Tour de Mad Dog Stage II: Hardinsburg
Monday I rode the modified course.
Because the starting place is different to allow more parking, the
route is longer. To cut about three miles out, I also cut out two of
my favorite roads. As I rode the unknown road yesterday, I found
that while it cuts mileage, it also adds what I can only describe as
a magnificient climb, a climb I was intimidated by due to my weak,
winter legs and the foreknowlegdge of a climb that was to come
shortly afterward. I walked. Be sure to bring your climbing legs and
good brakes. It is not so very long, but it is steep. Near the end
of the road, there is a very steep descent with a curve at the
bottom. I debated changing back to my original route, but while I
“think” there would be enough parking, I could not be for sure so
left it alone. Beyond that, it is time to begin building up the legs
for the season, and nothing adds strength like hill climbing.
I have sent the route information to
Larry “Gizmo” Preble for his site including cue sheet and Ride
With GPS file. I know everyone does not do this anymore, but I
consider the site a unique and valuable resource and I appreciate
Larry continuing to maintain it. The course cue sheet and GPS track
can be located at www.kybikerides.org
and is ride 5506. Thank you, Larry.
As many of you know or may not know,
computers are not my field. So while I sent him a GPS file, please
feel free to use the cue sheet and program it yourself to ensure
accuracy. Many times the ones I program or the ones I download that
others have programmed for the TMD have errors. If you choose to use
mine, realize that errors are possible and best avoided if you
program it yourself. When I recorded the route on the GPS, it did
shut down for a bit on Blue River so the course appears a bit shorter
than it really is. My Garmin proceeded to die immediately after the
download and I am presently without a GPS.
The route is hilly and you should be
century ready, but it is very doable. I intend to sweep slowly but
would like you to feel you can be in by 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the
latest. There are flat spots. Basically there are three major
climbs and the rest are what I would consider rollers though you will
not glide up most of them and everyone's definition of hilly varies.
The only significant climb before the first store stop is Leota
Hill. The roughest section will be after lunch when there are two
big climbs close to each other due to the route change. There is
also a short GRAVEL section due to the route change. After
the third store stop, there are just some rollers and nothing
significant to climb.
I do suggest riding cautiously as there
are still cinders and loose gravel on the roads and some of the loose
gravel was in turns or on downhills. Bring extra tubes and
cartridges or a pump. There were dogs. None of them scared me
particularly, but that can change. Most of the roads are in good
shape, however, Hardinsburg/Sinking Creek has bad pavement and pot
holes on the descent so be cautious. As mentioned elsewhere, there
is also bad pavement and gravel on Prowsville.
There are two lunch options: The Dutch
Barn (http://www.dutchbarn.net/index.html)
and Little Twirl
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/American-Restaurant/Little-Twirl-115765418452786/).
Both have their charms. If you decide on The Dutch Barn, I highly
recommend asking for your sandwich on bread. It is home baked. If
you decide on Little Twirl, their shakes are marvelous. Both have
restrooms.
There is NO restroom at the third store
stop. I suggest not urinating on his building or nearby as it is a
gun shop. There are extra bathroom opportunites at approximately 61
miles at a gas station and again at about 82 miles at Delaney Park.
Please be aware that entering Delaney Park will add mileage and they
may charge you. It depends upon who is operating the gate. There
are also lots of trees and forest lands. Corn will not yet be up so
the corn field restrooms are currently closed. The third store stop
really has very little selection. There will be drinks and a few
candy bars, so feel free to bring something from the lunch stop if
desired.
Some want to know why it is called the
Hardinsburg Century when we just pass through Hardinsburg but we eat
in Lavonia. It is merely because when I first rode there, prior to
having a GPS and using a paper map, I intended to have lunch there
but at that time there was no place there to eat and it was not as
far away as I thought.
Feel free to call or e-mail if you have
additional questions. If you call, leave a voice mail and I will get
back with you as I don't normally accept calls from numbers I don't
know.
