This is the route I did in maybe 2000 or 2001:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fhome.windstream.net%2FJHLange%2F200x_WV_Tour_01.kml&hl=en&sll=38.50546,-79.782543&sspn=0.081003,0.164795&vpsrc=0&t=m&z=8Interestingly, this was my first 'big tour' also. I recognized my skills and knowledge were pretty limited (and still are!) so I was very conservative in my route planning:
- Strictly forest roads/paved roads and rail trail for the route
- Relied on developed campgrounds, except for along Durbin/Bemis Rail Trail
- Tried to rely on public, safe water sources for drinking water, if I recall, my only option at the time was to boil water to purify (maybe I brough Iodine as a backup, I can't remember)
- Carried food for a least an extra day
Some things that I remember:
1. Those radio telescopes at Greenbank seem huge. I didn't check that place out enough.
2. I tried to ride into the grounds at the Greenbrier
http://www.greenbrier.com/ and was chased by security. The guard did give me a break and let my take a few photos, then I had to get out!
3. Lewisburg had good little bakery.
4. I ditched my camping stuff and did an out and back to the top of Cass. That was worth it.
5. The grocery/general stores have limited hours, like 9-5 or 9-6 I remember waiting for the little store in Durbin to open.
I like your plan of daily milages in the 30-50 miles/day range. That is good. It gives more time to sight see, recover and not feel rushed by milage requirements.
***
I believe the block of land on the ridge between Dolly Sods and Mt Storm is owned by a coal company. At one time, I had great plans to ride across the roads shown on the topo maps and found that from the N end, the road is posted and, at the time, was an active road for mining and/or timbering. (The road is private). Someone also told me that lakes shown on the topos have been drained. Additionally, a lot of the land that is under coal company control is also posted by a hunting club that has hunting leases.
The Laneville option isn't that bad, you can get on the Allegheny Trail at the S end Canaan S.P. and ride it over to the Canaan Loop road and then there are numerous options to get to Blackwater Falls S.P.... if you take the Loop road around, there is a nice view of the Blackwater Canyon at Linde? Point.
Hike-a-bike up the pipeline to the North Fork Trail sounds hard core.
