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Dragon Slayer

This is good stuff. There was another guy on here a few weeks ago that came up through Greeneville TN, talking about this area. I've passed through it and around it many times but mostly stay north of Hazard. Never new about 160. Ill be spending some time there in the spring. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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Hey guys,

I was reading about this in the latest AMA magazine. A very interesting article
( I’m originally from this area)
Wife and I are gonna drive down Tuesday and check it out.

There is also a 1000 acre old growth forest in nearby Harlan county . I want to see that too.
Will be doing a ride down there this spring

Lived in NC for 18 years. Miss these roads (and that bike) terribly!

1638908597995.jpeg
 
Day one:
- Drove down I75 from Cincinnati to exit 87 / Richmond Ky. Brunch at First Watch. Excellent food
- Then US421 down to Hyden KY via McKee, Manchester. Countryside and then into Appalachian mountains. Very Scenic a LOTTA curves.
Drove up to Confluence/ head waters of Buckhorn lake. Then wandered up one lane and gravel roads over several mountains to Hazard KY. 4 wheel drive. Not Concours friendly! Adventure bike heaven!!!
Staying tonight at Mary Breckinridges Wendover up on the Middle Fork of the KY River. Historic place and beautiful place. Room looks down on the River.
 
Day 2
Hyden to Harlan on US 421. Mountain twisties all the way. Coming down pine mountain into Harlan there’s a place where the mountain leans out over the road. Bizarre. Scary actually.
US 119 north outta Harlan to KY160 into Benham / Lynch. Old coal company towns. The Benham School House Hotel nice$79. Highly recommend.
Dragon Slayer starts at Lynch, climbing up Black Mountain 9/10 miles to Virginia border at crest. Elevation 4125 feet. Road is new black top is smooth. Nonstop tight curves and switch backs. Several pull offs. Intense. Down mountain to Appalachia Virginia.
US 23 north to KY119 south, side trip into Kingdom Come State Park. HIGHLY recommend. Quaint little park. Very short trip thru park to crest of Pine Mountain range. Stunning views. 8 camp sites. No bath house. They’re working on funding to get city water. The views are on a 20 mile road along ridge. 6 miles of it is blacktop back down 160. 14 miles of gravel dirt back up to 119.
Took the black top section back to 160 / Benham hotel.
Heading home tomorrow.
Will definitely be back in spring
Pics
View from Breckinridge/ Wendover hotel
Benham school house
Dragon Slayer crest
Kingdom over look in park
 

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Good Report! Hows the traffic and population in the area? That's the only negative I've found in Kentucky and west Virginia, most every ridge and valley is full of houses and driveways.

I can recommend 89 from McKee to Ravenna then 52 to 213 into Stanton for your return trip home.
 
Good Report! Hows the traffic and population in the area? That's the only negative I've found in Kentucky and west Virginia, most every ridge and valley is full of houses and driveways.

I can recommend 89 from McKee to Ravenna then 52 to 213 into Stanton for your return trip home.

You’re right. The valleys are mostly full now.
BUT. I forgot to mention…..
The Dragon Slayer has virtually no houses and few cars.
 
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