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Bikecentennial - Summer 1976

Kentucky and Virginia

August 18
Hodgenville (Late Entry)		 On the 17th I boogied [from Sebree] to Mammoth Cave. I left at sun up and did the almost 100 miles...by 5:30pm or so.... A couple from Houston [bluegrass pickers] turned me on to some talk, a place to camp and some tunes.
August 19
Manse		 In the morning I took a wrong turn that took me to Lincoln's birthplace, which was worth it anyway.... About 6:30 or so I stopped to ask directions and now I'm spending the night here at the home of Rita and Dale Barlow. Nice folks!
August 20
Old Orchard		 This afternoon I went through two tires and two tubes in fifty feet of riding. It was a drag.... The country here is impressive [with] knobby hills and wide valleys. The roads wind around a lot but there was almost no traffic between here and Berea....Tonight I fixed dinner and split it with Clark.... then we got interrupted by visitors with beer. They were some local "boys" in a pickup, fresh out of the tobacco fields, on pay day, out to get drunk. It was interesting to meet and talk with them. I had a beer and it spun my head.
August 23
Breaks
State Park		 The bikers have introduced a new term into the CBer's lingo, "Triangles." That's what the truckers are calling us.... Oh yea, we're in Virginia!
August 24
Hungry Mother State Park		 Q: Why do they call this park "hungry mother?"
A: Because by the time you get here you'll be one!
August 26
North Creek		 On the road after Catabwa I came around a corner and saw a uniformed man with a shotgun standing there. On the other side of the road were a bunch of guys cutting weeds. It was a chain gang (of sorts).... a trustee gave me some water [and then] asked me for a joint behind the truck.... This place was a long ride off the trail but I'm glad I did. The valley I came down to get here was so beautiful it literally brought tears to my eyes.... I skinny dipped to get the sweat off me in a clear, cool stream. There aren't too many people up here and it's very clean.
August 27
Long's Campground		 I made Lexington about 1:00 or so. I ate lunch at Washington and Lee College. I saw General Lee's grave.... Tomorrow it's Vesuvius Hill, the Blue Ridge, and Charlottesville....

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Copyright 1976 & 2002 by Richard Rathe

Part 9


Kentucky Tobacco


Escape!


Welcome to Virginia


Virginia Roadside