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For Immediate Release Contact: Dixie Moore
June 8, 2003 dixiemoore@insightbb.com, 859-266-5532

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The third annual Bluegrass Cycling Club Ride along the proposed Lexington - Big Sandy Rail on National Trails Day, June 7th, was a rousing success. This was the 11th National Trails Day with the goal of bringing attention to our need to use trails, become active and stay fit. An alarming number of Americans suffer from obesity, heart disease, and other ailments brought on by a sedentary lifestyle. A U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services report estimated that physical inactivity costs the nation 300,000 lives and $117 billion per year. The American Hiking Society that sponsors National Trails Day urges us all to get out and use a trail. Over one million outdoor trail enthusiasts were estimated to celebrate their favorite pathways across the country on this day. 
The ride started from the new Pleasant Ridge Park in Autumn Ridge subdivision behind Andover on Todds Road. We had working restrooms for the start of the ride! At least we did after Keith Lovan got to the park with the key. This park and its facilities is a designated trailhead for the 2 mile Brighton East Rail Trail in Fayette County, a section of the larger proposed Lexington-Big Sandy Railtrail. There is an underpass under I-75 that will be used for the trail. While there is yet no asphalt down on the trail, there is more anticipation now that the county government has cleared the last of the negotiations with landowners so that construction can begin. 
The major news of the day was that IT DID NOT RAIN! As ride leader I was all prepared to sit and my car and tell the few brave souls who showed up that the ride was cancelled due to the rain. An hour before the ride the Weather Channel at weather.com said 80% chance of rain for the entire morning. Then cars began to trickle into the parking lot. I really liked the riders who said they did not even check the weather reports; now that is optimism. We had 20 riders sign in. I think if it had been a day that threatened less rain we would have had more riders. With a phone call and fax ahead of time, we had a police escort as we turned from Autumn Ridge Subdivision on to Todds Road and on over the I-75 overpass. This was really nice; no worry about cars passing us on that narrow and busy stretch of road. Thank you Fayette County Police. 
Because I anticipated more riders of different skill levels and I as the ride leader would never be able to keep ahead of the fast front pack, I had marked the road. This year I stopped being timid and got really bright paint. The first year I used dark green, the second year I moved up to white and this year florescent red from Wal-Mart. The can says that it will wear off quickly. However the day before I was a little bit sleepy and disoriented in the early morning hours and the first few markings had conflicting arrows; you can not erase fluorescent paint, I am glad that non one wound up in the wrong county. 
The ride distance was 52 miles (turning halfway between Winchester and Mt. Sterling) or 71 miles to Mt. Sterling and return. The ride route roughly paralleled the proposed rail trail along the abandoned CSX railroad bed that goes from Lexington to Mt. Sterling. It is on the northside of Todds Road , goes by the Pine Grove grocery, the old depot in downtown Winchester and then out Iron Works Road, through L & E Junction, Klondike and on into Mt. Sterling. The proposed railtrail is a way to showcase our regional heritage in central Kentucky and provide a safe and excellent site for many recreational activities. West of the trail head on the rail corridor is Cadentown, which is rich in African American history. Walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers will use the railtrail. By coming out and supporting the ride the Bluegrass Cycle Club shows their support for the construction of this trail.
The country side was beautiful, the weather was calm, temperature in the 60's; just right for road riding. In Mount Sterling a street fair was in progress and the old depot was surrounded by antique John Deere and Farmall tractors. Berrymans' the local hot dog and ice cream stand has now literally moved up town and has taken over the old Dairy Queen location on Main Street. By the end of the day, there was only one flat tire and no accidents. Not a sole was lost; we had a great map created by Dave Elbon. 


Our sag support from Alan Roberts, a member of Kentucky Rails to Trails Council was superior. He drove behind the ride in his SUV with a flasher on the back and the National Trails Day Banner with the slogan "Healthy Trails, Healthy People" on his bumper. Because the ride was made up of experienced riders I told Alan that he could leave the ride after Pine Grove and if anyone had trouble I would call him on his cell phone. But Alan stayed with us, it was a real luxury not having to worry about cars, they would slow down for Alan and then slowly pass us. It also was great PR for promoting more trials. Many thanks go to Alan. Now I will have to get him on a bike, but then who would sag for us next year?
Pictures of the ride, taken by Alan Roberts are on the Kentucky Rails to Trails Website; www.KyRailTrail.org If you would like more information on Rails to Trails just click around the website. You can download a membership form for your self or a friend. The webmaster, Rose DeJarnette and her husband, Alan DeJarnette were on the ride.