Spent the last few days riding in south east Ohio and the pan handle of West Virginia. We got a lot of the "West Virginia Wave" as I'd like to call it. After you read this, I'm hoping this isn't only isolated to West Virginia.

We were doing some serious back road consisting of tough tight turns up and down the mountains, rough pavement and dirt/gravel roads. More often than not, by quite a large margin, we got the West Virginia Wave. It's happened before when riding in the state proclaimed as "almost heaven". Same thing was experienced quite often then too. We commented about it in a restaurant and got the best explanation.

Seems you get stuck behind a car or truck for a little bit and at the first good spot they will pull over or at least wave you around them. More often than not, we'd be behind getting ready to consider passing shortly and the driver would pull out wide in a left hander to wave us around. There was no particular type of driver doing it, all different types waved us around or pulled off to do so, no tailgating or running up on them by us, just some really good consideration on their part. The waitress told us so many people in the country side have ATVs that they use on the road that they know how tedious it is riding behind the cars that can't keep up a decent rate of travel, so they give the West Virginia Wave - wave 'em around, let 'em have fun!

We got some of the same in Ohio, but the further north and central you get the more they don't have any courtesy.

Today I returned the favor though, while riding the KLX650 home from our three day trip. I was traveling Ohio SR751, a great bike road. When I turned off onto 751 in Stonecreek I noticed a sports car turning just after me. I was about 1/2 mile or so ahead watching behind a bit. They were closing in fairly quickly, when close enough I could see a 911 closing. I know I'm not going to have the speed on the straights mostly because I value my license and my KLX650 tops around 100, no where near that 911, and if the guy is any good he can out corner me too. Just reality... I waved him around almost immediately on a short good stretch that was adequate. Seems cars are such slugs in the long run that all the passing zones have disappeared, I waved him past on the double yellow.

He waved thanks, I waved to sort of signal "give 'er what it's worth" and he was off. Pretty much pulled away quite easily. I wasn't going to push much over 65-70 mph and carry 50-70 in the corners, riding around 70% for fun without any bad surprises. Cruising at a good rate, but not 911 or sport bike speed.

So I want courtesy, I pass it forward. Think about it, do the "West Virginia Wave" when you know you're holding someone up from an enjoyable ride or drive for that matter. Makes life good for both of you. The one being held up a bit gets to go, while the one holding things up is no longer being tailgated in some cases. Everyone is happy. I do hope this isn't just isolated to West Virginia, although I do know it isn't particularly a popular practice in Ohio. Ohio drivers get pretty territorial when it comes to going around them, bikers and cars are the worst. Truck drivers not so bad.

I just wish I could have held that 911 in sight for a bit to see how it stuck in the corners...

 

I've been the "waiv-ee" and was appreciative... until I got pulled over almost immediately for passing on a double yellow!

 

That's why there are rear view mirrors on the bike... of course in Ohio if they are doing under 50% of the speed limit it is legal to pass them. Not sure about WV and others.