http://serpentsbones.com/photo-album daily 0.75 2019-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521815446-Q94QCR6G084KVGGTUDU0/sipos_BHR.jpg Photo Album Some riders like to camp, and https://blueheronrun.com/ has great space on the Serpent’s Chin with access to all the best Bones! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521815446-Q94QCR6G084KVGGTUDU0/sipos_BHR.jpg Photo Album Some riders like to camp, and https://blueheronrun.com/ has great space on the Serpent’s Chin with access to all the best Bones! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518895720314-R364DPO5LT38POC30P06/bike_lakeHOPE.jpg Photo Album https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518895799120-SO7O2B0D9JTW2WV9H2AD/waterloo_bikes.jpg Photo Album Waterloo wildlife area. Some rocks! Nice fishing and hiking. Peaceful. Corner of SR 56 & SR 356. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533522174333-60HGG818F16UCGB5EZIG/road_681Meigs.jpg Photo Album SR 681 south of 33 - deserted and incredible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979235163-PPOSH37ERZXUNFLRCLGX/SR356FLOOD.jpg Photo Album SR 356 on the eastern side of Zaleski State Park is lovely, and parts of it lie in the flood plain (heart of the Serpent). Boy are the frogs loud here, though. Deepest water I’ve ridden through (not this pic though). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979244874-YMLFARQ8GN81071XVYQX/blackfriar_bridgeBIKE.jpeg Photo Album Blackwood covered bridge in Athens Co. totally in the middle of nowhere. Delightful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521657312-XYPTM3JN8YIC0BD0S98N/covered_bridge.jpg Photo Album Just off the Appalachian Hwy, on CR 38 by the cell tower - a drivable covered bridge. Arbaugh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979289469-HIKXFLOHHEKLTFQR6AK1/richland_furnTUNNEL.JPG Photo Album Richland Furnace area RR tunnel. Still in use. Hand hewn with timber at both ends. Must park on dead end to walk here. Totally worth it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521717759-T0J3H47XG804IXHZXQQO/babes_wildHORSE.jpg Photo Album Girls just wanna have lunch. At the Wild Horse Cafe in Pomeroy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979339420-VMWYMS6L2FDILNWU13LP/richland_furnaceROCK.JPG Photo Album Some of the rocks chipped away to put the RR through in Richland Furnace area. Super cool. Could you do that? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979382651-12ZG9HFFGI3LBW6UY7S6/richland_furnOPEN.JPG Photo Album Richland Furnace from the side. Dry stone stacked! No mortar. Who were these people and did they not have distractions like air conditioning and internet? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518979297707-ISQDM0ATZSY9W7S49F1B/lookout_rockDOGS.jpeg Photo Album My dogs on Lookout Rock, or Lover’s Leap Rock in Zaleski State Forest. Super narrow road with serious drops on both sides. My kids were traumatized by this drive. Obviously my dogs and I love it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491151215-V8A559P8AY3SBQBZPVJC/dunbarPIERsm.jpeg Photo Album Dunbar piers in western Washington Co Ohio. Dry stone stack. 80 feet tall. NO mortar. Craftsmanship. Carried trains across the valley. Lost art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491298767-HXXYN5F6720ZS7O3HWLL/dunbarARCHviewSM.jpeg Photo Album Dunbar pier arch. Dry stone stacked. NO mortar. Huge sandstone pieces. Lost art. Carried trains to the area. Western Washington Co not far from the Triple Nickel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491084514-PX3TT72CYQFAZ2FLE7LC/keystoneSM.jpeg Photo Album Keystone furnace - on private land. Gravel road. Still worth a peek. