The Route:
We started the ride in Hockessin, DE. Takig 41 west to RT 1, and then RT 1 south to 272 north to Drumore Center, PA. From there we went south west on various backroads and gravel roads to the Susquehanna River, then west across the Muddy Run Reservoir. See the full route on Google Maps
The Bikes:
2008 Husqvarna SM610, 2005 KTM 625 SMC
The Conditions:
unseasonably warm, with temps in the high 50's. Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. With these temps we were willing to take a chance. Rain gear was carried in our backpacks.
And the ride begins...
It just so happened that Monday, December 15th 2008, myself and a riding buddy both had off work. I had a route that I laid out in Google Maps a while back that I wanted to try out, but it just never happened. I was hoping that the roads I had chosen would be mostly nice tight paved roads with some gravel roads thrown in down along the Susquehanna River.
I grabbed my maps, got geared up, and met my buddy at about 10am Monday morning. From my place it was a 37 mile ride to where we got off 272 (see map below). Our plan was to follow the route all the way to Lancaster, PA, then either turn around and ride it in reverse, or find another way home. We didn’t know what to expect, so we’d just have to wing it.
The route we chose to get to the “start of the ride” (Oregon Hollow Rd & 272) sucked. From Delaware we took 41 west, which was all slow going behind tractor trailers, and then lots of straights on the slabs of RT 1 to Nottingham, PA. We got on 272 there and headed north. 272 is a decent road if you don’t have anyone in front of you and you can run 10+ mph over the limit.
After following 272 for about 10 miles we banged a left onto Oregon Hollow Rd, then quickly turned left onto Scalpy Hollow Rd. Although very wet and slick, this was nice and tight, dropping in elevation and taking you to a right onto Furniss Rd. At this point we didn’t really have anything good enough yet that I’d make a return trip for. We took Furniss Rd to Fishing Creek Rd, and that is where things really started to get interesting!
Fishing Creek Rd:
We passed Fishing Creek Rd the first time because I expected it to be a paved road… NOT a dirt road. Oh yeah, there was no road sign either
At first we were really disappointed because we thought it would be paved, and looking at the map we thought there would be some really good tight & twisty turns… perfect for our supermotos.
Although dirt and gravel… Fishing Creek Rd did NOT disappoint!
The first thing we saw was a sign that said “No winter maintenance”, then the ground started to get really soft and wet. Another half mile and we entered into a deep valley with steep walls and lots of tall, green pine trees.
It was beautiful!
Looking at the topographical map below you can see the contours of the valley.
The further we went and the more the road conditions deteriorated (that’s if you could call it a road!). It got wetter and muddier the further we went. If there was ever a time I wish I had bought a set of Avon Distanzia tires, this was it! I would have ridden back and forth all day long… but with my Continental Contiforce supermoto tires, 15 mph is about all I could comfortably do while keeping the bike on 2 wheels.
It was here that we saw another sign. This one told us that we were in Fishing Creek Nature Preserve. No problems though, as we stuck to the "road", or whatever you want to call it. In the picture below you can see how soft the ground was.
Just when we didn’t think it could get any more interesting, we rounded a bend and saw that there was a stream crossing! I stopped and got off the bike at first, because I could see that the concrete surface had a nice coating of slippery green algae on it – not that my bald tires made it hard enough as it was! I gave it a try – going back and forth several times -- and it turned out to be no problem. By the time we got to the end of Fishing Creek Rd we must have crossed 4-5 of these crossings. This was awesome!
The Susquehanna River:
Following Fishing Creek Rd will take you all the way to the Susquehanna River. It is here that you come to a stop sign, and you better do as it says, because if you don’t you only will have about 10 feet to stop before going over the edge and down about 75 feet to the river below!
Looking north along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna. The double track “road” (it is very loose gravel) continues north for about 1 mile, servicing about a dozen primitive vacation cottages along the river. I should note that the railroad tracks are in use, so don't ride on them!
Muddy Run Reservoir:
As we continued west on River Rd / 3006 we crossed the Muddy Run Reservoir. This was a lot larger in person than it appeared on the map – 260 feet tall, 4,800 feet long, and the reservoir covers approx 1,000 acres! Get more info on the reservoir here
Note: All the roads south of the blue line on the map below that go towards the river are NOT accessible. That area is fenced off and has surveillance cameras.
Three of the four 25 foot diameter shafts that pump water from the river up to the reservoir.
We rode along the reservoir for about a half mile and stopped again to take a picture to give you an idea of the size of it. The Susquehanna River was to the right, and the view was nice since we were 250 feet up from the base of the reservoir, and over 400 feet up from the river.
Checking missed calls before getting back on the bikes. The last couple stream crossings really cleaned off the bikes and our boots.
An Amish barn raising!
After crossing the dam, we went north on 372 a few miles so I could top off with fuel (I only have about a 70 mile range). That is where we saw this…
There must have been 40 guys banging away in unison with their hammers. The sound it was like nothing I have heard before.
We stopped for fuel and something to drink. It also gave me some time to sit down and look at my maps and try to plan the rest of the ride. We knew rain was coming, and the skies were getting darker.
After getting fuel, we backtracked towards the reservoir and then went north on 3017 / River Rd. Our plan was to take this all the way into Lancaster, PA.
Another stream crossing!
A few miles in we passed the Tuscguan Glen Nature Preserve. Along the side of the road was another cool stream crossing that I had to check out (my new HID headlight sure is bright, isn’t it?)
Being that it was a nature preserve, I didn’t want to anger anyone by riding on on any of the trails. All I wanted to do was do the stream crossing.
After a few minutes we were back on our way.
The trip home:
Lancaster never happened. Our daylight and good luck with the weather was wearing thin, so decided to save it for another day and we turned around and made our way home.
Following 272 south we passed through Nottingham, PA, home to Herr’s, a well known snack company.
We didn’t have time to go in, but we managed to snap a picture outside.
Although it wasn't a long ride, and the terrain wasn't as extreme as some of the other stuff you see on the web or in magazines, we still had fun. We rode about 125 miles from start to finish, and the bikes and us both made it home in one piece. We cleaned them up and then went out for some food and drinks. There was no argument with either of us. This was a great day to take off work!
