[Cage SC]

We'll be riding up into NW Kentucky hills (via Asheville, NC, Johnsonville, TN and then the KY back roads) and possibly around the Ohio River Valley around 16-21 August

:hmm2: Is there ANYone up there or that rides through there very often that might like to share day-ride suggestions once we get there? Going to visit in-laws so I plan on being on the road...a LOT!!! :icon_susp

Our base of operations will be just outside Morehead, KY. It's only 37 south of the Ohio River, which might be nice, but which side?!! :kidding:

Anything within 100 miles of Morehead is fine.

I don't want to get shotgunned just riding around on my own without some sort of route itinerary this time. I've already been met twice (on the same trip) with firearms when I last road my bike to visit. I was riding down various Kentucky rural roads (just following the open roads) only to find out the road I was enjoying wasn't so open and was downright "private." (I should have known, though. They were in better condition than the county roads I'd been riding...)


Anway, I would really appreciate any information (routes as well as sights, things to do, places to eat - you know the routine - the same stuff YOU would want).

Thanks ahead of time! :cheers:

 

[knightrook]

if you were a little closer, i would help you out...but i live 3 1/2 hours from there. might be able to meet you somewhere or something...bring you into wv for some riding closer to here (i know most of the roads in southern wv at least) . i wouldnt mind riding a little to meet somewhere...just let me know. enjoy your trip too...

 

[joebogey]

I'm just West of Morehead.
Red River Gorge with Sky Bridge and Natural Bridge included.
Augusta, Ky which is up toward Maysville, KY. You can ride the ferry across the Ohio, come back down the river toward Ashland KY, cross the river back into Ky and ride US 60 back to Morehead.
Lots of shorter rides you can make around the area such as Carter Caves.
You're also within riding distance of the horse farms around the Lexington area.

 

[Badjuan]

N KY. Ohio rides

If you get a chance, go to map quest and look up Hocking Hills in S/E Ohio. Beautiful country.

If you get to Portsmouth on the Ohio River (Ohio Side) be sure to look at the murals on the town side of the flood wall. Very nice.

Route 52 runs East and West on the Ohio side of the river, pretty scenic and most of the time you are close enough to see the river, the barges, the boats, etc.

Maysville Ky. is a nice stop on the KY. side.

Badjuan

 

[X46290]

Hey I'm 60 miles from Morehead. I'm going to Fla at end of the month but might be able to rustle something up. Ky has alot of great scenic roads. Maybe we can do something like Red River or something else. Let me know, Hamph

 

[ItsCruz]

Like I said at OBX, you are more than welcome to crash here for a night should you need to. I'm about half way to your destination. If you get a late start in the day we can save you motel charges for the night and get you on the road early the next day. Personnal I would go through Davy and stay ay knightrooks a night and then on in to Morehead the next morning. Going through Davy adds about 1.5 hours to the trip but you will be rested when you arrive. Either way, be safe and enjoy!

 

[knightrook]

Like I said at OBX, you are more than welcome to crash here for a night should you need to. I'm about half way to your destination. If you get a late start in the day we can save you motel charges for the night and get you on the road early the next day. Personnal I would go through Davy and stay ay knightrooks a night and then on in to Morehead the next morning. Going through Davy adds about 1.5 hours to the trip but you will be rested when you arrive. Either way, be safe and enjoy!

yeah, you can do that if you like...youre more than welcome to stay here cage. i would make sure you got on the right route to get to where you are going the next day too. just let me know if you want to come through...plenty of room and youre more than welcome

 

[Cage SC]

I'm starting to look into the ride suggestions given so far. Going to Maysville and then riding along the southern side of the Ohio River and then back down in a clock-wise loop sounds like a nice possibility for a day ride. Maybe get in touch with Hamph to see if he can join us doing the week...

Jimmy and Cruz, I'll talk to Mako about the layover with one of you guys. We plan to leave LATE on the 16th of Aug (Tue) and get as far north as we can. The wives are going separate on their own earlier that day in the Explorer so it will just be Jeff and I on two separate bikes.

Originally I was thinking about staying somewhere near Johnsonville TN just to crash and then continue on into KY through the backroads. But just crashing on someone's floor suits me. The gals will be heading up 77 to Charleston and then over on 64 to Morhead on their own early on the Tuesday (16 AUG).

I know one day during the week we are all driving up to Cin OH to visit some place called Jungle Jims International Market that the girls REALLY want to visit. I figure if we have a bad weather day that would work out in the Explorer.

Hamph, I'll try and keep you up on what we're doing.

It's in the early stages, but this looks like it could be a lot of fun! :mosh:

 

[knightrook]

just let me know what you decide cage...

