Red River Bridge Tour

So, this ride sort of follows the Red River west of Franklin. Six of the waypoints are actual bridges. Some I’ve seen, some not. It’s about a 90 mile loop. Let’s see what’s out there!

About ten minutes into the ride, the GPS directs a right turn and I’m on a pretty-much single-lane gravel road.

Eddison Road.

The AT doesn’t have the best tires for gravel, but they work for today. The gravel is somewhat fresh; but not deep. Mud would be a problem and the ground surface is dry. A couple of turns and I’m in the middle of farm fields.

The barn and silo at 1 o’clock looks interesting. There’s a house there too. Have to keep an eye out for fur missiles. 🤣

The whole place is abandoned. No people around and I can get a look and take some pictures. I can see the first Red River crossing too.

Didn’t spend much time here as this is most likely private property. More interesting subjects are right behind me.

Take a look at the size of these trees! The one to the right has a trunk easily four feet in diameter. How old is this tree? I’m suspecting maybe 125 year or better. Anyway, get a look at the AT–it looks like a minibike.

You can see the culvert/bridge too.

I walk over the the river bank for a looksee.

Looking towards the culvert/bridge.

After looking around, I hop on the AT and move down to the bridge. Maybe a day or two ago the water was still flowing over the road surface.

Checking out the water level and flow.

Just a few miles later is the second bridge. This one like the rest are more current and typical concrete bridges. What makes them different besides the name on the placard, is that some might have access to the bank below.

Conn Road bridge over the Red River a few miles east of Adairville.

West of Adairville and deep in farm fields again as I make my way over to the next bridge. Since I was riding south and looking into the sun, I took this next picture looking back over the AT.

Lawrence Road.

The rest of the bridges were much the same and so no more pictures of bridges today. In all, I crossed the Red River around 9-10 times.

In the the town of Guthrie, Kentucky there is always something of interest. The mural looks new.

3rd St and S Ewing St.

There’s a lot of railroad track on the north side of the town. CSX is always running in this KY/TN area.

An old L&N (Louisville – Nashville) caboose is a block off the nose of the AT near the mural.

I circled the block to have a look around and get the GPS oriented for the ride back to the house and wants me to take Park St E. No problem.

Problem! 🤣

Oh, and where’s my order? 🙄

So this train is not passing. It’s slowing! Take a quick look at the GPS and make a u-turn. I know a bridge nearby! 🤟

The rest of the ride is on a route I’m familiar with as it is one I take to Fort Campbell and back–even from the former TN house.

So, that’s it. About 90 miles as mentioned and two and a half hours. Had the heated grips going and a few layers under the jacket.

Thanks for checking out the adventure. 💪

1st Ride of the Year

Yeah, it’s February. There were days in January that I could have ridden; but, my temperature tollerance range has narrowed at the cold end. So, today the forecast called for 60 degrees and some sun.

Just wanted a short ride and found a route I rode in January of 2023. Thermals; but, no heated gear.

Prior to leaveing the street, I road a couple of figure eights to resync the riding even though I did ride in December. All is good and within a few seconds I’d be blowing past the the ridiculous STOP sign at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Not far from the house, two fur missles are launched from my left side and are within about 15 meters when I’m aware of their presence. I gauged their impact to between my wheels. Quickly, the BEEP system fire button is located for a counter-measure. It has an immediate effect on one fur missle; and, the second slowed and alter its course. I escaped the attack!

Fire button for the BEEP counter-measure.

Roads are clear of debris, dry, and are in pretty good condition. Good riding through rolling hills. Looking around for good settings to stop and take pictures. Heading north on Barnes School Rd I drop down in elevation. This usually indicates a creek or river crossing ahead. That and the signs that warn about a flooded road. 🤣

The West Fork Drakes Creek is ahead.

Just before the carry-down there’s a gravel lot on the left with a wood (ie government sign); so, I turn in to see what is there. It’s a parking lot for boaters. The sign offers free use of life preservers; but, the hooks are empty. Maybe not quite the boating season even though water flow is pretty good.

Ahead is the culvert crossing the West Fork Drakes Creek.

This water is coming from Tennesse and is the water source for Franklin, Kentucky.

After a couple of pictures are taken, I make a tight u-turn to exit the parking lot. The gravel is deep. Making the turn, I decide it might be better if I get off the seat and just as I start the stand, the front wheel sinks and begins to tuck. A quick reative foot-dab keeps me upright. The momentum I had started was now gone and the tire was kind of spinning. Traction control was too intervening and the engine stalled. A couple of toggles to a less intrusive traction control setting, and we are rolling again.

A quick stop on the culvert bridge for a photo.

West Fork Drakes Creek flowing towards Franklin.

