[ride reports] [photo album this trip]

Kentucky & Northern Tennessee

IL-IN-OH-KY-TN Tour
October 5-7,2002

Highlights

Saturday Day 1

We jumped on the highway toward Indiana on Saturday morning. Traffic was moving at a pace of a three- legged turtle on I-294. It was a bit chilly in the morning but the weekend was supposed to be warm with a possible storm moving in late on Sunday in the KY area. Finally on I-65 we started making head way and we stopped for lunch a bit past Indianapolis at Arby’s. From there we took some backroads in to Ohio where we rode the river road, then crossed the river to Kentucky. At around 4PM we finally made it to my favorite road in KY, 227 (also called the Kentucky Deal's Gap). The temperature was perfect, upper 60’s and there wasn’t much traffic either, I got into the groove, even managed to scrape a peg. We kept a pretty good pace on 127 and ended passing through Frankfort, the capitol of Kentucky at around 9PM and decided to keep going further. In Harrodsburg we attempted to grab a motel room but just out luck, there was a civil war reenactment this weekend and all the rooms in the town were taken. We had no choice, the closest town was Frankfort, which meant we had to go back where we came from. It was getting cold already and we had about an hour’s ride in the wrong direction.

We made it there and quickly got a room at an overpriced Hampton Inn, the bonus was, there was an Applebee’s across the street. We grabbed some dinner and called it a night.

Sunday Day 2

In the morning we continued South on 127 and deviated to hit a road I've been on before, 390. Then took 27 South. Having only a paper map to go by, we took 90 West which looked like a better road, but it wasn't, we should have either stayed on 12s South or 27 South. Finally back on 127 we crossed in to Tennessee, there the road changed to 111.

It was about lunch-time now and it was hot, about 80-something. We took a break at the state line for some refreshments and pictures. There was plenty of bikes at this gas station. Talked to a couple that were just coming back from Deals Gap. Knoxville was not very far away. If we head more time we could have continued south towards Deal's Gap, but we needed to start heading West if we were going to be home tomorrow night. We got lucky and found an Arby’s and stopped for lunch. The thirty minutes later our luck ran out when we almost got pulled over. We decided to pass some cars which were going so slow, and just for a few seconds we might have been speeding…. At that moment we saw the red and blue lights, but he didn’t pursue. On 52 we went West. This road had everything, some sweepers, some really twisty parts with elevation changes and some cliffs, most of it was just plain pleasant and curvy enough not to be boring and the pavement was pristine.

As promised by the weather people, the rain was coming. As the sun started to move toward the horizon, we could see the clouds approaching, about thirty minutes later it started raining. We pulled over and put on our rain gear. There was no way we were going to make it very far tonight with the rain. The only good thing was that the temperatures were still pleasant and there wasn’t too much traffic on this road. We kept on riding in the rain for the next few hours. From 52 we took 41 and when we got to Clarksville, TN, we decided to find a room. It was already after 10PM, we were tired and hungry. There was nowhere to eat near by so we ordered a pizza to be delivered to the motel room. We ate and fell asleep. Tomorrw we would have to ride all the way home - TN to IL is a long ride.

Monday Day 3

The rain was over with and the storm moved East taking all the warm temperatures with it. The roads were still damp and it was darn right cold this morning. The high for the day was only in the mid 50’s in TN and it was going to be much cooler up north. We didn’t really bring too many warm clothes since the forecast was calling for 60’s and 70’s. Never trust the weatherman! Started our ride wearing all our warm layers, we still had our rain suits if we needed another layer. Headed out of Clarksville on what was 79 west and got lost immediately. About half an hour later and after having to ask for directions we finally got on the right road going in the right direction. A couple of hours later, just before the KY border, we stopped at a McDees to warm up with a cup of coffee. Was it ever going to warm up today?

Shortly after our break, we turned right on to the Trace (49) [see map] which travel’s through the Land between the Lakes. At some point during this section we crossed in to Kentucky. The road was awesome, and twisty running through a beautiful forest preserve. There was bison and deer, along with other creatures. On this cold Monday morning it was absolutely deserted. The speed limit was posted at 45 but we decided that we could safely go a bit faster than that, there was no one here. We must have been herd before we were seen, because the park patrol SUV was ready and waiting for us up ahead and waved us to pull over from the side of the road. We got lucky again, he just gave us a verbal warning. This road is much too wonderful to take at 45mph. Twice this weekend was enough for us, so were going to be nice and try to ride at speed limit. Right.

We crossed that very small section of Kentucky and in Paducah right on the Illinois border found a Mexican place to have lunch at. I was amazed at the wonderful food they had. After lunch we realized that we could not keep riding back roads if we were to make it home tonight, it was almost 2PM when we jumped on I-24, which we took to I-57. It was going to be highway all the way home...boring. We rode and gassed up every 100 miles while taking a short break. The day never did warm up and I was cold the whole time, now with the sun setting the temperatures were sure to drop and I already had all my layers on and glove liners. As the sun disappeared on the other side of the horizon, we pulled over to put our clear helmet shields on and we put on our rain suit jackets to block out the cold air out. That worked for about an hour but at speeds of 80mph with the current temperatures in upper to mid 40’s it felt like 30. At around 9PM we stopped at a Denny’s in Bourbonnais, more for the warmth then for food. By now it was about 40 degrees and from riding in cool temperature all day I just had a touch time warming up. I was frozen Popsicle. At one of the gas stops, Brian ended up getting some gardener’s gloves to wear as glove liners. I really needed my thicker jacket right now, which was at home. We made it home around 11PM cold but happy to be home and ready to start de-frosting. It’s hard to believe we woke up in Tennessee this morning.

 

My favorite KY roads:

Southwest of Lexington. Nearest town is Harrodsburg.
Starting at 127, take 390 West to 53, continue on 53 East to 60. This was my favorite road. Kind of residential/country farm road. Got chased by a dog here. At times there is no straights here, you are constantly cornering left, right, left right, left...it never ends. Not too many hills here. 53 has high speed sweepers.

Eastwest of Lexington. Nearest town is Owenton. Starting at I-71, exit at 227 going East, then take to 978 South which is also 127 and 227, back on 227, ending at 460. This is the local Deal's Gap. The longest twisie road in KY. Farm lands and forests here. Mostly hilly. A few sweepers but mostly low speed and a few tight ones.

East of Lexington. Nearest town is Mt. Sterling. Start with 11, take that south to 213, take that south to 52, take that west to 89 down to I-75. This route gives you high speed sweepers and mountain twisties. You will not be bored. These roads go through hill billie country. No big towns to stop at. I only saw 3 guard rails here, most roads there is a steep hill on one side so if you mess up you're toast. This is an all day ride. This is the one that bit me.

South of Lexington. Nearest town is Richmond. Start at I-75 go to 876 West to 595 South to 52 South ending in a town of Lancaster. 52 has some amazing high speed sweepers 876 and 595 are tighter turns.

These have been tested and approved!