The Thin Blue Ride - Part 2 Day 77 - Chimney Rock RV Park, Harrodsburg, KY to McKee, KY

Saturday, August 24th, 2019

Ride Report:  63 Miles, 3,507 Total Miles, 14.6 Avg. mph, 4,590 Ft. Climbing, 5,332 Calories.

That’s a lot of climbing for having not yet reached the Appalachians.  I have a combination of curiosity and dread in anticipation of those numbers coming in.  It’s just different climbing here than in the mountain west.  The main issue is the constant  mental (not to mention physical) shifting of gears between climbing and descending.  For example, the run-up to Hoosier pass had me going mostly uphill for two days, I think?  Plenty of time to forget what descending is like.  Not so here.  I go from my lowest gear to my highest gear after cresting the top of a hill in a matter of maybe 30 seconds only to do it all over again at the bottom.  Climbers talk about settling into their tempo.  For me - not since Colorado.  Until today.  The pics below will bear this out.

But before we get to that, and in keeping with Kentucky tradition, I was chased by a Doberman Pincer today.  He was a husky, barrel chested dog, as Dobermans are wont to be, with the typical surgically pointed ears.  That I could take all this in was due chiefly to the fact that as I crested the hill, upon top of which the Doberman's owners apparently reside, I saw him in the yard just before he saw me.  His head snapped around and we both knew the race was on.  This one was good.  As I dumped gears and gained speed, he took a cut-off angle an NFL safety would be proud of and it was gonna be close.  But when I shouted "NO" at the top of my lungs, he blinked.  Not much, but just enough to cause him to loose a stride or two.  Then he was back on the throttle again.  As I continued shouting, I was joined by the small girl in the yard who began shrieking at the top of her lungs as only a little girl can.  It was ear piercing, but had no effect on my nemesis, the Doberman.  It was also puzzling, but as I was hesitant to stop and inquire with her beloved Doberman hot on my heels, I've no idea if she was screaming at the Doberman or me.  Not that it mattered much to me.  But back to the race for my life.  At this point, it was a question of who had more stamina.  The Doberman was apparently a sprinter and not a distance guy, because as I hit the bottom of the hill and started up again (and began to seriously worry that he might catch me on the up-slope) I could see it in his eyes.  And when I stood up to pedal - it was over.  I don't know this for certain, but like to imagine that he hung his head in shame as he panted his way back to the house, having to report to his screaming little girl that he had been bested by a 59 year old man.  Stupid dogs.

Now, on with the day...

This is Susan and The Rig "climbing" over the speed bump to get out of the RV Park first thing this morning.  When the alarm went off, we checked the weather - always the first thing ya do on riding days.  It was 58 degrees!  We went back to sleep.  Hence the reader will observe blue skies above The Rig rather than the first light of morning.  Speaking of which - have I mentioned that Kentucky has plenty of roosters?   At least they don't chase me.  And even if they did, who'd be afraid of a chicken? 

Me standing on the KY-152 bridge over the lake.  Though it's kinda tiny in the pic, the restaurant we dined at last evening is on the right edge of the marina in the background. 

Merriam Webster: Pastoral: Adjective - Portraying or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people especially in an idealized and conventional manner.  Yup - I'll buy that.

For all the tobacco growing I thought went on in Kentucky, I've seen very few fields.  Until today.  Both sides of the road were like this for a good distance.  I noted that these plants were all light green.  I don't know if it's unhealthy or just reaching the end of its life cycle and ready for harvest.  I suspect the later as I saw more barns today with tobacco hanging inside to dry.

Today's iteration of a one lane country road here in Kentucky.  We were only on this one for 1.5 miles in order to cross over the ridge between two creeks.  Yup - Susan was on this one too.  She's ahead of us as I took this pic.

Susan was waiting with The Rig at the other end of the one lane road and I was inside taking a break when these guys showed up.  From left to right: me, Eric, Jeremy and Chris.  We chatted 'em up for a while and learned that they're brothers and were in the area visiting a friend.  They grew up in Loretto and were able to report that the big buildings I talked about in the post a couple of days ago are used to age whiskey - which is produced at the Maker's Mark distillery located there.

Delta wanted a shot with this mailbox.  He thought it was a tricycle.  Easier not to explain.  We moved on.

