SFO 2016 - Oct. 27th thru Oct. 30th in Jemison, Alabama!

[hppants]

Josh, mark, and I had about 325 miles of north Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee twisties today. What a great ride. We were a little late getting back to the campground, and the forest rats spooked me a bit. But no harm no foul and I'm finishing off the last of my tequila with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Tomorrow, as much as I hate to admit It, I have to start heading southwest. Not sure I will make it home. But if has been a wonderful trip. Just fantastic.

Josh heads northwest to home tomorrow.

Not sure what mark will do - he's planning very loosely right now.

Ride report will be coming. Stay thirsty my friends.

 

[hppants]

Not quite home yet. Got a room in Philadelphia, MS. Just didn't feel like pushing it. About 5 hours tomorrow and I will wrap this one up.

Boy it's hot down here, even for this time of year.

 

[FJRBandit]

Nice video Doug!

For those that aren't aware, that road is a scenic byway that runs approximately 40 miles along a ridgeline from Cheaha State Park to Heflin, AL. The pavement was redone in the past six months or so and was in about as perfect condition as pavement can be. While there really isn't much in the way of technical twisties, the road can get a little complicated the more you twist the throttle. I've heard more than one person in my life refer to that road as being built for the FJR - or vice versus. We had run it up to Heflin for lunch and back the day before, so most everyone had a chance to get comfortable on it prior to this run.

Then on Saturday, Pants led the way and as you can see about mid-way through the second video the entire group pulled away from the stop sign at the end of the run within about 20 seconds of Doug pulling up to stop. A local buddy of mine who is one of the finest riders I know was at the tail end of that run. He commented to me later on just how impressed he was with our group and their riding prowess. Especially at just how smooth the entire group was running at the speeds we were running down AL 281. It was a beautiful thing for sure! Thanks for capturing a slice of that for us Doug!

 

[hppants]

I'll echo Turks' comments - from a riding perspective, this weekend was quite impressive to me. First, we were a HUGE group. 20 bikes is a herd of cats - no doubt about it. Second, most of us had never met before in person, certainly never ridden motorcycles together. That kind of chemistry usually takes time. But on Friday, we rode around 250 miles, staying together quite a bit. Then on Saturday (many of us fighting, ahem.... "cotton mouth"), we did again, only this time we stayed together all day. At each stop, no one was left behind, and no one was held up. The faster riders made their way to the front, and the slower riders pulled back to a pace they were more comfortable with.

I was honored to lead the group quite a bit and thoroughly enjoyed it. At times as I crested a hill with some straight pavement behind me, it was so cool to check my mirrors and see everyone having fun behind me. At other times, as we run through a sequence of curves, the "snake" of bikes behind me, each holding beautiful lines through the curves, was very cool. We tried to stop often and at a diversity of places to give everyone something to enjoy. At "mount up" time, everyone was so efficient - I was so impressed by that. I told Turk on Saturday that if I had to lead a group of 20 bikers back home, we'd be lucky to get out of town before lunch.

About 20 miles into the first day, it was crystal clear to me that this group of motorcyclists knows how to ride.

I plan to write more about this in my ride report. I have some more thoughts to share.

 

[FJRBandit]

Here are the two routes we chose for Friday and Saturday. Given the large group we had to somewhat limit the number of turns and intersections, so we didn't delve quite as deep as we could have. But both days were great rides. I'm also posting the google map links so that you can zoom in and maybe study some variations for yourself next time you are in the area. Just cliky on the day...

Friday

Saturday

 

[natehawk750]

Nice Routes Turk but I belive everyone will agree that all you have to remember from the weekend is... 281! LOL

It was great meeting everyone. I'm one that falls in to the category of not knowing anyone showing up to this gathering and I can definitely say I had a blast. Showed up Thursday only knowing Pantsman and rode away Sunday morning having made several friends and planing 2 trips!

Great weekend altogether go ahead and sign me up for the next one.

