Florida Bound -- 2/25/09 – Day 1 - Wednesday
At about 9 AM we rolled out of the drive to head across some back roads to pickup Highway 231 to head south. Anticipating we would be able to make Albany Georgia and finish the trip Thursday.
Twenty miles out we knew Albany wasn’t in the plans today. After 120 miles of constant light rain, we knew the dampness and chill would do us in, so we found a Best Western in Oneonta, AL. Our hopes are that we can get an early start tomorrow morning and be in Bronson Fl by late afternoon tomorrow. LOL. We’ll be following 231&79 into Georgia and then 79.
We didn’t get any photos today due to the rain, but hopefully we can get some snaps tomorrow.
Day 2 – Florida Bound - Thursday
We got on the road about 7 AM this morning; it’s a much better day. As we leave Oneonta, AL the skies are blue, but cool, 47 degrees. A short distance out of Oneonta we climbed a mountain and could see there would be some great views, but the valleys were filled with fog, so no photos and after we topped the mountain the next twenty miles were in fairly heavy fog, but then broke to sunny skies.
Continuing south we went through Leeds, Childersburg, Opeika, Phenix City through Alabama the temps rose and by noon it was in the mid-70’s. We continued on South 0n 520 into Georgia running through several miles of Pecan Groves and decided after 375 miles the bottom-sides were flat enough and stopped for the day at 6:30 PM E.T. in Lamont, FL. We’ll finish the trip tomorrow morning to Bronson, Only 106 miles, about two hours riding time. A good night’s rest is going to be really welcome shortly.
Day 3 - Friday
We decided to take a late start from Lamont, as we only had a little over a hundred miles. The morning glorious and by 10 AM we had our riding jackets off and enjoyed the blue skies and 75 degrees. We stopped in Willisinton, FL for lunch, but not a good motel there, so we rode on to Ocala and found a Days Inn on the edge town. We logged 140 miles today, but nothing exciting along the way.
If you’ve never driven down 27 in Florida, it’s a lot like route 51 in Illinois. Flat and straight except for lots of hot boiled peanuts stands and pecan stores. I almost forgot Live Oak Trees everywhere with Spanish moss hanging from them.
From Bronson on down to Ocala there lots of horse farms, it appears they are more into English Pleasure, reminds you of Shelbyville, TN, without hills. We may meet Shirl’s niece and husband for dinner, but don’t know for sure as he was having some test at the hospital and they were over two hours late getting him in, so he may not be up to dinner.
Day 4 - Saturday
Today was an easy day; we logged 110 miles to spend time with family and spent a few hours with them in Cedar key. Back to motel and a late dinner in Ocala. Have to wait and see what tomorrow brings, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow and clear by early afternoon.
Day 5 -Sunday
No riding today, a day of rest. Long time friends from Milton, WI came up from their winter home in Lady Lake and had dinner with us and we may ride down to their home tomorrow after we hit Daytona for the big bike week and visit some friends from Michigan who are displaying their motorcycle tag-along trailers he builds.
Early this morning we received a phone call from our friend, Alvis regarding a fellow Lion member who had gotten worst and he also told me, we called off church this, I said, “why?” He said we had several inches of snow early this morning. A short time later we receive an email from our daughter, Shirleen, who lives in Eagleville, TN with two photo attachments, looked like a picture from Michigan during one of the heavier snow storm we got up there. She said we got over nine inches in Shelbyville.
Day 6 – Monday
Left Ocala Mid-morning, was pretty chilly this morning so delayed heading to Daytona Beach, bikes, bikes and more bikes. We found our friends from Michigan that is building motorcycle tag-along trailers, his is called the “Cruzzer,” I’ll have pictures online when I get home and may have one for display at our house. He has quite a few options in colors and accessories available, stay tuned.
We were able to swing down to Lady Lake after visiting with Ward & Diane and spend a couple more hours with Wisconsin friends, George & Grace. Our travels logged 175, so was an easy ride.
Day 7 – Tuesday Heading Home
On the road by 7AM, knew it was going to be a very chilly ride, a heavy frost still covered everything as we loaded the trailer. We headed North on 27 and followed it all the way north Through Tallahassee and picking up 84 at Bainbridge to Dothan and 231 North to Troy.
We decided after logging 330 miles to call it a day in Troy, AL. We’ll have an early dinner hit the sheets early for an early start in the morning, No much to report on, the ride from Ocala to Troy is pretty much flat land, should be more enjoyable scenery tomorrow as we head North through Alabama with 300 miles to complete the trip.
Day 8 – Wednesday Homeward Bound
No frost this morning, but a cool start at 34 degrees at 7:45 AM as we left Troy Al. A sunny morning and no wind bolstered the spirits as we continue our journey north on 231.
About 9:30 AM we stopped to stretch our legs and took a snack break just before we entered the Coosa Valley and it has warmed up even more making the riding pleasant. As we continued in to the valley and up through the mountains we notice remnants of snow left on the north-side of things. Continuing on north until we reached Oneonta, AL we then stopped for gas and lunch at the China Wok, the food was pretty good!
We reached Huntsville about 1:30 PM stopping for our last gas-up and rest break. We arrived home at 3:15 Pm.
Thoughts about our trip:
If you are riding on the average of about 300 miles a day for 7 of 8 days, you need an iron butt, need to make sure you have conditioned yourselves for this kind of riding, rain gear, enough warm clothing as wind chills are going to be low on days below 50 degrees, a good touring seat on your bike that has plenty of cushioning and back rest, and of course your GPS and phone along with maps for easy location of towns, gas and good motels. Also make sure your bike is ready for a long trip, tuneup, oil changed, tires & brakes are in good condition for a couple thousand miles of riding.
