Canaan Valley and the Forks of Cheat
This is a gravel loop that covers some of my favorite parts of West Virginia, the open spaces of Canaan Valley and the forests and peaks of the Cheat River Basin. The 'Forks of Cheat' indicate the network of tributary streams of the Cheat River. We started in Davis and entered Blackwater Falls Park. The roads quality deteriorated quickly and there were two miles of very rough 4WD track, the toughest stretch of the whole loop. Then the horizon opened up when we arrived in Canaan Valley, with mostly smooth paved roads. The ride then dives down towards the Cheat River at Gladwin Valley (there is a campsite). Then we climbed up Sully road on a ridgeline, and down again towards Alpena. Another long ascent brings up to Bickle Knob (amazing views). A couple miles before the peak we spent the night in Bear Heaven campsite. Make sure to explore the nearby short rocky trail. After plunging down Bickle Knob, the the ride follows the Shavers Fork on a dirt road. The final climb is a mellow