Well, Jen and I had been thinking of a great ride to take that would get us some seriuos miles and a good days riding in during this long weekend. We decided that it would be to Patti's Settlement in Grand River, KY. Now, if you have never been to Patti's and you are within a days ride of there, you might want to consider a ride over for one of there world famous 2" think pork chop that will melt in your mouth. They also have some of the biggest pieces of cake that I have ever seen on a plate.
I posted my ride plans on our local chapter chat board and got a few takers for the journey. Steve and Jan, there friend and now our friend Randy, as well as a new rider to our group, Alison. After a short breakfast at Hardee's for a little body fuel, it was off on Hwy 96. It was 4 bikes and 6 souls headed on a long days adventure. We took hwy 96 through Franklin and up to Fairview where we headed north to Clarksville. Once we took a short break in Clarksville it was off to Dover and the Trace that will take us the 40+ miles through LBL(Land Between the Lakes). This is a beautiful ride through LBL which takes us into KY after about 20 miles and on to Grand Rivers. Once at Patti's it was time to put on the feed bag again for an awesome lunch. Now, I want to tell you about the cheese sticks appetizer. This had to be some of the biggest dawgone cheese sticks that I have ever seen. They were as big as a brautwurst. Deep fried with a real crispy outer shell and probably half a pound of mozarella in each one. Damn, they were good!
Now this journey started out at about 8:30 am and it was now 3:30 by the time we were fueled up and headed back towards home. We had nearly 200 miles yet to ride and dark thirty was going to catch us before we could get home. Once we were back down the Trace to Dover and we caught Hwy 48 which took us south down through some awesome backroads and little communities and eventually into Dickson. We then caught Hwy 46 S. out of Dickson and down until it turned into Hwy 7. Once we passed the Nathez Trace Pkwy it was a turn left on a breathe taking road that winds through some of the most beautiful country side in middle TN. This also called for a stop at the little country store in Leipers Fork for a cold drink and a snack, as most of us were still about to pop from the lunch at Patti's( and those huge cheese sticks!). Now there was music and people every where in Leipers Fork as it is Saturday night and this little nole in the road turns into the happening place on the weekends and holidays.
Regretfully this is where we headed home on Hwy 96 from Franklin and once in the Boro the riders start peeling off in the direction of home and the day comes to an end as the sun has set on our backs and has been gone for almost an hour. Once home Jen and I peel our butts out of the saddle and into the house as another great day of riding is in the books. We road 380 miles today and got to spend it with some great new found friends that I am sure we will spend many a day in the future together riding some more.
Sorry we missed you Ron, I thought about you and the 2" pork chop. We will make this ride again soon.
Brian
Monday, May 26, 2008
A Relaxing Afternoon Amongst Friends
Well the day started with me finally out of Jury Duty and the whole day to waste on riding and relaxing before heading back to work after 7 long weeks of Jury Duty. I was trying to think about what to do today, when it struck me that my pal Ron was off for vacation and was probably going to ride somewhere. After a text message or two and it was decided that Ron needed a short power nap since he had been burning the midnight oil. At around 11:30 I gave Ron another text and from there it was a fact that Ron and I would be riding somewhere(does the destination really matter!).
Ron had a few more state parks that he wanted to catch on his tour of taking pics at all the TN State Parks. I took the choice of west and we headed out of town towards Nathez Trace State Park. Now I am not sure what roads we took getting over to Franklin but they were pretty nice. Once in Franklin we headed for one of our favorite trails, Hwy 246 & Hwy 247, that run west through some absolutely breathe taking farm land. We then caught Hwy 100 which would take us through Parsons and over the TN River. We then turned right on a road that I cant remember but it was one of the most relaxing and scenic roads that you could ride. I dont think we passed a single car or saw a single person as we were soon in the park.
We then made a decision to hit one other park that Ron had been trying to catch for some time. I was open for anything as long as it included more riding. We hit the big hwy for a few miles just to make up time and then it was up to the big town of Camden. After a quick bite to eat for dinner at Wendy's( which included the killing of several large sides of beef), we heade over to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Now, I didnt know a lot about this man but my pal Ron sure does. If you ever get the chance to read up on this great war hero, do so. 
It was then off to the house, which I regretted had to happen as I was having so much fun. I dont get the chance that often to just get out and ride with a great friend. We were just two guys riding the back roads with not a care in the world. It was a ride that I will always cherish as I got to spend the day with a great friend and it allowed me to melt away all the stress of the 7 long weeks of sitting in a court room doing my civic duty. Now, my accessory of 9 years might hate that she missed this ride, but she understands that there are times when it is necessary to just get out with a friend and recharge the bateries and get in some buddy time.
