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.

Spring Bash '08 - Albertville AL

The North Alabama Air, Car, and Bike show in Albertville was organized by real pros. This was more of an air-show than anything else, but lots of vendors, several antique and classic cars, and a handful of bikes surrounding the biker vendor. Not so much a bike show, but a good excuse to get on the bike and show up. Nice, small air-show, and it looks like everybody in Marshall County showed up for this event.

Faunsdale Biker Rally - Alabama's wildest biker event

It has been a weeks since the biggest biker rally in Alabama, and I am still chuckling about what I saw. Oh sure I have seen naked people before, but never on a bike, at midnight, riding around a big, dirt track. That was a real treat. The biggest surprise was the BYOB, and whatever you can put on the back of your bike(or in your RV, or the trailer pulling your bike). That's right, no rules about beverages, except they do NOT sell alcohol there. So it turned into a quick trip down the road to Demopolis.

This was the single largest rally I have ever been to, and would guestimate 1,500-3,000 campers-RVs, tents etc., plus another 5,000 possibly in/out folks. Hard to gauge the real traffic due to everyone moving around alot, as there was much to see. In addition to the main stage, for music, wet-t contests, etc. there were "community stages" set up out in the village, where the real debauchery took place. Stripper poles surrounded by RVs, nice light-shows, PA systems, and portable tiki-bars with singing automatons. The food was typical festival-type food, but enough to keep you alive.

If you wanted something different to eat, you could ride down the road less than a mile for the Annual Faunsdale Crawfish Festival, going on at the same time.

I would suggest making this a bi-annual trip, I had a blast.

Find out more about Faunsdale Bike Rally here


Faunsdale Biker Rally - Alabama Spring 2008

Indian Hills Motorcycle Resort Anniversary Party 2008

A few images from the Rockland Resort, a little rain never hurt anybody, right? If you have not rolled over there, it is worth the trip. If you have any other resorts we need to know about, you should let us know.

Indian Hills Motorcycle Resort - a quick visit

On Saturday we had a quick stop at Indian Hills Motorcycle Resort, a relatively new addition to the biker stop circuit in Coosa county. The will be celebrating their 1st anniversary with a birthday party next weekend starting on Thursday the 27th, and ending on Sunday. They are expecting around 2,000 riders per day for the party, so we thought we would see what this place was all about.

It was a slow day on our visit (Easter weekend), but there was still around 40 riders, and everyone seemed real laid back. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and appeared to enjoy being there. The facilities were clean and comfortable, and the food looked delicious (we did not have time to eat). They do have a decent looking menu and good prices, so it might be worth exploring further.

The main facility is large, and housed several large tables, and two pool tables. Overall, I think it would certainly be worth another trip, and maybe even worth checking out the 1st Anniversary party.

Find out more here

Most Alabama Counties '08 Challenge - Tour Alabama on a motorcycle, and win

Do you travel all over the state on your bike every year? Do you think you might travel thru more counties than everyone else? If so you should enter the "Most Alabama Counties 2008 " Challenge to win a valuable prize, and recognition and admiration from bikers from all over the world. There are 67 counties in Alabama, but you may only need to travel to 20 or so, and take a picture to prove you were there. Are you up to the challenge?

Pictures we are looking for:

Good - notice the bike in the image, and a recognizable landmark, not the best, but it is OK and will qualify as one county

Better - much better subject, identifiable, and has a bike in the frame

Enter the MAC '08 Challenge today. Find out more details HERE

Bama Bike Fest Fall 2007

For $20 you could have had a weekend pass to Adult Disneyland. If you did not attend this festival, you really should plan on being at the next one. Click the image below for the slideshow (controls are at the bottom right of the page)