Alabama via Tennessee

[rob feature]

I really didn't go anywhere today. I mean I left then came right back home with 300 more miles on the bike, but I didn't really go anywhere. Okay, I went to Alabama and back, but I didn't really go anywhere.

I'm starting to get a little sad. Even if I get going reasonably early these days, the day's still too dang short. This is unfortunately what happens in the Winter. And we're getting past fall. I do like Winter riding though...it's the Summer stuff that I can't handle. But back on topic, by the time I'm getting good and into it, it's time to turn around and come back home. I guess I shouldn't complain about an 8 hour riding day in November, but 12 or 15 I get used to. I'm having to downsize. But again, I can't complain. I did, but I can't, so I won't anymore. Complain. Having fun yet?

I am. I had a hella good riding day. Due to time limitations, I slabbed it down to Sewanee and started in on the twisties there. Then held twisties and backroads just about the whole way back home...again, no room to complain.

Care for some pics? I took some.

I dunno what this place is, but I think I wanna be a Knight



Just 'cause it looks all fancy like



I think I missed the post office fofo assignment, so here...day late and dollar short



This one's outta business though...budget cuts mang



This one probably served 10 people a day...if that. I lived in a town with a similar post office at one point in my life (Mooresville, AL) and the clerk would go hours without seeing anyone. She was a salaried, 40 hour a week employee...there to serve all 15 of us . We usually went a week without even going down there. Great job for a reader though!

This is the 3rd time I've ridden this week and if there's one running theme...LOTS of farm traffic



I snuck up on a farm boy smoking a doobie on his tractor (he was moving VERY SLOWLY down the road) and scared the piss out of him as I got by him. He was taking up the whole road and probably didn't expect someone to come sneaking by him, but man, it was hilarious watching him jump around . I think he dropped it in his lap

Shelbyville



Near the AL/TN line



I really need to get back out here with decent glass

.............

[rob feature]

.........

Into Alabama.

There really is some outstanding riding down here...and nobody around. It's still in peak Fall too...we're past peak up here at home.

It just breaks my heart to see roads like this one blocked off



Choo Chooooooooooooo. Okay, they don't so much make that noise anymore, but trains are always cool



I'm starting to wonder if cotton is illegal in Tennessee. I never see it here. But once you get into Alabama, it turns into the South's fluffy pillow.



Nobody here



Nobody at all



I miss that of Alabama. I mean when I lived down there I could ride for seemingly hours on end without seeing another soul. Not the case where I live now.

However, with that isolation comes scant choices in feeding. You've gotta take places like this when you see 'em or go hungry



Crusty little joint.

With quite possibly the best BBQ sandwich I've ever eaten.



mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Great dining scenery too...bet it passed codes



Almost gone



Hey look, somebody left me something



A seasoned stogie!



Awesome views here



Just awesome views



Reminds me of a recent South Park episode. I laughed on the inside a bit as I ate . Yes, they did pull in doing the rwawrrrrrrrrrrr rwarwrrrrrrrrrr, brrrrrrrrrrr, braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap, thing. Then when they shut 'em down you could hear the radio blasting some kinda country thang. I don't know why they think they can hear that over the motor and cackling pillions, but it's good for a giggle.


...........................

[rob feature]

...........

Back into Tennessee where all the people are. It's almost like magic...cross the state line and there they are. All the people.

CHASED!

Now I don't know exactly what it is that pisses people off about being passed, but for some, it really gets under their skin. You never know who's gonna do it, but you just know, that at some point, you're gonna pass someone and it'll throw 'em into full-on chase mode. I got behind a retired police car at some point which was just poking along a county road...not too many folks around...just me and this guy in front of me. I think it was retired anyway...it was a Crown Vic Police Interceptor with a teardrop light, civillian plates 6 counties away, and all the old antenna holes covered up. So when I found a good spot, I got around and through a couple of corners when I looked back and this guy was right on my back tire. And I was bookin'! Never any lights or even a flash...just an angry dude who got passed. Not too far up the road I saw a store and pulled in and stopped to see if I was gettin' a ticket or not. The store was open and there were a few people there, so I felt safer stopping, and the guy just turned down another road quickly and sped off...losing interest. I'm sort of tiring of this phenomenon of folks pulling this sh*t on me, but what's one to do? Fooking cornholes. Just you wait 'till they make legal aft-facing rockets...you guys are screwed . That makes 2 chases this week. The first got lost in a long set of tight corners. I had too much straight road in front of me to ditch today's dirtbag, but he let off as soon as I stopped to see what he wanted.