Thanks Ron.
Brian
Monday, May 19, 2008
Relaxing May Weekend
Well, this weekend was about as relaxed as you get for riding. Jen and I didnt put many miles on the bike but we got to spend time with great friends on Saturday and then we just rode some backroads and dodged the clouds on Sunday. I think all in all we only rode about 240 miles for both days but it was on some of the prettiest backroads that I have ever seen.
Saturday had us join the Boro Chapter and Bumpus HD for a large group ride to Bell Buckle, TN for Motorcycle Days. Tom Bumpus needed a few Road Captains to help with the train of bikes that stretched nearly two miles. Jen and I volunteered to ride sweep and to keep everyone together from the rear, plus normally this is a place to get some awesome photos. As fortune would have it, our camera was acting up and we were not able to get any photos. Once we got the train of bikes to Bell Buckle, we signed up for the Poker Run. We road with a small group of about 10 bikes which included some of our close chapter friends and Tom Bumpus and his daughter. Now, I have riden all over the backroads of TN, but we took some roads on this Poker Run that I have yet to venture and oh my were they pretty. It was a reminder to me that I need to get out and explore like I used to. I call it blind riding, because you dont get your map out until you are truly lost or you need to figure out where you are to head home. You just take off and turn on roads to see where they go and what is on them. Today was a great relaxing day that covered about 140 miles total but it was a very relaxing and casual passed day. I made sure of it since I was the leader of the group. We rode at a comfortable 45-50 mph most of the day. Just slow enought to soke in the scenery and sun of a absolutely beautiful day.
Sunday had Jen and I in the saddle around 11 am for a some what late start to the day, but we werent sure what the rain was going to do today. I finally said lets go put some miles on the road while it is pretty outside. We headed out of the Boro on Burnt Nob Rd over to Hwy 162 and then onto another backroad over to Triune, where we topped off with fuel. Back onto Hwy 41A towards Eagleville where we caught Hwy 99 back to the Boro. We did make several small loops through some backroads along the way as well, but I couldnt tell you what the names of the roads where or if they even have signs on them. That is the kind of roads that are fun to explore. After reaching the Boro, we headed for ice cream at Jen's favorite place, Marble Slab. Then we headed home for a little R&R in the recliner and Jen on the couch with Morgan(our yellow lab).
This was one of those weekends that you feel so relaxed and refueled after some great rides. We didnt burn up the odometer but we did refuel the soul, at least until next weekend. Ride safe and ride free.
Brian
Saturday had us join the Boro Chapter and Bumpus HD for a large group ride to Bell Buckle, TN for Motorcycle Days. Tom Bumpus needed a few Road Captains to help with the train of bikes that stretched nearly two miles. Jen and I volunteered to ride sweep and to keep everyone together from the rear, plus normally this is a place to get some awesome photos. As fortune would have it, our camera was acting up and we were not able to get any photos. Once we got the train of bikes to Bell Buckle, we signed up for the Poker Run. We road with a small group of about 10 bikes which included some of our close chapter friends and Tom Bumpus and his daughter. Now, I have riden all over the backroads of TN, but we took some roads on this Poker Run that I have yet to venture and oh my were they pretty. It was a reminder to me that I need to get out and explore like I used to. I call it blind riding, because you dont get your map out until you are truly lost or you need to figure out where you are to head home. You just take off and turn on roads to see where they go and what is on them. Today was a great relaxing day that covered about 140 miles total but it was a very relaxing and casual passed day. I made sure of it since I was the leader of the group. We rode at a comfortable 45-50 mph most of the day. Just slow enought to soke in the scenery and sun of a absolutely beautiful day.
Sunday had Jen and I in the saddle around 11 am for a some what late start to the day, but we werent sure what the rain was going to do today. I finally said lets go put some miles on the road while it is pretty outside. We headed out of the Boro on Burnt Nob Rd over to Hwy 162 and then onto another backroad over to Triune, where we topped off with fuel. Back onto Hwy 41A towards Eagleville where we caught Hwy 99 back to the Boro. We did make several small loops through some backroads along the way as well, but I couldnt tell you what the names of the roads where or if they even have signs on them. That is the kind of roads that are fun to explore. After reaching the Boro, we headed for ice cream at Jen's favorite place, Marble Slab. Then we headed home for a little R&R in the recliner and Jen on the couch with Morgan(our yellow lab).
