Findley Ridge -- 65 Miles

General. This is a remote, pretty route, which runs in and out of the drainage of the Rolling Fork of the Salt River. Most of the ride is in Marion County, with some in Taylor County. At the 25 mile mark, there are stores in Bradfordville. At the 50 mile mark, there is Donny Brady's General Store in Jessieville. There is one climb at about mile 55 which is quite steep and long; some riders will want a triple crankset.

Maps. Copies of the two county maps, or else copies of pages 49 and 50 of the DeLorme atlas, are highly recommended. This route is easy to follow with a map; without a map, you will probably be puzzled by some unmarked intersections.

Access to Start. This route starts in Raywick, about 70 minutes south of Louisville. One easy way to Raywick is to drive to Bardstown, and take KY 49 south. When KY 49 takes a hard left to the east toward Lebanon, stay straight on KY 527 south into Raywick. Try parking in the Catholic church lot, if it's not Sunday. There is also a store in Raywick.

A Note on Personal Responsibility. Marion County has the reputation for growing a lot of marijuana. Stay off gravel side roads, don't wander around in people's fields, and use good sense.

Route Details

Starting in Raywick, head east on KY 84 for around a couple of miles.

Right on Sallie Ray Pike.

Right on KY 412 -- stay on this for just a bit.

Left on KY 2741.

Right on KY 289. Caution: there is a single lane, steel grating bridge on this road.

Left on KY 412 in Jessietown. Donny Brady's store is at this intersection.

Left (north) on US68/KY 55 for a short while -- busy road.

Right on KY 412, again.

Right on KY 208.

Left on 1157. Follow this road for a while, until it intersects with KY 49, a fairly major road. You will quickly come to KY 337.

[If you want to go into Bradfordville, rather than turning here at KY 337, stay straight on KY 49 for less than a mile into Bradfordville. There's a store on the left.]

Right (south) on KY 337. This is a pretty remote, road. Climb up a steady, forested hill to the Taylor County line.

Right on Barney School Road. Map note: my version of the county map from the map book shows Barney School Road as not paved all the way. As of October, 2000, it is fully paved and in good condition.

At the unmarked intersection after climbing a ways, bear left, staying on Barney School Road.

Right on KY 744. Note the tractor "graveyard" on your right -- good photo opportunities here.

Right on US 68/KY 55 for one mile. This is a busy road but it has a decent shoulder.

Left on Findley Ridge Road. Watch for very nice views to your right.

At unmarked intersection, bear right to continue on Findley Ridge.

At intersection with KY 289 at the Taylor - Marion County border, go right on KY 289 (north). Descend a steep, twisting hill into Jessietown. Brady's store is on the right, at the intersection with KY 412.

Left on KY 412.

Left on Clear Creek (the paved road after St. Matthews Church Road).

Follow Clear Creek straight back; eventually, you will cross a stream and the road becomes Gene Hunt. The pavement gets less good and the road becomes narrow, twisty, and steep. Climb for quite a while up the ridgeline. Pavement is tolerable but be careful.

Right on KY 527. Note the beautiful overlook on the right.

Ride ends in Raywick.