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525493376827-0613GPOQVTQR2YIIXOIH/bike_HOPEfurnace.jpeg Photo Album Hope Furnace on SR 278 just north of the lake. Great visit. Dry stone stacked. Site of total devastation of surrounding old growth forest (read the plaques). Similar activity in the Black Country of the West Midlands of England inspired Mordor of Lord of the Rings fame. An area of 24/7 fire, smoke, and brimstone fueled by coal and greed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491381898-X5EJ98RZKD5VY1N5MMLD/keystoneCUTOUTsm.jpeg Photo Album Keystone furnace view from inside. Jackson Co Ohio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491421646-JP3MNZ7ZU4VNIIA7QNXF/keystoneSTAIRsm.jpeg Photo Album Keystone furnace stairway. Jackson Co Ohio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491473780-GI5Q4DZPPFU8I8P66VIR/rock_bridgeSM.jpeg Photo Album Natural rock bridge. On private property right on the road. Western Washington Co, Ohio. Near the Triple Nickel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491550723-ZO20F4TZTVP7L50J0Z26/SBad_sm.jpg Photo Album Advertisement in Vinton Co Visitor’s guide. FREE self-tours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491619160-0OXLXHY72BVXMNC7AMOC/campbell_tunnel2.jpg Photo Album Campbell’s tunnel just outside of Radcliff, Ohio off of I-32 from Athens to Cincinnati. Very swampy and muddy. Hand-hewn almost 900 feet long. Amazing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525491773582-FS8FO3ZO326A680QAKDF/female_rideday.jpg Photo Album Female ride day 2017. Waterloo Wildlife Area. Nice hiking & fishing & rocks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525492076078-NEDMTH04BN55K0XZFLWZ/bike_HOPElodgeSM.jpeg Photo Album Lake Hope Lodge. Vinton Co, Ohio. Great location, amazing food, and a stunning view of the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525492159987-MYAGKXWD0RA7IHMUNWNO/bike_lakeHOPE.jpeg Photo Album Lake Hope in January. It’s much greener in swimming season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533519015532-YAT73WEUBCZ72DCMQFTE/775signCROP.jpg Photo Album You won’t see this sign unless you come south on 233 to 141 toward Gallipolis. I guess they figure others will just take the straight way? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533519118107-6SSUSIN629TUY7AGKDJS/gallipolis_street.jpg Photo Album What a beautiful littel gem of a river town, Gallipolis, named for the French (Gauls) and the Latin for town. Great launching spot for adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533520665152-CD2R9I0S2O3AH37LT8EE/Ash_bikes.jpg Photo Album By Ash Cave on SR 56. Nice pit stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533520828303-PWQZE3R7AEYQFZFBMB80/moto_tunnel.jpg Photo Album King Hollow RR tunnel. Can’t get there from here any more unless super motivated. Just off SR 356 down King Hollow Rd, at the intersection with Rock Camp Rd park and walk? Maybe? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521085883-85ADEX08OL3LEWIX4VHM/Tyn_Rhos_cabin_Gallia.jpg Photo Album Old Welsh Cemetery outside of Rio Grande. Take Cherry Ridge Rd off SR 325 S for a bit, turn right on the ridge where it says there’s a Christian Camp. It is just a mile or so all paved. Gorgeous. Peaceful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521413043-S7CZ6R7XCVKFM61S2LS4/Mound_arch_gallia.jpg Photo Album Just on the edge of Gallipolis is an amazing cemetery, Mound Hill. Take SR 141 out of town, turn quickly left and uphill to the top of the world view of the Ohio River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521472890-K7DL0345CPBZ6W1ME8NA/Scottown_bridge.jpg Photo Album Scottown Bridge on SR 217 at the southern end of the Serpent’s Bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521537753-FYGX82J1MUSAXB1ZSR99/Wilgus_rockJAIL.jpg Photo Album The sandstone carved rock jail from early 1800’s on Sr 775 just off the intersection with SR 141 (Serpent’s Claw & Serpent’s Belly). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533521934875-V213HAZ36BNFROYTZAN1/sipos_albanyCAFE.jpg Photo Album On the Serpent’s Spine - by the Albany Cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533522012957-LBDPA3PE3UNFO3ECCZTP/sipos_vineyard.jpg Photo Album On the Serpent’s Spine by Petit Chevalier Vineyards just south of SR 56 on Locust Grove Rd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533522276113-ZJLW3SO2Z5C0CNS82IN9/route160_rest.jpg Photo Album Route 160 Diner in Wilkesville, OH. The intersection of SR 160, SR 124, and SR 689. Wonderful, helpful folks with good food and stories. Stop & say I said hello. http://serpentsbones.com/new-index daily 0.75 2021-05-03 http://serpentsbones.com/new-page daily 1.0 