Devils Den (West Virginia)

I came upon this ride destination and wondered if anyone has ridden these roads and were they filled with the Hatfield McCoy history?

https://www.trailsheaven.com/HatfieldAndMcCoyTrails/media/Content-Images/Brochure%20Contents/duel_sport_brochure_devils-den.pdf

I have ridden many of the roads in that part of WV, some great roads for sure. As far as history, I never really stopped to check any of that out. I'm sure that there are some tourist trap type places, but most of the old mining towns are just old and run down. I would suggest contacting WV tourism, to find historical landmarks in that part of the state.

I have seen a lot of county and municipal chambers of commerce trying to establish a motorcycle tourism business lately. There are some very good roads and riding in southern WV, and I think this marketing is an interesting trend. I saw a lot of this naming of roads during EOM last year. The Deals Gap / Tail of the Dragon success has really influenced a lot of places to go after the motorcycle dollar.

I have ridden that part of the state more than once. I don't remember what roads I have been on. In fact I don't remember the road names and numbers very often, or even know where I am most of the time, but that's a different story.

SPKLBUK on this forum is a local and he can probably tell us all about the area. He is off riding dual-sports these days and doesn't visit this forum too often.

You'll find some history in Matewan, WV, the site of the May, 1920 gun battle https://www.matewan.com/history/battle2.htm . I visited there in 2008 on my way to a rally in Slade, KY; after seeing the 1987 movie, I'd always wanted to visit the site. There's still not much to the town, the downtown area:



This marker gives a brief description of the incident:



Evidence that remains of the fight on the corner of one of the buildings:



This fight was a precursor to the battle of Blair's Mountain, I haven't visited that site yet. I found the roads in that area not real challenging or scenic, but in good condition. Probably not worth the trip unless you're interested in the history aspect.

Hey Tim, Show up to the SE Ohio Ramble this year, you will be only about 30mi north of where that pdf map starts.

I already had eyes on a loop or 2 dipping down there. Since I've done the SEO East & West loop already, I'm expanding the GPS routes to do this area. Now that I have names to these roads... could be fun! (or just add confusion)

-KJ

I vote confusion. Especially with you KJ. Not that you need any more...

Yes, that entire area is awesome riding. Some of the fun-er-est riding we done evah did was riding some back roads in West Virginni from point A to point B that were not exactly what they presented themselves to be. I plugged a location into my GeePeeEss and said get me there, and it did. There were some awesome elevation changes and hairpin corners around creeks and such (that's what they call them there right?) and there may have been a fair amount of gravel surface involved... but hey! We were on a VFR and an FJR. Those are touring machines, right?

We eventually came out to a paved road and got our bearings, and then literally stumbled onto the finest lunch spot we have ever been to. The locals didn't know what to make of us in out Power Ranger get-ups, but the food was down home delicious, and they near gave the stuff away. We even got to watch an old dead heifer getting hauled away while we noshed! What could be better?

I do love that part of the country. I'm sure that you will too.

Fred W said:

I vote confusion. Especially with you KJ. Not that you need any more...

Click to expand...

Before I take these into BaseCamp for final editing, I'll make sure I add some long and confusing names!.... just for Fred . Everyone else gets the KISS names.

WV Coal Miner: https://mapq.st/1zhPl7E [361mi]

WV East Loop: https://mapq.st/1y1DKaX [296mi]

WV Devils-Den (slab: send+return): https://mapq.st/1AQZAO4 [385mi]

WV Devils-Den (slab: return only): https://mapq.st/1ATKJCL [434mi]

WV Devils-Den (no slab): https://mapq.st/1u6qp1E [455mi]

WV Devils-Den 500 (no slab): https://mapq.st/1C47eGx [501mi]

...got about 6 more shorter ones also, not sure if I can convolute the naming of those however.

Madmudder said:

I came upon this ride destination and wondered if anyone has ridden these roads and were they filled with the Hatfield McCoy history?

https://www.trailsheaven.com/HatfieldAndMcCoyTrails/media/Content-Images/Brochure%20Contents/duel_sport_brochure_devils-den.pdf

Click to expand...

Lots of info about the area in this thread - BYOB 2015 at Matewan, WV last weekend in June.

https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1010309

Geezer said:

"..................... I don't remember what roads I have been on. In fact I don't remember the road names and numbers very often, or even know where I am most of the time, but that's a different story............

............"

Click to expand...

LOL....could be all those things you were doing in the 1960's and living in that close proximity to Woodstock, NY all those years!

Thanks guys for the responses. I just might do that ride KJ. I have ridden the Hatfield McCoy trails over the years on ATV's and always enjoyed the Southern Hospitality and scenery, It's the coal trucks running 75 miles an hour on those tight roads that scares me.

I'm in West Virginia at least once a year. I was at a rally that was stationed out of Pineville in 2006. Not a lot of anything in that town Last time through the Gentlemen's Club was closed. The east side of I 64 is just as good but then that is just me thinking.

As for the coal trucks They know the road very well and generally they stay in their own lane far better than cars. I would be more worried about the coal dust. It lays on the road like fine sand.

Have ridden in WV and south eastern Ohio. Top Speed 1 gave you some very nice roads to hit up. If you go north 20 miles to Marietta you will find tons more between Waynes Forest - Eastward to the other side of Hwy 77. You can spend days riding those roads and not hit the same one. I take one or 2 trips to that area a year as it is very enjoyable to ride. It is very easy to have a great time in WV and want to come back for more.