 

[Cage SC]

Hmmm....looks like a plan is coming together to get up there. But the final decisions will depend upon how early Jeff can get off on Tuesday. He can't take an extra Vacation day, but may be able to get off a couple of hours early.

What time does it turn "dusk" where you are? I ask because the hills/mountains can make that a LOT earlier than mere sunset and I don't want to riding unknown mountain two-lane roads at dusk, much less actual dark.

Here in the low lands we can already ride until almost 9PM. That will be closer to 10:30 by mid August.

 

[joebogey]

By 8:30 the deer and the bugs are already comin out.
The bugs are worse than the deer here. Any time you ride around trees and stuff here, they're so thick it sounds like rain hittin the windshield. And they're a bitch to get off when there's that many of them.

 

[knightrook]

Hmmm....looks like a plan is coming together to get up there. But the final decisions will depend upon how early Jeff can get off on Tuesday. He can't take an extra Vacation day, but may be able to get off a couple of hours early.

What time does it turn "dusk" where you are? I ask because the hills/mountains can make that a LOT earlier than mere sunset and I don't want to riding unknown mountain two-lane roads at dusk, much less actual dark.

Here in the low lands we can already ride until almost 9PM. That will be closer to 10:30 by mid August.

hey cage, if youre meaning here...it would get dark around 9 or 10 here as well. if you came this way and didnt get here til after dark, i will make sure you get here ok. no problem at all. just keep me up to date if youre wanting to come through here...so i can plan around it.

 

[Badjuan]

KY Ride

Jungle Jims? Have you ever bben there? It is really different. All kinds of different countries are represented. Lots of samples.

Let me know when you plan to do the Maysville loop. I can possibly ride down from Xenia, (about 90 miles) and maybe hook up with you
Maysville west to Augusta, cross the river on the ferry, east on 52 through Ripley, Aberdeen, and back accross the bridge to Maysville. Shoot for the old bridge. it actually crosses at Maysville. The new bridge crosses about 3 miles west of Maysville.

Badjuan

 

[X46290]

Same here. Theres more people on this board who can ride into Findlay, Cinci area. Sounds like you have alot of options, Hamph

 

[ItsCruz]

We'll be riding up into NW Kentucky hills (via Asheville, NC, Johnsonville, TN and then the KY back roads) and possibly around the Ohio River Valley around 16-21 August

I take it you mean Johnson City Tn...can't find a Johnsonville Tn...that will be less than 20 miles from Bristol. If you and Jeff call it a day here that will be fine, we have the room or if you head to knightrooks then you are adding about 3 hours riding time and I can run you up that way and he can meet us or I can take you to his door. Lot of options and that is what this place is all about. That is also the week prior to the Aug race and the race brings them all in and the driving gets a little nutty then in this area......

 

[Cage SC]

Jungle Jims? Have you ever bben there? It is really different. All kinds of different countries are represented. Lots of samples.

I've NEVER been there but Jeff and his wife really liked it back when they lived up in OH. We'll cage it from Morehead on that jaunt so the gals can bring some "samples" home. If we have a rain day, may use it to go to JJ's.

Let me know when you plan to do the Maysville loop. I can possibly ride down from Xenia, (about 90 miles) and maybe hook up with you.
Maysville west to Augusta, cross the river on the ferry, east on 52 through Ripley, Aberdeen, and back accross the bridge to Maysville. Shoot for the old bridge. it actually crosses at Maysville. The new bridge crosses about 3 miles west of Maysville.

I think that will be a NICE river ride for one day. I also want to take the gals out into the hill top farm country south of Morehead to hit some windier roads with views for photos and such.

Badjuan

Same here. Theres more people on this board who can ride into Findlay, Cinci area. Sounds like you have alot of options, Hamph

I agree. I'm surprised I got as many responses as I have so far!

I take it you mean Johnson City Tn...can't find a Johnsonville Tn...that will be less than 20 miles from Bristol. If you and Jeff call it a day here that will be fine, we have the room or if you head to knightrooks then you are adding about 3 hours riding time and I can run you up that way and he can meet us or I can take you to his door. Lot of options and that is what this place is all about. That is also the week prior to the Aug race and the race brings them all in and the driving gets a little nutty then in this area......

Yeah, that's what I meant...Johnson City...where they held the new MC Rally. Anyway...Too many -villes and -burgs and -towns for me to keep track accurately; especially since I've moved to the South. Heaven help you if you're trying to remember one of those and the first part starts with "Green-"! What race are you talking about?

 

[ItsCruz]

What race are you talking about?

