My first snafu

Had my first snafu in Pineville, KY.  My sprocket chain came loose and became lodged.  Fortunately, I was able to coast on into the Bell County Emergency service, and they had a screwdriver to loan me so I could pry it loose, and was able to fix it.  After that...thought I'd enjoy a meal here in the Pineville McDonald's.  About halfway through my ride for today.  I will be meeting up with a great friend tonight, Sean, and he has graciously allowed me to stay the night.  Looking forward to catching up on old times serving in Emmaeus Walk's together.  Prayers for safe travels are always appreciated!

Expect great things for God, Attempt great things for God!
Larry Penix

Getting late start...

This is Barbara Cummings from Michigan, a descendent of Daniel Boone!

Kelsey Gerdhart of Middlesboro Daily News came out at noon to interview the group at the Historical Museum in Middlesboro.  The picture you see with the two mountains and gap in the middle is the true Cumberland Gap where hundreds of thousdands settlers traveled on their way to the west!

Heading towards Barboursville, a near 40 mile trek. First road is a busy two lane road.  There are a few places where there's not much room to get off the shoulder.  Be careful on a bicycle!  Tough hill at Bell County High School.  Lance Armstrong couldve made it without stopping, but I had to stop half way up and rest.  Oh.......but it was soooo nice going down the other side....almost.

Morning Activities Day two

I spent the morning in Middlesboro meeting up with John Fox, and with Curtis Penix and Given Fox, John's son.  John Fox is one of my great encouragers in doing this walk.  He is highly active in the revitalization of the Wilderness Trail.  Curtis and Given are hiking the trail while I am biking it.  We all met up this morning and hiked the short trek to the Saddle of the Gap.....about a half an hour hike.  One of the pictures below is the Saddle of the Gap.  It is the actual trail that Daniel Boone and the settlers wouldve taken on their way...

To see the video Clips go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZIv35HB9A&t=344

John Fox and I pose for a pic.

The actual dirt trail where Boone walked at Cumberland Gap.

My wife and I visited the first marker before I headed out which is the cemetery where the first Boone attempt to cross into these territories was cut short by the attack on the group where many, including Daniel Boone's own son, was killed.  I've since started out on my own, and as I'm riding along on this beautiful day the sun is shining down upon me. The temperature is a very comfortable 66° in the shade, I can't help but take the time to be thankful to God, one for the ability to be able to do this, and two, for the experience itself. As a ride up-and-down these rolling hillls on Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Road I'm taken back to a long time ago, the 1770's, when my ancestors, and many other men and women, used this same road.  It was only a buffalo trace then.The anticipation of my trip has now finally been realized! Planning, preparing, and dreamy probably, but not a lot different then the pioneers. Of course I don't have to worry about Indians attacking me hopefully.  My main concerns are cars and crazy people!  I will be in Middlesboro tonight, and looking forward to a full ride tomorrow from Middlesboro to Barboursville, KY.  As a side note, heading through the Cumberland Gap tunnel on a bike requires an escort for any future bikers out there.

You can see more of the trip here:
 http://www.tripcolor.com/user/84601/trip/C0B3D602-DDC3-492F-B9E6-BC1AA16530A0

This pic was taken just before I left Martin Station to begin my journey. 

Joseph Martin was building the fort in 1775 when Daniel Boone and the axemen came through the area on their way to Cumberland Gap and Kentucky. This outpost was the last supply depot for those venturing into Kentucky. Beyond this site, all travel was on foot and horseback. All provisions were carried on pack horses. Martin's Station operated for about 15 months before it was abandoned in the face of attacks by Cherokee and Shawnee warriors in the summer of 1776. Martin had first attempted the settlement six years earlier after winning a competition for land grants offered by the Loyal Land Company. Daniel Boone and his small party of longhunters were surprised to find Martin there then when they were making their first trip across the Cumberland Gap in May 1769.

The actual site of historic Martin's Station is in Rose Hill, a few miles east of Wilderness Road State Park.

“Martin's Station at Wilderness Road State Park,” Daniel Boone's Trail, accessed March 25, 2015, http:/​/​bythewaywebf.​webfactional.​com/​dboone/​items/​show/​10.​

Expect Great things from God, attempt great things for God - William Carey

Larry Penix

Getting ready to head out tomorrow...Bike is packed!

Spent the day packing my bike for trip. It rained all day today but weatherman assures me it is supposed to be sunny skies tomorrow. After church I am VA bound. It is about a 3 hour drive. My wife will drop me off at the Wilderness Road State Park after we pause for a moment at the marker for the grave of Daniel Boone's oldest son, James who was tortured and killed by Indians. 

Looking forward to a great trip! Praying for fair skies and safe travels. 

Come this time next week I hope to be on my way riding my bike following the path that Daniel Boone took to open the first road ever into Kentucky. My ride will take me almost 200 miles from the Wilderness Road State Park to Fort Boonesboro in Richmond KY. This is an effort to commemorate the expedition of Boone and the early settlers into Kentucky and to draw attention to "that little road" known as the Boone Trace in order to preserve "that little road" which is being forgotten in our modern world and the markers along the way and the historical sites along the trace are in danger of being lost forever.  Another reason I am interested in this road is that one of my relatives was in the party with Daniel Boone and helped to establish Fort Boonesboro. His name was Joshua Pennock, later changed to Penix. Just think, my Great, great, great (and a couple more greats) Granndpa walked along side Daniel Boone, fighting Indians and blazed the Boone Trace which later would be known as the Wilderness Road (that is another whole story).

And so, March 15th,  I hit the dusty trail (actually it is a paved road) with my sites on Fort Boonesboro. Along the way I will take time to observe the markers and the many historical sites in connection with the early pioneers. I am told I will be the first to actually complete this on a bike (not a motorcycle, an actual bike you have to pedal). My plans are to make it to Fort Boonesboro by Friday, March 20th.  I will be updating my blog daily so check it out as oft as you can.

For more info. on the Boone Trace go to:  http://www.boonetrace1775.com/

"Expect Great things from God, attempt great things for God"

Larry Penix

Weather concerns

We have had some terrible weather the last week or two as did most of the country. Here in Pikeville Kentucky we had about 18 inches of snow, some of the coldest temperatures on record, and now high waters are a concern. Still,  plans are to hit the trail March 15. Lord willing, I will be biking the Boone Trace from Ewing Virginia at the Wilderness Road State Park all the way to Fort Boonesborough KY. This trip is just under 200 miles.

I was excited to hear from Dr. John Fox by telephone on Sunday. He is the one that is blazing the trail so to speak, to preserve and promote the Boone Trace.I am grateful for his work and dedication which has given me the maps and info. for this trip.

You can access this information at: http://www.boonetrace1775.com/