Cycling Scenic West Virginia

  • Greenbrier River, Alderson
  • Route 3, Wolf Creek
  • Monroe Co. 10 along Wolf Creek
  • Monroe Co. 14 near Johnsons Crossroads
  • Past Johnsons Crossroads
  • Near Creamry
  • Summers Co.. 15
  • Summers Co. 15
  • Summers Co. 15.  near Lowell
  • Summers Co. 15 near Pence Springs
  • Greenbrier River, Pence Springs
  • Near Clayton
Greenbrier River, Alderson1 Route 3, Wolf Creek2 Monroe Co. 10 along Wolf Creek3 Monroe Co. 14 near Johnsons Crossroads4 Past Johnsons Crossroads5 Near Creamry 6 Summers Co.. 157 Summers Co. 158 Summers Co. 15.  near Lowell9 Summers Co. 15 near Pence Springs10 Greenbrier River, Pence Springs11 Near Clayton12

Johnsons Crossroads - Clayton Loop

Overview

Short Loop:

Length: 31.5
Climbing: 2,427
Rating: 2.8
Climbing per Mile: 77
Minimum Alt.: 1,516Ft.
Maximum Alt: 2,120
Variance: 604 Ft.

Long Loop:

Length: 34.9
Climbing: 2.526
Rating: 3.0
Climbing per Mile: 72
Minimum Alt: 1,515 Ft.
Maximum Alt.: 2,120
Variance: 605

Start: Designated start of this ride is the train station in Alderson. The train station is location on the south side of the Greenbrier River in Alderson. Alderson is located on State Routes 3 and 12 in Northern Monroe County.

The closest interstate access to Alderson is from I-64 State Route 12 Exit at Alta. It is 12 miles from the Exit to Alderson.

 

Location: This ride is in eastern Summers, and western Monroe Counties

PDF Map and Turn List

Slides how of Route

General Route Description

Located in northern Monroe and eastern Summers Counties, this ride features mostly narrow country roads. The short sections of State Route 3 that are utilized are generally light to moderate traffic. The ride is hilly with some steep, but not exceedingly long climbs, rewarded with decent down hills.

Alderson to Pence Springs: Heading South on route 3, you have a steep curving climb leaving Alderson, a flat mile and then a gentle descent into the Wolf Creek Valley. Route 3 then follows Wolf Creek on a very enjoyable flat section of road with one lump to climb before coming the intersection with Co. 10. Taking a right on Co. 10, which is a narrow single lane road, you continue to follow Wolf Creek upstream toward Johnsons Crossroads. This is a fairly easy and pretty ride till nearing Johnsons Crossroads when it gets steep.
Passing thru the Crossroads you will have a moderate climb, a descent and then a real steep climb to the intersection of Co. 7 at the headwaters of Wolf and Kelly Creeks. Taking a right on 7, you have a long descent, dropping down to Kelly Creek. 3.7 miles after turning onto Co. 7, you take a left to continue to on Co. 7, crossing Kelly Creek and begin the steep climb (10% +) over to the Greenbrier drainage. Monroe Co. 7 becomes Summers Co. 15 at the top of the climb. Toping out, you have a sweet descent down to the Greenbrier River. At the river, you take a right to continue on Co. 15 and a fairly flat ride along the river over to Pence Springs.

Pence Springs to Alderson: At Pence Springs, you cross the Greenbier River and arrive at State Route 3 and 12 again. (Off to the right, you will see a store, which is the only source of food/water on the route.) You take a left and an immediate right onto Co. 3/18 and begin a steep (8-10%) half mile climb up to intersection with Co. 6, Clayton Road.
Taking a right at the intersection, you continue to climb on a much gentle rate along Right Hand Fork of Hungard Creek for 3.1 miles to Clayton. At Clayton, you continue straight at the intersection onto Co. 7 and continue climbing for another half mile before the rather steep descent down to the Greenbrier river. You bare right at the bottom of the descent at the intersection with Co. 7/14. Arriving at State Route 3 again, you take a left for a flat 1.8 miles back to Alderson. This should be the busiest section of road on the ride.

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.

The old Pence Spring Resort, is now the Greenbrier Academy.

Local Sources

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


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:

This site, maps, photos and all materials created for this site are copyright of the author unless otherwise noted. They may NOT be posted on other sites or reproduced for sale or profit, without specific permission of the author. However, the maps and turn lists may be down loaded for personal, non profit use.

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