Riding Poll

Autumn wins!

It is a great month to ride. Anytime is a good time to ride, but Fall, with the cooler temps, changing colors, and drier weather than spring, is at the top of my list also.

October

As my sister pointed out in her comment, it is now October and I have still not been riding. Sad. Doesn't look good for this year, either.

Fun is no longer in the budget.

August

It's August already. I really need to go riding.....................................................

AAARRRGGGG!!!!

Happy Independence Day

Hocking Hills State Park Cottages

While riding at The Wayne on our annual November trip, we stay at the cottages in Hocking Hills State Park. They work out nice for us as opposed to tent camping in November. Coming back to a nice, warm cottage with a hot shower is very nice and it's not any more than a nice motel room. The cottages are dated, with paneling and such, but they are still comfy. They have two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds. Also a sleeper sofa in the living room, so I think it will sleep 6 people or so. They have a kitchen with full size fridge and a bath with a shower only(no tub). They have limited cable TV, no phone(my Tracfone works there though) and a gas fireplace. Also a screened in back porch overlooks the woods behind the cottage. Cookware, dinnerware and linens are all provided. It cost us $90 a night, but the price is now $95 a night. Still not too bad for two bedrooms. There is a charcoal grill and a picnic table outside.
The road is winding and it probably takes about 20 minutes or so to get to the ride area from there but I think it's worth it. The closest town is probably Logan. There is a Walmart, various restaurants and a gas station at the exit ramp for Rt 664 off of US 33. Also this motel, Baymont Inn and Suites ,on S.R. 664, sells passes 24 hours a day and is at this exit.

Here is the link to Hocking Hills State Park.

Monday Creek

First, I would like to thank all who voted in my poll and also thanks to everyone who has and is reading my blog. Please don't be shy about leaving comments. I turned off the crazy word verification, so it should be easier now.

Since all but one vote was for Wayne in Nelsonville, I thought I would have a poll on what part of it you liked riding the most. We usually only have one day to ride, so we have been parking at the #5 White Oak lot in the Dorr Run Loop area. It has a ramp you can back your truck up to and unload your ATV.
Anyway I enjoy all the bridges and stuff in this area, and where the large rock is and the trail is narrow.

I have ridden Long Ridge, however it's been many years ago. I think it was even connected to the rest of the trail system so you didn't have to trailer there. If anyone has ridden here lately, I would like to hear how it is. Just click on comments below.

The Main Corridor is a long ride if you park in New Straitsville and ride all the way to Dorr Run. If I rode those two areas from New Straitsville, I would have to carry extra gas with me.

I know last time I rode the New Straitsville Loop, it was very smooth and easy. It may have changed since then, however.

If you want to ride the whole system(minus Long Ridge), I would park at the Monday Creek parking lot. It's about in the middle. You can ride up to New Straitsville from there, then come back, gas up, eat or what ever and then ride Dorr Run. The Monday Creek Lot has an outdoor toilet, and every time I've been there, a food vendor of some kind. It does tend to be more crowded, though, so you might want to get there early.

My advice to you all.............Save up some money for gas(currently $3.79 here), get a season pass to the Wayne, get a map and go riding!

And the Winner of the Poll is:

Wayne National Forest in Nelsonville!
7 votes total
6 for the Wayne
1 for Richland Furnace

I am surprised that no one voted for Perry.

The Grill

My new Grill. I've been wanting one like this for about 3 years now and decided to use some of our tax return to buy one!!!! Grillin' is almost as good as fourwheelin'!!!!

Wayne National Forest

The Wayne opens for ATV riding Tuesday April 15!

Perry State Forest

Just a reminder........the trails at Perry open on Tuesday, April 1!!!!

ATV Trails in Ohio PERRY STATE FOREST

Perry State Forest is the trails system that I have ridden at the most. It has trails, but it is also wide open for riding. It is old abandoned strip mines, and there are plenty of hills and mud to play on and in. The website says there are 16 miles of trails, but since the area is wide open for riding, I would guess there is much more than that. Perry State Forest is 4,500 acres of which I would say that just less than half of that is the ATV area. Anyway, the best time to go in during the week. I've been there on a Friday morning and there was only one other person there.

