This week I led a small group ride with the American Legion Riders Post 15 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Our destination was Tu-Endie-Wei State Park in Point Pleasant, WV — a small West Virginia riverfront park with a big history and a direct connection to one of West Virginia’s best-known roadside legends: Mothman.
If you are looking for a meaningful West Virginia motorcycle ride that mixes backroad miles, veterans, frontier history, and a stop in Point Pleasant, this is one worth adding to your ride list.
Riding South to Point Pleasant and Mothman Country
The ride south gave us more than 150 miles, round trip, of good seat time, steady company, and the kind of destination that makes a motorcycle day trip feel like more than just a loop on the map. Point Pleasant is often known as the “Home of the Mothman,” and I’ve written before about a Mothman motorcycle ride to Point Pleasant, but this trip focused more on the history of the area around Point Pleasant.
A Ranger-Led Look at the Battle of Point Pleasant
I had arranged a special discussion and tour with the park ranger, Steven Browning, for our group of former service members. The goal was simple: give us a better understanding of the Battle of Point Pleasant, the people involved, and why this small park matters.
The ranger did an excellent job explaining the battle between Chief Cornstalk’s forces and the Virginia militia. Some historians and local storytellers refer to the Battle of Point Pleasant as an early fight connected to the American Revolution, while others view it within the broader conflicts between British, French, and Native interests on the frontier.
Several Virginia soldiers and officers killed in the battle are buried in the park, along with Chief Cornstalk. The park also includes the story of “Mad Anne” Bailey, a frontier figure connected to the region’s early history.
A Small Park with a Lot to See
For a small state park, Tu-Endie-Wei has a lot packed into a compact space. One veteran of the battle returned years later and built a home and tavern that still stands today. Seeing what was considered a large home on the frontier gives you a different perspective on daily life during that period.
The docent, Leigh Ann, explained how the owner and his wife kept part of the structure as private family space while also running a tavern, lodging house, food stop, and animal-care business. Today, the building houses local artifacts from that time period through more recent history.
Lunch at Point Pleasant American Legion Post 23
After our visit to the park, we had a leisurely lunch at Point Pleasant American Legion Post 23 and then headed back home. It was a solid day on the bike: good riding, good company, veteran fellowship, and a bit of education tossed in.
Why This Ride Works
- A meaningful veterans motorcycle ride with the American Legion Riders.
- A historic West Virginia destination that adds context to the road miles.
- An easy connection to other Point Pleasant and Mothman-area rides.
- A good day-trip option for riders in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Related I Just Want 2 Ride Posts
- American Legion Riders and veteran posts
- West Virginia motorcycle ride reports
- Mothman motorcycle ride ideas
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