Ride Destination:Hillbilly Hot Dogs, Lesage, WVRoute Taken: OH-7 to US-35, then WV-2 south along the Ohio river Distance: ~150 miles round trip Vibe: Backwoods carnival meets roadside Americana
Hotdogs are a true American staple—loved by many, for better or worse. Hillbilly Hotdogs takes that classic comfort food and gives it a major Appalachian twist, both in flavor and atmosphere.
Location: Hillbilly Hotdog on WV Route 2 north of Huntington, WV.
You can’t miss it: wedged between the road and the mountain, it’s a roadside attraction that grabs your attention whether you stop or just ride by.
The place is packed with quirky, hillbilly-themed décor, including a “Weddin Chaple” that’s hosted real weddings! It will engage your eyes as there is something everywhere you look!
The gravel parking lot offers plenty of space, with overflow parking on both sides of the chapel.
Seating is plentiful, thanks to a couple of converted school buses and a collection of outdoor tables.
The Food
Let’s talk dogs. These aren’t your ballpark franks—they’re Frankenstein creations of chili, slaw, jalapeños, mac & cheese, and whatever else the hillbilly imagination conjure. Here are a few standouts:
The Homewrecker: A 15-inch beast loaded with everything but regret. It’s a challenge and a meal, and yes, they make you sign a waiver.
The Mothman Dog: Spicy, smoky, and just mysterious enough to make you wonder if you saw something in the woods on the way in.
Hillbilly Nachos: Because why not? Pulled pork, cheese, jalapeños, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce that could win awards.
The menu is extensive, with over 30 different types of hotdogs—so many, I wish I had snapped a photo for reference!
On our visit, Debbie opted for the “Ketchup Puppy” (not feeling adventurous that day), while I went for the Taco Dog, loaded with all the classic taco fixings. The dogs themselves are flavorful and high-quality, and the toppings on my Taco Dog were fresh and delicious.
Overall Thoughts: Must-visit food stops for bikers in Appalachia
Hillbilly Hotdogs is a must-visit if you’re anywhere nearby. It’s exactly what your stomach needs during a day trip or a long ride. Even Guy Fieri stopped by to tackle the Homewrecker for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The restaurant’s quirky spirit is so iconic, it even appears in the video game Fallout 76.
If you’re planning a ride through West Virginia, make sure Hillbilly Hotdogs is on your itinerary. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that blends great food, fun atmosphere, and true roadside Americana.
Have you been to Hillbilly Hotdog? If so comment below and let me know your thoughts.
My video skills are still a work in progress, but I’m working on it.
This short video captures our motorcycle ride with the Mothman Harley Davidson dealership. We rode from the dealership to the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to visit the home and statue of the legendary Mothman.”
Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others.
Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V598000
Manufacturer KTM North America, Inc.
Components VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary KTM North America, Inc. is recalling certain 2022-2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycles. Water could enter the throttle (e-throttle) control unit and cause it to fail, resulting in loss of drive power.
Remedy KTM and Husqvarna dealers will inspect and replace the e-throttle control, free of charge. KTM has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V590000
Manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Components STEERING
Summary Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Remedy Dealers will replace the upper triple clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0190.
[IJustWant2Ride – Start] This post is by the organization Save London Motorcycling. Save London Motorcycling is a grassroots organization dedicated to fighting threats to motorcycling in London, UK. Don’t think it can’t happen in the US. I have pointed out, in several posts, attempts to “restrain” motorcycling and do not forget that the Vision Zero coalition is all about zero motorcycles.
Please share this to raise awareness this not just for “Save London Motorcycling” but for all of us. [IjustWant2Ride – End]
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Why We Fight to Ride Our Motorcycles
Across the UK, riders are under attack. Step by step, rule by rule, life on two wheels is being made harder, and London is on the front line.
Riders see what’s happening, but too often they don’t know how to respond. That’s why we created Save London Motorcycling to organize, to show riders they have power, and to fight back. We don’t charge membership fees; we just spread awareness and ask for whatever time, energy, and passion riders can spare.
