FJRBandit
Well-known member
UPDATED with attendees list- current as of 10/17/16
Yep, you read it right, ALABAMA! Everyone loves to ride the Ozarks, but some folks wanted a little change of scenery this year. There was even a bit of animosity that we've never done an FJR rally in Alabama.
Shocking I know, but believe it or not 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 a few areas with some technical riding. I pretty well know the entire northern two-thirds of the state like the back of my hand. I also know most all of the (good) bbq joints, hamburger spots and of course good ole' beer drinkin' joints. Anyway, I guess what I am saying is, it's 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 I guess as long as everyone knows the score, I am game in hosting an event at my property in Jemison, Alabama.
I have also posted this over on the fjrowners forum. There seems to be a bit of interest over there so we're pushing forward. This will be 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. 27th - Sunday October 30th. 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!
In the evenings after we return from riding, we'll either grill out or I will arrange to have a catered BBQ. This will depend on how many people we have attending. While there is no "rally fee" the cost for the dinners will only be whatever our food bill is divided by the number of attendees. My guess is that will be in the neighborhood of $10-15 per evening.
Also, I'm going to try to put together some live entertainment for one of the evenings, most likely Friday night. I have a couple of buddies who are excellent musicians. They are very active locally with regular gigs. But as long as their calendars cooperate I plan to have them come out and do some picking for us while we grill out and enjoy the beautiful evening around the campfire. If you enjoy great blues and classic rock, this alone will be worth the price of admission, which has been estimated at $0.
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
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, 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.
For those like me that need a real bed, I should be able to arrange for a group rate at a hotel about 15 minutes away on Interstate-65. My guess is I can get a group rate in the $65-75 range. 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.
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!
The Riding and other Area Attractions
There is good riding within minutes from my property, but the better riding is within an hour to an hour and a half up near Cheaha State Park and other points along the way. Also within an hour of my property is the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum. Barber can be built into a loop that involves the Cheaha State Park area riding, to make a full day of activities including good riding and visiting the museum, for those that haven't visited Barber and would like to.
There are other areas of good riding to the west. It's some good rural back country riding in that direction, or even points to the east have some really good rural, scenic riding. Also there is a national forest nearby that has well maintained forestry roads for those that want to bring their dual sports and enjoy a little that nature has to offer. I have a couple of V-stroms at present that I might be willing to "share" with those that want to go in that direction and aren't on their own dual sport bike.
For those that want to get up and really get after it one day, I can put together a ride up to the Ft. Payne/Little River Canyon area for you. Anyway, there are plenty of options, as long as you don't expect to ride the Dragon for three days.
Reservations
If you would like to attend please post up here and let me know if you are planning to tent camp or get a hotel room. As far as the tent campers are concerned, there is plenty of space. I just need to get a feel of how many of those we'll have so that I can set up a port-a-potty if necessary.
As far as hotels are concerned, there is a Quality Inn and a Hampton Inn located at the Calera exit, 12 miles north of Jemison and there is Holiday Inn Express, Best Western and Days Inn 14 miles to the south at the Clanton exit. Once I get a feel for how many rooms we'll need I'll get that all set up and let everyone make their own reservations directly with the motel that is selected.
As it stands there are seven or eight folks that are generally committed. It doesn't have to be a big thing and it doesn't have to be a small thing, we're going to have a good time either way!
Here's the current list by my count -
fjrbandit and Mrs. Bandit - owner's cabin
Committed from fjrowners.com
Doug36854 - possibly camping / hotel if boss says so!
Roadtrip - hotel
oldironsights - hotel
r.horsch
Victor Sierra
N4HHE
OneMoreTime
coondawg07 plus one- camping Friday (maybe) and Saturday night (definite)
From fjrforum.com
stose85 - camping
hppants plus one- camping
fjrfarrier - quasi camping
bseelbach -camping
poolboytoo - camping
Cav47??? - camping
cornbread - hotel
LA2wheeler - hotel
winewhisperer - hotel
GPrider - hotel
E.T. - hotel
creg-ny-baa - hotel
Maybees -
griff - hotel
twisted cricket
Also, four or five other local riders not on either forum will be in attendance.