New Lexington has a McDonalds, and there is (last time I was there) a gas station with a mini mart right across from the entrance to Perry.

If you are into mud, Perry is your place to ride. When it rains, there is thick, gooey mud all over. Even when it's dry, there is mud here. The state did make some changes, though, and the big mud pits may not be there anymore.

Perry is open from April 1st until November 30.

Here is the link to PERRY STATE FOREST.

Here is the link to a .pdf format map of the atv area.

Here are a few pictures. Also, if you click on the label "Perry State Forest" at the bottom, it will bring up all articles on Perry on my blog.

ATV Trails in Ohio PIKE STATE FOREST

Pike State Forest is in southern Ohio also, about 80 miles south of Columbus, 3 miles east of Sinking Spring on SR 124. Pike State Forest covers 12,084 acres in western Pike County and eastern Highland County. The facility has 10 miles of trail open to motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. The trails wind through the hollows and ridge tops, offering the visitor a challenging ride as well as some beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. Parking, latrines, and a novice area are all provided on the site.
There is also 43 miles of hiking trails and about 33 miles of horse trails.

Since I have not ridden here, I don't have any pictures of my own and I don't know how the trails are. It is 170 miles from me, so if I go I want it to be worth the trip.

Also, the ATV trails are only open from April 1 to November 30.


Click HERE for the website.

Click HERE for a pdf brochure of the ATV area.


Next time-My favorite, Perry State Forest.

ATV Trails in Ohio RICHLAND FURNACE STATE FOREST

Richland Furnace State Forest is in southern Ohio, about 24 miles southeast of Chillicothe on the Vinton and Jackson county lines. This riding area has about 8 miles of trails, that are open from April 1 through November 30. The trails are in deep woods with ridges, making for tight trails. I have ridden here and it made for a challenging ride at the time.
The parking area was large enough and gravel. We were the only ones there.
The area was an iron producing area in the 19th century, which is how the forest got it's name. The remnants of the Richland iron ore furnace is on private property close by.
I would like to go back here again, and also ride at the Wayne National Forest area in Ironton which is within an hour or so South.

Click to get to the Richland Furnace State Forest website.

Click HERE for the pdf brochure and map.


Next time-Pike State Forest!

Photos of RICHLAND FURNACE

Taking a break along the trail.
We were the only ones there.


Part of the thick woods around the trails.


Rutted trail.



A very muddy area of the trail.

ATV Trails in Ohio MAUMEE STATE FOREST

Maumee State Forest is in the North West corner of Ohio. It is about 15 miles southwest of Toledo. It is about 3100 acres and is flat land.
There is about 5 miles of ATV trail to ride on, ranging from sand to mud. You can hike and ride horses here as well. Snowmobiling is allowed as well. Camping is not permitted. Riding is permitted from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. This area is open to riding year round!
When I was there, you could ride in some sandy areas around pine trees. The trails where filled with lots of small jumps, which was not all that much fun on a big 4X4 ATV. Over all, it was a long drive to ride a small trail system.
I'm sure if you have a sport bike or dirt bike it would be a lot more fun. I would probably enjoy it more now on my Scrambler as well.
Sorry, I don't have any pictures.
I would like to hear from people who have ridden here. Just click here and then click on Email.

Here is the link to Maumee State Forest.

There is a printable trail map for it here in .pdf form.


Next time-Richland Furnace State Forest.

Riding Areas

Coming soon!!!

A list of ATV riding areas with a review of the areas that I have been to.

Wayne National Forest Ride Pictures

A somewhat blurry picture of the three of us when we stopped for a beef jerky and Mt Dew break.
We did have a good time over the weekend riding and eating!

Oh and here once again is the link to Wayne National Forest!

Wayne National Forest Ride Pictures

Having fun in the mud and on a large rock.

Wayne National Forest Ride Pictures

Our food supply and splashing through the water.

Wayne National Forest Ride Pictures

The weekend of Nov 17 we went to the Wayne to ride. The weather was very good for riding, about 50 or so.
This picture is me riding through some fairly deep water.