Technical Routes Collection

Like Twisty routes, Technical routes have sharp curves and elevation changes, but also include county roads that may contain potholes, patches, gravel on pavement, slips, etc, that may require a slower pace. They are perfect for riders of ADV style bikes, as they take you on the little back roads with the most interesting terrain and scenery. 
We have added the phrase "Tech" in the names of individual route segments for some routes that have both regular and "Tech" versions contained in them.
Note: These routes are available for MSTA FlyBy Week attendees only-
please do not share them with others.
Note: To download GPX & ZIP files, right-click or control-click the links. Otherwise you may get a 404 error.
 

(Do not use ZIP versions if there are last minute route changes- individual routes will be most up-to-date)
Note: To download ZIP files, right-click or control-click the links. Otherwise you may get a 404 error. 

All Road Routes GPX format
All Road Routes PDF format

Technical Routes

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: DESTINATION, TOURING BIKE-FRIENDLY, TWISTY with a TECHNICAL option
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE (TECHNICAL route uses COMPLEX routing)
Distance: 210 miles, 276 miles for the TECHNICAL version.
Lunch Stop: Ridge Inn, Laurelville, OH
Direction from Marietta: W CLOCKWISE
Comments: This route has a lot to offer- it goes further West than any other route in the FlyBy Week collection. Part 1 takes you through Hocking Hills State Park, including Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave and Conkle's Hollow Gorge.

The 05 Norms RidgeInn Pt1 Tech route option offers an additional 66 miles of Norm's favorite TECHNICAL backroads, including Goosecreek, Limerick, Three Locks and Charleston Pike, plus you get to ride the wonderful, recently repaved OH 335 from Beaver to Waverly.

Lunch is at the Ridge Inn restaurant in Laurelville, a favorite of many Ohio MSTA members. The menu is filled with good stuff, and the chicken cusabi sandwich is to die for.

The return route 05 Norms RidgeInn Pt2 is taken directly from Norm's favorite route he uses to go to FlyBy Week each year- it includes Thompson Ridge road, OH 180, 664, Marietta road, Portie Flamingo road and many more.  

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: DESTINATION, TECHNICAL
Navigation difficulty: COMPLEX- GPS with GPX routes highly recommended
Distance: 258 miles using the fast return route 07 Hillbilly Tech Ret Pt2 Fast (which is similar to the one in Route 06 above), 285 miles using the 07 Hillbilly Tech Pt2 route.
Lunch Stop: The unique Hillbilly Hotdogs, Lesage, WV. Note: Closed Tue & Wed
Direction from Marietta: SW
Comments: Hillbilly Hotdogs is one of the favorite destinations for FlyBy Week attendees. If you've never been there, you HAVE to go! The route there is 95 miles and very quick. That's important because you want to get there as soon after 11AM as possible. Norm recommends going on Thursday or Friday- It gets CROWDED after about 11:30AM, especially on Saturdays.

The 07 Hillbilly Tech Pt1 route to Hillbilly Hotdogs is one of the most challenging in the FlyBy Week catalog. It uses many little-known county roads with sharp curves and elevation changes. Some are not very well-maintained, so pavement can be a bit lumpy in places. You will see a lot of very remote countryside and variety. To hit the 11-11:30AM arrival window at Hillbilly Hotdogs you need to leave by 8AM, maintain a good pace and not linger too long at the midway gas stop.

Suggestion: After lunch, load the 07 Hillbilly Tech Pt2 route for the return trip. You'll enjoy a nice pace and sweepers until you come to I-77. If you are tired, get on I-77 back to the hotel. OTOH, if you have some energy left, just continue on the route and hit some more technical twisty stuff! (07 Hillbilly Tech Ret Pt2 Fast is the same to I-77, then takes I-77 back to the hotel.) 

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: SINGLE SEGMENT SHORT, TECHNICAL
Navigation difficulty: COMPLEX
Distance: 110 miles
Lunch Stop: None
Direction from Marietta: SE COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: Quick sampler of West Virginia technical backroads SE of Marietta. Goes through Petroleum, Harrisville, including Pullman road to Pullman, crossing back over the Ohio river at St Marys, WV. 

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: SINGLE SEGMENT SHORT, TECHNICAL
Navigation difficulty: COMPLEX
Distance: 86 miles
Lunch Stop: None
Direction from Marietta: SE COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: Quick sampler of West Virginia backroads SE of Marietta. Goes through Walker, Petroleum, then North, crossing the river to Ohio at St Marys, WV. 

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: TECHNICAL, TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: COMPLEX
Distance: 220 miles
Lunch Stop: Gulla's Lunch, Bellaire, OH
Direction from Marietta: NE, CLOCKWISE
Comments: Regular attendees of FlyBy Week all know Ron Vess, who helps with the outdoor lounge and other details of our event. Ron lives nearby and grew up here so he knows all the roads and just about everything that goes on in the area. He developed this fun route that uses some "new" roads. The Southeastern part of Ohio has seen extensive oil and gas drilling and pipelines over the past few years, and to get the equipment and materials in and out, they paved and improved some of the gravel roads in the area. The work is mostly done now and we have some new curvy roads with great views and perfect pavement. Ron's route provides quite a tour!

There are a few short sections of county roads that are technical. They are shown on the map with red flags.

The route begins on OH26 but quickly diverts to twisty backroads including Dalzell road, bits of 565, 537, 800, 556, on to the lunch stop in Bellaire, OH. Gulla's Lunch has a good variety of salads, sandwiches and entrees available. I had the fish sandwich and it was to die for.

After lunch, the route takes you on German Ridge road, 556, Sykes Ridge, and a bunch of other county roads before bringing you back to the hotel. Don't miss this one!

MAP PDF GPX
RouteType: TECHNICAL, TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: COMPLEX
Distance: 216 miles
Lunch Stop: The Downtowner, Ripley, WV (Closed on Monday)
Direction from Marietta: S, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: Norm began work on the "Country Lanes" concept in 2018, with the goal of creating a route that explores the quaint back country roads of Northern West Virginia, but ran out of time in the Fall. When he came back in the Spring, the harsh winter had damaged the roads with so many frost heaves that he abandoned the idea. Now the roads are in better shape and they are just what attendees riding ADV and GS style bikes are looking for. Brian Holmes calls this a "Paved Adventure Route." 

FlyBy Week Volunteers
  • (Click HERE to join our Volunteers)
  • Jeremy Riffle
  • Ron Vess
  • John Smith
  • Lou Laguna
  • Scott Lane
  • Jennie Kimes
  • Jerry Patten
  • Jeff Dolence
  • Brian Holmes
  • Allan Skinner
  • Chris Shoop

About

FlyBy Week is MSTA's largest regional sport touring rally, over 20 years running at Marietta, Ohio

Event Coordinator
Norm Kern

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