Underground Railroad Bike Ride

[bacarver]

I did 30 miles yesterday in Kentucky. (The wind was awful going westward but I had a sweet tailwind on the way back home.)
I caught up with a cyclist who told me he was riding the Underground Railroad Bike Route. I have never heard of this. What a neat idea and a tribute to those who followed this Northbound path to freedom.
The information about this ride and others are on-line.
There are so many ways to explore the country on a bike.
This is a very thoughtful and kind tribute.
Safe and pleasant journey to you . . .
Barb

[Tuckervill]

It's Adventure Cycling's newest route, I think.

I haven't joined AC, but I do get mail from them regularly. It does look like a great, informative route.

Karen

[makbike]

Where did you ride in Kentucky? Would you share your route? I'm always looking for new routes/rides in my area.

[SouthernBelle]

http://adventurecycling.org/ugrr/index.cfm

[Trek420]

Oh, since it was announced I've wanted to do that route. History and cycling :p

[TsPoet]

Oh, since it was announced I've wanted to do that route. History and cycling :p

Me, too! Maybe we should set up a TE self-supported ride. I'd love to get a dozen people together and one minivan and take turns riding/driving the route.

[mimitabby]

too bad it's on the east coast :D :cool: :cool: :D I'm not sure i can tolerate their weather. It does sound kind of cool though.

[DebW]

I've got my eye on the AC Lewis and Clark route. History there too.

[bmccasland]

and the Natchez Trace.

[silver]

too bad it's on the east coast :D :cool: :cool: :D I'm not sure i can tolerate their weather. It does sound kind of cool though.


well, it's not exactly the east coast, we like to call where the midwest meets the South round here.

Barb! that looks like fun. We ought to plan to ride some of that sometime. I would so love to cycle to my parents house in Gulf Shores!!!!!! OMG!!!

[Trek420]

We ought to plan to ride some of that sometime. I would so love to cycle to my parents house in Gulf Shores!!!!!! OMG!!!

Wait, we're going the wrong way :eek: It's a ride from the South to the North, not vice versa. The route honors those who escaped not those who went "oh wait guys, I'll catch up, have to go back. I forgot my keys" :) :rolleyes: or worse, not to joke at all, caught and brought back :(

Start at your parents house and roll North?

[silver]

Wait, we're going the wrong way :eek: It's a ride from the South to the North, not vice versa. The route honors those who escaped not those who went "oh wait guys, I'll catch up, have to go back. I forgot my keys" :) :rolleyes: or worse, not to joke at all, caught and brought back :(

Start at your parents house and roll North?

no problem! I could do that!

Mr.'s been moving me North pretty much along this route for the last 21 years. I honestly don't think I'm much interested in going too much farther north anyways!

[Biker Jo]

and the Natchez Trace.

Hey, Beth, I'd love to do the Natchez Trace. I know Womentours does a trip there. Maybe we could get a bunch of TE'ers for that one.

Jo

[bacarver]

Makbike -

I live in Perry County, Indiana. Most of my rides depart from my house which is located in the southern part of the county. I ride to Tobinsport, Derby, Tell City, Rome, Cannelton, and Gatchell.
My Kentucky route starts north of Rocky Point, onto Cannelton where I cross the Ohio River Bridge, and then I head westward on the Kentucky river road. The road is very nice and I can do anywhere from 20 to endless miles. This is flat terrain and lends itself to speed.
I get to enjoy awesome views of Cannelton's Cotton Mill and flood wall murals , Perry County Memorial Hospital in Tell City, and Fulton Hill in Troy.
I love my routes. We've spent hours together this summer.
Barb

[kaybee]

and the Natchez Trace.

I'm dying to do the NT also!

KB

[bmccasland]

NT....

ooh ooh ooh, so who's going to be tour director? The South in the spring can be real pretty.... :)

[kaybee]

NT....

ooh ooh ooh, so who's going to be tour director? The South in the spring can be real pretty.... :)

There is actually a web site for a service that will plan your NT tour for you and make your overnight reservations at B&Bs, and I believe it is a free serve (part of National Park Service). I can't find the address right now, but I think I have it written down somewhere. I'll find it and post it.

KB

[kaybee]

Okay, here's the link to the service that will help plan a Natchez Trace bike tour:

http://www.bbonline.com/natcheztrace/

It would be great in the spring or fall . . .

KB

[2wheeltraveler]

Definitely a neat-looking trip...AL to Niagra and an AC route of course. If you haven't heard, you can join the club for free (as a first-timer) and check out their great mag and cyclist yellow pages and more. Go to:

http://www.gracefuledge.com

...and click on the upper right corner on AC's blurb. It'll take you to a sign-up page.

Is anyone thinking self-contained?

Oh...and the NT. I did the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive summer before last and since then I haven't stopped dreaming of New Orleans to Nasheville.

Cheers, Nicole

[SouthernBelle]

I got an email this morning from a friend who is going to be a ride leader this spring for Womantours version of the Underground RR tour:

http://www.womantours.com/wt.undergroundrailroad.html

[kaybee]

I would love to do that, if I could just figure out how to disengage my DH from my right hip! ;) The man seems to think we're Siamese twins, and I'm getting very independent in my "old age!"

KB