I am considering doing the Central Ontario Loop Trail during the week of August 15-19. Looks like a 5 day ride including driving up on day 1 and back on day 5 (from the Pittsburgh area at least).

I did a 5 day loop last summer out of Briery Branch into WVa, up thru Smokehole, Dolley Sods rd, Thomas, Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail (grooviest rail trail ever),Govenrment Rd,Kelley Mtn, WestFork Rail Trail, West Fork Greenbrier, Durbin,then pavement to Staunton. Happy to share experiences/things I would have done different. Going back to same area again this summer for 12-14 days and opening up the scope of what is available.  I'd love to get a preview of how you are connecting some of the areas you outlined.

glenndandy - Sounds awesome.  I've ridden through most of MNF, but am excited to add the Virginia parts this summer.  I'm going to try to turn my paper maps into a digital file.  I think I can with Garmin Express.  I will post when complete.

I came up with a similar route that is not quite as ambitious as what is proposed. 

I've never ridden my route, it scares me.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=3147.0

edit 2/23/15 - fix link to thread

edit 3/1/2015  new link to Google Map route:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zNaEaQkxnFRU.kX93osmoF1Cc

jhl99 - I hear you.  I am afraid to find out the vertical ahead of time.  Luckily, I sorta like climbing...  You definitely know the terrain - Maybe you can fit some or all of the trip this summer.

Saw the AML-X race on the calendar - missed the route info.  I'm sure it will be challenging (especially in May).

I live near North Park and would definitely be interested in some training rides.  I'm hoping to hit the roads (and trails eventually) soon.  I have planned to do the wilderness 101 route as an overnight training/shake-down trip.  It is a great loop on its own.

I just put the planning wraps on a 9 day tour through the monongahela and george washington national forests. Currently the route is 476 miles long, featuring 318 on dirt (123 is single track).  Those of you who are familiar with this area know about the great riding, spectacular wilderness and challenging terrain that is available.  I've been trying to pull this off for several years now and life just kept getting in the way.  However, the wait has been a blessing, because I think the current plan is better than my original.  I don't have a lot of latitude on trip dates and there are elk caving restrictions in certain areas of the george washington national forest.

I am planning to leave from Davis, WV on July 11 and return back on July 19.  The route (without great detail) will traverse the following areas; Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Mountain, Spruce Knob, Laurel Fork Wilderness, West-Fork Rail Trail, Cass Railroad (Bald Knob), Snowshoe, Tea Creek, Cranberry Wilderness, Greenbrier River Trail, Watoga State Park, Fore Mountain, Douthat State Park, Little Mare Mountain, Shenandoah Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Smoke Hole, North Fork Mountain, Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley State Park, Canaan Mountain and back to Davis WV.  It obviously takes advantage of single track almost daily and lots of forest service roads.  The bulk of the paved miles is border crossing.

If this is something that interests you and you have the experience for and can train for, send me a message.  Although I have a route planned, I would expect interested parties to have some opinions/knowledge that could possibly enhance the trip.  I personally have completed various 2-4 day trips in PA/WV over the years and just really want to do some extended tours.  I'm not trying to race or add unnecessary suffering to trips.  I love the mid-atlantic wilderness areas and like to enjoy them by bike. I have a few friends that are planning to meet me for parts of the trip, but none that can commit to do the whole thing. 

I certainly plan on sharing the GPS tracks with everyone once (hopefully) complete.

North to South.  I don't think it matters.  That was just how our shuttle worked.

Started at Magpie Camp - Elkhorn Camp - Wannagan Camp - Finished in Medora

We did the Maah Daah Hey II trail (runs south of Medora) on our first day, then got shuttled to Magpie.

A group of us rode the trail last June (after a wet spring).  We had perfect temps and weather, but the trail was a disaster in spots. The grass was exceptionally high (easy to miss a trail post), ticks everywhere and a lot of trail slumping.  The trail was worse in the north end and improved as we went south.  I would definitely check with locals before you commit.  It is a beautiful area though - We ended up doing a hybrid of dirt roads and trail sections.

The Maah Daah Hey II trail was perfect (heads south of Medora). 

The GAP trail will have between 4-8 inches of snow depending on elevation.  Some foot-packed, some with ski tracks. The tunnel on the divide is closed until April.

I can't give a reliable condition on the C&O, but I'd bet it is a mess.  I think a snow/ice storm is hitting the area today (2/12) or tomorrow.

Adventure Cyclist magazine mentions your route in the latest issue as well as a sorta promotional tour by Mac McCoy (only in the western states).  Also sounds like an updated version of "Cycling the Great Divide" is forthcoming.

All sounds good to me.

Thanks for mapping!

Here is an interesting route through Northern Monongahela NF (others can chime in). I attached a map and notes (I have a better resolution map with notes, but file was too big).  The ride makes a big loop around the Otter Creek Wilderness Area.  It starts outside of Elkins.  Camping and lodging options are in the Thomas/Davis area.  The route utilizes the Blackwater Canyon Trail, Allegheny Highlands Trail, Canaan Mountain Area, several forest roads sections and some pavement.  You can check in with the guys at Blackwater Bikes for trail conditions.

Rothrock SF is an excellent suggestion. In fact the wilderness 101 race course is a great 2-3 day trip.  I did it as an overnighter a few years back.  Attached is a link of their 2013 race course.  I added a suggested parking area (Bear Meadows Rd, near Tussey Mt. Ski area, near Boalsburg) and camping area (Poe Paddy SP).  It is a great route that is mostly forest road with some tough single track thrown in.  There are some pretty remote sections.  Their map shows all roads and trails, so you could adjust as desired - It just doesn't show topography - Be ready for some climbing.

