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Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is a land of unparalleled beauty and history—perfect for motorcycle trips. Following are a few of the scenic routes you won’t want to miss, and keep in mind that helmets are required for riders under 21 and eye protection is mandatory.
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway
Begin in Stanton, KY, and continue along the Red River through the picturesque gorge, or get off your bike and canoe the river and enjoy the tranquility. A few minutes down the road, you’ll reach the hand-carved Nada Tunnel, which is a fascinating drive. When you reach Raven Rock, be sure to stop and see the natural stone arches of the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
This area offers several natural wonders, sights, and historic sites:
- Clifty National Wilderness Area
- Dozens of arches, including Angel Windows and Sky Bridge, the largest arch in Red River Gorge
- Gladie historic logging site
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park
- Sheltowee Trail, used by Native Americans and Daniel Boone
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Since 1999, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has educated visitors about the long, proud tradition of Kentucky whiskey making. When Kentucky was settled, farmers found that the mountains posed an obstacle to getting crops to market, so they converted their crops to whiskey and shipped it in oak barrels. Bourbon County was where the barrels shipped from, so the whiskey became known as Bourbon.
The Bourbon Trail includes stops and tastings at the following distilleries:
- Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg http://www.fourroses.us
- Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown http://www.heaven-hill.com
- Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont http://www.jimbeam.com
- Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto http://www.makersmark.com
- Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg http://www.wildturkey.com
- Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles http://www.woodfordreserve.com
Other attractions near the Trail include The Bourbon Chase http://www.bourbonchase.com, the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History http://www.whiskeymuseum.com, and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival http://www.kybourbonfestival.com.
**Of course, drink responsibly, and if you run into trouble, find a good DUI lawyer immediately.
Country Music Highway
Located in eastern Kentucky, this route commemorates country music with stops at several sites of interest:
- Paramount Theater in Ashland, home of Billy Ray Cyrus and Naomi Judd
- Kentucky Pavilion, with memorabilia from Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Skaggs
- Butcher Hollow, the childhood home of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle, with tours of the actual cabin they lived in
- Mountain Arts Center, home of the Kentucky Opry and Kentucky mountain music
Which trip would you prefer, and why?
As Goose Creek motorcycle accident lawyers who ride, we know that riding a bike is not only a lot of fun, but it also makes good financial sense. The cost of ownership of a motorcycle is typically much less than that of a car, as you’ll see below.
Great gas mileage.
Motorcycles are capable of 60 mpg or more in town—and even more on the highway—while non-hybrid cars average 25-30 mpg in town at best. The gas tank on a motorcycle is just a few gallons, so you benefit twice: fewer fill-ups for much less each time, putting more money in your pocket.
Few mechanical issues and lower cost of maintenance.
The simplicity of the motorcycle engine means you have fewer things that can go wrong, and those who are mechanically inclined can easily learn to fix most issues. Cars have become so complicated, with so many sensors and computers, that you need to take them to a competent mechanic or the dealership, which is expensive. Parts for bikes are also relatively cheaper than car parts.
With a motorcycle, you have fewer tires and less oil to buy, and routine maintenance on a motorcycle engine is simple and inexpensive.
Lower cost for insurance and license plates.
Bikes are cheaper to replace than cars, and they do much less damage to other vehicles, so liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage for motorcycle insurance is less than for auto insurance. However, motorcycle accidents tend to cause more bodily injury than car accidents, so some companies may have higher rates for that coverage. In addition, you may be required to add passenger coverage if you regularly ride with someone. As always, shop around.
In many places, license plate cost is based partially on the weight or the value of the vehicle, making motorcycle plates cheaper.
Less expensive to buy than a car.
If you buy a used motorcycle, you can get away with paying much less for a good bike than you can for a good car. Even if you splurge and buy a new motorcycle, you’ll probably pay much less than you will for a new car. Sales and use tax will also be less for a motorcycle.
Fun, inexpensive entertainment.
Taking a ride on your bike, even if you travel a long distance, is less expensive than a dinner and movie or a sporting event. And you’ll have just as much fun, if not more.
What’s your favorite part of saving money by riding your motorcycle?