'Bout time for gas again, I suppose. And since I still had a few hours to go and was getting needy for caffeine, I pop into Lynchburg, home of Jack Daniel's, for some gas and a perk.

Just as I was finishing my business, I hear and smell an awful clatter behind me. I turn around to find this guy



Look closely at the photo if you will. See how the hood's kinda popped? he did that when he pulled up. Because his car was on fire . Yeah, that car looks like it should be on fire. So what does he do? Pulls that clapped-out skank as close as possible to the nearest gas pump . Love ya man, but it's time to get going. And yep, he just started pumping; seemingly oblivious to the fury of smoke pouring from his hood. Hell, somebody that didn't know any better might assume that was an old cop car that just got done chasing a motorcycle through the Tennessee hills

Almost home now. And I spot this fella scratching his head on the side of the road.



The sneakers shoulda made me keep riding, but I stopped to see if I could help. In his words, his FI was failing...didn't know this year CBR had FI, but obviously it does. After running some quick electrical diagnostics proving that voltages were where they should be, he got it clacking back to life and ran on down the road. False alarm...probably had some water in his gas that passed. Godspeed on that thing in tennis shoes and jeans mang...here's to hoping you don't intend to wring it out in that garb.

So that's all I gots for this time. Thanks for riding along and for Pete's sake, stop passing Tennessee people...they don't like it

[IAM]

Well written and photographed; thanks for the joy it brought. I rode some of the same area as you did several weeks ago when I went to the "shiloh rally".

Now for what would be an illustrated ride report if I had taken pictures and knew how to present them. The reason that I did not attend, meaning cancelled, the LBL metrosocial event, and I still do not know what that means......I understand the ladybugs.......was that a committment that I had made re delivering a KLR to VA was called due. I picked that machine up in S.E. GA, loaded it onto the trailer with my XT 225 and went to Wytheville, VA, for two days of riding. Those two days provided about 130 miles of some of the best riding that I have ever done.........about 40% dirt. I hope my friend captured the route and can print it out for all of us. We rode in VA, TN and WV and found some sections crossing the mountains with 20 odd miles of dirt between pavement and not another vehicle in sight. Next spring I shall return; make that "next spring I HOPE to return".

So, Barrett, when you get a call from me to meet in east TN, be prepared for the best riding any where that I know of. You and Stickman and Ken.....and my friend, the federal LEO.

Come on down whenever you get a chance......I'll feed you.

[rreynold6]

Very enjoyable reading and the pics are great as usual! RF, you were the object of interest of what we know in the law enforcement profession as a "Holster Sniffer". They like to buy former LEO cars and pretend they are cops.Many join volunteer fire departments just to get a light of SOME kind to put on their car. (Nearly all volunteer firefighters are great folk and don't fit into this category). Many times they cut their hair short to look "squared away", take every opportunity to strike up conversations with LEOs and have usually applied for at least two police departments but couldn't make it past the interview/psychological exam. He was probably fantasizing about what he would do and say to you IF he was a real cop and trying to decide if he could get away with a bogus "stop" without getting reported and arrested. This creature is much more common than you would think. Just another example of native wildlife in America. FWIW, they do sometimes wig out and shoot people but it's not common.

[rob feature]

Well written and photographed; thanks for the joy it brought. I rode some of the same area as you did several weeks ago when I went to the "shiloh rally".

Now for what would be an illustrated ride report if I had taken pictures and knew how to present them. The reason that I did not attend, meaning cancelled, the LBL metrosocial event, and I still do not know what that means......I understand the ladybugs.......was that a committment that I had made re delivering a KLR to VA was called due. I picked that machine up in S.E. GA, loaded it onto the trailer with my XT 225 and went to Wytheville, VA, for two days of riding. Those two days provided about 130 miles of some of the best riding that I have ever done.........about 40% dirt. I hope my friend captured the route and can print it out for all of us. We rode in VA, TN and WV and found some sections crossing the mountains with 20 odd miles of dirt between pavement and not another vehicle in sight. Next spring I shall return; make that "next spring I HOPE to return".