The rest of the ride back to town, was uneventful. Still a good ride. No traffic to deal with for the most part.

Good for about an hour and half and 67 miles.

Loop Around Barren River Lake

Good weather forecast for the ride. Next day, there’s rain coming. Still, the electric jacket liner and long-johns are worn. Heated grips got switched on too. Most of the roads in the route have been ridden previously.

My two previous rides didn’t produce any pictures; and so, I considered this ride would be similar. Wrong. Actually found a few places worth a stop and photo.

Once I start seeing the Barren River Lake, it’s clear the drought continues. Here’s a boat ramp not far from the dam.

Floating dock is setting on the lake bottom. There’s a truck parked there too!

Looking the other direction.

A view from the Barren River Lake Dam.

The lake water level isn’t even at the base of the dam.

At the end of the dam is an overlook with no one around. So, why walk when one can ride? The AT don’t care. 😆

A couple miles up KY-252, I see a historical marker and slow down for a quick read. It’s interesting and I quickly get off the road.

A little information about Settle and his rifles here. Interesting to read; but, not really surprised that the North had destroyed his business during the Civil War.

That’s it for this ride. Thanks for reading.

A New Sign

Not a premonition or something from a card-reader. Heard about this new Sign in the news yesterday and immediately decided I need to go see it for myself.

Quickly nugged-out a route for the GPS. Noticing the crash site proximity to Land Between the Lakes, I figured I’d make a pass down the Trace. Last time I rode the Trace was March of 2022 with the Goldwing.

The route to the Sign would be direct and mostly US-68. Breezy and warming.

The Sign was easy to locate.

Nine soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division were killed in March of 2023.

After returning from the ride I made sure the Sign would be part of Google Maps.

The AT with the Sign!

From here, I continued on to Land Between the Lakes by hopping back onto US-68 and over the Cumberland River via the Lake Barkley Bridge.

Once on Land Between the Lakes, I am expecting to ride down the Trace; but, the GPS has something else in mind. Ok, I’ll make this left turn. Narrow road with no traffic. I like it!

Nice to get off the main roads!

Keeping an eye out for some colorful trees, most are still green.

Every now and then I see some bright red leaves–just need more of them. Within a few miles, I spot lots of red color.

Colors!

A couple of turns later and I spot a historical marker. Oh, cool! Drummer Boy!

Marker placed in 1966 by the Kentucky Historical Society.

Having recently read a book about the Theaters of the American Revolution, Land Between the Lakes would have been part of the western theater. Not so much about fighting the British; but, more of expansion and settlements to the west. Still, the marker is interesting.

At the bottom of the Trace is US-79 where the AT gets refueled and I get a Gatorade some some ghost pepper almonds!

From the gas stop, it’s about two hours to the house. Thought about stopping at Mid-South Motoplex in Clarksville; but, decided to keep going. I’ll go back another day as I spotted a Whattaburger just down the road from the shop!

About 214 miles today. Thanks for checking out the pics!

Madisonville, Kentucky

With the forecast temperature of 80 for today, I needed to go riding. This could be the last forecast in the 80’s for the year. Still, the morning is chilly in the mid-40’s; so, I wait a few hours for the air to warm. 60 degrees will do and that makes for about a 10am departure. Perfect for a nearly five hour ride.

Leaving the house and riding through the neighborhood, I notice the GPS is acting differently. It thinks I’m on a parallel road. Accuracy is not right. So, I start believing the satelitte signals are degraded given the situation in middle east. It’s possible as drones use these same satelitte timing signals for guidance and targeting. GPS navigation is still good enough for roads.

Riding through the narrow farm roads and heading northwest, I see hawks, vulchures, and wait! Two Bald Eagles! They fly overhead from right to left towards some trees. I have to turn around to see this. Now, I see three Bald Eagles! Just soaring above the trees about 75 feet in the air. Within a few minutes they are making their way back toward me. Cool, except the only camera I have is the cell phone.

After they drift overhead, I continue on my way.

My route takes me through Greenville, Kentucky. When I passed through here on my way to Central City back in early June, I stopped to take some photos of a memorial.

About five miles north of Greenville, I see an M1 Abrams tank on the side of the road. How cool is this? Got to get a picture. Lots of military signage for military convoys. Oh cool. After stopping next the tank, I see some Black Hawk helicopters across the highway. Oh, this is a National Guard training area.

M-1A1 Abrams tank.

First picture with the AT and an Abrams tank!

About 30 minute more riding and I’m in Madisonville and approaching the Veterans Memorial. I ride by it to figure out where to park the AT for a photo–then u-turn back.

Veterans Memorial in Madisonville, Kentucky.

SGT William P. Rudd memorial. KIA in northern Iraq while assigned to the 75th Ranger Battalion.

