2005 WKBT Photo Gallery

Instead of a grand tour of the Jackson Purchase as in years past, this fourth edition of the West Kentucky Bike Tour traversed the rugged terrain of the Pennyrile region of Western Kentucky.
Rick "The Trailboss" Holeman continued in his role as the organizing force behind the WKBT. Also returning were many veterans of past WKBT: Steve "Big Ring" Agent, Earl Crowe, and Duc Do. There are also a couple of newcomers: Joe Argabrite and Rod Tompkins, who quickly learned about the best-kept gem of Kentucky cycling: a tour in Western Kentucky.
Rick Holeman offered his WKBT photo collection on Webshot.com.
Read the complete ride report for the rest of the story.

 
  Day 1 - All the usual suspects and some new faces gather for a group picture before starting the 2006 WKBT from Madisonville. From left: Duc Do, Steve Agent, Rick Holeman, Earl Crowe, Rod Tompkins, and Joe Argabrite. Day 1 - Into the brilliant sunshine of a late summer day, (from left) Rod, Rick, Joe, Steve and Earl, heading out of town. Day 1 - Joe cruises through Nebo, in northwest Hopkins County, on the way to Providence. Day 1 - Lunch at the Trackside BBQ in Sullivan, Union County. Day 1 - “Granny Hill.” The name has grave meaning in cycling context, conjuring up leg-busting climbs. Webster County.  
 

 
  Day 1 - Earl and Steve crest the climb from the creek bottom on KY 293 into Webster County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 1 - At the end of a day of cycling, the hungry group ambles to a dinner of Mexican fares in downtown Marion. Day 2 - Joe, Earl and Steve rides north on Old Fords Ferry Road leaving Marion, heading down toward the Ohio River. Day 2 - The first SAG stop of the day on Tolu Road, not too far from the Cave-in-Rock ferry crossing on the Ohio River. Webster County Day 2 - Rick leads the way on the deserted road toward Tolu. Livingston County.  
 

 
  Day 2 - Duc coasts to a stop at the Tolu green sign for a photo op. Livingston County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Rush hour traffic in Crittenden County: Joe and Earl head west on KY 135 on the way to Tolu. Livingston County. Day 2 - Duc checks out the Adolph's Dream, an idled river ferry at the mouth of Hurricane Creek at Tolu. Livingston County. Day 2 - The river town of Rosiclare, Ill., is visible across the Ohio River, beyond the field of ripening sorghum. Outside Carrsville, Livingston County. Day 2 - Earl enjoys the morning ride in Livingston County, on the way to Carrsville. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i>  
 

 
  Day 2 - Steve and Earl get ready to turn left to head south from near Carrsville. The Dan Henry, like those at every turn, is plainly visible on the pavement. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Rick heads south toward Lola on a road that is used to non-motorized transports. Livingston County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Joe and Rod heading south on KY 137 toward Lola. We found cycling nirvana among the deserted roads of Livingston County. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Steve, Earl, Joe and Rod continue southbound out of Lola on the way to the lunch stop in Salem in Livingston County. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Joe leads the group into the little crossroad that is Salem, ready for a lunch break. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i>  
 

 
  Day 2 - Golconda, Ill., is somewhere across the Ohio River from the old Berry Ferry landing at Cave Spring Branch, partly hidden by an island in the Ohio River. Day 2 - Rod takes a breather and a moment to enjoy the Cumberland River view in Dycusburg. Crittenden County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 2 - Rod's bike recuperates in the motel in Eddyville, complete with a cold one in reach. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 3 - Steve and Rick leave Eddyville by way of the rolling Jack Thompson Road in Lyon County. Day 3 - After crossing Panther Creek, Rick crests the climb back up the ridge on KY 819 near Azalea. Lyon County.  
 

 
  Day 3 - Earl, Joe and Steve take a mid-morning breather after crossing the Cumberland River on US 62 before heading north to Iuka. Livingston County. Day 3 - Heading north into Livingston County on a beautiful morning. North of Lake City, Livingston County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 3 - Duc pauses for a look at the Cumberland River in Iuka. Livingston County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 3 - Rod and Joe climb one of the many hills above the Cumberland Valley on the way to Tiline. Livingston County. Day 3 - Rod and Rick look out over the Ohio River at the Smith mansion in Smithland. Livingston County.  
 

 
  Day 3 - Rod cruises along the SAG wagon on Coon Chapel Road, in the middle of the backcountry of Livingston County. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 3 - On a sunny and hot late summer day, Earl and Rod head toward Paradise Church. Livingston County. Day 3 - Having fun at at SAG stop in front of Paradise Church. Livingston County. Day 3 - The group relaxes at the Grand Rivers Inn in Grand Rivers, at the head of the Land Between the Lakes. Livingston County. Day 4 - On yet another beautiful sunny morning, the group heads south into the sunshine on The Trace. Land Between the Lakes, Lyon County.  
 

 
  Day 4 - The long and winding road this is not. The Trace on the Land Between the Lakes stretches straight south. Lyon County. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 4 - Joe poses for a self-portrait on the bike, while moving at nearly 20 mph. <i>Photo by Joe Argabrite. Copyright ©2005 Joe Argabrite. All rights reserved.</i> Day 4 - Rick leans into the turn coming into the North Visitor Center on the Land Between the Lakes. Lyon County. Day 4 - Rod cruises south on the Trace. A picture of serenity on two wheels. Lyon County. Day 4 - Earl “The Hammer” can't help but enjoy the beautiful morning with a big grin. The Trace, Lyon County.  
 

 
  Day 4 - Rick, Earl and Steve on the Trace on the Land Between the Lakes. Lyon County. Day 4 - Rod and Duc ride a few lengths behind Steve and Earl, southbound on The Trace on the Land Between the Lakes. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 4 - Earl stares down the bisons in the Elk & Bison Prairie on the Land Between the Lakes. Trigg County. Day 4 - Steve and Rick making good time on a deserted road in Trigg County, heading to the little burg of Linton. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 4 - At a SAG stop in the middle of nowhere east of Linton, Earl touts the restorative power of raisins. Trigg County.  
 

 
  Day 4 - Extending the day's ride beyond the original route, Duc stops at the Tennessee state line for a photo op on the way to Bumpus Mills, Tenn. Day 5 - “Where do we go from here?” Rick consults the county maps while Rod, Earl and Steve wait. Christian County. Day 5 - Rod and Duc ride north in the grayish morning in Christian County on the last day of the tour. <i>Photo by Rick Holeman. Copyright ©2005 Rick Holeman. All rights reserved.</i> Day 5 - It was an almost perfect tour mechanically, save for the first and only flat tire of the tour on the last morning, which Earl is taking care of. Christian County. Day 5 - Earl and Steve keep in front of the SAG vehicle in the hills of northwest Christian County.  
 

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