gang going. Some will spend Friday night close by as to not have to ride 3hr to get there.
I would join you guys but I will be kind of jammed up, big ride planned the week before and the week after. I'll need that weekend to put new tires on and change the oil and save some money.
Saving money is going to be tough if I put new tires on...
Nighthawk
08-17-2007, 12:33 PM
The girls are staying home this trip :( So we now have just 5 of us going.
We are staying in Marietta Friday night then hit the road at 10.00 am. All are welcome.
Nighthawk
08-24-2007, 11:04 AM
LAST CALL !!!!
Meeting at the school at 10:00 am Saturday, then heading south on RT 16 to New River Bridge. Eat and head back the way we came.
I might be in for that if it's not 150 degrees in the shade.
When I go that way, I take rt 16 to Gaully Bridge, which is at the base of Hawk's neston rt 60, then take rt 60 to Charleston, and rt 77 back to Marietta, from Marietta I take rt 60 in Ohio back to Zanesville, and home. Believe it or not it is quicker to get to Marietta on rt 60 than to take rt 70 to rt 77, because of the triangle of 70 to 77, plus it's a much better ride.
If you ride rt 16 in WVA. from St Mary's to rt 60 and back it will take forever, and by the time you get back to Columbus you will be beat, and it will be dark. It takes a while to do rt 16 to rt 60.
kawasakibob
08-24-2007, 01:23 PM
The girls are staying home this trip :( So we now have just 5 of us going.
We are staying in Marietta Friday night then hit the road at 10.00 am. All are welcome.
Hey Nighthawk,
If you notice a lot of bikes in Marrietta it's because the HSTA is having a rally there. Staying at the Best Value Inn by K-mart & McDonalds.
Stop in and check em out you will be welcomed. www.ridehsta.com
A great club that has all brands of bikes.
If you like to tour & travel on 2 wheels this is the right club.
Nighthawk
09-04-2007, 10:56 PM
Hey Nighthawk,
If you notice a lot of bikes in Marrietta it's because the HSTA is having a rally there. Staying at the Best Value Inn by K-mart & McDonalds.
Stop in and check em out you will be welcomed. www.ridehsta.com
A great club that has all brands of bikes.
If you like to tour & travel on 2 wheels this is the right club.
That's where we stayed. Tons of bike in town. We rode down Rt 16 to New River Bridge. The road was great for being used by cars and trucks. It was about 150 miles of twisties. Your right about taking a lot of time to ride it. We left the high school about 10:15, had dinner by the New River Bridge. I got home about midnight. Long ass ride.
bperdue
10-25-2007, 04:39 PM
Hwy 28 From The Dragon All The Way To Walholla Sc Is One Great Road. When Coming Up From Chas Sc We Pick Up 28 In Clemson And Ride It To The Dragon. Talk About A Great Road To Get Warmed Up On. Anybody Coming To The Dragon Should Run That Road To Franklin Just To Get A Taste.
1000hio
11-03-2007, 11:22 PM
We use 555 as " Dragon Training". We ride it as much as possible, then come down to NC for the scenery and the people.Granted, there are alot of holes and gravel, but these hazzards keep you on your toes. Ride aware, and protected, but have fun doing it! I personally recommend riding from Zanesville to Marietta. Other way just ain't as much fun.
If you want "Dragon training" try 556 and 536 north of Marietta on Rt. 7 about 50 miles. New pavement and VERY tight turns with great elevation changes. 556 is in Hannibal and 536 is a little further North on St. Rt.7. They are across the river from New Martinsville, WV. I'm in Marietta and there are a ton of great roads around here.
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