Written Directions
Start in Madison, IN and head south on US Hwy 421 and you will immediately cross the Ohio River and quickly take a left on to KY 36 (just across river ... as you enter KY). Take KY 36 east along the river and in Carrollton, KY where we suggest stop in Carrollton and poke around town. From Carrollton you will need to look for US 42 which simply heads east out of town and continues along the river heading. Stay on US 42 heading east for about 33 miles and you will come to the town of Beaverlick and want to now take a left on route 338 (also known as Beaver Rd) heading northeast. In about 2 miles you'll be at Big Bone Lick State Park which you should check out. Look for Big Bone Rd. or signs to Big Bone Marina and Jane's Saddle Bag, they are next to each other. Get back on route 338/Beaver Rd heading east for about 6 miles and look for Lower River road. Take Lower River road to the town of Rabbit Hash. Keep on Lower River road and it will run into Hwy 18 at which point you want to take a left and take it into the town of Belleview at which point you want to take 20 east until it intersects with I-275 west. Cross the river to IN and immediately exit I-275 in the town of Hardinsburg, IN. Go into town, get on IN 50 west and take this till it intersects with IN 56 in Aurora ... take IN 56 west. You may take 56 all the way back to Madison and complete the loop.
Scenery
This ride is rural America at it's best. This loop ride is on a section of the Ohio river. Barges and river boats are seen regularly. Some foothills for a view or two. Mostly small towns with small quaint shops, Mom and Pop restaurants. Take time to stop and explore. If you go toward I-75 on KY 42 there are some beautiful horse farms. I've been down here 4 times in 2 years and still find something new each time. Stop at visitors center on I-75 and talk to Bruce. He is a rider and can give very good directions.
Drive Enjoyment
The roads here are either 2 lane highway or paved county roads. They are kept in good shape, especially in KY. I think this is a good mix of lazy river bottom roads, just sort of follows the river, and some twisties in the foothills around the river. Usually not a lot of traffic. I will warn you, just east of Rabbit Hash is a 180 switch back on a pretty steep hill, with a house in the middle of it. Looks like you could drive on the roof from the uphill side.
Tourism Opportunities
Rabbit Hash is always a big treat for me. It's just an old general store where you can buy a beverage and sit by the river and let the world go by. It is just across the river from Rising Sun, IN. where the gambling boats are. Janes Saddle Bag is a must go for riders. It is motorcycle only grill and gift shop and photo op. Wonderful folks run the place. Big Bone Lick state park is a nice visit. Don't miss photo op with outdoor display. Gramma and Grandpa's restaurant in Beaver Lick, KY is good to eat, as is Mo's Steakhouse in Vevay, IN We usually stay at the lodge in General Butler state park in KY. We stumbled on this one and always try to stay at the others in KY. They are nice, quiet and have good restaurants in them. If you do a little research there are about a million bed and breakfasts on this route, or camp grounds.
Motorcycle Road Additional info
Here are some web addresses www. bigbonelick.com, this has a link to Jane's Saddle Bag. If you go to Jane's site and look on July 4,05 week you will see my pic there. She took it and posted it there. www. rabbithashusa.com Check out the store and the mayor. www.nkytourism.com is a very good source of info. The northern Kentucky River Region pamphlet is a very good source of info on lots of stuff to do in that area. Newport on the Levee and it's aquarium is a good side trip. The best I can tell you is use my ride for a base and just explore, there is much to see. - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