Very nice memorial for veterans–especially local vets.

On the way back and before leaving Madisonville, I stop for fuel, a break, and drink. Clean some bugs off the helmet shield too. With all the crop harvests, the bugs are just flying around. A good frost will take care of them!

On a narrow road, I notice a sign that states to stop for the tunnel. I see it. The tunnel is narrow and I want a picture. As soon as I got a few feet from the AT, I could hear a train on the track. Perfect timing!

After I finish taking the phots, I realize a couple of cars were waiting behind the AT. How cool is that. I waved them through.

That’s it. About 195 miles for the day and nearly five hours. Thanks for checking out the post.

A Friday the 13th Ride

Good weather today before the cool-down this weekend. Picked a route previously planned that would take me down into Tennessee.

First I need to pay the electric bill in town. I’ll hit-up an ATM on the way. Had to use a bank card though. 😅

Always like the narrow roads.

Crazy message sign.

Photo stop in a river bed.

Back in Kentucky and in Amish territory, the bike is wiggling oddly. Soon it felt like a tire was going flat. So, I stopped for a look-see.

Stop to check the tires.

Tire pressures were good. While here, I heard two ghostly sounds of windy booooing. This is weird. Hopped on the bike and finished the ten miles or so back to the house. No squirmy tire feeling after about a mile.

It was Friday the 13th and the area! Spooky stuff there west of Scottsville, Kentucky. Good for a few hours and about 113 miles.

Ride for Lunch

The AT hasn’t been ridden in probably three months; so, today it took me to lunch in nearby Russellville, Kentucky.

Taking the farm roads as usual. Still really good riding with little traffic.

Corn is being harvested all around the area and the farm trucks are running around collecting the kernels from the farm tractors.

Stopped to get a picture of corn fields ready for harvest.

Picturesque riding.

Before resuming the ride, I look closer at the corn stalks. Each stalk had one or two ears. That’s it‽ 😆

Corn stalks ready for harvest.

About 15 minutes further up the road, I’m at Roy’s BBQ.

I’ve been wanting to go here for quite a while. No disappointment either. A pulled pork sandwich, a piece of fried catfish, and some baked beans with unsweetened iced tea. They smoke their own pork and is really tasty. Roy’s has been open since April of 1983.

Roy’s BBQ.

After eating, the long sleeve shirt gets out into a pannier, and I take the AT a little west for the long route back to the house.

Not much riding, but enough for today.

Dinner in Barren Plains

Not much of anything in Barren Plains, Tennessee; but, it’s an area I have been driving and riding through for the past seven years on my way to and from Fort Campbell. At an intersection is an old building that always looked like a general store that maybe sold some pulled pork sandwiches. That would be typical of a lot of places in Tennessee and Kentucky. However, I was always curious about it and having read a review several months ago, I figured I ought to try it. Timing never really worked for me. Mid-day the place had lots of vehicles parked around the building and suggested a crowd I didn’t want to comingle with.

Until today.

No plan for dinner at the house and the AT has a new front tire I fit that needs a scrub-in. Air temperature is cooling in the late afternoon; so, I went riding.

Some wheat ready for harvesting.

This new Metzler Tourance is smooth! Cuts curves with some sharpness too. Perfect tire for the riding I have been doing since moving into Kentucky last year.

New Metzler Tourance tire.

Load the address into the Garmin and off I go. After leaving Franklin to the west, I’m routed on some roads I have not ridden. Nice. Also, nearly no traffic. Not even a farm tractor as most are in the fields harvesting the golden wheat.

Plenty of large operation family farms in Kentucky.

Ordered a California burrito and some unsweet iced tea. Dinner came quick. Not much to look at all covered in a cheese sauce; but, it was good.

The El Paso Restaurant in Barren Plains, Tennessee.

Dinner was quick and soon I’d be out taking this picture and getting back into the riding gear.

Slightly different route back to the house.

Wheat on the left. Corn on the right. A tobacco smoke barn down the road.

I always like a good view and the sun is behind me too.

Then, there’s a bridge. It’s always nice to stop and check out the water flowing underneath.

Bridge over the Red River. This river ends in Clarksville, TN where it joins the Cumberland River.

Red River in Robertson County, Tennessee.

Rest of the ride was at a brisk pace with no traffic and gaining some confidence in the front tire. Total of about 55 miles round trip. Good mix of riding and eating out.

Thanks for checking out the pics!

Trail of Tears

Today’s destination is over in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. A town I haven’t been to in a long time. Used to go here often enough when I was stationed at Fort Campbell back in the late 80’s. Back then, the commercial aircraft crash in Newfoundland carrying and killing over 200 members of the 101st Airborne Division was still lingering. Hopkinsville created a park memorial for the lost Screaming Eagles from the 1985 event.

