Southern Indiana Loop

Medora Covered Bridge

Story Inn

What beautiful scenery we have here in Indiana, if you know where to go! My wife and I rode 360 miles today through Southern Indiana. From Hagerstown to Lawrenceburg, the landscape rolls gently while the streams skim the road, winding until you meet the Ohio River. Meandering along the river is peaceful, while beyond the beauty of nature, the shops and cafes of Madison caught our attention, as did the friendly hellos of the townsfolk, including a greeting from the Mayor of Madison. The southern counties hills, trees, and curves keep bringing before you scene after scene of awesome unspoiled nature. Heading back north toward Brown County, we just had to take a little detour and see the US’s longest covered bridge, near Medora. It's 460 feet long, built in 1875, and is the only triple span covered bridge in Indiana. It was in service until 1972, and still is open to foot-traffic. (see photo) There are a few spaces to park, and even one picnic table. The sharp curves of IN 135 are the riders delight, but not for beginners, especially around the town of Story. Story is the town that time forgot, (See photo) and we’ll have to get back there to eat or stay, the accommodations are enough to make you want to stop and unwind for awhile, and Motorcycle parking with a paved strip is available, be it in a gravel parking lot. Returning through hills so familiar to Hoosier bikers around Nashville (IN) was also scenic, but as the time on the road approached, we heard our beds calling out our name! So we did not stop this time at the leather shops, including the famous Pit Bull Leather Company, where leather jackets, chaps, Motorcycle luggage, and other clothes and accessories are in good supply and competitively priced. But this route through the Southern part of our state is one that we will come back to for sure, and maybe break it up with a few nights stay!