⚠️ This trip has been cancelled due to rain. The group is pivoting to a New England trip — stay tuned for details.

Intro

Dates: May 23rd – 31st, 2026

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We’re heading to Fayetteville, West Virginia — gateway to the New River Gorge National Park. Five solid days of riding through some of the best twisty roads on the East Coast, anchored by the legendary RT60 The Talon and the spectacular New River Gorge. Eleven riders. One block of rooms. Let’s go.

Getting There

No organized group ride down — each rider is responsible for their own route. It’s roughly 7 hours interstate so most folks will want to split the trip over two days.

Suggested midpoint: Cumberland, MD area (about halfway).

Itinerary

Saturday, May 23rd

Depart day. Group meetup at Birdsboro Sunoco, 235 N Furnace St, Birdsboro PA — KSU 9am. Ride together as far as you like, then break off as your plans dictate. Most folks will stop overnight around Cumberland, MD.

Sunday, May 24th

Continue to Fayetteville. Check in at Quality Inn New River Gorge. Settle in, shake off the highway miles, grab dinner at Elliott’s next door.

Monday–Friday, May 25th–29th

Five full days of riding. The area has more roads than we have days. Must-rides include:

  • RT60 The Talon / Midland Trail — the marquee road, runs east-west through the gorge region
  • Fayette Station Road — drops under the New River Gorge Bridge to river level; short but spectacular
  • Thurmond Road — descends to the ghost town of Thurmond on the south side of the gorge
  • Loop via Hinton & Lewisburg — south to Hinton on the New River, east to Lewisburg for lunch; a full-day adventure (~150–170 miles of back roads)

See the Ride Ideas section for more detail.

Saturday, May 30th

Check out day. Depart Fayetteville, ride roughly halfway home. Most folks will overnight around Cumberland, MD again.

Sunday, May 31st

Final leg home.

Hotel to Book

Quality Inn New River Gorge — Fayetteville, WV

We have a block of 15 rooms on the 2nd floor held under Montco Riders.

THE ROOM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY — call to book your own room and mention the group name.

Detail Info
Phone 304-574-8256 (press 1 or 2, ask for Jessica)
Group name Montco Riders
Rate $99/night, double queens
Check-in Sunday, May 24th
Check-out Saturday, May 30th
Cancellation Free cancellation until 4pm on the day of your booking

Book early — 15 rooms sounds like a lot until it isn’t.

Ride Ideas

RT60 The Talon / Midland Trail

The must-do of the trip. US-60 runs east-west through the New River Gorge region and is one of the most celebrated motorcycle roads in West Virginia. The stretch from Fayetteville east to Lewisburg is particularly good.

Fayette Station Road

Short but unmissable. Tight switchbacks dropping from the bridge down to river level directly under the arch of the New River Gorge Bridge — you get an up-close look at the bridge from below and the rapids of the New River. Do this one early in the week.

Thurmond Road (Dunloup Creek Rd)

Descends the south side of the gorge to the historic ghost town of Thurmond — a former railroad boomtown now preserved by the NPS. Great twisties and a cool history stop.

Full-Day Loop: Hinton & Lewisburg

A longer day ride covering some of the best back roads in the region.

Route: Fayetteville → Terry → Meadow Bridge → Hinton → Lewisburg → Crawley → Rupert → Fayetteville (~150–170 miles)

Hinton, WV is a scenic railroad town at the confluence of the Greenbrier and New Rivers, just below Bluestone Dam — worth a quick stop. Then push east to Lewisburg for lunch — a charming historic town with great restaurants and easy group parking.

Lewisburg Lunch Options

Restaurant Notes
Secret Sandwich Society Repeatedly named best in WV — Southern Living, WaPo, USA Today
The Humble Tomato Local favorite, good for groups
Hill and Holler Well-reviewed, solid lunch menu
Stardust Cafe Well-regarded local option
Del Sol Cantina Mexican, patio seating

Things to Do

New River Gorge National Park

  • Canyon Rim Visitor Center — start here. Two overlooks (panoramic top + arch-level lower), NPS exhibits. Just north of the bridge on US-19.
  • New River Gorge Bridge — longest steel-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere at 876 ft above the river. Walk the pedestrian path across.
  • Long Point Trail (3.2 mi roundtrip) — classic view of the bridge from a gorge-rim overlook. Moderate hike, great photo stop.
  • Endless Wall Trail (~2.4 mi) — rim trail with dramatic cliff-edge gorge views and rock climber watching.
  • Kaymoor Miners Trail — 821 wooden steps descending to an old coal mine site. Historic and scenic.

Motorcycle-Friendly Hangout

Arrowhead Bike Farm — campground and biergarten popular with the moto crowd. The Handle Bar + Kitchen on-site has bratwurst, tacos, craft beer and a big outdoor patio. Casual, pet-friendly, good vibes.

Food & Drink

Right Next Door

Elliott’s Whitewater Bar & Grill — attached to the hotel. Local institution since 1987. Good for the group after a long ride day.

Downtown Fayetteville (Court Street)

Restaurant Vibe Notes
Secret Sandwich Society Casual lunch Repeatedly named best in WV — Southern Living, WaPo, USA Today
Pies & Pints Pizza + craft beer Unconventional pies — Chicken Gouda, Grape & Gorgonzola
Firecreek BBQ & Steaks BBQ “Best BBQ” — Blue Ridge Outdoors; smoked ribs, brisket, wings
Cathedral Cafe Cafe / light Fresh local ingredients, homemade desserts, community staple since 2000
Don Rizo Mexican Kitchen Mexican Full bar, Tue–Sat
The Gaines Estate Fine dining Restored 1917 mansion — Wed–Sat dinner, Sun brunch. Book ahead.
Southside Junction Tap House Tap house 12 rotating local taps, bar bites

Breweries

Brewery Notes
Bridge Brew Works Outdoor patio on Nick Rahall Greenway, tasting room
FreeFolk Brewery Locations in Fayetteville and nearby Hico; food available, pet-friendly

Questions? Email help@montcoriders.com