Motorcycling is something we love, the freedom, the community, the vitality. Most riders aren’t chasing the old stereotype of the anarchist outlaw. We’re just people who ride because we love it and it makes our lives better.
If you are invisible, you are in danger
As passionate as we can be about bikes when talking to other riders, most of us don’t bring it up unprompted in day-to-day conversation with non-bikers. We’re more interested in riding than talking about riding, and that makes us invisible to many people. They don’t know anyone who looks like their idea of a stereotypical biker, and so they don’t think they know anyone who rides. And as every rider knows, if you’re invisible, you’re in danger.
We all know there’s a small minority of people who think motorbikes are nothing but a nuisance: noisy, dirty, and dangerous. They don’t ride, they don’t understand why we do, and if it were up to them, they’d ban us all tomorrow.
Government Officials Have Agendas
In the UK, much like the USA, it’s local government that makes the rules we feel every day. That means one anti-motorbike councilor, elected with only a few hundred votes, can make life hell for riders across their borough.
If they tried to do this to car drivers they’d be reined in by their more moderate colleagues, car drivers are voters after all! But their colleagues don’t think they know any bikers, they don’t see us, they don’t hear us, and they don’t think we vote.
Hackney has become an extreme example of this, after their own anti-motorcycle activist councilor decided to impose parking charges on motorbikes at the same rate as cars and ban all-day parking to prevent motorbike commuting.
With petitions and protests, presenting the evidence and reasoning the case, we achieved some concessions from the Council. But in the end, they simply stopped listening. The original policy was so draconian, that even after their ‘concessions’ the costs are devastating.
Charges for commuters add up to more than £2,000 a year just to park at work. Resident permits up to £596 annually, and business permits reach £1,560, with further rises already planned. For around 10% of residents, those living in so-called ‘car-free developments’, permits are simply unavailable – motorbikes are banned outright.
By Hackney’s own projections, these rules would cause a 70% drop in motorbike use in the borough. Riders who rely on two wheels for work, family, or affordable travel are being told they’re no longer welcome. Hackney’s own target for reducing car use over the same period is only 30%.
Riders are being deliberately disproportionately targeted, not because of evidence, but because we are seen as a politically soft target.
Standing Up for Motorcyclists
Save London Motorcycling is refusing to let this stand. We have launched a legal challenge in the High Court, arguing that Hackney’s policy is unlawful, disproportionate, and discriminatory. If we win this case, it could have important implications for councils across the UK, setting the precedent that motorcyclists cannot be disproportionately targeted in this way without evidence.
Taking a council to court is not cheap, but thanks to the generosity of over a thousand riders and supporters, we have raised more than £20,000 through crowdfunding, with our target of £25,000 now within reach.
This is why we fight. Campaigning isn’t easy. It’s long evenings in council chambers and endless hours in meetings with decision-makers who would rather be anywhere else than listening to riders. But the support we consistently receive from around London and the UK proves something important: we don’t have to be invisible.
When riders know they can make a difference, they step up. They bring their energy, their stories, their belief that motorcycling makes life better – for themselves, and for the city as a whole. That passion is contagious, and it’s powerful.
Call to Action
Change comes from the small things: an email to a councilor, a repost on social media, a donation to a legal fund. Each of these acts alone might seem small, but together, multiplied across thousands of riders, they become impossible to ignore.
We must harness the sense of community that binds us as riders, the solidarity we feel when we see another biker on the road and turn it into collective action. That is our strength. If we use it, we can protect motorcycling not only for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
Make no mistake: this is a fight for the future of Motorcycling. If we stand together, we can win it.
The 1970s was a fantastic era for motorcycle enthusiasts! Kids, parents, grandparents, and hippies—everyone either rode or knew someone who did.
As a teenager during the ’70s, I rode almost every day, as long as the weather was even slightly cooperative. My dad had a Honda Trail 90 and would take my friends and me to explore new and exciting places.
I am glad I grew up in that time when motorcycles and motorcycling were in their ascendancy.
Do you have any special motorcycle memories from the 1970’s?
