Cycling Scenic West Virginia

General Route Description

This is a short route that follows the hills on both sides of the Greenbrier River. A quarter of the route follows state route 3 leaving and arriving in Alderson. The rest of the ride is on narrow low traffic roads.

Alderson to Pence Springs: Parking along the river on state route 3 in Alderson, you cross the pedestrian bridge and continue South (straight) on state route 3. You begin a twisty climb as you leave Alderson, before a gentle downgrade and the junction of county 3/2. You take a right onto 3/2, that becomes 15/1 in Summers County. It is a narrow road and has a couple places where the pavement is far from ideal, but still passable. You have a couple of climbs on 15/1 before crossing back into Monroe County as CO. 7/1 and connecting with CO. 7. Taking a right on Co. 7 you have a short steep climb on CO. 7 which becomes CO. 15 in Summers County. You travel thru some pretty farm country and drop down to the Greenbrier River and bare right, continuing on CO. 15 into Pence Springs. The is a very pleasant, and fairly flat cruise in the Greenbrier Valley.

Pence Springs to Alderson.: Crossing the Greenbrier River on CO. 15, you come to the intersection with state routes3 - 12. There is a convenience store in sight up the road to the right from this intersection. This is the only source of public water and food on the route. However, you go left and make an immediate right onto CO. 3/18. This is a steep climb of 0.6 miles up to the junction with CO. 6. Taking a right (really straight) on county 6, you continue to climb, but on a much gentler grade along Right Hand Fork though the community of Clayton (more a place on a map, than a community.) where you continue straight onto CO. 7. Past Clayton, you will top out and cross over to the Griffith Fork drainage and begin the descent down to the Greenbrier River. At the river, you take a left onto State. 3 - 12 for a relatively flat ride back into Alderson. and the Finish. This section of road will have the most traffic on the route.

Food-Water Sources:
The only public food and water sources on the route, is the convenience store off to the right at the junction of CO. 15 and State 3 in Pence Springs. The route goes in the opposite direction.

Items of Interest Along the Route:

Pence Springs is the only place of note on this route, but the scenery is beautiful.

Local Sources

Nearest Bike Shops:
Hill and Holler Bicycle Works,121 East Washington Street, Lewisburg, WV

Lodging and Camping

The Guest House - Hinton

Camping: The Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers over 330 primitive campsites spread over 5 camping areas (These may be closed in 2016). The Keatley Campground is the most convenient, if you want to ride from the campground. These sites pit toilets and no water, so you have to bring your own water. Firewood is not sold at the campsites, so you have to bring it with you also.
Larew Cottage - on Hans Creek. This beautiful little cottage can accommodate up to 9 persons and is situated on the route in the Hans Creek Valley.

Monroe County Lodging

Camping is available at the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area. The wildlife management areas feature primitive camping - pit toilet and no water source. I stay at the Keatley campground across from the ranger station.

Disclaimer

The listing of routes on this site is not a guarantee of the safety of the route. Cycling has inherent risks and riders skills vary. Traffic conditions vary by time of day, season and local events. Road conditions can vary and change and may change dramatically over one winter season. Riders need to ride within their capabilities and be alert for road hazards and traffic at all times.

Copyright Notice:

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