Would we do it again, yes, but would make sure we had some riding on days trips to help condition the muscles and bottom side for the long hours you’ll be on the road.
Larry (Grumpy Old Man) and Shirley Brown
www.tnroadriders.org
This was supposed to be our week for the Natchez Trace ride, but with rain to contend with in Southern Mississippi we decided not to make the run. Instead we opted for day rides as the weather permitted.
Sunday, 5/10/09, we rode up 64 to 31A north to Chapel hill and then west on 99 to Pottsville and then west again on 99 to I65 north to Franklin and to the Honda dealer, I had gift certificates burning a hole in my pocket, so I finally found a leather vest I liked. We headed back south on I65 an exited on hyway 129 and headed east to Cornersville, great stretch to ride with with twists and turns, curves and hills to keep you on your toes. We continued on east on 129 to archer where we picked up 272 north to Lewsisburg, again another scenic and twisting ride with hills and plenty of scenery to gawk at.. At Lewisburg we picked up 31A to 64 to head home. A great short loop of about 120 miles for a Sunday afternoon ride.
On Monday, 5/11/09, we decided to try and find a small waterfalls nearly Tullahoma, but after finding it, I decided the 1.5 miles of sternous hiking was not in my best interest so we headed back into town to pick up 55 north to McMinnville. This stretch of road is pretty flat, almost enough to put you to sleep. After grabbing a quick sandwich head east again towards Spencer on TN-1 and 30 to Mountain view road and continuing on 284 to Park. It was great riding im the mountains, lots of curves and plenty of great scenery to enjoy.
Fall Creek Falls is at it best right now and is worth the trip to view it, presently there two falls running side by side, the main falls and a small one to right. See the slide show above for the pictures. We followed the same route back down to Manchester to Tullahoma and 41 north to Shelbyville, logging about 200 miles reaching home.
Our "Fall" tour on tuesday, 5/12/09 took us down 41 from shelbyville to Jasper. At Normandy road we headed past
Normandy, which looked great, at it's highest we seen in four years. We continued cross country to reach 41 and then heading south to Manchester, stopping for lunch and then on through Hillsboro, Pelham and continuing on to Tracy City and south on 41 arriving at Foster Falls which is about 10 miles north of Jasper. Again this was another delight to see. For a look, click on the slideshow below. We rode on down to Jasper just ten miles and gassed up and started north again riding north to Tracy City. Reaching Tracy City, it was early, so we decided to head north up 56 through Coalmont and to Altamont and then 108 to Viola and north to 287 heading west to 55 and Morrison to heading south to Manchester and then north again on 41 to the turnoff for Normandy Lake, just north of Old Stone Fort and heading back acorss Normandy to 41A to Shelbyville and home. Today's ride took us about 220 miles. This is a great ride, you really have to ride it to appreciate the twists and turns with mountains and valleys.
September 20, 2008, Trail of TearsThis ride was made only by Wilbur and I. Shirley was advised by her doctor not to made the ride and Jim is still recovering from recent surgery.
Wilbur arrived bright and early & excited about seeing more than 100,000 bikes riding together, so we got a bit of a early start, the weather was great and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and countryside. Our ride started at our house and we decided to headed back through Shelbyville and down 41A to Winchester To Cowan, Sewanee, Monteagle, Tracy City and Jasper, TN.
We arrived in Jasper shortly before 8am and didn't have long to wait for the first bikes to starting rolling through town. We joined the ride after about half of the riders and come through and headed back up 41 to Winchester and then west on 64 to Fayetteville, TN.
We arrived at the fair grounds in Fayetteville shortly before 11am. Wilbur couldn't believe that there were so many bikes and riders in one place. It truly was a sight to behold as the bikes were parked in long rows about every 2-3 feet apart and every bit of parking space was used.
After a pit stop and lunch from the cooler we continued the ride on to Lawrenceburg, where we stopped for a short time for rain, but we got wet anyway halfway between Lawrenceburg, TN and Forence, Al.
We arrived at the Pow-wow at the Riverside park a little after 1:30 Pm. Again just couldn't believe the numbers bikes and the different types. After resting and refreshments we decide it was time to head for home.
I arrived back home about 4:30 Pm and Wilbur headed over to Jim & Bonnies' to tell them about the 135,000 bikes that was estimated to be on the Ride. A great day for riding and a great ride of nearly 400 miles.
Plans for next year is to ride for Cherokke, NC and all the way to Okmlugee, OK, which is the entire (official) Trail of Tears.
Click on link below for slide show
This slide show is honor of a good friend and family member, Mitch Fisher. We didn't have him with us for long, but we enjoyed every moment spent with him and his wife Anita. Mitch is the father-in-law of our granddaughter, Lisa Fisher and Lisa and Brady (grandson) at the time were the love of his life. We had the honor of knowing Mitch and being able to share a ride with him near their home in Applacihia, Virginia. The memories of this ride will always be in our minds and fondly remembered.
Motorcycle Days, Bell Buckle, Tn, Jun3 13, 2009. 55 mile poker run, was a good ride with great scenery.
Here's the last ride we took with friends in 2008, we're in the process of putting together a ride to Florida for the end of this coming February.
Sept. 4-7, 2008 Natchez Trace.
Due to rain we only made it halfway down the Trace. After spending nearly a day holed up in the motel in Tupelo, Ms due to rain, we headed east into Alabama and then north through the National Forest. We arrived in Florence, AL around noon, but decided to ride east to Athens, AL, for the day's end, stopping at Wheeler Dam to see the view. Sunday morning we jumped on I-65 for the trip north to home and arrived there early afternoon.
LYNCHBURG RALLY