So, Barrett, when you get a call from me to meet in east TN, be prepared for the best riding any where that I know of. You and Stickman and Ken.....and my friend, the federal LEO.

Come on down whenever you get a chance......I'll feed you.

Free food?!

Best riding in all of 80 years, eh? You got all that written down, right? This I gotta see! You really missed some clean times at LBL though...we got our share of showers...think it rained on me for 15 hours straight...hard. Everybody else showed up about when it was tapering off . I won't say you missed a monumental event, but you did miss an audible meteor and a few aliens. We coulda used your help with the camp host, though

[rob feature]

Very enjoyable reading and the pics are great as usual! RF, you were the object of interest of what we know in the law enforcement profession as a "Holster Sniffer". They like to buy former LEO cars and pretend they are cops.Many join volunteer fire departments just to get a light of SOME kind to put on their car. (Nearly all volunteer firefighters are great folk and don't fit into this category). Many times they cut their hair short to look "squared away", take every opportunity to strike up conversations with LEOs and have usually applied for at least two police departments but couldn't make it past the interview/psychological exam. He was probably fantasizing about what he would do and say to you IF he was a real cop and trying to decide if he could get away with a bogus "stop" without getting reported and arrested. This creature is much more common than you would think. Just another example of native wildlife in America. FWIW, they do sometimes wig out and shoot people but it's not common.

Thanks!

And spooky on the Holster Sniffer thing.

But it won't be the first time I've run into that. And the most memorable was a fireman...pulled me over in his personal vehicle because he didn't like my speed.

[2dogs1cat]

Looks like you started your own Rob Feature's Day Tripper Chronicles
Appreciate the photos (awesome fall colours) and glad you didn't go hungry. We had a dump of wet snow (sorry for swearing - snow; I won't say the 'S' word again) yesterday and today there's some still on the ground and roof tops. Noticed you didn't have any cold white stuff in your pictures, enjoy the dry tarmac while you can. We are expecting more day trips from you so keep them coming.....
Cheers
:^)

[GS George]

I really need to get back out here with decent glass

i find it really hard to go out on the bike with any of my good gear. not only does it take up too much room i hate having to take my helmet off anytime i want to take a pic. so i have been carrying a little P&S on the bike while the good stuff stays homes and collects dust. i have Canon camera's (20D & 1D) and a nice assortment of L glass but i am afraid to say it does not get used as much as it should.

[rob feature]

Looks like you started your own Rob Feature's Day Tripper Chronicles

Indeed. Now that we seem to be getting somewhat out of totalsaturationland, I'm trying to make up for lost time. Think I'll ride again today! Bicycle, but ride nonetheless

[rob feature]

I really need to get back out here with decent glass

i find it really hard to go out on the bike with any of my good gear. not only does it take up too much room i hate having to take my helmet off anytime i want to take a pic. so i have been carrying a little P&S on the bike while the good stuff stays homes and collects dust. i have Canon camera's (20D & 1D) and a nice assortment of L glass but i am afraid to say it does not get used as much as it should.

Yeah, I'm a long lens whore. But I almost never shoot my long lenses because I'm always riding . A body and long lens won't fit in the tankbag and I'd wanna use all kindsa cushy purpose-made foam for a pannier...seems kind of a waste for the occasional thing. No topbox. But even if I did have the particulars covered, I'm still not sure I'd wanna drag several thousand dollars worth of gear on a machine that vibrates so much and gets around so much dust, dirt, and water. Not to mention going into stores/restaurants, etc and knowing that I've left camera gear probably worth more than the bike lying around with only a zipper or a latch separating it from some thief's hands.

Subcompacts are perfect for the job...they're cheap and image quality is pretty damn good for the compromise. And looking over my current subcompact really well, it's a good thing I don't drag my good gear around...screen is busted, lens is starting to collect things, i/o door is gone, deep scratches, function keys rubbed down to mystery keys, sometimes the lens won't come out, etc. For a $300 camera that's been to 3 countries and easily logged 50k miles, it's easy to accept. The good stuff...it's now limited to car/foot/plane trips.

[Frostback]

Yep, RF, you do put a sharp point on the backerds ways of the deep south with those keen images, a good storytelling eye and experiences. Northerners would either be intimidated (run for it . . . HOLSTER SNIFFERS! )or wouldn't get it at all. Foreigners, like those from California and Texas would probably enjoy the Yalahama quaintness. Do we have any Albamanians on this site? May we receationally disparage? Heaven knows Texanians shouldn't get all that goodness

Regarding cottton, it is likely soils, especially if you got down to the black belt region (that refers to the soil quality BTW) cotton has some of the highest soil requirements in terms of light loamy and rich character (sounds like a beer ad) and for all the goodness in your home state, good soil is not among them outside of a few ribbons along the Tennessee River and such. Where small pockets of good soil did occur, or were produced with manuering etc, corn was grown by people like Ikes ancestors, for the producion of liquid products. Speaking of which, I would nominate the F650 as the ideal moonshiner motorcycle. Think about it, quiet, DS capable, able to go fast on pavement, good load capacity, good mileage, owners that never partake . . . OK, scratch that last attribute.

Lee

[IAM]

Ike doesn't have, and never did have, any ancestors.........and only a few descendants.

You folks here on these forums are my family; so be sweet to me.

[Flash 412 (CO)]

...the most memorable was a fireman...pulled me over in his personal vehicle because he didn't like my speed.

I'd suggest that if it happens again, take his picture and one of his car with the plate. Note the date, time and location. Then report him to the local mounties. They do NOT like folks pretending to have the powers that only THEY are spozed to have.

A guy from the coroner's office in Denver lost his job and faces felony impersonating a police officer charges for pulling over folks (in his CORONER van with the flashing lights) for driving too fast on "his" road this past summer.

Of course, you could simply tell him that you're gonna let him go THIS time, if he never does it again.

[fboldcrow]

Well written and photographed; thanks for the joy it brought. I rode some of the same area as you did several weeks ago when I went to the "shiloh rally".

Now for what would be an illustrated ride report if I had taken pictures and knew how to present them. The reason that I did not attend, meaning cancelled, the LBL metrosocial event, and I still do not know what that means......I understand the ladybugs.......was that a committment that I had made re delivering a KLR to VA was called due. I picked that machine up in S.E. GA, loaded it onto the trailer with my XT 225 and went to Wytheville, VA, for two days of riding. Those two days provided about 130 miles of some of the best riding that I have ever done.........about 40% dirt. I hope my friend captured the route and can print it out for all of us. We rode in VA, TN and WV and found some sections crossing the mountains with 20 odd miles of dirt between pavement and not another vehicle in sight. Next spring I shall return; make that "next spring I HOPE to return".

So, Barrett, when you get a call from me to meet in east TN, be prepared for the best riding any where that I know of. You and Stickman and Ken.....and my friend, the federal LEO.

Come on down whenever you get a chance......I'll feed you.

Free food?!

Best riding in all of 80 years, eh? You got all that written down, right? This I gotta see! You really missed some clean times at LBL though...we got our share of showers...think it rained on me for 15 hours straight...hard. Everybody else showed up about when it was tapering off . I won't say you missed a monumental event, but you did miss an audible meteor and a few aliens. We coulda used your help with the camp host, though

Well at least Ike had fun (best in 80 yrs, even with the cross country run,WOW!) in his absense from being in on the wet stuff, Barrett how did all the feathered friends flying around shots turn out? You only showed one shot. I had a real nice time coming home from KY but just had time to do some twisties here yesterday going to get our monthly run of fine meats from the country butcher shop. Freaks out people leaving the store with a cart full of meat and a helmet, the little clerk with asll her piercings lost interest when I told her I had a BMW, The lady following me in line came out amazed and watched as I fit it all into the Jesse's. Thanks to blue ice all is well, guess I have to bring the camera next time. Nice job with the pics here and I'll post the others I took when I have more time on the site, is there a way to post multiple pics from smugmug at one time?
Thanks,
Frank