Ride Report: 66 Miles, 3,380 Total Miles, 17.8 Avg. mph, 3,225 Ft. Climbing, 5,571 Calories. The reader should take note of two numbers in today’s ride report. The first is the climbing figure. Not a huge day, but still a goodly amount of climbing. Second, the average speed. I never thought I’d see a number like that in Kentucky with all the hills. Two factors came into play to make this happen. There was a mild tailwind and the heat/humidity was a little better today allowing me to work a bit harder and make 66 miles with gas left in the tank. So, overall - a good day: for Kentucky. As the reader knows, the misery index has been off the charts in Kentucky what with the heat and humidity. I was due a break, and it finally showed up today.
I was a bit more enamored of the scenery today compared to previous days, so there are a few more pics than normal for Kentucky. Of course, this may have had as much to with the fact that my vision wasn’t blurred by sweat running into my eyes as it did with any actual improvement in the scenery. Maybe the part of the state we traversed prior to today looked just as good as today, but there would be no way for me to know.
And I believe I've previously mentioned the reputation Kentucky's dogs have garnered among the T/A crowd. As it turns out, Kentucky dogs are all they were made out to be by T/A riders who have had the pleasure of meeting them before I arrived in these parts. Get this - until today, I had been chased by dogs twice - in 3,000+ miles. Both in Illinois - and one right at the Kentucky border. Today - 6 times - in 66 miles. Do the math on that, it’s not too difficult. Two times, the buggers were lying in wait, apparently having learned how to best ambush T/A riders by virtue of living alongside the route. And another one charged me when I stopped along the road to wring the sweat out of my head gear, gloves and helmet. Worthless curs each and every one. Two yappers even gave chase, running out into the roadway in a construction zone to pursue me. These two were the rare combination worthless, slow and stupid. I slowed enough to make em think they had a chance and told em both that if they were run over in a construction zone it would be just desserts for them. (This may have been phrased in a slightly less civil tone than just described by the author - but I was tired of being chased.) I have no idea why people (some people anyway) think it appropriate to let their dogs wander and chase passing cyclists. Well, I have my suspicions, but I’ll avoid voicing them here.
OK - now that the Kentucky K-9 question has been resolved, on with the day's pics...
This is The Rig at the Axtel Campground along the shore of the Rough River Lake. It was a very nice site. We just didn't get to enjoy it much since it was so hot - up until it rained. Tho thankfully, the rain knocked the temperature down a bit.
First pic of the day and, as has become Kentucky tradition here at The Thin Blue Ride, the hills in the distance are hazy from humidity. Not as bad as yesterday, mind you, but still humid. I was cautiously optimistic.
Shortly, it all burned off and we were left with this sky. Which served to accentuate this old barn. I'm becoming convinced that many of these old barns had previous lives as tobacco drying structures.
And this old house was near the previously pictured barn. Very well maintained, with a great looking field of beans in the foreground. We saw a lot of smaller old homes today, many of which were in similar condition.
Most of the day was like this today. Hills, but nothing outrageous. The lone exception being the climb out of a river valley. It was straight down one side and straight up the other - to the tune of about 3/4 mile of 9-10% grade. How? Just slow your cadence and breathe deeply. Eventually ya get to the top. I think I was going just over 5 mph.
I heard the clip clop and looked up to find this. I didn't notice as I went by, but Susan also saw them and said the young girl driving (Can ya drive a horse drawn buggy?) looked all of 12 years old. She's got that rig right over against the edge of the road, doesn't she?
I ran into this guy along the route today. His name is Kim and he was also riding the T/A with his friend, who was absent when I arrived. I say "was" because they had just decided to call it quits. His 68 year old friend was having problems with one leg. Apparently, he pulled the quad on that leg loose from whatever moores it to the knee a couple of years ago and it had been bothering him for a while. After struggling with it, he eventually decided to give it up. Kim and his friend hope to finish the T/A later - maybe next year. This was one of my fears before we started the trip: a repetitive motion injury - probably involving my replaced knee. Fortunately for me, I've had no problems with it so far.
Delta - taking a break at The Rig. He keeps asking to come inside where the A/C is running. To date, I have refused his entreaties. Don't wanna spoil the boy. But not being entirely insensitive to his request, the reader should note that I parked him in the shade.
Another cool old house. I came around a corner after crossing a small creek and it was there. I slammed on the brakes and snapped this shot. Again - small, but very well maintained.
As we got past the halfway point, we traveled a series of three river/creek valleys. It doesn't show up very well, but I always had a sense of how narrow these agricultural areas were because I could make out the knobby hills on both sides that defined their borders. The reader may note the rounded knob just appearing in the gap of the nearer trees in the pic.
This gives the reader a better idea what I was talking about re: the previous pic. I had to stop to get it framed right. This is the other side of the road from the previous pic.
I believe this was our last rest stop of the day. As I pulled up I saw The Rig (lower left quarter of the pic) and the house with the blue roof nestled in among the trees on the side of the hill. Yet another example of a well maintained, smaller, old home. I have it as a white house with a blue roof. Susan says the house is yellow. To be fair, she describes it as "very light yellow". Fine. She can describe me as Robert Redford, but I'm still Brad Schoen. She's either color blind or insane.
A tree tunnel on the last leg of today's trip. I have a video I took while riding thru here. But if the reader mentions this to Susan, it will occasion the same lecture as last time, "I don't like it when you do that." What does she know, she thinks I'm Robert Redford. So, readers, let's just keep this between us, eh?
Tonight's digs, courtesy of the New Haven, KY Railroad Museum. They were kind enough to let us park here overnight. Note The Rig's patriotic theme what with the US flag flying in the background.
What's a railroad museum without an old, steam powered, narrow gauge, engine sitting out front?
And without a big diesel electric?
And then it was off to dinner at the local Mexican Restaurant: Juanitos. The food was excellent and the young man waiting our table was the rare combination of courteous, friendly and efficient. The food was out in short order, and he kept my Diet Pepsi filled. No easy task, the later, what with me slugging DP down like water. Hey - a guy's gotta stay hydrated.
This is Alejandro. - our waiter. He said he'd check out the blog. So, Alejandro, get ready for a bunch of calls from Hollywood. You're famous now.
As we figure it, we're now half way thru Kentucky - barring mishaps (Chief of which would be a dog bite or some dumb dog running into the bike while chasing me and causing a wreck. Stupid dogs.) or breakdowns, of course. Pray for neither.
Dogs are like mountains. Stupid mountains. Stupid dogs.
Till next time.
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