Cycling Scenic West Virginia - About the Author
Preston County

About The Author

Like most kids, I grew up riding a bicycle. My parents did not allow me to ride on the road, so I rode my 24 inch coaster on the paths in the woods. I was mountain biking before people knew what mountain biking was.

After moving to the Charleston, WV area in late 70's, I took up road biking. I joined the local cycling club, Mountain State Wheelers, in 1980 and have been a serious recreational rider ever since. I've never been a particularly fast or strong rider, but I manage to motor along over the hills and ridges of West Virginia. My first good road bike was a 1980 Schwinn Voyager touring bike. In 1986 I bought my first mountain bike. It had no suspension, and was built on a cruiser frame. They have come a LONG way baby!

I enjoy the outdoors, and getting out on a cycle was a pleasant way to get outside and a wonderful stress reliever. Camping is another way I enjoy the outdoors and what is better than combining biking and camping. Since about 1990, I've spent 30 - 45 days a year camping in the Allegheny Highlands. Initially I would take my mountain bike with me and explore the trails and roads in the Monongahela National Forest. When I got to be in my mid to late 50's, mountain biking seldom used trails by myself no longer seemed like the best idea, so I've been taking my road bike on my solitary camping trips. I've also coordinated the bike club's camping trips for several years, a task I'm relinquishing in 2013.

I have almost always carried a camera with me on bike rides. My 35mm SLR would go along in a hip holster bag. I've upgraded to a digital camera the past few years (currently a Panasonic FZ200). I tried the small pocket cameras, but cannot stand a camera without a viewfinder. The sun is always reflecting off the viewing screen.

You may contact me at: dbiker@mindspring com

I've been thinking about creating this site for a couple of years, and when the bike club hired a professional to handle their site in the Fall of 2012, I no longer had an excuse not to begin work on this site. I hope that this site may be of some assistance in your cycling enjoyment.

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.

|Contact Us | ©2014 Dale Porter Updated May 2020