 

[Kaismo]

281 was the closest thing to a race track surface with a few cars throw in the mix. Way too much fun and I look forward to my next trip/visit to Alabama. PS. Look it is Nate (Mr. Bat out of Hell).

 

[E.T.]

Thanks for posting the routes for Friday and Saturday Turk. I said I would get those routes posted, but, I had no luck duplicating the routes from Spotwalla. I'm blaming my Chrome/Linux setup. I will keep trying for a bit tho.... ya never know.

Thanks to all those that helped make this shindig happen and to those that showed up. It was a memory maker and event that will be hard to beat.

I can't remember the last time I felt so..... at home, and treated like an ol' friend, a precious feeling. WOW

My heartfelt thanks, Turk(key) and Jana.

 

[Poolboytoo]

I also would like to thank Mr.and Mrs. Bandit for one of the best rallies I've have been to. I felt at home from the moment I pulled up the drive. I can't say enough about the next couple days with pants and cav. Those two boys can freakin ride. After we parted I spent couple days with my nephew and toured the space museum and had to go back to barber and tour the bike museum. Headed home and said to myself... self.. You have never been to Texas or Oklahoma and really need to check these off the been there map. So after a slight detour I now set at my favour camp spot in Arkansas, shady oaks, just south of Harrison,AR. Yes I had pie at oark cafe. Head home Sunday morning.

 

[FJRfarrier]

I had a great time! Got to meet many of my forum idols! Working on a RR now- running a little behind. (THAT'S why I like writing them during the trip!!!)

And I'm also looking for some of the group pictures that were taken- especially the Barber group shot. Need some more pics for Beemerdon's travel book. If you've got a pic or two- I would love to have a copy of them. Email would be great- just let me know. Thanks!

Thanks to Bandit and the Mrs. --> What lovely hosts with that real southern hospitality! And thanks to Pants and a few of the others for providing splendid routes and ride leaders. And big thanks to Redfish for being able to show up. Even if it was just for the evening.

And of course- everyone else who was there and chatted and rode and enjoyed themselves. That's why we do what we do!!

And you can bet your britches I'm in for the next one....!!!!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I had a great time! Got to meet many of my forum idols!
And big thanks to Redfish for being able to show up. Even if it was just for the evening.

And you can bet your britches I'm in for the next one....!!!!

My dear Farrier,

You must realize by now that YOU have become a "forum idol".

Knowing I had only one night to meet and visit it was not "worth it" for me to ride all the way up there. Yeah, I wanted to meet FJRBandit and several others. Yeah, Pop needed to go ride somewhere. But work, marriage, fatherhood, flood rebuilding all needed my attention. The flood rebuilding in particular has taken a toll on me. I had all but decided I was not going.

But remembering the missed opportunities to meet some of my "forum idols" and seeing those doors closed forever... I decided that if I only met one person and even if I only had a few minutes to chat, I was going to meet FJRFarrier and tell her in person how wonderful she was.

You were definitely worth my trip. And everyone else was wonderful too.

 

[FJRBandit]

I had a great time! Got to meet many of my forum idols!
And big thanks to Redfish for being able to show up. Even if it was just for the evening.

And you can bet your britches I'm in for the next one....!!!!

My dear Farrier,

You must realize by now that YOU have become a "forum idol".

Knowing I had only one night to meet and visit it was not "worth it" for me to ride all the way up there. Yeah, I wanted to meet FJRBandit and several others. Yeah, Pop needed to go ride somewhere. But work, marriage, fatherhood, flood rebuilding all needed my attention. The flood rebuilding in particular has taken a toll on me. I had all but decided I was not going.

But remembering the missed opportunities to meet some of my "forum idols" and seeing those doors closed forever... I decided that if I only met one person and even if I only had a few minutes to chat, I was going to meet FJRFarrier and tell her in person how wonderful she was.

