PM Ride Pictures

One of the most important parts of every rider's day is taking the time to communicate with their friends and family. Here Bill Piepmeyer posts an entry to his personal blog (http://snack-boy.blogspot.com


Pacelining to save some energy.


Maysville, KY. The bridge is the bridge over the Ohio River we rode to Aberdeen, Ohio and back.

Team In Action

Here is a cool video shot during the last leg of today's ride.
This was shot by mounting the video camera on a tripod and fully extending the legs. The camera was then held out the window as a vehicle passed the team.
The team was riding in a paceline to conserve some energy.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Park

We have arrived at Blue Licks Battlefield State Park after a long 90 mile day.  I think the extensive day yesterday took it’s toll today, as the team seemed to linger a little longer than usual at the Rest Stops.

We were surprised by an unexpected special guest on our arrival:  Nicole Pang, veteran of TdK 2007 and member of the 2008 team showed up to boost our spirits.  Nicole has been dealing with her own injuries and also took a new job this year, so she has thus far been unable to join us.  Nicole is special to everyone who rode last year, and she is definitely missed this year.

The riders are getting wrapped up and ready for dinner.  Afterwards we have been told we have a very special MS Champion tonight.  Pics and video to come as soon as we can get them ready to go.

Maysville and State #4

We have arrived in Aberdeen , Ohio (State number four of eight!), which is across the mighty Ohio River from Maysville, KY.  Last year the bridge from Maysville into Ohio was hungry and ate three of our tires.  This year, everyone made it across unscathed.  There is something to be said for experience. 

The weather has been perfect since lunch.  Most of the riders have shed all the rain gear and jackets and are enjoying a great ride.  Some have commented that today might be the prettiest ride thus far. 

Joni from the Victorian Rose Tea Room in Vanceburg made arrangements for a reporter from the Maysville newspaper to meet us here.   Hopefully all the newspaper coverage will help us accomplish one of our goals- raising awareness of MS and the need for a cure.

We are about 27 miles from Blue Licks Battlefield State Park, where rumor has it we have a very special MS Champion meeting us.

Publicity is never a bad thing

After a great lunch today in Vanceburg (thanks again to Joni and her staff at the Victorian Rose Tea Room for making us feel so welcome!), we were met by Paula from the Lewis County Herald, the Vanceburg newspaper.  She gathered some information and took some photos for an upcoming article about the Tour de Kentucky.

A twist to the story is that Paula’s brother Kevin was diagnosed with MS in 1999.  It is for people like Kevin that we ride! 

AM Ride Pictures

Ed found a new friend. This is one of the 100+ dogs we will encounter on a typical ride day. Many like to participate (by chasing!) in the ride for a few hundred feet.


A couple that rides together stays together. Jan and Maurice John enjoy a nice ride together along a creek.


Ed Sitzler, David Graeser, Todd Malone, and Phil Patterson zip by at around 30 mph on a downhill curve.

Cool panoramic photo

Dave Kimura took this photo this morning of one of the roads of the route. This is 5 photos stitched together to create a 180 degree panorama.

Hidden Treasures

(Start Shameless Plug)

It would not be fair to continue with these updates without mentioning the State Resort Parks.    All have had nice accommodations, good food and great service at very reasonable rates.  If you are looking for a weekend getaway and want to keep costs under control (especially with gas pushing $4 a gallon), check out some of the State Resort Parks.  Tour de Kentucky might not be possible without these hidden getaways.

The sun shines bright...

After a gloomy and chilly first 10 miles, the clouds are breaking and we have sun shining down on us.     Despite the chill in the air, today is shaping up to be a good day for riding.

The terrain thus far is similar to yesterday.  After a nice downhill to get out of Carter Caves State Park, the road immediately turns right back uphill into a substantial climb.   It doesn’t seem fair to ride down a hill to only turn right back up again.  I guess ridges aren’t commonplace around here.

We are approaching the first Rest Stop of the day.  Afterwards it’s a short 12 miles to lunch in Vanceburg.  We are all looking forward to that.

Morning update

The team is awake and preparing for their ride.  The temperature outside is hovering right around 50, with overcast skies and calm winds.   The latest forecast is calling for a 40% chance of rain, mainly before 11AM, with winds from the west at 11-16 mph.   High temperature is expected to make it to around 60 today.  The possibility of rain and wind could increase the difficulty of today’s 89 miler.

Everyone seems to have come out of the day 2 ride without injuries or nagging pain. Everyone is gearing up, and we will be on the road shortly.

Day 3 Preview

After a long, WET day of brutal hills, the team is ready for a little but of a rest. Unfortunately, with 90 more miles of riding on the agenda, day 3 is NOT the day for rest! The ride starts with a downhill out of Carter Caves (the same hill climbed at the end of yesterday- why can't the lodges be built at the bottom of the hills?), but then turns right back uphill.

The first 29 miles are filled rolling hills with 3 nice climbs, before dropping down into the Ohio River Valley and the town of Vanceburg. Waiting for the team in Vanceburg is Joni Pugh and the staff of the Victorian Rose Tea Room, which treated us like royalty last year and served us some spectacular light lunch fare; just perfect for cyclists in the middle of a long ride.

Day 3 is also the first time we divert from the 2007 TdK route. To start working towards Louisville for our Recovery Day, we add 30 mile from the 2007 stopping point in Maysville, KY to end our day at the Blue Licks Battlefield State Park.

Weather for day 3 looks to be drier than Day 2. Temperatures start off in the upper 40's in the morning, warming to around 60. There is a 20% of rain prior to lunch, with a 15 to 20 mph head wind. I'm not sure anyone riding into a 15 mph wind for 90 miles would call a dry day easier, but I guess we will see. Nice weather looks to be returning in time for Tuesday's long ride.