KY Hwy 421

[120116]

Looking at the map of Kentucky, Highway 421 looks like it would be a good road to ride thru from the north going to the rally. Is there anyone out there that has first hand knowledge of this road?

[cheesewhiz]

I was looking at that one too!
Nice squigly roads according to the map.

Can't wait! :brad

[Sue]

That was the route that Chasman and I rode on the way to the October Board meeting in Johnson City. We hopped on 421 in Madison, Indiana and stayed on 421 through Kentucky and Virginia.

It was a nice ride, but NOT a fast ride. A lot of the little towns along the way are built right on top of Hwy 421. There were homes where the front door was less than 20 feet from the road. It was a nice, enjoyable ride but beware of children, dogs, and cars & pick-up trucks entering the roadway unexpectedly.

Here are some pictures.
http://www.beemerhill.com/421_1.JPG

http://www.beemerhill.com/421_2.JPG

http://www.beemerhill.com/421_3.JPG

http://www.beemerhill.com/421_4.JPG

http://www.beemerhill.com/421_5.JPG

http://www.beemerhill.com/421_6.JPG

[120116]

Thanx Sue!! It looks like a good road on the map--and I am not concerned about time.

You took the exact route that I am planning. I do have one question. What did you do around Lexington? I am thinking I may divert and take 169 down to Richmond and pickup 21/421 there again. If you have any other good ideas, I am open to sugestions!!

Mike

[Sue]

In Lexington we got off 421 and onto I-75 for a little ways - got a couple of cheap hotel rooms there in Lexington. The next morning we rode south on I-75 a little ways to Richmond, where we continued on, back on 421, towards Johnson City.

[mfire1]

us 421 is a real twisty road which is perfect for a bmw. From Madison south it will be a under 55 ride quite a bit of the way because of the towns and low speed traffic. Further east is 127 which is just about straight line south. Or check out 60 which runs thru Lexington.

[magoo]

The section between the two roads coming out of Damascus, VA is one of my favorite roads ever. I usally try to ride it several times a year.:D

[120116]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking at Sue's pictures has me wishing I could ride right now!! Looks like it is the right choice for me.

Mike

[cheesewhiz]

This may be a bit premature but, how about a caravan of Wisconsin (or there-abouts) riders treking to the rally?
I was thinking of leaving Thursday and riding to the Lexington area. Then, the Rally on Fr/Sa/Su.
What say ye?

[120116]

Sorry Cheese, but right now I am planning on leaving on Tuesday. I need to get to Alabama before the ride to check on some friends and look for a job!! And I need to be at the rally to volunteer at registration with Marc and company Thursday or Friday.

I would think that there will be a fair amount of riders going from the upper midwest. Maybe start a thread looking for other riders. Especially if you have a good route planned out. There is a group that is planning a "Bourban Tour" on th e way down, but I believe they are leaving the Saturday before.

Are you going to the motorcycle show in Chicago next weekend? I know that a bunch of the forum riders will be there. If you go, stop by the BMWMOA booth-it is always interesting to meet some of the people you have been talking with in person.

Good Luck!! If nothing else look me up at the rally. I will be working registration, tenting in th equiet area, and riding a silver R1100RS with a wudo screen. Look for the Bucky flag outside my tent!!

Mike

[Sue]

This may be a bit premature but, how about a caravan of Wisconsin (or there-abouts) riders treking to the rally?
I was thinking of leaving Thursday and riding to the Lexington area. Then, the Rally on Fr/Sa/Su.
What say ye?

Brian and I are planning to spend a night or two in Memphis, and then head east towards the rally. Probably take the whole week off.

[mandypants]

If you want suggestions of good places to eat/visit/get coffee around Lexington, Richmond or Berea in Kentucky, let me know. That is my old college stomping ground.:ear

[DPeakMD]

Main thing to keep in mind about Berea is it's in a dry county. DAMHIK!

[DPeakMD]

Here are a couple of maps I found on a website and saved for future reference.

They're tailored towards twisty roads heading from south of Indianapolis down to the Deal's Gap area. Someone put a lot of thought into these and deserves a lot of credit for their effort! (Sorry I'm not aware who...)

Here are the image links:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/wispr/Deals%20Map/DealsMapAcopy.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/wispr/Deals%20Map/DealsMapBcopy.jpg

[BEinIN]

As everyone indicated and Sues' pictures show, 421 is a great ride. Just watch out for the tri-axle coal trucks. They tend to take more than half the road in the twisties.

[120116]

Brian and I are planning to spend a night or two in Memphis, and then head east towards the rally. Probably take the whole week off.

WooHooo!! Beale street, baby!! Some of the best blues outside the Delta.

Have fun!:drink :whistle

Mike

[mfire1]

On the map shown another route from Brownstown is SR 250 over to SR 7 North of Madison. Alot nicer route with better scenery and more turns than SR39 to SR56
Ride time is 1 hour to Madison with more turns than the lined route shown. In fact the SR 250 route over to Patriot is a super ridge road ride. It makes a neat 100 mile round trip to Madison.

