Even birds of prey follow the twisties...
This past July I rode the iconic motorcycle road, “Triple Nickel” - State Road 555 in Ohio. In August I rode another iconic but less known motorcycle road - Route 33 west out of Harrisonburg, VA – let’s call it the “Double Triple.”
Route 33 heads west from Harrisonburg towards the mountains and WV. Big Red purrs under the canopy of trees that envelope the road in a shady cocoon. It is a comfortable, pleasing ride when a sign appears:
In motorcyclist language the "High Crash Area" is Latin for “Happiness Ahead.” The State of Viriginia means the sign as a warning, and it is a legitimate one. The Double Triple will become a series of switchbacks and corners as it climbs Shenandoah Mountain to the West Virginia border and descends into West Virginia. In motorcycle language these corners and switchbacks are "twisties."
The trees decrease in density as Big Red navigates The Triple Double twisties to the summit at High Knob. The mountain immediately descends with more signs - these warning of 7%+ grades for 2 miles. More happiness.
Off the mountain, Big Red and I stop at a gas station/convenience store in Franklin WV for a water and granola bar. A middle-aged man with shoulder length blond hair, grey shorts, and brown sleeveless sweatshirt, exits his truck, spots, and pivots toward Big Red.
“Hey, that a nice bike! That’s a big bike! I bet it rides like a Cadillac!”
"That’s a great description,” I offer. Not sure if he is heralding Cadillac as the epitome of luxury or if he is referring to the ponderous monsters from the 1970's?
Where you ridin' from?” he asks me, but his eyes are on Big Read.
"I‘m from Baltimore, but I am visiting my son in Harrisonburg.”
"Harrisonburg? That’s a big place. Really up and coming.
“Home of JMU!” I offer.
James Madison? Oh, that’s a great school – up and coming.
"Absolutely."
“Have a great ride!” he offers as he nods and heads into the store.
“Absolutely.”
I can't help but smile - nice to hear so much..., what do they call it these days? “Positivity.” Seems that the happiness of riding spreads to those you meet.
Heading out of Franklin the next stop is Seneca Rocks. Another ridge to cross, another high crash area, switchbacks, and steep grades.
Translation - more twisties– up and coming!
How about you? Where are your twisties? Share a story?
2nd Helping
High Knob Lookout Tower.
At the summit of The Double Triple on Shenandoah Mountain, you can park and take a hike to The High Knob Lookout Tower.
Seneca Rocks
In 1943-1944 United States soldiers climbed Seneca Rocks to prepare for mountain warfare during World War II. Not a climber? For hiking twisties take the 1.3-mile Seneca Rocks Hiking Trail to the observation platform.
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