The WCMG and Backroads of Appalachia Present our First Annual “All Aboard Ride” 2024 on one of our most popular new trail routes, Coal Train 421! Sponsored by ARC, The State of KY, Jackson County Tourism, Clay County Tourism, The City of Manchester Ky, Harlan County Tourism, and Tri-City Tourism(Cumberland, Benham, Lynch).
This is one ride you do not want to miss as we take you on a journey through the heart of Eastern Kentucky and our Coal Mining and Military History. Did we mention the best burger you will ever have and the Dragonslayer 160? See the Schedule Below…
All Aboard Coal Train 421!
May 18th, 2024
9:00AM-Kickstands Up! Riders South will meet at Walmart in Corbin, KY to ride to Richmond, KY.
10:00AM-Riders North will meet us at United Motorsports in Richmond, Ky off of Exit 90 on I-75 at the start of Coal Train 421!
11:00AM-Kickstands up! Next Stop the Backroads of Appalachia Freedom Ridge Welcome Center and General Store!
11:45PM- BOA Freedom Ridge WC and General Store! Grab a Snack, Get a Drink, See the Local Crafts and Historic Artifacts, and learn the History of the Civil War Battle of Big Hill! The Building itself is part of that history!
12:45PM-Kickstands Up! Next Stop The Jackson County Veterans Memorial in McKee, Ky! One of the most incredible memorials in the State!
1:15PM-The Jackson County Veterans Memorial, one of our favorite Veterans Memorials honoring all who served and those we have lost and it is right in downtown McKee, KY!
1:45PM-Kickstands Up! to Clay County and Manchester, Ky and home to Pat’s World Famous Snack Bar. Voted Best Burger in Kentucky!(We are not making that up trust us)
2:45PM-Lunch at Pat’s World Famous Snack Bar! Enjoy the state’s best burger and experience the beauty and small town Appalachian charm of Manchester, KY right in the heart of Clay County and the Land of Swinging Bridges!
4:00PM-Kickstands Up! We are headed to Harlan, Ky and the heart of Kentucky’s Coal Mining History!
5:30PM-Fuel Stop in Harlan – Do not worry we are coming back to Downtown Harlan after we ride Backroads of Appalachia’s Founding Trail and the Highest Mountain in Kentucky! The Dragonslayer Hwy 160!
6:00PM-The Dragonslayer Hwy 160 Welcome Center! Located in Lynch, Ky at the foot of Kentucky’s Highest Mountain and the Home to the Portal 31 Coal Mine and Tour. Once the biggest Coal Mine in the World! Experience the incredible History of our Coal Mining Heritage in a town which once fueled our country and the world with Black Gold! There is no place with more Coal History in Central Appalachia than Lynch Kentucky! The entire town is still there and virtually untouched since it was built in the early 1900s by Italian Stone Masons brought in by U.S. Steel. Every building is still there including the Shower Houses and the Company Store! You Do not Want to Miss This!
6:30PM-The DragonSlayer Hwy 160! Ride Kentucky’s Highest Mountain! 23 miles and 226 curves of total badassery and one of favorite rides here at the WCMG. Tail of the What??? This is one ride you will never forget as we take you on a trip over Black Mountain to Appalachia Virginia and Back again! It is also one of our favorite overlooks!
8:00PM-Kickstands Up! We are headed back to downtown Harlan, Ky and the “End of the Line” on Coal Train 421 for Dinner at one of our favorite spots, The Harlan County Beer Company! Eat at our favorite spot and explore downtown Harlan, KY! Your first Coal Mining Memorial/Marker is right across the street and so is the Historic Courthouse!
Join us this season as we take you on Journey through the heart of Eastern Kentucky on Coal Train 421! Additional Sponsors, Lodging Options, and Charity to be announced! All are welcome, Cars, Bikes, Jeeps, and Slingshots! Stay Tuned Right Here for more Details!
Let’s Ride Coal Train 421 from Richmond, Ky -Harlan, Ky Appalachia!