Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/776310
18 nFebruary 2017n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Larry King SOUTHEAST OHIO—As a child growing up in northwest Ohio, I thought all roads were straight, fl at and had a cornfi eld on both sides. In my adult years I have been fortunate enough to have been able to ride in 49 states and most of Canada, traversing some of the greatest motorcycle roads on the map. One of the most heralded roads in the U.S. is Highway 129, the Tail of the Dragon, which I have ridden many times. Of course, when riders get together one of the things they talk about are the roads they have ridden or plan to ride. During many of these conversations the Ohio Tail of the Dragon came up, but it seemed there was a lot of disagreement on exactly which road it was. Some said it was Highway 78 from Caldwell west to Glouster. Others said it was Highway 555, the Triple Nickel from Ringgold to Highway 7 on the Ohio River, and yet others said no, it was Highway 536 from Highway 78 to Hannibal. My quest was to ride these roads and any others I could fi nd and rate them on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being on par with Highway 129, the original Tail of the Dragon. Leaving my home early, I rode I-77 to Highway 78 at Caldwell and headed west toward Glouster. Highway 78 twists and turns through southern Ohio coal country much like West Virginia. As I rode I found 78 was somewhat like a roller coaster, follow- ing the contour of the hilly country with a number of S turns and elevation changes. The elevation changes were not steep grades, but were instead those blind humps that you can't see over until you reach the top. It seemed every time I topped one of these humps there was a tight turn just on the other side. I learned quickly to slow down. About 17 miles west of Caldwell I came to Miner's Memorial Park. After entering the park I could see "Big Muskie's Bucket." Remember, I said this is Ohio coal country. Built in 1969, the Big Muskie excavator could move 39 million pounds of earth in one hour, opening up rich coal deposits just below the surface. The Big Muskie was the largest machine of its type in the world and was used until 1991 when all production stopped. In 1999 it was slated for the scrap pile and now only its massive bucket remains as a memorial to the miners who worked here. This is well worth the stop, if only to have some idea of how mas- sive this machine must have been. Leaving the park, I continued on Highway 78 to McConnelsville. This town, settled in the early 1800's, thrived on the coal mining in the area until the strip mines closed down. In the middle of the town square is a statue of a Civil War soldier hon- oring those who served. I am told McConnelsville is where oil was fi rst discovered in North America, but saw no signs of any oil wells so I con- tinued on with my quest to discover Ohio's Tail of the Dragon. Leaving McConnelsville the curves started to get tighter, with some great scenery. As I continued on to Glouster I thought that this road does not equal Highway 129, but it sure was a fun ride. After riding the fi nal miles to Glouster I stopped for gas, a coffee and to check my map. In Glouster there is a mural on the side of an abandoned brick building depicting the coal mining days and steam locomotives that trans- ported the coal. After a few pictures I backtracked east on 78 to Ringgold OHIO TAIL OF THE DRAGON In search of a legend Twists and turns through the Buckeye State A stop at Miner's Memorial Park near McConnelsville to check out "Big Muskie's Bucket" is a must This building's mural depicts the early days and coal mining history of Glouster, Ohio The historic Hune Covered Bridge sits just off Highway 26 north of Marietta See "Ohio Tail," page 77, column 1