But today, I want to see the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville as one of the routes used to move Cherokee to the Oklahoma territory would pass through Hopkinsville. I’ve seen hundreds of roadside signs marking the Trail of Tears route; but, taking the time to read and experience more of this mess, it becomes a dark time for our young country. In 2021, my route with the former Goldwing took me through the Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma. Didn’t think too much about it. Reality is those Cherokee are descendants of those forced from their North Carolina, Tennesse, and Georgia area unwillingly.

Routes used to move the Cherokee people to Oklahoma.

As I ride into the park, I spot flags. The U.S. flag and others.

The U.S. flag and a state flag for each of the nine states that had a role in the Trail of Tears Cherokee removal.

Park entrance sign.

After checking out the visitor center and chatting with the very helpful and informative person working the park today, I walk over to the little path leading to the confirmed burial sites of two Cherokee Chiefs. Along the short path are cast bronze signs with details of the Trail of Tears and the movement.

Grave markers for the Cherokee Chiefs are in the foreground. At the far end, are two grave sites with a simple, unmarked peice of limestone. The park attendant said many of the deceased Cherokee were unmarked.

Rather than post all of my pictures, I’ll leave a link to the National Park Service website for the Tail of Tears.

Trail of Tears

After finishing at the park, I take a direct route back towards the house. Along this route, I pass the Jefferson Davis monument that is about a dozen miles east of Hopkinsville.

Last October, I rode to this monument and posted about it here.

Good ride and put on about 124 miles.

As a parting song, check out this one by Paul Revere and the Raiders. When was the last time you heard this song?

Central City

Needed some more helmet time and to put some miles on the AT. Nugged-out a simple loop that would take me to Central City, Kentucky. Nothing to see there; but, I figured it would be a good for quick stop and a cold drink.

In and out of the Franklin area the same roads are used for the most part. While they are familiar to me at this point, I still rely on the GPS to keep moving.

This would be the ride that pushes the total miles on the AT past 30,000.

30,000 miles on the AT today.

Having had the AT for nearly six years now, this pace is under half the pace of the former Concours 14. While work interfered with riding, I still would not have matched the pace of the Concours 14 as that bike simply just wanted to go. Five, six, and seven hundred mile days were routine with the Concours 14. Then again, I was six to ten years younger too! 😅

Near Central City, I pass through the town of Greenville. Didn’t figure I’d see much here; but, I was wrong. Once at the downtown area two buildings on the right got my attention. The Muhlenberg County Justice Building and the Courthouse. Of course each had dedication, memorial, and historical markers.

The Justice Building had a section of red iron beam from one of the World Trade Center buildings.

9/11 memorial marker.

Description for the 9/11 memorial marker.

Of course the AT was there! 🤪

The next building is the Muhlenberg County Court house. After taking some picture, I had to ride around the block to check out the rest of the building–wouldn’t want to miss anything exciting. There was another statue back there and the fire department too.

Muhlenberg County Kentucky Courthouse.

After leaving Greenville, I would be in Central City, Kentucky in a few minutes. The gps somehow looped me around a few blocks and ended up passing through the downtown area. Now, I’m looking for a place to stop and get a cold drink as it is warming quickly and I have plenty of time.

Taking note on the sun position in the sky and the resultant shadow casts, I look for a convenience store with shade for parking. Got it! It’s a Casey’s gas station and convenience store and some nice shade on the side of the building. As I steer the AT there, I see a late model BMW K1600 there too. The rider is talking to me as I park the AT and I cannot hear with ear plugs and music being played through the helmet speakers. I quickly get off the AT and remove the helmet and ear plugs so I can hear and converse with the rider. The rider is wrapping up a Colorado, Arizona, and Texas ride from his home in Ohio. He commented about the “no pickle” sticker on my AT. He has one too; so, I ask if he got it from the guy at AdvRider. He did. Interesting. We chatted for about 20 minutes before he resumed his ride back to Canton, Ohio.

After downing my cold drink, I put on the skid-lid, gloves, and hopped on the AT heading south. I would pass through the town of Rochester. Rocheter is the town where I took KLiX on the ferry to cross the Green River a while back.

Just prior to getting into Rochester, I stop at the dam in the Green River. It’s a nice place to stop; but, not for long as there is no real place to hang-out.

Dam in the Green River.

The Green River is green in color!

The Rochester ferry is about one quarter mile to the right in the photo–maybe a bit further but not far.

From here, it was about a 50 mile ride back to the house. Didn’t stop for anymore pictures as the roads are still farm roads between farm fields.

That’s it for today. About 143 miles and three and a half hours. Oh, and the AT achieved 55 mpg. Still amazes me.

Thanks for checking out the pics!