Route to Lima?

[alien_hitchhiker]

Here I go, daydreaming about next summer already. For those of us riding up to Lima from the south, who is willing to reveal the secret north-south nirvana route through Kentucky?

I've tried various road combinations - entering Kaintuck from the south on US 23 - and have found some great stretches, but have yet to discover the holy grail.

Or, should I just forget KY and swing east through West Virginia?

Thanks, Steve

Oh yeah, for me the holy grail route is twisty, fast, no LEOs, no gravel, no RVs, Harleys and Gold Wings that stay well to the right, no stoplights, only tiny towns with bargain gas prices and fresh brewed locally roasted coffee, and finally, scenic as all get out. Is that so much to ask for?

[flat_twin]

Wow you don't ask for much do you! Generally, you can draw a line along I-71 from Cinci to Cleveland. North and west of that line is likely to be flat land. Not very exciting. South and east of I-71 are some wonderful roads. Ol Salt posted some great route suggestions on another thread. I would enter Ohio in the southeast, work my way up thru Mohican forest area before swinging west toward Lima. If you arent' careful, you can spend an entire day going from the Ohio river to Lima. Some of those twisty roads just keep going and going.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Flat Twin, Thanks! I'll be looking over that corner of the map. Sounds like your routes might best be approached by my riding up through the western part of WV; I'm in western NC. It's an area I've been interested in seeing ever since the Charleston Rally coverage. A plan is forming! (I'm gonna print out everybodies suggestions & start a little Lima file for myself)
Steve

[merrittgene]

I've taken comments from this thread and posted them (with credit given) here: OhioRoads (http://riters.com/MotorcycleRoads/index.cgi/OhioRoads) and here: KentuckyRoads (http://riters.com/MotorcycleRoads/index.cgi/KentuckyRoads)

For more information on the Wiki, click here: MotorcycleRoads Wiki thread (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4221)

I encourage everyone to visit the Wiki and add comments there (basically in addition to the Forum, because I'm not suggesting that we take anything away from the Forum.)

The benefit of the Wiki is that everything is cross-linked.

[BouncinBob]

Most people would say it is 555. This is a great road. Although there are some ridge roads "I" like better.

[flat_twin]

Most people would say it is 555. This is a great road. Although there are some ridge roads "I" like better.

I would agree with that. 555 is very twisty full of surprises and a road to respect. Very easy to misread the normal visual cues as to which way the road is going just around that bend. So, take it easy and enjoy. I prefer a faster road with nice sweepers. It's hard to go wrong with any of the roads in SE Ohio. Any road in or near Wayne National Forest areas should be a rewarding ride.

[BouncinBob]

I would agree with that. 555 is very twisty full of surprises and a road to respect. Very easy to misread the normal visual cues as to which way the road is going just around that bend. So, take it easy and enjoy.


Exactly why I like ridge roads and some others

[Visian]

Here I go, daydreaming about next summer already. For those of us riding up to Lima from the south, who is willing to reveal the secret north-south nirvana route through Kentucky?

Steve --

I notice you live in Asheville... so here is a great road that you might enjoy.

Take US 25 north. Avoid the temptation to take 209 in Hot Springs (one of my faves....) and keep going through Tennessee and into Kentucky.

When you get to Barbourville, look for KY 11. Take that north.

Now let me tell you, this is a road where you're going to see a little bit of everything. Small towns, tiny towns, some *very* poor people (this is coal country...) tons of twisties, some really fun off-camber corners... this is what Beemers are made for!

This road will take you a long way ... about 90 miles through Booneville and Beatyville, through a beautiful section of the Daniel Boone National Forest, and past the Natural Bridges State Park.

At that point you can take KY402 west to I84 and I75 and up to Lima, or you can choose from a bunch of other really great back roads.

11 does continue northward past that point, and winds up in Aberdeen, Ohio. I've not ridden that section. But I do know that US52 west along the Ohio river is a good cruising road over to Cincinnatti.

Now fair warning. All is not perfect on this road. There is some gravel (where is there *not* some gravel in this section of the country?) and there are a few coal trucks running around that you'll have to pass.

I really enjoyed this road when I was in the area, I hope you do, too.

Ian

[lorazepam]

If you want a challenging road out of aberdeen, try Rt 41. It has a lot of changes in pavement, and in type of road. It is beautiful, not overly crowded, and you need to pay attention. US 62&68 will go in the general direction you want to go and are more sweeping roads. I have to admit there are a lot of straight streatches on them as well. RT 73 out of Portsmouth rocks! I love that road, and if you have time, stop by Serpent Mound. This was built by the Adena Cultre native americans. I believe it is the largest effigy of it's type in the world. 73 is an awesome road to Hillsboro, then it becomes a road filled with sweepers. RT 56 out of Athens will take you in the right general direction, and entertain you for a while. I am going to miss Southern Ohio very much, some of the best riding period is in the Ohio valley.