Allegheny National Forest has lots of potential for a 2-3 day trip.  If you get the National Geographic map set (2) - you will see lots of possibility of linking dirt roads, snowmobile track, abandoned rail and occasional pavement to make a nice route.  I have often thought of following the 100 mile snowmobile loop route.  Some of it might make for interesting riding, but sounds like you are looking for an adventure.

The laurel highlands has a lot of overnight potential as well.  I have done a number of overnight loops between laurel mountain and ohiopyle state park.

The Monongahela National Forest is awesome.  I have done plenty of 2-3 day routes there.  If you want isolation you got it. 

I am happy to send pdfs of routes I've done or answer any other questions when you decide where you are going. 

jhl99 will chime in as well, I'm sure - He is well versed in our area - just check out his posts.

The Michaux overnight trip went well.  The forecast was poor, but we had only sprinkles.  It was cold for the end of April.

We road north from Caledonia SP camping at Pine Grove Furnace SP.  Lots of options; dirt roads, pavement, single-track.  There was a race on Sunday.  We road on part of the course on the way back to the car.  Beautiful scenery - great area. We'll be back for more.

 

I'd be interested. I have experience mountain biking, touring, backpacking, etc but never bikepacking...

Here is the info - Let me know what you think:

Friday night car camping at Caledonia SP.  Saturday ride 25-30 (forest roads/some pavement) camp at Pine Grove Furnace SP.  Sunday ride 25-30 (forest roads/some pavement) back to Caledonia SP.


We will head south (crossing 30) Saturday to where swift run and high rock road intersect and then turn north crossing 30 again at church road until we reach Pine Grove SP.  On Sunday, the plan will be to head north on cold spring road to ridge road, then head southwest toward Caledonia SP.

All along the goal is to check the potential for future single track possibilities or whatever else looks interesting.

Looks like a great ride.  Planning to go to Michaux State Forest for an overnight tour on the last weekend in April.  Your welcome to join us if interested.

Any rookies out there - This would also be a good beginner opportunity to head out with some experienced folks.  Forest Rd. miles, state park camping...

Heading out of Pittsburgh Friday evening, ride Saturday, ride Sunday and head home.

Thanks for your route info.
 
I see that you didn't visit the Cranberry Wilderness Area.  There are many weekend tour options - great riding.

I think all the camping will be in developed campgrounds for my trip as well (except on the greenbrier).  I hear you on the grocery stores, I've had similar experiences.  Greenbank is pretty incredible.  I toured it with my family a few summers ago.

I think I may stick to your clockwise suggestion for my tour.

Thanks again

Love the idea - Although I am a fan of loops (for the sake of avoiding shuttles) I think it would be awesome to piece together an appalachian bike route to rival the divide trail.  After I finish my West Virginia Trip this summer I am planning to do major exploring of northern and central PA.  I'd be happy to help.

I did something similar, years ago, without as many single track sections.  I started in Garrett county, MD and went as far S as Lewisburg, WV to pick up the S end of the Greenbrier trail.  If you are interested, I think I have the route and can post it.

I think I read your report - I would love to see specifics on your route if you don't mind.

A few notes: 
1. I believe the northern section of the Dolly Sods is now Wilderness, so you can't cross the sods and drop into Canaan via Timberline Ski Resort anymore...

I think you are correct.  I was planning to talk to Blackwater Bikes and Chip from Whitegrass about that.  I think if you head north from Red Creek campground you can connect to Davis through Mt. Storm.  Otherwise could head south through Laneville. I guess we can hike-a-bike through the sods until we reach Timberline.

2. There are a lot of big climbs toward the end of the planned routed... Up to Spruce Knob, Up North Fork , Up to Roaring Plans/Dolly Sods  might want to switch things around and put that stuff on the front end and have the return be up Blackwater Canyon.  (maybe adjust the route direction to go clockwise instead of counter-clockwise)

Good point

From Seneca rocks, how to you plan to get on the North Fork? 

This would be a hike-a-bike section.  From the top of trail to north peak (that has the overlook), there is a pipeline that leads to the north fork.  I've backpacked this before.  Not going to be fun, but was trying to avoid Rt 28/55 and stay as dirt as possible.

Planning to do a 9-10 day tour of the "Mon" this summer (early July).  I've been reading the posts (past/present) about eastern bikepacking loops and wish I had found this site earlier.  It is awesome that there is a growing interest.  I've been doing 2-3 day tours in West Virgina and Pennsylvania for about 5 years, but always had an interest in doing more of an epic tour.  Well, after hearing about the Virginia Mountain Bike Trail (Chris Scott and crew), I figured it is time to stop dreaming about an epic tour and actually do one.  

My plan is to start/finish at Blackwater Falls SP.  Head through Blackwater Canyon, to Allegheny Highlands Trail, follow Shavers Fork, climb up and over to Bemis, take the West Fork Rail Trail, climb Snowshoe, descend into Elk River Touring (Tea Creek Trails), roll through the Cranberry Wilderness area into Richwood, head south to Falling Spring and the Greenbrier River Trail, through Watoga State Park to Lake Sherwood, ride along the WV/VA border, drop into Seneca State Forest, through Green Bank to Spruce Knob, drop into Seneca Rocks, climb up to (more like push) the North Fork Trail, head northwest into Dolly Sods, drop into Canaan Valley and then back into Blackwater Falls SP. The route is a mix of everything (dirt road, rail trail, trail and pavement) but mostly a dirt surface.  Should be riding about 30-50 miles a day, with at least one food drop or refilling stop.

I'm going to do one more weekend of reconnaissance this spring but otherwise I've done most of this route in some format.  Anyone with an interest and time is welcome to join my friends and I this summer.  Any advice from others is welcome as well.

I am also interested in helping with any planning/riding of other long distance routes (especially in PA - I live in the Pittsburgh area).