What You Need to Know: Motorcycle Rider Banned from Switzerland
The Gotthard Strassentunnel in Switzerland is a 10-mile (17 km) tunnel with a strict speed limit and a no-passing, double line for its entire length. It also has numerous cameras to ensure the police are aware of any violations.
A British motorcycle rider has been issued 47 tickets for passing 47 vehicles in the tunnel. The fine for passing in the tunnel is $330 (270 Euro). This guy now owes $12,700 in fines for this sprint through the tunnel.
The rider now has a lifetime ban from riding in Switzerland.
My Take
I have never been to Switzerland, but even I know that they are a “particular” people who obey and enforce their rules. That is neither good nor bad; it is just the way it is. So, you should know that and follow the adage of “When in Rome.”
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What You Need to Know: Harley-Davidson Bagger MotoGP World Cup
It has now been officially introduced at Austria’s iconic Red Bull Ring that a six-round Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup series will debut in 2026. Additionally, the schedule for the six-race series has been released:
Circuit of the Americas, USA – March 27-29
Mugello, Italy – May 29-31
Assen, Netherlands – June 26-28
Silverstone, UK – August 7-9
Aragon, Spain – August 28-30
Red Bull Ring, Austria – September 18-20
Chief Sporting Officer of MotoGP, Carlos Ezpeleta stated “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and expand, both at the track for our record crowds as we continue our evolution, and to grow the reach of the sport even further – staying faithful to what fans love about MotoGP but finding ways to connect with new audiences.”
Prospective teams, riders, and sponsors are now invited to engage with the series as preparations accelerate for the 2026 debut season.
My Take: “Haters are gonna Hate”. Even if they end up enjoying the spectacle of 600-pound motorcycles racing bar to bar, they will never admit it to anyone except themselves late at night while staring at ceiling.
I for one really enjoy the bagger racing that is part of MotoAmerica, as well as the Bagger Racing League.
Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others.
Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
*****
NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V531000
Manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd.
Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary
Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd. (Triumph) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Daytona 660 motorcycles. The engine may fail due to internal damage from a disruption of oil flow.
Remedy
Dealers will increase the engine oil capacity and install a redesigned dipstick, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 17, 2025. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Triumph’s number for this recall is SRAN 640.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 25T015000
Manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
Components TIRES
Summary
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo) is recalling certain Dunlop TT93FGP PRO and TT93FGP PRO MS motorcycle tires, size 120/80-12 55J and 100/90-12 49J. During manufacturing, some of the sidewall compound may have contaminated the tread surface, reducing the tire’s traction.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the tires or provide reimbursement, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 15, 2025. Owners may contact Sumitomo customer service at 1-800-845-8378.
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NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V505000
Manufacturer Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2020-2025 DL 1050 and 2020, 2024 GSX-1000S motorcycles. The upper headlight beam may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, which may adversely affect the vision of the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
Remedy
Suzuki dealers will replace the headlight assembly, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on August 15, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki’s number for this recall is 3A06/3A07.
There’s something about a good diner that makes a motorcycle rider feel like they’ve found the end of the rainbow—and at the Triple Nickel Diner in Chesterhill, Ohio, that rainbow ends in a plates of eggs, pancakes and burgers…Oh and homemade pie.
Talking with the staff the diner works to get as much as possible from the local community. It is a real farm to folk operation.
Location: Triple Nickle Diner on Ohio 555
Nestled on High Street, just off the winding curves of Ohio State Route 555 (aka the “Triple Nickel”). It can be easy to miss as their roadside sign blends into the local background a little too much.
The diner is about 100 yards off the main road in Chesterhill. The parking lot was a mix of small gravel and cinder and is not much of an issue the average motorcycle rider.
This cozy roadside gem is more than just a pit stop—it’s a pilgrimage. If you’re riding the 555 and not stopping here, you’re doing it wrong.
The Food
This isn’t your kale-and-quinoa and small portions kind of joint. This is comfort food with a capital “C.” Again all locally sourced as much as possible.