2020-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525485937603-V5DMZ9SLBJDEOXLP0IU0/serpent-logo.jpg Serpent's Bones The Serpent of the Serpent's Bones by lifelong Vinton County resident, artist, and teacher, John Timms. The wings are red tail hawk, the antlers are white tail deer, and the talons are from a Hopewell Mica artifact. He created it with Native American and Celtic influences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1515358384557-VKKQGTZ5LHTAAK99F8GW/bike_waterloo.jpg Serpent's Bones http://serpentsbones.com/the-heart-of-the-serpent daily 0.75 2020-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1516221099096-XQ8B735AX5WFQ4Z9MBQ0/20141026_155435.jpg Heart (Lake Hope) At the far end of King Hollow RR Tunnel. Slick clay, good-sized puddles, and dark as night after bright sunlight. Best experienced on foot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531767782207-DZDMHUM4509U0JWDBBD1/image-asset.jpeg Heart (Lake Hope) Some bikes camping at Blue Heron Run by Albany. Thanks to Sarah Sipos for the photo! http://serpentsbones.com/scale daily 0.75 2020-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1515274388116-EGU9XQ4UHT8IE5BUQ5QZ/belgian_coke_ovens.jpg Scale (Union Ridge) The last standing example in the world of Belgian Coke Ovens imported first to PA, then to a location in what is now the Vinton Experimental Forest near Dundas, OH. Each stone is hand crafted and numbered for re-assembly. Labeled as Vinton Furnace, it was never very successful and fell into disrepair. It is difficult to access, and a bit of a challenge to find, but well worth the adventure. Take Stone Quarry Rd (very rough gravel) south of Hwy 50, past the closed end of Murphy Rd (not closed to adventure riders - but quite a challenge, especially in wet or icy conditions), and park by the rotten bridge. Follow trail signs and pray. Better, use GPS - N 39° 12.296 W 082° 24.444 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518461677430-WF1U4S53S7S8EQMJJLY1/campbellFUDGE.jpg Scale (Union Ridge) Really mucky, deep mud and clay. Super cool though! Road to it is paved well enough for most vehicles. Gravel turn around at far end of tunnel on RR bed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531862127034-M6LJYTHDNM2EJNEC8LUZ/covered_bridge.jpg Scale (Union Ridge) Arbaugh Covered Bridge at Eakins Mills, just off 32 W on CR 38 N. Lovely. http://serpentsbones.com/coil daily 0.75 2020-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531623268314-786YMCQKARLPUEI29BSN/Madison_furn.JPG Coil (Rio Grande) Madison Furnace in Cooper Wildlife Area by the ranger station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1518402149404-IJ7T6VIM6SB4HV0IGJP3/campbell_tunnel1.jpg Coil (Rio Grande) Campbell's Tunnel on Thompsonville Road just South of I-32 and one exit west of SR 160 and Radcliff, Ohio. Coolest thing I've seen in a while! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1515432090261-N6249HMS547IGWMZRWZY/buckeye_furn.jpg Coil (Rio Grande) Buckeye Furnace - off the beaten path and well worth a visit. You can hike up top. Nice spot for resting or a picnic. http://serpentsbones.com/spine daily 0.75 2018-12-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531767255609-LRHCG7IYYSDOG7BZSVCB/sipos_vineyard.jpg Spine (Ash Cave) Petit Chevaliers Vineyard on Laurel Run Rd south of SR 56. Oh, and some rad rides, thanks Sarah Sipos for the photo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1525488940945-8L7V2J9KDF0GCPA2QAWK/serpent_green.jpg Spine (Ash Cave) Haayiitlik-Lightning Serpent by Ray Sim Sr., a Coast Salish, Gitxan artist. Limited edition serigraph, 15 x 19 inches. C. 2004. First Nations Art. http://serpentsbones.com/tongue daily 0.75 2020-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531766868566-MAGFT7ZO818PMYZ2AAUN/sipos_albanyCAFE.jpg Tongue (Meigs Co) The old school building behind the library that holds the Albany Cafe! Oh, and some hot rides too! Photo credit - Sarah Sipos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531601490752-N522FEJX3ZZ3OYE35TUH/reedsvilleLOCKS.jpg Tongue (Meigs Co) Older pic of the Reedsville Locks & Dam on the Ohio River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1531768784259-SCSY0Q80KAO05OMR3IGL/babes_wildHORSE.jpg Tongue (Meigs Co) They started