As we were leaving Berea, KY we got our first glimpse of how things will shake out as we get further into Eastern Kentucky.  Yeah - that's what I thought too.  Chris (two pics above) was kind enough to throw this out there for me to consider, "Oh yeah.  As you get into Eastern Kentucky you'll be climbing some, well...mountains."  And here I had that whole cognitive dissonance thing going for me.  Thanks Chris.

It is at this point in the day, having just left Berea, that we arrived at the small "town" of Big Hill.  We had planned a stop there for one of my breaks.  When reflecting on this, I thought it an odd name for a town and gave the matter all the attention it was due.  Which is to say, none.  Shortly, the break was over (at least that's what Susan tells me to get me out the door) and off she went with The Rig.  It looked like this...

Wait a minute...wait a minute - do ya suppose?  Big Hill?  She never came back so I had but one option...

Ride up this.  It was around 2 to 2.5 miles of 6-7% with some 8% thrown in for good measure.  OK - when the ACA puts out these maps, they should tell a guy, "Kentucky names their towns after hills.  If there's a big one, watch out."

Me - going up THE big hill outside Big Hill, KY.

Even Delta thought it was a big hill.  Brilliant.  He could'a come up with that earlier, maybe???

But there was one good thing about this hill - and it's this pic.  I love this one.  The sky, the road cut, the trees, the (apparent) lack of effort on the rider's part, and (for you fashionistas) the casual appearance of the open collared jersey.  It just all came together in this pic.

I dunno what this small house thing is, but I ran across it on the 8 mile downhill into McKee.  Hey - it has a wrap around porch where ya can sit to sip your coffee on a cool morning.  Ya might have to sit out there, there may not be room inside.  We'll spend the night at the local high school in McKee.  When Susan talked to the Principal, he was kind enough to warn us that (wait for it) the school was on top of a "big hill" and I might not want to ride my bike up.  See?  These are the guys the ACA needs to talk to when they do the maps.

And speaking of maps...  Passing thru Berea, KY today marked the end of section 10 of the 12 ACA maps.  Two more to go.

This is what section 10 looked like.  Ignore the loop hanging off the bottom of the route about 3/4 of the way across the map.  That's the Mammoth Cave Loop and is included as an optional (and additional) 80 miles which can be added to the route at the rider's discretion.  Ya apparently go down there if'n ya wanna see a big cave.  Nope - not happening.

Pleasant day in Kentucky again.  High temp of 79 for the day at McKee with humidity dropping all day long.  Enough wind to keep a rider cool(ish) with the only problem being that it was a head wind all day - which didn't help the average speed much.  But overall, I'll take it.

Till next time.

The Thin Blue Ride - Part 2 Day 76 - Chimney Rock RV Park, Harrodsburg, KY (Rest Day)

Friday, August 23rd, 2019

Ride Report: None - Planned Rest Day

And there was plenty of resting going on.  I had big plans to wash The Rig, but that all fell by the wayside when it rained most of the morning.  Kinda hard to motivate one's self to wash something as big as The Rig and stand in the rain doing it.  Who am I kidding, it's had to get motivated to wash it pretty much any time - the rain was just a handy excuse.

And speaking of The Rig...

This is it between rain squalls this morning.  Note the wet pavement.  Can't have the reader thinking I'm anything but absolutely honest in my posts now, can we?

Right across from the rig was the building in which the RV Park houses its laundry machines.  Two each: washers and dryers.  Susan disappeared in there this morning and came out about noon.  At the opposite end of the building from the laundry facilities is an open air gathering area with a huge carved wooden bear out front. 

Then it was on to cooking some of the stuff we'll be eating next week.  I helped.  Which one of these burgers doesn't fit with the others?  Correct.  Three are overdone and one is just right.  That one in the bottom right needs flipped before it gets charred beyond recognition like the other three.  Susan thought this cooking ahead thing would be a good idea (and I agreed) since cooking in The Rig when it's hot outside makes hard for the A/C to keep up.  We made that mistake once.

I made my specialty - no bake cookies.  Though mine are usually monster sized.  I pared these down a bit because the usual size might not fit in my jersey pocket when I'm riding.  And trust me, I have plans for these babies - if I can get 'em away from Susan.

