A couple of times a month, a group of motorcyclists in my area get together for a breakfast/brunch for some tire kicking, story telling (mostly lies) and usually go somewhere. Some times it's short ride, sometimes it'll take all day. Just depends on where we gather and where those in attendance want to go. One of our group has been asking everyone to take a ride to Bowling Green and visit the Corvette Museum.
I really didn't have much interest in the Corvette Museum but, this gent has ridden many places I wanted to go to, even leading the group a couple of times because he was the only one that knew the route or destination. So, yesterday several of us agreed to ride there. The leader took off and we followed. He chose to ride the super slab all the way there. Any one that rides or drives a Fiero knows that super slabs are not a lot of fun but are a good way to get there quickly. This we did (get there quickly). Although our Valkyries can motor on down the road rather rapidly, that's not something I have a great desire to do. Regardless, we got there.
Bowling Green sits on top of a pretty significant area of lime stone and has a lot of water related sink holes. Most of us are aware of that sink hole that sucked up eight Corvettes. They were on display in the center of the Corvette Museum. Having visited the Museum prior to the cave in, I was curious to see how they repaired the damage and what they did with the damaged vehicles. The museum is back in full operation and has some interesting features related to this event. That's the part of the tour I liked. The rest was pretty boring IMHO. But, I'm not a Corvette enthusiast.............. Well, except for the 66/67 convertible version. Always loved that car (but, that's another story).
The Corvettes that fell into the void are all on display, some repaired, some sitting there exactly as they were when removed from the cave. I will say, that was the most interesting part of the tour. It was really amazing at how fragile those Corvettes really are. I suppose that's true of most of our vehicles.
On the return trip, I was asked to lead the way back. Anyone that knows me knows, I won't be taking the super slab on the return trip (at least when I'm riding my Valkyrie). I took a quick look at the map, decided to ride to Glasgow, KY first and then turn north and east as the different roads allowed. The trip down to BG took just over two hours, the return trip took over four hours. All (well mostly) two lanes, over hill, over dale and traveling over roads few of the group had ever been on. I had no idea and never looked at the map a second time. But, the trip back (based on all comments when we stopped for fuel and a restroom break) were complimentary. We all enjoyed the day and especially the ride back. The back country roads of this state and region are glorious, the fall colors were in full bloom and it was a great day. I encourage all to investigate the rural back country at every opportunity.
IF you happen to pass through KY and decide to visit the Corvette Museum in KY, please give me a holler and we'll do it again. Be safe out there, there are folks who are more intent on getting to the destination as fast as possible and never slow down to smell the roses along the way.
------------------ Ron
Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun.... Open your frigg'n minds, think about all the other tools that can be made into WMDs.
I sincerely hope that life is never discovered on another planet because, sure as hell Progressives and Socialists will want to send them money.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 10-15-2017).]
Be safe out there, there are folks who are more intent on getting to the destination as fast as possible at 140 MPH and never slow down to smell the roses along the way.
FTFY.
BTW, well before my Fiero days we stopped at the Corvette museum on our first cross country trip.
BTW, well before my Fiero days we stopped at the Corvette museum on our first cross country trip.
About 3 months before the floor collapsed.
I say it wasn't my fault and I'm sticking to it.
Well, the evidence is pretty clear, someone flushed that toilet a bunch of times, what were you thinking?
Regardless, it was a great return trip. Don't think that some of these roads were not challenging, some of those hair pins had 10 and 15 mph caution signs. Leaning into those curves and scraping chrome off the pegs is not unusual although, chrome is expensive and that was not our goal. Most of our group are happy to show the scars of scrapping pegs though. I could be one of them.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 10-15-2017).]
We lived in Bowling Green in 1970 for a year or so. I worked on relay stations for AT&T at the time.
There was one station located near the Green River where the shortest way there was to ferry across the river. You would honk your horn and a guy would come out of his house and start an engine to power the ferry (on a cable) across to you. Wonder if that is still there or maybe a bridge replaced it later?
After the hole showed up, I don't get the repair. The only way I'd feel comfortable is with a enormous foundation that couldn't break apart with another sink hole.
I visited before the hole and while the hole was still open.
This is the only "Cable Ferry" I know of in Kentucky. I've crossed it several times in a cage and on my Valkyrie but never with my Truck and Trailer. I'm too long for it.