[wezul]

If you want suggestions of good places to eat/visit/get coffee around Lexington, Richmond or Berea in Kentucky, let me know. That is my old college stomping ground.:ear

Yes please, Mandy.
I am thinking Lexington will be the end of my first leg.

[cheesewhiz]

Yes please, Mandy.
I am thinking Lexington will be the end of my first leg.

Mine as well :whistle

[DPeakMD]

There are probably more, but these are two that I know of close to home.

After getting off I-65 in Franklin, the first two flashing lights are now stoplights.

[DPeakMD]

Starting in Franklin. Gas prices are usually cheap, but not necessarily just by the interstate. You'll pass an Admiral and a Shell after you pass the courthouse downtown. It's usually cheaper there.

Nashville is crowded on weekends! It might make a good lunch stop and a chance to get off the bike and shake a leg. There's a myriad of arts and crafts shops to poke around in. I can recommend a good BBQ shack called Trolly's on the north end of town off to the left on E. Gould St. You can park in a pay lot ($2 for MC) across the street and eat out on a deck where you can see your bike. The Brown County Inn (http://www.browncountyinn.com/) is also very nice, but they often have a waiting list to get in. There's a large Shell before you leave town, but it's on the wrong side heading south and prices can be higher.

http://gallery.me.com/swatdoc/100311/P1010607/web.jpg

Don't eat too much because SR-135 gets pretty twisty south of here! Watch out for 90's with loose gravel, too.

The quaint old country village of Story, Indiana is just 20 minutes south of Nashville along SR-135 (it's on the map) and would be a great place to stop, too. A lot less hustle and bustle than Nashville! The Story Inn (http://storyinn.com/) has a gravel parking lot. The old general store is pretty authentic turn of the century. It's fun to walk around and look at the relics of a bygone era. There's a tavern which serves food and a courtyard to eat outside in nice weather. It's also a B&B and is reportedly haunted! They have a fine-dining restaurant open in the evenings with excellent food and a good selection of wines. Definitely worth a stop.

The route will take you right through downtown Madison, Indiana along the Ohio River. It's a beautifully well-preserved collection of Federal style architecture. Madison was a boomtown that went bust and left a bunch of historic structures untouched by 'improvements.' Now a lot of buildings are in the National Register of Historic Places. There's a small restaurant and bar along the riverfront on Vaughn called The Madison Lighthouse with good parking and outside dining. They serve an excellent rueben! Another place called Hinkles is right on Main Street/421/56 and is well-rated, but I haven't been there yet. Here's the Delta Queen pulling out of Madison, sadly, for the last time...

http://gallery.me.com/swatdoc/100267/DSC00348/web.jpg

[OU812]

If anyone is interested, I am riding down to Palm Coast FL on Sunday(end of MOA Rally) for a couple of days. Free stay at my cousins and heading back on Tuesday via GA with a free stay there at a friends. Arriving at RA Rally Thursday. Feel free to join me! My wife does not like me riding alone so I am posting this for both of us.:brow
Steve

[kantuckid]

I am 1.5 east of Lexington,KY and can be of help with my area if you have questions about a route. Hitting the Mountain Parkway via I-64 east will take you to the Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge Geological Area(where I live) for some nice rides and from there you can do several roads south towards the rally. Other nice spots to visit in that area;Google any of these: Cumberland Gap, Black Mountain, Pine Mountain,Breaks Interstate Park. I'll say that 421 is mild compared to many other rides in KY. Over toward Mandy's "stomping grounds" is Shaker Village and some neat scenery there abouts. As for being dry in Berea, Lexington is not,( if you want a good generalization about alcohol in KY-the whole state is pretty much dry with the exception of the larger cities and a few smaller towns and some college towns) - Berea is a nice town for people that enjoy crafts; there are many craftspeople that live there and have shops plus the Artisans Center.For music people there are several venues there-Renfro Valley & nearby the Music Museum. If you are coming from the north, consider coming down one of several scenic routes through Ohio and then coming into KY just west of Maysville . Google "covered bridges in KY" for some ideas. Also, Washington ,KY is the oldest town in KY and even the post office is a log cabin-no, it isn't a kit. South on lots of paved rural roads from there towards TN .PM if you have questions or certain things you like to do or see. I am a hiker among other things so can lean you that way. If you are trailering I can send you to lakes and golf.

[OU812]

Thanks Kid!

[calmil]

If you want suggestions of good places to eat/visit/get coffee around Lexington, Richmond or Berea in Kentucky, let me know. That is my old college stomping ground.:ear

Two favorite places to eat in the Lexington area were Ramsey's Diner and Hall's On The River when I lived in Lexington for a 3 year residency more years ago than I care to admit. They were still good last week when I was back in KY for a week-long 1500 mile ride.

__________________________________________________ __________________
CalMil
Member: Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
'07 R1200RT