Contemplation...and Remembering...

October 16, 2008

The old Suzuki Volusia was the precursor to the Boulevard C-50. I bought it from an old guy who decided he just couldn’t ride anymore. He put 17K miles on it...and it was pretty. Always garage kept, white and silver everything polished. He even added hard bags and a trunk. Inside the trunk was a little treasure for long rides…a CB Radio. He had his helmet rigged up to be able to plug in and go. I didn’t keep the Suzuki long, just a few months, then I started thinking…bigger I want bigger. I had sworn I would never go as small as an 800 again, because the little 883 Sportster like to have beat me to death in the 90’s. I sold that pretty little thing when I went back to college (but college is another topic). The good thing about the Sporty was that I sold her for what I bought her for. So now I am thinking…Heritage Soft Tail…and I get a call from my cousin Mark, he is turning 50. We grew up together, always loved each other more than momma’s love their microwaves, and he asked me to come up to help celebrate his birthday. He wants us to ride “The Dragon” together. He lives in Townsend, TN…and I live in Chilton County, AL….I really want to try out a Soft Tail…I say give me an hour…and I will be on my way. I drove the cage up (Honda Civic si).

Upon arriving at cousin Marks, we discuss going over to Smokey Mountain Harley to rent me a bike to ride a couple of days. Mark calls and reserves that Heritage Soft Tail I have been drooling over. We go on over and I get it for a couple of days. It is always a little entertaining to watch men try not to “little lady” me (you know that is a *slight*pet peeve of mine). The guy doing the rental paperwork with me kept looking at me….like he was sizing me up. We went out to check the bike out…the dude stopped just short of saying, “Are you gonna be alright?” His body language was eat up with … I don’t know about this…she’s really short…and she’s a SHE. I am generally quiet when guys go through this internal sizing up…I figure if you hang with me long enough, you will figure out everything is okay. Mark knows those guys up there; he and I had exchanged glances and did the mind meld thing, so he began to notice the rental dude doing the internal freak out. I heard Mark snicker a little under his breath…then he walked up…told the guy to relax, “She’s been riding since she was 11.” I took the Heritage for a trial spin around the lot, came back and thanked the guy…and away I went. The rental guy was super nice and he did very well covering his apprehensive feelings, but I am a woman and a mother…it’s hard to hide when you are with me.

Coming Soon….The Dragon and Me…and other tales.

AngelVal

The Beginning...where will it lead?

I finally got serious about finding some folks to ride with. The folk’s that told me about Bamarides.com are the couple that rides the little scooters in the Most Alabama Counties Challenge. Nice folks they are. Upon visiting the website, I saw there were lots of rides going on…and I had no idea!

Living down here in Chilton County (aka Nowhere, Alabama), I rarely see anyone out on a bike. Being a lady rider, I am somewhat apprehensive to approach some big burly man on a motorcycle… and if I do decide to talk to him…more often than not, the thought runs across my mind - when he mentions getting together to ride…Why is he asking that? Is there an ulterior motive? So caution guides me. Now guys I don’t want you to think women riders operate in paranoia mode…but dang…it’s a crazy world out there. Oh and please don’t “little lady” me…True I am all of 5’2” and true enough if I park in the wrong place, I might have to ask for some help…but we all need help now and then don’t we?

Speaking of parking. I needed to tag my Suzuki Volusia, so a trip the illustrious Chilton County tag office was in order. Being 5’2” and on a substantial size bike comes with its “challenges.” The Courthouse is across the street from the tag office and court was in session. I ride in, scope the area for a reasonable parking place. By reasonable I mean that geometric calculations were occurring at lightning speed inside my head. I do not want to park where I am too leaned over on the kick stand. I do not want to park where someone on their cell phone, drinking coffee and adjusting the radio can run over my bike and I do not want to park where I can get a ticket. So I choose the bank across the street. I *thought* my calculations had served me well. Upon returning, I place my new tag on, put the stickers on, get everything situated in the saddlebags, get helmet on…you know the whole ritual. I swing my leg over and get seated on the bike and go to lift it to upright position. Uh, it ain’t gonna happen. It seems with all the calculations in my head; I have made a dread error. It is leaning too far to the left and my little short legs can NOT lift it into an upright position. Oh Crap! So now a scenario is playing in my mind. I am going to have to ask a perfect stranger for help. Totally embarrassed, I am sitting there on my bike with my head hung in shame….waiting……waiting for a warm body to appear. Finally, a clean cut gentleman, wearing scrubs, about the age of 40 comes out of the tag office. “Excuse me sir. I have myself in a precarious situation. Would you or could you be so kind to give me a little nudge to the upright position? Just 2 or 3 inches will do.” He was so kind and did not make me feel like an idiot although I felt like one anyway. He said, “Sure, I have done this myself." [which I sort of doubted]. He helped me and off I went. So, when we are out riding together….and we get ready to park…you may perhaps see what appears as anxiousness come across my face…while I calculate my parking position. I mean dang, how many humiliations can a person take??