Breakfast Highlights:
Eggs your way
Garden omelets
French toast made with locally baked bread
Lunch & Dinner Favorites:
Black Angus burgers
Bison burgers for the bold
Steak, lamb, and meatloaf—again, as local as it gets
On our visit, we rolled in for breakfast. I went with the egg, sausage, and jalapeño omelet, paired with toast and home fries. Fresh, flavorful, and exactly what a rider needs after a morning of throttle therapy.
Also, we know the pies are homemade, a guy in a pickup was delivering the pies while we ate. Of course we had to try a slice of warm apple pie.
Overall Thoughts
The Triple Nickel Diner isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to arrive. It’s where the ride meets the reward, and where every bite feels like a high-five from the road itself. So next time you’re carving up the 555, make the stop. Your stomach—and your soul—will thank you.
BUT – Hours Matter: Closed Monday and Tuesday and opens at 11AM for lunch on Wednesdays. Plan accordingly or risk heartbreak.
Ohio State Route 555 is renowned for its challenging curves and elevation changes, making it a favorite among motorcyclists and sports car drivers. The route runs between Zanesville in the north and Little Hocking in the south, passing through the rolling hills and lush forests of the Appalachian region. Riders can expect a mix of tight twists, sweeping bends, and occasional straightaways, providing an exhilarating experience from start to finish.
Scenic Beauty
One of the highlights of the Triple Nickle is the stunning scenery that accompanies the ride. As you navigate the route, you’ll be treated to wonderful views of the Ohio countryside.
The landscape is dotted with quaint farms, dense woodlands, and serene streams, offering plenty of opportunities for photo stops and moments of reflection. During the fall, the route transforms into a vibrant tapestry of autumn colors, making it an ideal time for a ride.
Points of Interest
Along the way, there are several points of interest worth exploring. In Zanesville, you can visit the famous Y-Bridge, a unique structure that spans the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers.
Further south, the small town of Chesterhill offers a glimpse into rural Ohio life, with its historic buildings and friendly locals. Chesterhill also has a nice local diner, the Triple Nickle Diner, expect a Eat to Ride article on it soon. As you approach the southern end of the route, consider stopping by the Wayne National Forest for a hike or a picnic.
Tips for the Trip
Plan Ahead: The Triple Nickle is a rural route with limited services, so it’s essential to plan your trip in advance. Ensure your motorcycle is in good condition, fueled up, and you have water, and snacks for the ride.
Ride Safely: The curves and elevation changes can be challenging, especially for inexperienced riders. There are multiple blind hills with turns at the top so take your time, ride at a comfortable pace, and be mindful of other vehicles and farm equipment on the road.
Also pay attention for “ROAD APPLES” (see below).
Respect the Locals: The route passes through several small communities, so be respectful of residents and their property. Keep noise levels down and follow posted speed limits. The Amish have a large community along Ohio 555 watch for their horse drawn wagons as well as the “droppings” from the horse’s exhaust.
Conclusion
Ohio State Route 555, the Triple Nickle, is more than just a road; it’s an adventure waiting to be experienced. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the ride or the tranquility of the countryside, this route has something to offer every traveler. So, gear up, hit the road, and discover the magic of the Triple Nickle for yourself.
For us we made this a day ride stopping at Fink’s Harley Davidson in Zanesville and rode through historic Marietta, OH before heading to the house. A nice day out on the motorcycle.
Ride On, Ride Safe
Nice add to the routeCareful, generates road applesA little faster and I can clear the trees
Harley-Davidson has appointed a new CEO. After what many consider to be a challenging five years under Jochen Zeitz’s leadership, the company now welcomes Arthur “Artie” Starrs.
Mr. Starrs was, most recently, the CEO of Topgolf International. Before that he was the CEO of Global Pizza Hut, President & Chief Financial Officer of Untied States Pizza Hut, and Chief Financial Officer of Rave Cinemas.
In a quick interweb search I could find no evidence that he rides any type of motorcycle.
My Take
I’m not convinced that a lateral move is what Harley-Davidson needed. Transitioning from a cultural warrior to a financial officer doesn’t inspire confidence in me.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 