Valley View Ferry
Between Richmond and Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Madison and Jessamine Counties Operator: Same as owner Began operation: 1785 No. of vessels: One No. of terminals: Two
The Valley View Ferry provides passage over the Kentucky River in rural central Kentucky. Located on Kentucky Route 169, this ferry service connects auto traffic between the county seats of Richmond in Madison County and Nicholasville in Jessamine County. The ferry was founded in 1780, predating Kentucky's admission to the Union in 1792. It is widely regarded as the commonwealth's oldest continually operating business.[1]
John Craig, a Virginia veteran of the Revolutionary War, acquired land in the area in 1780 through a military warrant. In 1785, the Virginia General Assembly granted Craig "a perpetual and irrevocable" franchise to operate a ferry.[2] Daniel Boone, Henry Clay and Ulysses S. Grant were among its passengers.[3] The ferry remained a privately owned business for more than 200 years, passing through the hands of seven successive families until 1991. It was then purchased jointly by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Madison and Jessamine counties for $60,000.[1]
The rudderless ferry is guided by cables stretching between four 55-foot towers. The current boat, named the "John Craig" after the franchise's original owner, dates to 1996. The vessel it replaced sustained heavy damage after sinking under the weight of a heavy snowfall and then as a result of salvage efforts.[4] The entire ferry site was renovated in 1998, when authorities replaced the four towers and their cables. Two years later, the ferry authority received a federal grant allowing an upgrade of the barge. The new vessel, longer than its predecessor by ten feet, enables the ferry to carry three cars instead of two.[5]
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet funds the ferry as a free service. On average it transports 250 cars a day.[3]
What Wikipedia doesn't tell you is, all the deck hands on this ferry are convicts on a work release program. As I understand it, every day they work is a day off of their total sentence. Could potentially cut their sentence in half of their remaining time to serve. Every time I cross using that Ferry on my Valkyrie, they eyed the heck out of it. Thankfully, it's a short ferry ride.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 10-15-2017).]
I used to go to a LOT of 'out in the boondocks' car shows. Not because of the cars that would be there so much, but as to the fun drive going and returning from them. Its nice to go thru little towns, 2 lanes, curves and hills and barely ever passing another car. We have this awesome 2 lane that starts about 20 miles from my house and goes down to the Hocking Hills/Old Mans Cave area. I have spent a whole day just driving back and forth on it several times without even going anywhere in particular. Just drive 60 miles, do a U-turn and do it again only stopping to eat.
Sounds like it was a nice trip. Never heard the term "super slab" , as I read the post, realized it means the highway vs back roads. I agree, while riding it's less stressful taking the back roads.
Would enjoy seeing photo's from the museum if you have any. Great post.
Sounds like it was a nice trip. Never heard the term "super slab" , as I read the post, realized it means the highway vs back roads. I agree, while riding it's less stressful taking the back roads.
Would enjoy seeing photo's from the museum if you have any. Great post.
Check your email, sent you what I took.
I don't really consider a super slab to be stressful, just not much fun. Remember, I ride a Valkyrie, we yearn and look forward to twisty, curvy roads. Leaning into a curve, powering out and setting up for the next curve all the while maintaining the correct lane position. Always on the lookout for that oncoming vehicle that decides to cut the corner and get into my lane.
But yeah, we have a good time.
Edited: One of the reasons I don't ride the Dragon's Tail any longer is because there are too many idiots trying to set speed records on it. If you (or they) significantly exceed the speed limit set on the Dragon's Tail, there is no way you (or they) will maintain or stay in their own lane. Have been almost hit (head on) multiple times on the Dragon's Tail. Finally I decided it's just not worth it. I enjoy speed just as much as the other guy, I simply try to have a little common sense about it. There are some very stupid people out there. I really don't need any personal encounters with them.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 10-16-2017).]
Yeah, those pics really show how fragile those cars are.
Expensive does not mean sturdy...................
Actually pretty sad, some of those cars were loaners to the museum. One has to wonder if the owners were paid retail, whole sale or what for their loss.
Any one that rides or drives a Fiero knows that super slabs are not a lot of fun but are a good way to get there quickly. This we did (get there quickly). Although our Valkyries can motor on down the road rather rapidly, that's not something I have a great desire to do. Regardless, we got there. 