following me out of Athens and all along the Serpent's Tongue to Pomeroy and the Wild Horse Cafe. Biker Babes rule! http://serpentsbones.com/horns daily 0.75 2019-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1530731663943-8MYI13J1AG30L30JZCI3/round_Haydenville.jpg Horns (Nelsonville) This round house looks like a piece of the famous pipe set on its end with a roof. Drive through slowly. Come back another time for a hike to find the Haydenville Tunnel - spooky & half collapsed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1530733590996-E2OEWB88VQSEC8XIMA7F/brick_kiln_Nelson.jpg Horns (Nelsonville) Brick kiln on 278 just south of Nelsonville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1530731552865-8AOI0QZCSNPNNJRIHRRN/pipe_Haydenville.jpg Horns (Nelsonville) Houses were made of the clay materials produced by the company - including the world famous red clay pipes! http://serpentsbones.com/beard daily 0.75 2020-07-05 http://serpentsbones.com/belly daily 0.75 2018-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1532804558984-G8R3XQGL6XKMWUR511LG/Mound_arch_gallia.jpg Belly (Gallia Co) Mound Hill Cemetery looking down at the Ohio River - also known as Fortification Hill. Just south of Gallipolis off SR 141. Stunning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1532804686123-HHIGAOWP6ZAMUIT0WC86/Wilgus_rockJAIL2.jpg Belly (Gallia Co) Wilgus intersection of SR 141 & SR 775 - just on 775 N. LEO 1817 carved on front. Reportedly used as a rock jail in early 1800's. Room inside about 12'x12'x6' high. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1532874236030-85QIPPUUJAAJGB38WBUT/gallipolis_park.jpg Belly (Gallia Co) On the main drag Route 7 through Gallipolis. Beautiful city park facing the storefronts. Gorgeous views of the river, historical markers, and homes/museums. Stay a couple of days. Feel the river breeze on your face. Hop out onto the Serpent's Beard or try a local vineyard's wares. http://serpentsbones.com/claws daily 0.75 2018-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533154558943-MODRYEFZ4C3S9UEJ82C2/Scottown_bridge.jpg Claw (Crown City) Scottown Bridge, lovingly restored. Worth a looksee and maybe a walk acrossee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533154391485-VKRV23FDA53MYSCO4OFR/775signCROP.jpg Claw (Crown City) And they mean it! HooBoy! There is a tricky tight uphill canted greater than 90 degree turn with a divot in the middle going south on this road. I designed the ride going the other way, but if it was that much fun feel free to ride it backwards. Or add it to the Serpent's Coil. Choose your own adventure! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533154651862-TDMZ5ZPD4BZLA1EZ9YHL/Wilgus_rockJAIL.jpg Claw (Crown City) Rock jail carved from sandstone on SR 775 just north of intersection with SR 141. Carving says, LEO 1817. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1533154722519-4NKNM7RKUUFW1ZZM8X8W/gallipolis_front.jpg Claw (Crown City) Historic Route 7, 2nd Ave. Gallipolis, OH http://serpentsbones.com/breath daily 0.75 2019-10-08 http://serpentsbones.com/wings daily 0.75 2019-09-29 http://serpentsbones.com/haunch-jackson daily 0.75 2019-09-29 http://serpentsbones.com/dream-marietta daily 0.75 2019-09-29 http://serpentsbones.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2021-05-03 http://serpentsbones.com/home-alt-bedford daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390500612440-PGQSIY8KL9F7T5VIXQLO/chambers-2.jpg Home Alt A better world Starts with a choice Contact Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390500503574-5BAPXZO9U06UV61P49UO/chambers1.jpg Home Alt Sustainability Starts with you Join Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390500933384-LII4SRIPHFYOUFX0UCXC/chambers-4.jpg Home Alt A better world Starts with a choice Join Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390504287124-HQ8GNX1JCE22V047MSQ9/chambers-8.jpg Home Alt Preserve Nature Join Us http://serpentsbones.com/support daily 0.75 2018-01-08 http://serpentsbones.com/support/support-the-serpents-bones monthly 0.5 2018-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54109ae5e4b04642ac6832d2/1515441579424-879F99D6CWDZAI2L3PXE/rosie_bike.JPG Support - Support the Serpent's Bones