Some Favorite Member Roads
Here are some favorite roads, submitted by list members back in the spring and summer of 1998:
Mark Rense suggests the following, east of the Richmond, Kentucky region:
KY Rt. 89, from Irvine through McKee to Livingston.
Ky Rt. 30, from London through Jackson and on to Saylersville
Ky Rt. 52 from Lancaster to Richmond
Ky Rt. 399/594/US Rt 421 loop
Ky Rt.. 52 from Irvine east to Rt. 213 north to Stanton to Rt. 11 east to Rt. 77 north through the Nada tunnel into the Red River Gorge area. The loop through the Gorge is not to be missed. From there south on Rt 11 through Beattyville Rt. 587 west to Rt. 399 north to Rt. 52 west back to Richmond and points beyond.
Tim Bond (Bondo), denizen of Woodford Co., suggests this set of roads in the Lexington area:
N before the castle on 60 (Versailles-Lex) at: 1967 (Pisgah Pike) crossing 1681 & 421 & I-64 to:
E on 1973 (Iron Works Pike) for a STRAIGHT shot to:
KY Horse Park and then on to US68 to Paris, or:
to go to Richmond:
Left on US68 and a right on 1973 again (Muir Station) to Athens, then left on 418 (Athens-Boonesboro) downto the river. Up the hill and take a left to get to627 to cross the bridge. Then left on 388 (Red House) to Boonesboro Park, Richmond and beyond!
A great way to skirt around Lex. from I-64 to parts East!
Henry suggests some roads which even a rider from New Jersey might like:
I'm fond of 338 just outside of Big Bone Lick State Park. What IS the history behind that name?? Anywho'z, follow it up to Burlington and Idlewood. Grand fun.
Also like 337 in S. Indy. [south of Corydon to 11 -- ed.]
Old Frankfort Pike is always a good ride, although you have to watch out for farm drivers, get this, speeding.
Let's not forget 152 out of Springfield to 433 at Mackville, then 1586 to 53 which becomes 53/44.
On the local scene, I think English Station Rd. into Finchville is fun. So is Factory Ln. off 146 near Pee Wee Valley. Turns into Aiken Rd. then 1531. Right onto 362, right onto 1848 at the general store and follow to 60 outside Simpsonville.
How's that? There are so many great roads in this area that it's difficult thinning them out to a few.
The Black Knight lays out a few personal picks (note: scientific testing has determined that, although these roads are best enjoyed with a Milwaukee V-twin, they can be ridden on other motorcycles -- ed.):
Ky 3322 into Franklinton, left on 1360, and left again on Bullitt Hill Road...In the spring, you may have to ford the creek...Staying on 1360 in lieu of the Bullitt Hill turn is also a treat... [This is in Henry Co. -- ed.]
Almost any road in the Carrollton/Warsaw/Owenton triangle warms my heart...There are some fine overlooks above the KY river...
I like Fox Harbor Rd from my house to US 42, because it means another ride is beginning and from 42 to my house because it means I'm safely home again...
I just love to ride...
Here's a Hoosier favorite from Chip:
How about 446 south of 46 out of Bloomington, IN. across the causeway at Lake Monroe and through a few twisties down into a gorgeous valley (with the bridge out at this time, be careful)? Is especially awesome under a full moon!
Dr. Jack mentions a few, with culinary annotations, too:
No one has mentioned the stretch on Ind.150 between Prospect and Shoals, stopping, of course, in Loogootee for lunch at my favorite Amish restaurant (Stoll's on thelake in Boggs Park.) Great fried chicken!
In the fall, Ind 111 along the river (assuming the construction at Caesers is not a problem) and then taking Old Dam 43 at New Boston to 11, to whereever is a beautiful ride.
From Leavenworth by CR3 to Cape Sandy and then to Alton and by various back roads to Magnet, stopping at Bud's Last Trail Inn (if it's still there) for catfish is fun!
You KNOW I like to combine eating with my rides!
Listmeister Jeff has a multi-state selection:
Kentucky
1. 355 on the east side of the Kentucky River
2. 389 on the west side of the Kentucky River
3. Old Frankfort Pike
4. 1659 between Versailles and Frankfort
5. 47 between Ghent and Carson
Indiana
1. Route 66
2. 62 between 135 and 37
3. 446 around Lake Monroe
4. 135 around Brown County
5. Old State Road 37 north of Bloomington
6. Several two laners in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest (north of IU)
A few roads picked by Jim:
KY 227, south of Owenton -- the best, longest twisty I know of
KY 22, east of Falmouth -- beautiful, challenging, ridgetop road, great views of Licking River Valley
KY 395 south from Waddy, followed by KY 53, followed by KY 390 into Harrodsburg: narrow, twisty, pretty
KY 704, down near Burkesville -- beautiful, remote creekside road
In addition to his loop routes, Curt recommends a ride to the Overlook in southern Indiana:
From Louisville take I64 West to 62 at the Georgetown exit, take 62 West to the Overlook restaurant in Leavenworth (great view, cold beer [available only for the pillion -- ed.], fried food); retrace your path back East on 62 to Corydon and take 337 South to 11, turn left and go to 211, go right to 111, turn left along the Ohio river and return to New Albany and I64.
John Rice, who lives in Winchester, recommends some eastern Kentucky roads:
Unfortunately, I don't know the route numbers for some of my favorite rides....they're too small to have regular signs! I do like my own road, in front of my house, Rt 1960 which goes from Winchester to near near Stanton. From there, 213 goes over a mountain (past an old iron furnace) down to Rt 52 which is a great bike road in both directions...to Irvine and Berea or on toward Beattyville.
Route 11 from Maysville down to Stanton is another good ride. Route 460 from Mt. Sterling to West Liberty (which is, of course, east of the town of Liberty) is great....take it now before the highway engineers straighten it.
Route 32 from Morehead leads to 7 down to Sandy Hook...great curves, but the frequent "mobile roadblock" of slow drivers in cages. From this route you can pick up 172 over to eastern Ky...it's one of my favorites.
There's also Rt 30 from Jackson over to Salyersville. [ed. note: This is where Noodlehead took me out in his coal truck.] There's another road from Louisa down to Inez that follows the river, but I can't recall the number....I think it might be 40.
Of course, as you know, you can't find better roads than are available here in eastern Ky...you're never lost on a bike...only "checking out new rides"....and everything is eventually going to lead back to I-64 or Rt 23 anyway.