I spent a good bit of time here this morning because of said rain.  The reader should note the cool charging station in the cabinetry above the love seat.  Formerly there was a solid panel there and wasted space behind it.  Before we left on The Thin Blue Ride, I ordered the little charging thingy on-line and it shipped to me direct from China!  Crazy.  Now the government of Communist China has my home address.  Hmmmm...  Anyway, after I installed it I concluded that this is much better. 

Susan and me on the way to the eatery down at the marina, which is conveniently located just below the RV park.  The mother-in-law of the lady who owns the RV Park owns the restaurant.  When I took the pic we were standing on the walkway that goes out to the floating restaurant.  I understand the whole displacement thing and how it makes stuff float, but I find it disconcerting to be walking on styrofoam topped concrete anyway.  The reader should note the stylish Yosemite ball cap, which was purchased in the park by the author.  I don't typically go for the mesh vented trucker hat, but made an exception in this case because of the cool plastic badge on the front.

Susan says to inform the reader that it was windy and her hair doesn't  normally look like this.

Cindy (who owns the RV park) assured us that tonight at the marina restaurant was all you can eat catfish night.  She wasn't kidding.  Clockwise from top left of plate: catfish, hush puppies, sour cream and tarter sauce (in plastic containers), loaded baked potato (where the sour cream goes), useless lemon wedge, and corn puddin'.  No - not pudding - puddin'.  Plus, a dinner salad.  That's a lotta food.  I got all mine down, but couldn't ask for more fish.  Susan ate half of hers - lightweight.

Finally, we chatted up a lady tonight here in the RV Park who married a Kansas boy.  She said they haven't been back in 18 years.  I make no judgments concerning this, just reporting the facts.  When she asked where Manhattan was, I asked her if she remembered UK (no - not KU) losing in the NCAA Tournament two years ago to another Wildcat team.  She did.  Then she knew all about Manhattan, KS.

Pretty slim pickings here at The Thin Blue Ride today.  But if things go as planned, we hit Virginia this week.  We're back on the road tomorrow and will have more to report then.

Till next time.

The Thin Blue Ride - Part 2 Day 75 - New Haven, KY to Chimney Rock RV Park, Harrodsburg, KY

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Ride Report: 64 Miles, 3,444 Total Miles, 15.7 Avg. mph, 4,058 Ft. Climbing, 5,318 Calories.  

Kentucky has now provided two consecutive excellent riding days.  Despite opening the day with 98% humidity, it was cloudy again for most of the day and the temperatures moderated a bit.  The ever present hills aren’t nearly so ill tempered when one can look down at one’s Garmin and not have the screen obscured by sweat that drains on it from your helmet when ya look down.  And speaking of drained, I wasn’t (drained) when I made it to The Rig for breaks.  On a couple of those days when the heat and humidity were nasty, I made it into The Rig and just had to lean on a wall to recover before moving.  Further, I believe the scenery today was by far the best Kentucky has proffered to date.  This will be evidenced in the pics below, but in my estimation this was the best scenery day since leaving the mountains of Colorado.  And it only took crossing three states to get to it.  Wonderful.

And lest I neglect to say so: Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.  I didn’t get chased by a single dog today.  Yesterday when I met and talked with Kim (The T/A rider forced to abandon when his buddy’s knee started acting up.) he gave me a can of dog spray.  Dog spray is apparently just like an umbrella.  If ya have it, you never need it.  But if ya don’t have it there’s gonna be a downpour.  I think I’ll leave it in my jersey pocket for the rest of the trip as insurance.

So - with the boring stuff outta the way, here's the day in pics...

Yet another early morning shot.  Note the zipped jersey.  I hadn't gotten hot enough yet to lower the zipper.  And while I say "early morning", it wasn't as early as yesterday.  We crossed in to the Atlantic Time Zone yesterday and since we're farther West in that time zone, the sun came up a bit later than usual.  When the alarm went off and there was no light leaking into the RV, I told Susan to give it another half hour.  It was time well spent.  BTW - this also means that if we call you irritatingly early in the morning, it's not our fault.  Just sayin...

These were on the West side of Loretto, KY.  I count four in this pic, but there had to be 30 of em - on both sides of the road.  They looked like large metal dormitories and were surrounded by an 8' chain link fence.  Susan and I both thought minimum security prison, but there were no cars for staff in any of the parking lots.  Maybe a closed federal prison?  Any idea readers?

