COPPERHEAD ROAD

 

This route follows Quicksand Creek and features one long sweeping curve after another, punctuated by short straight stretches with several hair pin turns thrown in for good measure. The route starts and ends in Breathitt County but dips into neighboring Magoffin County. Watch for old-fashioned swinging bridges and be sure to stop and stretch your legs and have a bite to eat at Rissa's Mini Mart at Rousseau, Kentucky.

                                        RIDE GUIDE

Turn right onto Ky. 15 (South) in Jackson. Travel 2.9 miles to Rt. 30 East. Turn left onto Rt. 30. Follow Rt. 30 for 31 miles to the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway (Exit 72). Turn right onto the Mountain Parkway and follow it for 3 miles to Exit 75. Exit the Parkway there. Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Rt. 7. Travel .2 miles on Rt. 7 to Rt. 1090. Turn right onto Rt. 1090 and follow it for 7.4 miles back to Rt. 30. Turn left onto Rt. 30 (West) and follow it 27.7 miles back to Ky. 15. Turn right onto Ky. 15 (North) and follow it .3 miles into Jackson, Kentucky.

BEWARE!!! The curves on this route can prove longer and sharper than anticipated. This copperhead's bite can be fatal. Don't get bitten!

TotalMileage:           72.5miles     

 Gas Availability:Good.

THE FATAL FIDDLER

The Fiddler weaves an intricate design up, over and around the back roads of Breathitt County, then crosses briefly into Lee and Wolfe Counties before drawing you back to the center of its web.

RIDE GUIDE

Turn left onto Ky. 15 (North) and ride 6 miles to the Rt. 205 exit. Exit right and turn right onto Rt. 205 at the bottom of the exit ramp. Travel 1.7 miles to Ky. 541. Turn right onto Rt. 541 and ride 4.2 miles to Rock Lick Road. Turn right onto Rock Lick Road and ride 4.3 miles. Rock Lick Road dead-ends into Rt. 708. Turn left onto Rt. 708 and travel .9 miles to Rt. 2017. Turn right onto Rt. 2017 (towards Williba) and continue on Rt. 2017 for 7.3 miles to Rt. 52. Turn right onto Rt. 52 (West) and ride 3.3 miles to Rt. 2016 (St. Helens). Turn right onto Rt. 2016 and follow it for 12.9 miles to Rt. 715. Turn left onto Rt. 715 (South) and follow it 2.6 miles to Rt. 11. Turn left onto Rt. 11 and follow it 10.8 miles to Beattyville, Ky. and Rt. 52. Turn left onto Rt. 52 and ride 21 miles to Rt. 30 (West). Turn left onto Rt. 30 and follow it 1.5 miles to Jackson, Kentucky.

This loop is a back-roads beauty! The roads are often narrow and quite curvy. The route climbs steadily in elevation until you are riding the ridge tops with spectacular views all around. You may even see ostriches and llamas on this route if you pay attention.

Total Mileage: 75.6miles GasAvailability:  Good.

THE BLACK WIDOW

The Black Widow is an exceptionally scenic ride that is as curvaceous as its namesake.  It begins with a series of steep switchbacks then settles the rider into a rhythmic groove of right and left-hand curves. You'll be torn between watching the road and the beautiful landscape. Watch the road!

RIDE GUIDE

Turn Right on Ky. 15 (South) and follow it 1.1 miles to Rt. 1812. Turn left onto Rt. 1812 and follow it 7.3 miles to Rt. 378. Turn right on Rt. 378 (East) and ride 11.1 miles to Rt. 1094. Turn left onto Rt. 1094 and ride 7.5 miles to Rt. 205. Turn right onto Rt. 205 and travel 2.1 miles to Rt. 191. Turn left onto Rt. 191 (West) and follow it 5.4 miles through Hazel Green, Kentucky to Rt. 1010. Turn left on Rt. 1010 (South) and follow it 6.9 miles to Rt. 1812. Turn left on Rt. 1812 (South) and ride 5.3 miles to Rt. 205. Turn right onto Rt. 205 and ride 1.7 miles to the Ky. 15 entrance ramp. Turn left on KY. 15 (South) and follow it 6.0 miles to Jackson, Kentucky.

CAUTION - Again, watch for unmarked hairpin turns and wildlife.

Total Mileage: 54.4 miles

Gas Availability: Adequate. Gas up before you leave Jackson and you'll be fine.