700 Miles of Solitude, Storms, and Self-Discovery

This ride was nothing short of extraordinary. Seven hundred miles on two wheels, testing every ounce of my mental, physical, and emotional endurance. It wasn’t just a ride—it was a journey layered with meaning, challenges, and moments too rich to capture in a single post. Each leg of the trip felt like its own chapter, stitched together into one unforgettable story.

I rode in complete solitude—so off-grid that not a soul who knows me had any idea where I was. (Not recommended... but absolutely exhilarating.) I experimented with new herbal supplements, got lost in the rhythm of the road, accidentally veered onto single-lane mountain passes, and somehow ended up in the projects—all in the same day. I bounced between budget motels and existential questions like, “Why did I decide to do this?” And when I finally rolled into my driveway, parked the bike, and dragged myself inside, I was exhausted in the best possible way. I loved every second of it.

Day One: Rain, Ashwagandha, and Horse Cave

The first goal was simple: reach Wolf Creek Dam, stay the night, and see how I felt. I was testing a new daily regimen of Ashwagandha—my first time trying it away from home—and wasn’t sure how my body would respond.

The ride kicked off with two punishing rainstorms. One was so intense I had to pull into a gas station just to see straight. Eventually, I made it to the Horse Cave Motel, and to my surprise, it exceeded expectations. No bugs, no disturbances, clean sheets, and a hot shower. It wasn’t luxury, but it was peace—and that’s all I needed.

Day Two: Stonehenge and the Western Edge

Morning came, and with the herb working well, I set my sights on the western edge of Kentucky. But first—Kentucky Stonehenge.

It’s a quirky roadside attraction, and I didn’t want to disturb the owners since I arrived early, so I stayed on the road and snapped a few shots. Then I was off, riding from the edge of Daniel Boone National Forest, through Mammoth Cave National Park, hopping across the Land Between the Lakes, and finally landing in Calvert City for night two.

This motel wasn’t quite as clean or welcoming, but it was safe. I got some rest and a shower before heading out at dawn.

The Ride Home: Bridges, Obelisks, and Reflection

The final leg held a few surprises. On a whim, I rode through the Land Between the Lakes and across the southern stretch of Kentucky. Part of me just wanted to enjoy the freedom of riding without a helmet and take in the sights. Even the bridge leaving the recreation area was a visual treat.

A few miles later, I crested a hill and spotted a massive structure in the distance. Curiosity won—I had to see what it was.

It turned out to be an obelisk, eerily similar to the Washington Monument, but dedicated to Jefferson Davis, the first and only president of the Confederate States of America. I won’t dive into Civil War politics—smarter minds than mine are still debating it—but I will say this: even if history had gone another way and Davis were a household hero, it still feels like a bit of a jab at George Washington to mimic his monument. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

Now if you ever wanted to know what would happen if you stood under 2 bridges and used the panorama option on the phone... Well here you go!

Cool Right?

So that’s the tale of the trip. Below are a few images, artworks, and videos that capture the spirit of the ride.

Thanks for coming along for the journey.

AI images are so cool! Yep that's me. You're probably wondering how I got into this situation...I thought this was so Kentucky.. I had to stop and take a picture. Those small messages that mean a lot sometimes...

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