Ride C2C #4 - Day 3: Harrodsburg to Berea

Date: 6/25/23
Day: 3
Route: Harrodsburg to Berea, Kentucky
Miles: 50.9 with 3,203 feet elevation gain
Total Miles: 154.1
MyZone MEPs: 755

Quote of the day “It is nicer when it is not raining” - Doug

We had a very restful night at the Beaumont and decided to skip their breakfast (which didn’t start until 7:30am) so we could hit the road early.  We did take advantage of their coffee service while we ate our granola and canned peaches.

On the road at about 7:40am, leaving through the backstreets of Harrodsburg.

We headed east on Bergen Road through rural houses and farmland with beautiful rolling hills.  

Apparently, there is a movement against big solar

(then we saw a coal power plant not too far away…)

The views were beautiful and we passed fields of “amber waves of grain” 

We had a long descent to the Harrington Lake recreation area on the Dix River with plenty of boats on the river.

Pedalled a long up hill with very steep sections to a high ridge (see the video).  

A quick bit on a main highway, then turned off for more climbing -

where we Had a snack at Mt Hebron Baptist Church.  The skies were darkening and some folks walking their dog looked at how hot and sweaty we were and said “I bet it will feel good to get wet.”  Plop goes the first rain drop, followed by thunder and lightening in the distance.

When we turned onto Jack Turner road, it looked like we were entering the hollows.

 It was raining hard but the tree limbs overhead were protecting us a bit.  

We spotted this little turtle making his way across the road…

It’s really a one lane road so we pulled over to let a truck pass.  He stopped and offered his dry covered barn if we wanted to wait out the coming storm.  He also told us about a bike shelter at the top of the hill.  

We opted for the bike shelter and the nice farmer swung by again to make sure we were alright.  
He said he likes to get out for 40-50 mile bike rides but can’t take time away from his farm animals.  He offered his shelter again, but we decided to ride on.

it was pouring rain and the thunder and lightening coming closer - at least the rain was warm!

Our shoes were filled with water and every part of us was soaking wet.  

We still pedaled on.

Somewhere in the middle of the storm, we missed a turn and ended up at “Kirksville” (not really a town) and made alternate plan to get to Berea.  The rain was letting up and our coats were beginning to dry.

The route (Highway 21) was beautiful with more roller coaster hills and a beautiful stretch along a small river.

Doug and I are both tired and were happy to reach our campground at “OH! Kentucky” at about 2:30pm.  

We couldn’t check in yet, but they allowed us to use their showers and once clean and dry, we walked to Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken - for chicken pot pie (Doug) and roasted chicken (Robin).  We decided that Kentucky would need to be the “chicken tour”.  Then we did what exactly ZERO other locals have ever done - walk across the bridge over I-75 to the only grocery in the  area to buy supplies.  Of course there were no sidewalks, but there was a good shoulder.

Then we checked in to our …covered wagon!  How could we resist?

It sounded like there was a good chance of more thunderstorms tonight so we opted for something sturdier than our tent.

I mentioned that we are tired… so we decided to take a rest day tomorrow to let our legs recover from the 9,000 feet climbing over the last 3 days.