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From: Jenny Wiley State Park (Ky.)
To: Carter Caves State Park (Ky.)
Miles: 98.2
Climb: 13,358
Average Grade: 5%
Several veteran cyclists have agreed that this was the most challenging ride in their entire life, with 13,358 feet of climbing over 98+ miles. Many of us using GPS or bicycle computers measured this day at over 100 miles. We decided the discrepancy was caused by all the weaving and winding we had to do to climb some of the steeper hills of Eastern Kentucky.
On this day we ride into West Virginia, the 3rd of 8 states included on the Tour de Kentucky. While planning the ride, I was disappointed to find that the roads along this border of West Virginia are in such disrepair, they would not be safe or pleasant to negotiate on a bicycle. So we cross the Tug Fork River into the small town of Fort Gay, West Virginia, turn around and cross the same bridge back into Kentucky.
At the turnaround point in West Virginia, we will encounter the world's strangest Citgo Gas Station. There are no gas pumps! When I went inside, I discovered that where the small aisles of groceries and snacks are normally found, there were instead huge stacks of cases and cases of beer. The Kentucky counties near this location are dry, and this gasless gas station makes all of its money on beer! In fact, beer sales are the only form of commerce and industry in Fort Gay.
On this day, we ride by Butcher Hollow (pronounced "holler" by any self-respecting resident of this area!), hometown of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle, near the bustling metropolis of Paintsville. This is in the heart of the Eastern Kentucky coal fields.