NASCAR the weekend of the 27th. Aug is the Saturday night race and it gets crowded around here and the area population really explodes for a few days. We have two Bristol races a year. Jimmy and Beth came down for the March race and jdt3 also went (I get free tickets from a friend). Motel rooms double in price for about 5 days anywhere in this area with a two night minimum stay but that will be the weekend after you pass through so there will be no problem with traffic or price gouging during your travels.

 

[Cage SC]

I got this from the folks in Maysville (along the Ohio River on the KY side). What do you think of their suggestions...?

I'm leaning pretty heavy on covered bridges thing right now... :hmm2:

Scenic Riding / Driving Routes thru
Northeastern Kentucky's Buffalo Trace Region
These suggestions cover the scenic Kentucky motorcycle routes along the Ohio River and the rolling hills of the Ohio River Valley through Mason, Lewis, Bracken, Robertson and Fleming counties in Kentucky and Brown and Adams counties in Southern Ohio.


Scenic Route #1 - Kentucky Route 8

Motorcyclists can travel east and west along KY-8 and KY-10 from Portsmouth, Ohio to Cincinnati, Ohio. This route follows the Ohio River, providing scenic river and hillside landscapes.

This route is also known as the Mary Ingles Highway. Mary Ingles and her children were abducted by Indians from their Virginia home in the late 1700s. As an Indian captive, Ingles traveled to Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, where she escaped and made her way back to Virginia along the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.

Shopping and dining can be found in Vanceburg, Maysville or Augusta, Kentucky.
A unique attraction for travelers are the Floodwall Murals in downtown Maysville.
Once in Augusta, Kentucky, cyclists can cross the Ohio River by way of a ferryboat. On the Ohio Side, they can go west toward Cincinnati or east toward Ripley, Ohio along scenic US Hwy 52. Ripley offers visitors antique shops, dining, the John P. Parker House and the Rev. John Rankin House, both of which played vital roles in the Underground Railroad movement.

Traveling east will also lead you back to Maysville by crossing either the William Harsha cable-stayed bridge or the Simon Kenton Memorial suspension bridge. Continuing east on US Hwy 52 will take visitors into Adams County, Ohio & the village of Manchester.


Scenic Route #2 - US Highway 68

This North-South highway takes travelers between Lexington and Maysville.
Established under Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, this route helped forge the settlement of Kentucky as pioneers left the Ohio River at Limestone Landing (now Maysville) and moved inland.

US Hwy 68 was also an oft-used Underground Railroad escape route north. It was also the route used by slave traders as they transported African slave coffles from the Ohio River inland to slave markets in Mississippi and Louisiana.

In Robertson County, travelers can visit Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort, site of the last battle in Kentucky of the Revolutionary War.

During the 1600 and 1700’s buffalo herds by the many thousands were witnessed to migrate from southern Ohio to the salt licks at Blue Licks. The signs of this path or “trace” can still be seen and the vast migrations imagined even today.

Traveling through several counties, the countryside offers hillside vistas, antique shopping as well as numerous beautiful and meandering horse farms (Bourbon/Fayette Counties).


Scenic Route #3 - Covered Bridges

There are only 13 covered bridges left in the state of Kentucky; our immediate area has 8 of them.

Tiny Fleming county boasts three covered bridges, the most famous of which is the Goddard White Bridge, located on KY-32. Goddard Bridge is the only Town-Lattice type bridge left in the state.

Bracken, Lewis and Robertson counties each have one covered bridge.

Mason County has two covered bridges and was once home to famed American bridge engineer Lewis Wernwag (produced VernVog).

Wernwag (1769-1843) married a young woman from May's Lick, KY and the couple lived in the area for a short time. In 1841 Wernwag constructed the May's Lick Christian Church. The roof is supported by a truss design, which is similar to some bridge members. This is believed to be the last surviving piece of Wernwag's work.

On the Ohio side of the river, Brown County has five covered bridges; Adams County has two.

The bridges date from 1820 to 1870 and represent a variety of construction designs from the King post design to Ithiel Town’s design.

Covered Bridge Map: Available through Maysville-Mason County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 606-564-9419 Ext. 308.


Scenic Route #4 - “Old” Kentucky Highway 10

Kentucky 10 travels east to west through the countryside of Mason, Bracken and Lewis counties. At one time a main east-west connector between Portsmouth and Cincinnati, Ohio, this state road now takes travelers through scenic farmland and small town America.


Towns along the way include Brooksville, Germantown, Maysville and Tollesboro.


Scenic Route #5 - US HWY 62

U.S. Hwy 62 offers bikers an alternate route into Maysville from Frankfort, Georgetown or Lexington. This twisty road offers travelers gorgeous vistas from ridge lines as well as sun-dappled hollows.

This route is especially lovely in the spring with the redbud and dogwood trees in bloom.

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