Pictured here is my BMW R1200 RT in front of the Hune Covered Bridge from an earlier trip down Ohio's Covered Bridge Scenic Byway

Several weeks ago, I had some relatives come to visit from out of state.  We had a motorcycle ride planned that would take us to Maryland for lunch, but due to time constraints, we had to alter our ride plans.  Lately, I have been riding my motorcycle in Southeast Ohio in the Appalachian foothills and I thought I would like to ride Ohio Route 26 again.  I had ridden my motorcycle on this route once before and it was very enjoyable, and this was a route that we could take and still be home in time for the other riders to keep their evening plans.

We rode a route that took us down OH 800 to OH 26.  OH 26 is known as the “Covered Bridge Scenic Byway.”  It also is one of the curvier roads in the area making it a great motorcycle road.  OH 26 takes a course alongside the Little Muskingum River as it winds through the Wayne National Forest.  There are reported to be four covered bridges along OH 26, but I have only seen three on the times that I have ridden the route.  One of the covered bridges that is along OH 26 has been nearly destroyed in 1913, 1938, and again in 2004.  The Rinard Covered Bridge was most recently a victim to the remnants of several hurricanes that washed the bridge downstream in 2004 after dumping 8 feet of rain in the region.  The bridge was painstakingly restored using the original timbers to keep the historic designation.

One of the bridges that still stands is the Hune Covered Bridge.  Motorists can still cross this bridge, which is not common these days.  Most covered bridges that are still standing have been close to automobile traffic for many years, although Ashtabula County has been building new covered bridges, as the former County Engineer said that they were far more cost effective than a steel or concrete bridge that would only last 50 to 75 years.  

In the fall of 2007, Ohio had 141 remaining covered bridges, second only to Pennsylvania which has about 200 remaining covered bridges.  OH 26 is a great motorcycle road and has the added benefit of having the covered bridges.  I will be riding OH 26 again soon, and I plan on riding many of the other area roads while in the area. OH 26 from Woodsfield, OH to Marietta, OH is a very scenic ride that is easily accessible from Interstate 77.  The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway is 44 miles long.  The Marietta end of the route is very curvy and has some nice hills.  

If you decide to ride the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, stop off in Woodsfield, OH at the Hometown Restaurant and treat yourself to a roast beef sandwich.  I had an excellent sandwich there.  My uncle at a meatloaf sandwich that he said was excellent.  Woodsfield is several hours from my house, but I may make the ride there again for the sandwich, it was that good.  We found this place after my GPS led me to a diner that was no longer in town, having been replaced with a Subway.  I asked a farmer that was outside the hardware where the “best food in town” was.  He pointed us to the Hometown Restaurant.

When you decide to ride OH 26, it is only 44 miles long, but plan on riding for a good part of the day, you will want to allow time to stop and enjoy some of the scenery.  We did not have time to do that this last time, but I will have more time the next time that I ride the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway.

See Also: Preserving Ohio’s Covered Bridges

                Ohio Covered Bridge Locations