Newport toward Louisville

I'm hoping to complete the route verification all the way into Louisville by the end of June. Today I did complete it from Newport to Carrollton which is around 80 miles. Some secondary highways were required however there seemed to be very little traffic. Lots of what a friend calls "goat path" roads on the route which were around 9 -10 feet wide with remarkably good pavement. Some pretty healthy climbs along the way to get more of that great scenery.

Morning ride to Rabbit Hash

I decided to do the Rabbit Hash and Big Bone Lick loop this AM. Heading down Hathaway Rd. / KY536 I was thinking to maybe do Big Jimmy Hill for an extra workout so I turned right on Dale Williamson Rd which had recently been repaved! Damn, another excuse gone for avoiding Big Jimmy! So I'm committed and am cruising along pristine pavement to my doom. For those who haven't had the honor of Big Jimmy it's around one half mile of extremely steep hill starting out almost immediately with 0.2 mile of 18 to 20% grade. It's probably a good idea to get to your smallest chainring before turning onto Big Jimmy, it's immediate up! A stop at Rabbit Hash for a coke / snack and if your lucky a visit with the mayor on the bench outside the store! Beautiful scenery along the Ohio River and several nice hills to get a good workout.

Tour de Sunday Ride - Northern Kentucky

I joined Jim and Mark (plus around 20 others) today for their weekly Tour de Sunday ride around the greater Cincinnati area. Great 35 mile loop starting out of Pendry Park SE of Newport along the Ohio River. Very scenic with several good hills and lots of nice pavement. Mark and Jim did a great job keeping the group together and keeping a good pace. After a snack stop Mark took several on a shortcut with a couple of really steep hills and three dogs!!! I look forward to joining them on future Sunday rides.
Here's their route:  Tour de Sunday ride May 6th, 2012
Past TDS rides

Cincinnati Area to Cattletsburg (WV border)

The route takes riders on remote roads through Augusta, Maysville, Vanceburg, near Greenup to Greenbo SP. Distances can be reduced by modifying route and taking highways.
Lodging is available in Maysville and Greenbo State Park.

Crittenden to Maysville
Maysville to Greenbo SP
Greenbo SP to Cattletsburg

Ralf's Rural Ride In Kentucky RRRiK 2012

The route for the ride is complete after several days of verification. Being in eastern KY you'll find that support / food is in short supply. There is lodging and food at the ends of each route however sometimes the selection is limited. We found that the lodge at Greenbottle SP only provided a continental breakfast.
Here's the routes.
Day 1 - Crittenden to Maysville
Day 2 - Maysville to Carter Caves State Park
Day 3 - Carter Caves SP to Greenbo State Park
Day 4 - Greenbo State Park to Maysville
Day 5 - Maysville to Crittenden (90% different than day 1)

Covered bridges and ferry crossings in Kentucky

One of the things I enjoy when cycling is to come across a change in the road. One of my favorites is a water ford where the road dips down below the water. While these are interesting you do not want to ride through one. Even if there is no water flow the surface is almost always slippery and rough ending up in a nasty fall. Ferries are my next most interesting points of interest. Initially the only way across a waterway,unless the water level was down, was using a ferry. Ferries were numerous across the country. Covered bridges round out my interest in road surface changes. Bridges initially built out of wood quickly deteriorated leading builders to add a roof to keep the wood dry hence preserving the structure. Covered bridges also have hidden hazards. The wood tread looks inviting however most of the treads have wide cracks between the planks which easily catch a narrow bicycle wheel and almost always causing an accident.
So as interesting as all of these are it's best to dismount, walk the bike and enjoy the change in the road and scenery.
Operating ferries in Kentucky
Covered bridges in Kentucky

All roads lead to Crittenden, KY ???

So, you're wondering what is so special about Crittenden. Other than several restaurants it is a junction of several of my remote routes for biking in Kentucky.
I have added two new routes:
Newport to Crittenden and Crittenden to Maysville which total just over one hundred miles. Much longer than route 8 however the scenery and roads are in my opinion much better.There's Back Inn Time B&B in Falmouth for those wanting a two day ride and a ferry in Agusta if you want to cut short the KY side and return in Ohio.
Lastly for century riders you'll have a total elevation gain of nearly 5,000'.
The routes do overlap about 3 miles East of Crittenden on Shady Lane Rd.