Hopefully…first in a series…

AngelVal

Bridges of Blount County - covered bridges that is

Took a short ride up into Blount County to see three of the remaining bridges. We got pics of two and also took a run up into Palisades park in Oneonta. Video to come...

Bored out of my skull, waiting on my tire

Spending the afternoon at Victory Suzuki Warehouse putting a tire on.
So I walked back into the showroom to check the new Ridley's. These
things are crazy. 500cc's and will run 85 MPH, built for a dwarf, I had to get a picture.
----sent via Mobile email

Faunsdale bike rally

Once again the time has come to polish the bike, load it onto the trailer, haul it down the middle of nowhere, and ride it around in a cow pasture. It does not sound like fun, but of course it certainly is. The fall rally is one of two rallies held every year, and they are always fun. More information can be found about Alabama bike rally and other riding information about Faunsdale, check out the calendar for other motorcycle events in Alabama

Thunder Beach

Live from Panama City, it is the Friday morning before the storm. Although reports are that reservations are down 40%, it seems a perfect weekend to enjoy riding and checking out a few bikes, beers, and babes. Pictures to come soon.

Trail of Tears 2008 - Chattanooga to Florence

Despite the confusion, the turnout was amazing. Probably 15-20,000 bike at the stop in Fayetteville, TN - and 35-50,000 in Florence at McFarland Park.

Trail of Tears 2008 - Northern Route

The long version of the video - 17 minutes click here

Trail of Tears 2008 - Two Trails?

Once again we find ourselves approaching the largest biker event held in Alabama, the Trail of Tears. Each year the estimate range from 90,000 to 150,000 motorcycles participating in the 30-50 mile long parade of bikes, commemorating the historical Trail of Tears, the 1838 removal of native Americans from the territory.

The interesting development this year is the the split of the ride into two separate rides. For the past few years a storm has been brewing between organizers of the ride until a split was made, and two separate groups were formed, conducting two separate rides, down different roads, with different stops and destinations. There is certainly a large amount of confusion about where the rides will start, and where they will end. The two groups each have their own website to find out more about details of where the rides start and finish, check out:

Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride

Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride

Lots of confusion for everyone this year. Let's hope it does not spoil the amazing spectacle this has become. If you want to find out more about riding in Alabama, don't forget to check out the real source of information about what is happening in Alabama, where everyone is riding, and the cool spot to hang out at Bama Rides videos and descriptions of great roads, rides, and stops in Alabama to make your life better. Sign up for the free motorcycle forum to share your opinions about the Trail of Tears, and any other topic concerning motorcycling in Alabama.

Buck's Pocket State Park - Alabama motorcycle rides

Second part of the Sunday ride after Paint Rock
Nice ride around the lake, then on to the park. It got dark too quick, so not much to see at the park or the overlook

Buck's Pocket Motorcycle Ride - Best Alabama Motorcycle Rides

Paint Rock Alabama - Motorcycle rides in Alabama

Paint Rock Alabama Motorcycle Ride - Best Alabama Rides

Worth the trip

Bankhead Forest

What a great ride. We left Jasper with 11 bikes, and found some interesting places that very few people in Alabama know about. Nice, easy riding, with mostly long, sweeping turns, and scenic forests along the way.

Bankhead National Forest motorcycle ride - more great motorcycle rides in Alabama

Cottaquilla Road - twisties outside Anniston

Cottaquilla Road - Great motorcycle roads in Alabama.



Read the entire review here

River Ride to Lock 17

A brief look at some roads twisting thru the hills of Central Alabama while riding with a few members of Bama Rides on a Saturday afternoon. We pass Jefferson County sheriffs as they pull a dead body found in the river the same day.

Alabama Motorcycle River Ride to Lock 17 on the Warrior from Don Redman on Vimeo.

Bama Rides Member makes state news

Proud we are of the leader in the MAC '08 Challenge - sonicsix and his wife were on the news this weekend for their participation in "an unusual contest" and their plans to win the contest.

Ride Out from 29 Dreams

A beautiful Sunday riding Highway 25, with a fun bunch of guys riding the twisties outside 29 Dreams in Vandiver Alabama.

Ride Out from 29 Dreams - one of the best motorcycle rides in Alabama