Loop:
Middletown - Mason - Hughes - Monroe - Middletown. This itinerary can be ridden
in reverse sequence; however, lower gears may be
needed.
Distance:
35 miles (56 kilometers).
Terrain:
mostly rolling to moderately hilly, with little shade
on the outward leg, intermittent shade on the return.
In the proposed sequence, Hamilton-Mason Road has a
fairly steep downgrade for the half-mile approaching
the four-way stop at Maud-Hughes Road. (If
ridden in reverse sequence, of course, this becomes a
fairly steep upgrade—unshaded, with moderate
traffic and no shoulder.)
Hazards:
Union Road zigzags across busy SR-63 at an
unsignalled branchline railroad
crossing. When SR-63 clears, turn right
from Union onto SR-63 and cross the track.
After yielding to oncoming traffic, immediately turn
left onto the next section of Union.
When entering Middletown on Yankee Road., beware of
rough surface (especially at railroad crossings) and
truck traffic (usually lighter on weekends).
Stops:
Food is available in Mason along Reading Rd. (1 block
south of Church St. We've found an agreeable
little oriental eatery on Reading just south of
downtown.) Find water and restrooms at service
stations and convenience stores near Reading Rd.
(US-42) and Tylersville Road. Currently there
are no other convenient stops on this tour, so take
advantage while you have the opportunity.
Comments:
The Mason Meander begins with a southward ride over
flat to rolling roads in southwestern Warren
County. Since the outward leg occurs before the
afternoon heat sets in, the lack of shade is not
unwelcome. Once at Mason, we usually jog south
a block or two off Church Street to one of the
eateries on Reading Road.
On the return leg, Maud-Hughes Road is delightfully
meandering and rolling, moderately well shaded, with
low traffic. It lazily intertwines with Gregory
Creek and the Norfolk Southern tracks. The
down-side is that much of this road is situated on
unstable slopes, and that several bridges along the
way are quite ancient. Consequently, parts of
Maud-Hughes are frequently closed for repair,
necessitating a detour to Yankee Rd., about two miles
to the east. But since we end up on Yankee
anyway, the effect of such a detour is upon scenery
and traffic, not distance.