Yep, you read it right, ALABAMA! Everyone loves to ride the Ozarks, but some folks wanted a little change of scenery this year. There was even a bit of animosity that we've never done an FJR rally in Alabama.
I have also posted this over on the fjrowners forum. There seems to be a bit of interest over there so we're pushing forward. This will be 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. 27th - Sunday October 30th. 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!
In the evenings after we return from riding, we'll either grill out or I will arrange to have a catered BBQ. This will depend on how many people we have attending. While there is no "rally fee" the cost for the dinners will only be whatever our food bill is divided by the number of attendees. My guess is that will be in the neighborhood of $10-15 per evening.
Also, I'm going to try to put together some live entertainment for one of the evenings, most likely Friday night. I have a couple of buddies who are excellent musicians. They are very active locally with regular gigs. But as long as their calendars cooperate I plan to have them come out and do some picking for us while we grill out and enjoy the beautiful evening around the campfire. If you enjoy great blues and classic rock, this alone will be worth the price of admission, which has been estimated at $0.
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
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, 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.
For those like me that need a real bed, I should be able to arrange for a group rate at a hotel about 15 minutes away on Interstate-65. My guess is I can get a group rate in the $65-75 range. 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.
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!
The Riding and other Area Attractions
There is good riding within minutes from my property, but the better riding is within an hour to an hour and a half up near Cheaha State Park and other points along the way. Also within an hour of my property is the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum. Barber can be built into a loop that involves the Cheaha State Park area riding, to make a full day of activities including good riding and visiting the museum, for those that haven't visited Barber and would like to.
There are other areas of good riding to the west. It's some good rural back country riding in that direction, or even points to the east have some really good rural, scenic riding. Also there is a national forest nearby that has well maintained forestry roads for those that want to bring their dual sports and enjoy a little that nature has to offer. I have a couple of V-stroms at present that I might be willing to "share" with those that want to go in that direction and aren't on their own dual sport bike.
For those that want to get up and really get after it one day, I can put together a ride up to the Ft. Payne/Little River Canyon area for you. Anyway, there are plenty of options, as long as you don't expect to ride the Dragon for three days.
Reservations
If you would like to attend please post up here and let me know if you are planning to tent camp or get a hotel room. As far as the tent campers are concerned, there is plenty of space. I just need to get a feel of how many of those we'll have so that I can set up a port-a-potty if necessary.
As far as hotels are concerned, there is a Quality Inn and a Hampton Inn located at the Calera exit, 12 miles north of Jemison and there is Holiday Inn Express, Best Western and Days Inn 14 miles to the south at the Clanton exit. Once I get a feel for how many rooms we'll need I'll get that all set up and let everyone make their own reservations directly with the motel that is selected.
As it stands there are seven or eight folks that are generally committed. It doesn't have to be a big thing and it doesn't have to be a small thing, we're going to have a good time either way!
Here's the current list by my count -
fjrbandit and Mrs. Bandit - owner's cabin
Committed from fjrowners.com
Doug36854 - possibly camping / hotel if boss says so!
Roadtrip - hotel
oldironsights - hotel
r.horsch
Victor Sierra
N4HHE
OneMoreTime
coondawg07 plus one- camping Friday (maybe) and Saturday night (definite)
From fjrforum.com
stose85 - camping
hppants plus one- camping
fjrfarrier - quasi camping
bseelbach -camping
poolboytoo - camping
Cav47??? - camping
cornbread - hotel
LA2wheeler - hotel
winewhisperer - hotel
GPrider - hotel
E.T. - hotel
creg-ny-baa - hotel
Maybees -
griff - hotel
twisted cricket
Also, four or five other local riders not on either forum will be in attendance.
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