FJRBandit
Well-known member
Back by popular demand, we'll hold SFO in ALABAMA again this year. As many learned last year, there is actually some decent riding around the state of Alabama. While certainly not on par with the Ozarks or the Smokies, there are areas with some nice elevation changes, sweepers and even a few areas with some technical riding. I still find it hard to promote my state for a rally to guys that I know want to do some intense twisty butt riding all day (like I love to do as well). But, again, as long as everyone knows the score, Mrs. Bandit and I are game with hosting the event at my property in Jemison, Alabama.
I will be posting this over on the fjrowners and fjriders forums. This event is wide open to all, it doesn't have to be FJR only. So tell your non-FJR buddies as well. Generally folks just need to be sport/adventure tour minded and you are welcome! So on with the plan -----
The Weekend
This event will be held Thursday, Oct. 26th - Sunday October 29th. Although we experienced temps in the lower 80's last year, October in Alabama is usually perfect for riding and camping. Minimal rain, crisp cool autumn mornings and pleasant afternoon temps, makes for some fun times. We can expect daytime highs in the mid 60's to low 70's and evening lows ranging somewhere in the 40's. Just perfect!
The Location
My property is located in Jemison, AL, which is only about 30 miles south of the Birmingham suburbs. It's only one mile off of Interstate 65 at Exit 219. The site is located on 21 wooded acres of serenity and is ideal for camping, grilling and chilling.
Directions from Exit 219 to the property
Eats and Entertainment
Just as last year, after we return from riding, we'll have a catered BBQ one night and hopefully another low country shrimp boil the other night. Also, I have arranged for Allen Barlow to return as our live entertainment for one of the evenings. I have also asked Allen to include his side kick, Jon Campbell this year. If you enjoyed last year's solo show, the duo will blow you away! If you enjoy great blues and classic rock, this alone will be worth the price of admission.
So what is the price of admission you ask? Let's plan on $60 per person this year, whether staying onsite or at the hotel. I may have to "pass the hat" to offset the costs of the band and in the event we have to rent a large van for the "tipsey taxi" to and from the hotel, but that will all be based on turn out. Right now, basing everything off what we did last year, $60 per head should about cover all of the costs. (BTW - a big thanks to those that contributed more than the requested amount!!! That really helped offset some of the unexpected costs)
Method of payment - either cash or Pay Pal. [email protected] Feel free to wait until a month or so before the event to send payment.
Accommodations - Tent Campers
Just as last year, my property will be open and available for tent campers. I have plenty of space for as many tent campers as could even possibly show up. There is at least an acre of wooded area that is cleared out, grubbed and generally level. If you are camping you shouldn't have any trouble finding an ideal spot!
For those that prefer not to camp outdoors, I have a large metal building that has a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment built inside. It is complete with a full eat-in kitchen and a full bathroom. While I will be utilizing the one bedroom in the apartment, those that don't want to camp are welcomed to use the large shop area inside the larger building if you just want to throw down an air mattress. It's certainly not Holiday Inn but at least it will provide free sheltered "accommodations" and can be used by the tent campers in the unlikely event of inclement weather.
If demand requires I'll rent a porta potty for the weekend since my apartment onsite only has one bathroom. While everyone is welcomed to use the facilities in the apartment, it will just be a space available issue. And you better keep it clean, or my wife will kick your ass!
Accommodations - Hotel
For those like me that need a real bed, I have arranged for a group rate at a hotel about 15 minutes away on Interstate-65. I will also arrange for transportation to and from the hotel in the evenings after we get back from riding so that you can enjoy a few adult beverages and not have to be on the bike to and from the evening festivities at the property.
The hotel recommendation is the Inn of Clanton, same place as last year. I received no negative feedback on the place and the most current reviews on Google seem to support that nothing has changed. It's no frills, but clean, reportedly comfortable and the price is right. They have a mini fridge in each room and the price includes a FULL breakfast from the breakfast bar at Shoney's Restaurant next door to the hotel.
The price is $54 plus tax for a single and $62 plus tax for a double (they have to charge the extra $8 for the second person in the room due to the breakfast charge). The total with tax is $61.56 for a single and $70.68 for two people in a room.
Inn of Clanton
946 Lake Mitchell Road
Clanton, AL 35045
205-755-7829
I 65 - Exit 208
Current List of Attendees - (as of October 18, 2017, tallied from the input thread on each of the forums, and personal contact)
fjrbandit and Mrs. Bandit - owner's cabin
Doug36854 - camping
fjrfarrier - camping
natehawk750 - camping
Poolboy - camping
Uncle Hud - camping
graler - camping
GixxerJasen - camping
Hondapotamus - camping
Top_Speed1 (KJ & Debbie) - toy hauler / camping
CraigRegs - camping
Cav47 - camping (strong maybe)
Kaismo - hotel
cornbread - hotel
LA2wheeler - hotel
winewhisperer - hotel
GPrider - hotel
Tyler - hotel
Redfish Hunter & Pop - hotel
Festar - hotel
BigJohn - hotel
AbercrombieFJR
dsbiker and Ms. dsbiker - hotel
0Face - hotel
creg-ny-baa - hotel
senecahome - hotel
Reborn Rider - hotel
BMWDave - hotel
Allen_C - hotel
NTXFJR
The still Maybes/Hopefuls -
hotrodzilla
dingrr
YOUR NAME HERE*****
A couple of other local riders not on either forum will be in attendance.