THOMAS!  This is akin to finding Waldo!  We first met near Earthquake Lake in Montana and then again later in West Yellowstone, WY.  When Susan and I took a bunch of "tourist days" in Yellowstone, the Tetons and Breckenridge, he got ahead of us on the T/A.  Then when we had RV problems and later went to Manhattan for medical appointments, he got even further ahead of us.  But I'd been tracking him on-line, knew we were gaining on him, and that we'd probably see him today.  I came around a corner leaving Loretto, KY and there he was.  We caught up a bit and then headed out.  Since we're taking a rest day tomorrow and he's headed to Berea, KY, he'll pass us again.  So I'll have to look for him down the road again next week.  FYI - he's 78 and is the last of this year's T/A racers (there is a race every spring) still on the road.  A fact of which he is quite proud.  This year's race started in Astoria, OR on June 2nd at 0600. The race winner finished 16 days, 9 hours and 56 minutes later.  (I know - amazing, right?)  You do the math on Thomas.

And as a quick aside, Thomas asked me to take a pic of the cockpit of his bike and text it to him.  This is it - a Surly (that's the brand) Long Haul Trucker (the model).  The reader may note that its a bit - crowded - in there.

Delta - checking out the route on today's ride.  The reader should note the sleek lines and minimalistic nature of his cockpit.  The Surly Long Haul Trucker has been around since the time of the model T Ford.  Delta is fly-by-wire.

Another Delta selfie on today's route.  I gotta say, the ACA pulled one out of their hats with today's route.  Good pavement, VERY light traffic, isolated country lanes, pretty scenery - just a great route.

Still on the same road.  A shot of an old bridge railing and with an old silo/barn in the background.

And when we got "up top" and clear of the trees, there was this to look at.  Now that's some rolling countryside.  Pretty easy on the eyes to boot.

Then I came around a corner and ran across this - a Catholic Church.  It was imposing enough that I felt bad about not going to confession - and I'm not even Catholic.  This was actually the second such Catholic Church built on a hill right next to the road.  They sure know where to put em here in Kentucky.  But then again - there are hills everywhere.  Odds are that it would be on a hill.  Anyway - after I failed to take a pic of the first one I prayed for a second chance.  I'll have to ask a local if this has been here for a while or if it appeared miraculously earlier in the afternoon - just before I arrived...

Abe Lincoln's Grandfather's house, which Abe's Uncle Mordecai inherited when the elder Lincoln was killed by Indians.  Right along the route.  In fact, Susan parked The Rig in the parking lot beside the house where I took a scheduled break.  That it's on the national register of historic places has done nothing to help with maintenance.  Note the blue tarp on the roof - a shame.

While by all accounts Abe was friendly enough, not so with the rest of the family I guess.  Nobody even bothered to answer the door when I knocked.  It's not like I was selling Am-Way or something.  It couldn't have been my attire...

Dunno how many generations removed from the famous Lincoln's these folks are, but who cares?  Just another example of a simple house in a fantastic setting.  There were some really nice homes along today's route.  I just like the older ones.

Note the one lane road with no dividing line in the middle.  Susan drove The Rig down this.  I got the blow by blow later.  In one respect I worry a bit about her driving that huge thing down these roads, but in another, she gets to see the same things I see on the route.  She just takes her time and pokes along at a comfortable pace.  It's not usually too hard for her to beat me to the next stop.  The Rig does better on hills than I do.

I just love this.  Check out the road winding thru the trees and to the left.  These curves are really fun at speed.

By now the reader may recognize the "Bike Route 76" sign on the right side of the road.  I included it here because it points straight up this 8% hill.  Of course it does, these hills are apparently a requirement for any road to make it on to the T/A route. 

And one final look at the rolling nature of the countryside around here - when you can make it out.  This  area is just so heavily forested that at this point I'm starting to believe that any open area I come across was cleared of trees.

So, tomorrow is a Rest Day.  As the trip grinds on, it has become more and more apparent that I need to give my legs one day a week off.  I mean, I could probably run 8, 9, 10 days straight if I had to or if there was some sort of time line to keep.  But that's not the case here in the Eastern US as it was out West when we had the kids joining us at specific times with all the travel arrangements that requires.  The long and short of it: we get to Yorktown, Va when we get to Yorktown, VA.  We both want to enjoy the experience - and that means tomorrow is a Rest Day.

Till next time.

The Thin Blue Ride - Part 2 Day 74 - McDaniels, KY to New Haven, KY

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

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.