In early June my faithful group of 12 departed for SE Kentucky for my 20th annual ride on remote roads.
Here's the results!
Day 1 Hazard to Harlan
Twelve met on Hazard. two from KY, three from IN, six from MI and one from DC for the twentieth Ralf's Ride. As in the past we had a SAG van with snacks, cooler and spare parts. We were ready of riding remote roads in appalachia. The weather report for the whole week was sketchy but all were determined so we headed out for the back country. Since there were few groceries along the way and no restaurants we packed a few sandwich fixins along with snacks. Earlier contact with a local grocery confirmed only ham and bologna sandwiches! As expected we did hit a mile of gravel around the 20 mile mark. There were some minor sprinkles for an hour then clear weather. The climb up Pine Mountain was moderate with a sharp increase near the top. Once there we started the Little Shepard Trail which looks like rollers on the profile but actually is short aggressive ups/downs. After 10 miles of this we were ready for the four mile decent into Harlan. We showered up, had a brewski and snack then headed to dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant she the skies opened up with a vengeance, great timing! Good nights sleep at Comfort Inn.
Day 2 Harlan to Cumberland gap
Again another day without food along the way so the cooler was well stocked. Again some rain but reasonable. We biked beautiful remote roads to the Cumberland Gap NP and were required to push our bikes over the gap for one mile to Cumberland Gap Tennesee. There we checked in at the Cumberland Gap Inn. An older hotel with nice rooms and a good manager. We walked the small touristy but unique town visiting the Bicycle Museum, Visitors Center and coffee shop. Dinner at a local Italian restaurant.
Day 3 Cumberland Gap to Pennington Gap
Since breakfast was sketchy (Hardee's) our SAG driver arranged with the local coffee shop/tea room a really nice breakfast plate. Fluffy eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast and heaps of coffee to get us on the road, yummy! We climbed the hill heading out of town and crossed the highway heading to a "Road Closed" route. We had previously found this where a bicycle could pass thru a field of kudzu to Harrogate TN bypassing the major highway. What we found was the roadway had been repaired and vehicles could now pass thru making it easier for the SAG van to stay with us. We followed scenic roads including Frog Level Rd for 25 miles stopping in Rose Hill at Lou's Diner. Lou was there along with a waitress/cook and served up some good sandwiches for the group. After that we followed scenic 621 for 17 miles into Pennington Gap VA. Pennington Gap is a mostly a coal mining town which has been hit hard with the reduction in coal requirements. Lodging in Pennington Gap is scarce and the Convient Inn worked out. Dinner at Ruby's nearby was one of the better restaurants in town.
Day 4 Pennington Gap to Benham
Breakfast restaurants were limited to McDonalds or Hardee's however we made do. We were off for a 26 mile warmup ride on VA 606 to the 7 mile Black Mountain climb. It started out easy then settled in at a consistent 7-8% reminding us of the Blue Ridge climbs. We sat back and ground away for over an hour then regrouped at the top for a snack and cold drink. Then it was 19 miles of Kentucky downhill into Benham for an overnight at the Schoolhouse Inn. We found great acomditations there with a super staff to take care of our needs.
Hay 5 Benham to Hazard
Breakfast at the Benham Schoolhouse then on our way to kingdom Come SP a few miles down the road. At mile three the route took an abrupt left turn and UP for three miles leveling off on the Little Shepard Trail. Grades of 18-20% on the first mile then teasing us with easier grades then a switchback with increasing grades for a bit. Unfortunately our SAG vehicles mixed a turn and headed the wrong way on the trail but did catch back with us at the intersection to US119. The Little Shepardf Trail again worked the group but better pavement conditions did improve the ride over day one. We enjoyed a short break at US119 then enjoyed a nice three mile downhill to Little Cowan Rd. We followed creek valleys for a beautiful ride of 20 miles then busted a gut heading up Elk Creek Rd and stopping at the top for lunch. The ride finished off in Hazard with a short half miler up to the starting point.
All in all a great ride with again fantastic scenery and friendly locals. One of this year's new riders commented that the ride was great and a bit more challenging than he had expected. He does want to return however and had wished he had started with us 20 years ago!
No comments:
Post a Comment