RTE - D&H Cycles and All-Steak Restaurant
Above, from L to R Griff, Unclehud, Cav47 and FJRBandit
First, let me say, thanks to the three great guys in the photo above that made this memorable ride possible. For those that didn't make it you missed a great time and I hope you can work it into your schedule next time.
I also have to say Griff is an animal! He left upstate South Carolina this morning at 3:45 am EST and I just read that he safely returned home at 10:00 pm EST this evening after 750 total miles today. All four of the guys in the picture above are IBA certified but that 750 he laid down today I assure you was much tougher than most 1,000 mile days many of us did to earn our first IBA certificate. On top of that, as many of you already know, he's just a first class individual, as are both of the other two fellows in that photo with me.
My portion of the ride started out yesterday (Friday) around 1 pm from my house. I planned to head to Little River Canyon and find some dirt to put the V-strom in. It was a beautiful, cloudless 65 degrees. Although the wind was whipping at times the Strom performed flawlessly as usual. It's taking me a little time to get used to the Kenda Big Blocks I recently had installed. They're 50/50 dirt/street tires and something I'm just not used to on the pavement yet, but they saved my ass late yesterday as I'll explain later. My plan was to meet Cav47 in Monteagle, TN for the night, enjoy a down home country dinner at Jim Oliver's Smokehouse and then the two of us planned to meet Unclehud and Griff Saturday morning in Scottsboro, AL, ride to Cullman, AL visit D&H Cyles then have lunch at the famous All-Steak Restaurant. Everything went off like clockwork! Great ride, great peeps and great food. It's hard to beat that combination my friends.
On with the show....
Rolling up I-59 outside of Gadsden, AL
Then some pretty sights along the very sparsely traveled Lookout Mountain Parkway.
I made a stop at the most incredible furniture store in Dogtown, AL, of all places! My wife and I are getting ready to deck out a small get away apartment at our "farm" in Jemison, AL. So I need to find a few pieces to fit the bill. While this picture doesn't even begin to tell the story, Akins Furniture Store is a sight to behold. I'm not sure how many square feet the multiple buildings the store is comprised of adds up to but the place will blow your mind! To top it off, it is located in one of THE most remotes spots in all of the entire state Alabama. If you are ever in the Ft. Payne / Little River Canyon area I encourage you to stop in to simply check the place out. I think you'll be amazed!
Then it was on to Little River Canyon National Preserve.
After an awesome ride up the gorgeous AL 176 that follows the rim of the Little River Canyon, with several scenic overlooks, I crossed AL 35 and went in search of the dirt. What I found was some beautiful houses situated along a picturesque creek that flows into the Little River not far from this site.
Then on to the dirt. Did I mention I love the V-strom?? With the strom my motto is, the ride doesn't end when the pavement does.
It's one of the most enjoyable types of riding I do, getting out in the wilderness and just cruising around on these backwoods dirt roads. I find that the national forest roads are the ones I like best, usually fairly well maintained and always in remote locations. Little River Canyon was only recently designated a national preserve so I'm sure they're still fighting their way for proper funding. But one day this area will be a jewel in the park system. It's way too beautiful not to be!
The mud hole above was a fun crossing. But not long after that I hit some single track ruts that just about put me on my ass. Had I been on typical 80/20 V-strom tires, ie; Battlewings or Anakees I would have been in trouble. It was pushing 4:30 and there was no one else in the woods. I was out of cell range and had I gone down I would have had a tough time getting the big pig back on it's feet. But the Kenda's took a big bite and kept me upright. I'm a believer and they're cheap! I was a little too panicked to remember to take a picture. Apologies...
However, since I was able to continue on my way I got some other goodies for you!
Close your eyes if you are easily offended....
Then the sun began to say good night.
I made my way on to Monteagle and not log after I arrived Cav47 came rolling in from Illinois. I doubted he had as wonderful of an afternoon ride as I had but I was glad he made it in safe. We chatted a few minutes and headed over to the Smokehouse next door to hit the buffet of Southerness! Cav was responsible for the pornographic photos of our meal so I'll leave those up to him to share with you when he gets home tomorrow.
We sat an enjoyed our catfish, pulled pork, beef stew, cornbread, mash potatoes, turnip greens, bread pudding and FRIED PIE! All the while, there was live music in the next room with guys and their uprights pickin' and grinnin'.
We polished the wonderful day off with a nightcap of Jim Beam Maple. If you haven't had it before I think you'll find that it's somewhat akin to consuming a pancake covered in maple syrup - in liquid form. Actually, it's very tasty! One on the rocks set me in for the night.
Next up, on to D&H.
. Probably would if I'd leave that $500 deposit.