Should you require additional info, post up here or shoot me a PM. Also, if you would like input on route planning just give me a shout.
BTW - for the naturist in our midst, I ran across this article in our local "paper". Five of the seven locations are within a round trip day ride of Jemison. https://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/03/7_natural_alabama_oddities_you.html
I will be posting this over on the fjrowners and fjriders forums. This event is wide open to all, it doesn't have to be FJR only. So tell your non-FJR buddies as well. Generally folks just need to be sport/adventure tour minded and you are welcome! So on with the plan -----
The Weekend
This event will be held Thursday, Oct. 26th - Sunday October 29th. Although we experienced temps in the lower 80's last year, October in Alabama is usually perfect for riding and camping. Minimal rain, crisp cool autumn mornings and pleasant afternoon temps, makes for some fun times. We can expect daytime highs in the mid 60's to low 70's and evening lows ranging somewhere in the 40's. Just perfect!
The Location
My property is located in Jemison, AL, which is only about 30 miles south of the Birmingham suburbs. It's only one mile off of Interstate 65 at Exit 219. The site is located on 21 wooded acres of serenity and is ideal for camping, grilling and chilling.
Directions from Exit 219 to the property
Eats and Entertainment
Just as last year, after we return from riding, we'll have a catered BBQ one night and hopefully another low country shrimp boil the other night. Also, I have arranged for Allen Barlow to return as our live entertainment for one of the evenings. I have also asked Allen to include his side kick, Jon Campbell this year. If you enjoyed last year's solo show, the duo will blow you away! If you enjoy great blues and classic rock, this alone will be worth the price of admission.
So what is the price of admission you ask? Let's plan on $60 per person this year, whether staying onsite or at the hotel. I may have to "pass the hat" to offset the costs of the band and in the event we have to rent a large van for the "tipsey taxi" to and from the hotel, but that will all be based on turn out. Right now, basing everything off what we did last year, $60 per head should about cover all of the costs. (BTW - a big thanks to those that contributed more than the requested amount!!! That really helped offset some of the unexpected costs)
Method of payment - either cash or Pay Pal. [email protected] Feel free to wait until a month or so before the event to send payment.
Accommodations - Tent Campers
Just as last year, my property will be open and available for tent campers. I have plenty of space for as many tent campers as could even possibly show up. There is at least an acre of wooded area that is cleared out, grubbed and generally level. If you are camping you shouldn't have any trouble finding an ideal spot!
For those that prefer not to camp outdoors, I have a large metal building that has a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment built inside. It is complete with a full eat-in kitchen and a full bathroom. While I will be utilizing the one bedroom in the apartment, those that don't want to camp are welcomed to use the large shop area inside the larger building if you just want to throw down an air mattress. It's certainly not Holiday Inn but at least it will provide free sheltered "accommodations" and can be used by the tent campers in the unlikely event of inclement weather.
If demand requires I'll rent a porta potty for the weekend since my apartment onsite only has one bathroom. While everyone is welcomed to use the facilities in the apartment, it will just be a space available issue. And you better keep it clean, or my wife will kick your ass!
Accommodations - Hotel
For those like me that need a real bed, I have arranged for a group rate at a hotel about 15 minutes away on Interstate-65. I will also arrange for transportation to and from the hotel in the evenings after we get back from riding so that you can enjoy a few adult beverages and not have to be on the bike to and from the evening festivities at the property.
The hotel recommendation is the Inn of Clanton, same place as last year. I received no negative feedback on the place and the most current reviews on Google seem to support that nothing has changed. It's no frills, but clean, reportedly comfortable and the price is right. They have a mini fridge in each room and the price includes a FULL breakfast from the breakfast bar at Shoney's Restaurant next door to the hotel.
The price is $54 plus tax for a single and $62 plus tax for a double (they have to charge the extra $8 for the second person in the room due to the breakfast charge). The total with tax is $61.56 for a single and $70.68 for two people in a room.
Inn of Clanton
946 Lake Mitchell Road
Clanton, AL 35045
205-755-7829
I 65 - Exit 208
Current List of Attendees - (as of October 18, 2017, tallied from the input thread on each of the forums, and personal contact)
fjrbandit and Mrs. Bandit - owner's cabin
Doug36854 - camping
fjrfarrier - camping
natehawk750 - camping
Poolboy - camping
Uncle Hud - camping
graler - camping
GixxerJasen - camping
Hondapotamus - camping
Top_Speed1 (KJ & Debbie) - toy hauler / camping
CraigRegs - camping
Cav47 - camping (strong maybe)
Kaismo - hotel
cornbread - hotel
LA2wheeler - hotel
winewhisperer - hotel
GPrider - hotel
Tyler - hotel
Redfish Hunter & Pop - hotel
Festar - hotel
BigJohn - hotel
AbercrombieFJR
dsbiker and Ms. dsbiker - hotel
0Face - hotel
creg-ny-baa - hotel
senecahome - hotel
Reborn Rider - hotel
BMWDave - hotel
Allen_C - hotel
NTXFJR
The still Maybes/Hopefuls -
hotrodzilla
dingrr
YOUR NAME HERE*****
A couple of other local riders not on either forum will be in attendance.
Should you require additional info, post up here or shoot me a PM. Also, if you would like input on route planning just give me a shout.
BTW - for the naturist in our midst, I ran across this article in our local "paper". Five of the seven locations are within a round trip day ride of Jemison. https://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/03/7_natural_alabama_oddities_you.html
Last edited by a moderator:
