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7/3/10 Chillicothe Ohio
I have been off work for four weeks recovering from a broken ankle. Two day's ago the Doc. said I could take off the brace,,just in time for our ride. I am meeting Roger for breakfast then we will make the 20 mile ride to Doug's house.I arrive at the restaurant at 6:45, 15 minutes early and Roger is already there waiting on me. We have breakfast and discuss the trip, south to ride some back roads in Kentucky, then on to Tennessee and North Carolina. This is a great morning, 56 degrees,,cool but far from cold. We arrive at Doug's house around 7:50,,we find him in the garage ready to roll. After a few pictures, we head west on route 50 to Bainbridge where we turn south on route 41. This is a route I have travelled many times. A mere 35 miles into the trip (PeeblesOh.)..Doug signals he needs to stop,he is hungry,,so we top off while there.
In Aberdeen we cross the Ohio river into Maysville Ky. Crossing the bridge Doug pulls along side me and ask why the grin,,cant help but smile every time I cross the state line on my way out there,,wherever there happens to be.
In Maysville we turn south onto route 11, we stop to top off in Mount Sterling Ky. The next stop will be in Clay city Ky at Carmichael leather . A nice break,,sitting on the bench out front drinking a soda and taking a minute to cool off.
The next stop, Nada Tunnel road, and Red River gorge area . I doubt I could get tired of riding this area, some of Kentucky's finest motorcycle riding is here. We stop for pictures, and head into the tunnel, exiting it you find a twisty,curvy winding downhill stretch of tarmac that requires your complete attention ,,somewhat reminds you of the tail of the dragon for a mile or so. We continue on past Gladie house and follow the road to our next stop,,,lunch at The True North inn.
After lunch we circle back around to route 11, head south a couple of miles to Natural bridge state park. Just like last time I was here,,we take the sky lift up to the top,,,ok,,I still have my fear of heights intact. Once at the top (600 feet up) we make the hike to the lookout point for pictures,,,there is no safety rail there, Roger and Doug walk to the edge and look around,,"not me, I can see back here just fine Thank you!!!" After playing tourist we jump back on the sky lift for the ride down,,damn was I glad to get off that thing!!! A quick look around the gift shop and we are on our way.
South on route 11 to Booneville Ky. where we pick up route 30 east. This is one of my favorite roads in Ky. A twisty two lane that runs through rural Ky. We ride along enjoying the afternoon , perfect weather, perfect road,,and perfect company. We pull up to a stop sign where rt. 30 takes a left turn,,I check for traffic,,let out on the clutch and ease into a left turn with Doug right behind me. I hear Roger stall his bike, glance over my left shoulder to see if he is OK . I hear him hit the starter so I continue on. I kept looking in the mirror but no one is coming,,huh,,what happened?? Sure hope he is not having mechanical trouble,,find a place to turn around and head back. What I see when I get back to them amazes me,,I cannot help but laugh,,still not sure how he did it,,but there sat Doug's bike,,upright in the ditch,,him and Roger standing beside it. Lucky for us there was no damage, a local stops and helps us get this 800 lb bike out of the ditch.
Back on the road we arrive in London Ky around 6:15,,head to the hotel,,check in and walk to the Shiloh steak house for dinner. I mention that I have some good curvy roads for us to ride tomorrow,,Roger pipes up,,"curvy roads!! well that will be a change!!" sarcasm..I love it!!!
