7/28/09 the triple nickel

9 am I leave Chillicothe on rout 50 east. First stop, Hamden Ohio where I will meet up with my friend Wook and his son. It is just cool enough for a jacket with temps in the low 60's, the fog is lifting and it is a great morning to ride. 25 miles to Allensville where I pick up route 683, in the shade of the trees the temp. feels a good 10 degrees cooler than out in the open road of rt. 50. I ride along past Lake Rupert, a place I have many fond memories of. As a child it is where my Uncle taught me how to fish , in my teen years I would go boating and fishing with friends on Rupert. I pull into Hamden, turn right onto Route 93 and head to The corner restaurant. Wook and I arrive at the same time,,his son looks a little cold and happy to get off the bike for breakfast. Over egg's and coffee we discuss our route for the day. Down to Pomeroy, then east along the Ohio river.
We finish our meal and leave town on Rt. 160. Like all roads we will be on today,,a winding two lane,,,what a great way to spend a day. We ride about 20 miles to Wilksville where we pick up rt. 124, another 18 miles and we are in Pomeroy. Pomeroy Ohio is like many southern Ohio towns, fighting a tough economy and struggling. We take a short break at a park bench and watch the boats on the river. From this small town we head east on 124 along the Ohio river, next stop,,Little Hocking Ohio.
Arriving at Little Hocking, I find the reason for this ride. For almost two years I have wanted to come here to ride Route 555 "the triple nickel" until now I have not found the time to ride over here. This road is everything I was told it was, and more. It runs north to Zanesville Ohio, 65 miles or so away. A two lane , roller coaster with twisties, switchbacks.. With only a hand full of towns to slow down for. The only downside is you have to watch for gravel in a few of the curves . We reach Zanesville a little tired and ready to head for home. Rout 93 south to Logan, this is where we part ways. Wook continues on 93 to Jackson, I take route 180 back to Chillicothe. It was a great ride, about 270 miles,,a ride I will make again.