A few weeks back Patti and I took a two-day tour in central Kentucky. We saw a window of great weather and so looked for an area we could trailer to in a one-day drive. We chose a little college town south of Lexington called Berea and based ourselves at the local Marriott. I've seen the area from I-slab trips and a couple of low altitude flights in the past, and suspected that it would offer some scenic twisties. We weren't disappointed.
Our first day began eastward via rolling and climbing back roads through early morning fog patches, turning the dense forest ride into a serene and slightly eerie adventure. Not much was passed through the Sena headsets as we both lost ourselves in the mist.
(click on an image to enlarge)
Our first day began eastward via rolling and climbing back roads through early morning fog patches, turning the dense forest ride into a serene and slightly eerie adventure. Not much was passed through the Sena headsets as we both lost ourselves in the mist.
(click on an image to enlarge)
Eventually breaking out on the four-lane Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway, we turned south to our exit on Route 77, aka Nada Tunnel Road. In short order we were delivered to the Nada Tunnel, a 900-foot single-lane curved and claustrophobic burrow through a chunk of solid rock. Better have a headlight on for this:
This area is known as the Red River Gorge and is part of the giant Daniel Boone National Forest. We would pass through the national forest a few times on this trip. At mid-day we stumbled upon the Sky Bridge Station, a bar and hot-dog joint. Turned out to be a good choice.
One of the perks of traveling is finding good food.
One of the perks of traveling is finding good food.
We continued south on scenic Route 15, making a big loop to our night's stay in Prestonsburg, KY. Only about 235 miles on the day, but we took our time and enjoyed the rolling and turning fun offered up by these rural Kentucky roads.
Day two found us southbound on Route 23, a beautiful four-lane eventually delivering us into Virginia. Breaking off onto Route 160 we pass through the burg of Appalachia and wind up the gorgeous switchbacks to pass back into Kentucky at the state's highest point, Black Mountain. This road was virtually void of traffic and a genuine treat to ride on a perfect day. At Cumberland we turn west via open and fast Route 119, eventually joining Route 92 into Williamsburg. Jumping onto Route 25 we go north to join Route 90, westbound through the Daniel Boone National Forest. This road is another two-wheeled treat and we stop at a scenic pull-off where a wood carver is selling his custom and varied walking sticks. We chat with him to get a sense of the area's flavor. Note the Glock .45 on his hip. This is open carry country.
Leaving the forest, we enter more open country and work our way northward back to Berea. Our impression of central Kentucky is one of quiet hills and lots of trees. The roads are in excellent condition — most of the two-lanes we rode looked nearly freshly-paved. We're used to the rough and broken tarmac of the upper mid-west, so these two day were a real treat. For a relaxed riding experience, Kentucky makes a perfect destination.
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