Ohio Rt 536 vs the "Dragon"

[xsyamahadg]

You might think that I'm a brick short of a load if I dare to compare an Ohio road with the Dragon, but that's just what I'm going to do. Yesterday a group of us from Ride Ohio went east up along the Ohio River from Marietta taking photos of the River and it's locks and dams, on the way home we discovered Ohio Rt 536 which begins at Hannibal on Rt 7 at the Ohio River and goes northwest to Rt 800 north. This little 2 lane smooth paved roads is chucked full of 20, 25 and 35 mph banked curves and switch backs, there isn't a straight piece of tarmac on this road. There is also no flat land here, the whole road is either up hill or down hill. The road is so awesome, I wanted to turn around and ride it back to the River, but time would not permit. My guess is that this road is 8 to 10 miles in duration. You should use caution on this road as it travels thru some of the most remote out back farm country in Ohio, there is nothing but farm land, so if you put your bike down, help is not going to be quick getting there. You won't average more than 40 mph if even that. Rt 536 really gave us a work out yesterday, I will go back and do it again.

[Scott58]

Unless there are 300+ curves it isn't even close.

[xsyamahadg]

I have ridden both, trust me, Rt 536 is excellent. I didn't count the curves, I was too busy keeping the bugs out of my big grin.

[Johnj]

This post screams for a vid or some pics.

[xsyamahadg]

I didn't get any pics of Rt 536, there was literally no place to pull off without getting ran over from behind. The road has too many switch backs, blind curves and steep banks at the side of the road. I did get some photos of the Ohio River and the Sistersville Ferry that we took over to West Virginia. If you want to see those, I can post em. One of the girls that rode with us was dragging footpegs the whole length of Rt 536, we got a big kick out of her....no fear. Us older geezers are older and much wiser .

[pinger05]

I counted 43 turns on just at 6 miles. But then again google probably doesnt replicate the grin that the road gives you

[jeff_connors]

I have been on 555 but not the dragon or 536. It was challenging and a lot of fun. But after an hour, my wife had enough and I had to get on 60 up to Zanesville. There are some very good MC roads in SE Ahia.

[JBA111]

the Dragon is 318 curves in 11 miles and has NO sideroads comeing in to it and only has 7 or 8 ol driveways into it. You can watch the video of the Dragon being rode on a Goldwing by YellowWolf a local expert. it gives you a very good ideal of the Dragon.
I should be going up thru Ohio latter this month and will run this Buckeye Dragon.
;but one thing that makes The Dragon such a great ride is Deals Gap and folks there and the great other roads arround the area. It just makes a great day or days of rideing in a beautiful area.

[xsyamahadg]

The beauty of Rt 536 is that it is not congested, we were the only bikes on the road that day and very few cars, and it's only about 80 miles from my house. If you get a chance to ride Rt 536, let us know what you think.

[Loonette]

You're not crazy - I've done the Triple Nickel (Ohio Rte. 555) once. It's a blast!! A great place to improve upon skills and have a good scare too. The speed limit is 55 MPH, but the banks are tight (and sometimes unmarked as far as a speed limit). There's usually a bit of gravel here and there that the cars and tractors must kick up. Just as you come over the crest of a hill there may be a tight turn right away. Very intense! And better still, there aren't hundreds of other riders in the way as there can typically be at The Dragon. When I rode the Triple Nickel, I only saw maybe six cars and no bikes. Nice.....

Cheers,
Loonette