You were definitely worth my trip. And everyone else was wonderful too.

RHF - given all that has been going on in your world I know it was not the best of timing for you. But thank you for making it happen! It was great to finally meet you, and what a pleasure it was for me to get to spend a little bit of time with Pop. I don't have to tell you what a fortunate person you are to call him father. My apologies for not being able to strike out with you guys the next day. I would have loved to have spent the day riding with all of you. Hopefully soon things will calm down a bit for us both and we can get out for a little weekend ride.

Also, I'll second your comments on FJFFarrier. That young lady truly is a wonderful person and I am thrilled that she decided to make it down. She is my forum "idol" too!

Thanks again to everyone who made the effort to make it to SFO this year. Your attendance is what made it the success it was and hopefully we'll be able to make it happen again next year.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Pop and I cannot express how impressed we were with that entire situation. We pride ourselves on our Southern Hospitality but the Bandit Family is in a league of their own.

Pop and I rode under a cloud of guilt Sunday. We both felt very strongly that we should have been helping the Bandits clean up the aftermath. We are in agreement that if we are able to make it next year things are going to have to be done differently.

 

[GPRIDER]

Looking forward to next year. Farrier, I hope you do make it down again. Very nice to meet you and you have gained another fan. Ha! Turk, thanks again for the great party. It has to go down as one of the best SFO get togethers.

GP

 

[FJRBandit]

I posted this in the Home Safe thread and only heard from a couple of people. In the event you haven't seen it -

LA2wheeler came up with an idea and wanted to have a sticker to commemorate SFO 2016. I drew it up and have ordered 30 stickers. The stickers are only 1.75 inches in diameter so they should fit on the rear mud flap nicely and with the black background, just have the text and flag that stands out. If anyone wants one just shoot me a PM with your mailing address.

We can also use it for the sig line rally icon, just need someone to shrink it down to the appropriate size - please.....

 

[FJRBandit]

For those patiently awaiting the SFO sticker, I was promised delivery by 11/21 and that didn't happen. Notified the company today and was told they would reprint and send them out expedited. Received word that delivery was now 12/2. Hopefully they'll be waiting on me when we return from the Eastern Caribbean (can you say, 8 days on the Carnival Magic?)

.

BTW - still need someone to reduce the sticker gif size so that we can use it on the sig line.... come on you technical whizzes!!!

 

[creg-ny-baa]

In an idle moment at work yesterday, I was transported back to chasing hppants, cornbread, Cav47 and the rest down 281.

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Pretty much the highlight of my riding year.

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Sign me up for the next version!!!

 

[FJRBandit]

So, we got home this past weekend from an awesome eight day cruise to the Lesser Antillies to finally find the SFO stickers in the mailbox. The design of the sticker was intentionally small so that it could fit on the rear mudflap. Here it is installed on my bike...

As I previously noted, I ordered 30 stickers and all you have to do to get one is send me a PM with your mailing address. I've received a few request already and those will be going out in the mail very soon. If anyone else wants one just let me know.

 

[Cav47]

So, we got home this past weekend from an awesome eight day cruise to the Lesser Antillies to finally find the SFO stickers in the mailbox. The design of the sticker was intentionally small so that it could fit on the rear mudflap. Here it is installed on my bike...

As I previously noted, I ordered 30 stickers and all you have to do to get one is send me a PM with your mailing address. I've received a few request already and those will be going out in the mail very soon. If anyone else wants one just let me kn

Those are stellar. Thanks Turk!

 

[bamanerd]

I realize this is an old(ish) post, but I wanted to say hello anyway, and say that I hope everyone had a great ride. I'm a little jealous. I bought my FJR last month, so I missed all of the 2016 rides. Definitely looking forward to 2017!

FJRBandit- I grew up in Chilton County, Clanton/Verbena to be exact, and I'm living up here in Moody now. Next time you throw one of these together, I'll definitely be there. Very much looking forward to it!