This was one of those weekends that you feel so relaxed and refueled after some great rides. We didnt burn up the odometer but we did refuel the soul, at least until next weekend. Ride safe and ride free.
Brian
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Poker Anyone?
Well today was one of those Saturdays that there was nothing planned and it was too nice to waste doing something other than riding my bike. My sidekick(and spouse) got up fairly early to run a few errands and then we headed towards the dealership to sign up for the Poker Run. We love to support our local charities and I truly love supporting the local athletes. This poker run was for the Eagleville Football program and it was the 2nd Annual and is sponsored by one of the salesmen at Bumpus HD, Tucker, whos son plays for Eagleville.
While we get signed up I run into a few friends that I met several years ago when we took the Riders Edge Beginners Class together. Terry and Danny are super good guys and they were riding with several other folks and asked Jen and I to join them. So, we obliged and taged along for the first few stops. Now it was obvious to me that my poker hand had already gone south as I had a 5,9 and 2 of all different suits. Not a good start, but who cares it was for the boys and we are riding. After what was only about 40 miles and Terry's group had made 3 stops to take breaks and shoot the breeze. Well, Jen and I love to ride, not sit around and chit chat, so we said our goodbye and headed off on our own to enjoy some real riding. We took a few longer routes as the Poker Run route was a little too short and it was too pretty of a day to not take advantage of the weather. Once we completed the Poker Run and was back at Bumpus HD, we ran into several our great friends in the H.O.G. Chapter(Ron, Tom and Jodie).
Seeing as it was about 1:oo it was time to find something to eat. My co-pilot was crying for Toot's, so who am I to deny her craving for good food and I can get my wing fix for the week. Tom and Jodie Teegarden join us for a great lunch and plenty of great conversation, mostly dominated by my other half of course. See really does love to talk and everyone seems to love her for it.
After a short stint at home in the recliner and to feed and let Morgan, our Yellow Lab, out to relieve herself, it was off to my mom's for a family cookout. Now I don't know about anyone else, but my mom can shore throw together some great food for any occasion. I was not about to miss this one. It was a great dinner and afterwards an awesome ride home on a nice warm spring evening. Another great day of family and friends and we even got in a little over 100 miles of riding today.
Brian
While we get signed up I run into a few friends that I met several years ago when we took the Riders Edge Beginners Class together. Terry and Danny are super good guys and they were riding with several other folks and asked Jen and I to join them. So, we obliged and taged along for the first few stops. Now it was obvious to me that my poker hand had already gone south as I had a 5,9 and 2 of all different suits. Not a good start, but who cares it was for the boys and we are riding. After what was only about 40 miles and Terry's group had made 3 stops to take breaks and shoot the breeze. Well, Jen and I love to ride, not sit around and chit chat, so we said our goodbye and headed off on our own to enjoy some real riding. We took a few longer routes as the Poker Run route was a little too short and it was too pretty of a day to not take advantage of the weather. Once we completed the Poker Run and was back at Bumpus HD, we ran into several our great friends in the H.O.G. Chapter(Ron, Tom and Jodie).
Seeing as it was about 1:oo it was time to find something to eat. My co-pilot was crying for Toot's, so who am I to deny her craving for good food and I can get my wing fix for the week. Tom and Jodie Teegarden join us for a great lunch and plenty of great conversation, mostly dominated by my other half of course. See really does love to talk and everyone seems to love her for it.
After a short stint at home in the recliner and to feed and let Morgan, our Yellow Lab, out to relieve herself, it was off to my mom's for a family cookout. Now I don't know about anyone else, but my mom can shore throw together some great food for any occasion. I was not about to miss this one. It was a great dinner and afterwards an awesome ride home on a nice warm spring evening. Another great day of family and friends and we even got in a little over 100 miles of riding today.
Brian
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
POSSE RIDE 2008
Well it was a short 4 days of riding that started on Thursday with me riding from Murfreesboro to Memphis to meet my Posse, which unlike me, were off all day to ride down early. My Posse Ride experience started with getting a late start out of the Boro at around 5:10pm right during the rush hour in Nashville, so I took I-840 to Hwy 31E and went around to I-40 the back roads and then on to Memphis. After a quick stop for fuel and an Arby's roast beef sandwich just before crossing the Tennessee River on I-40. I normally try to avoid the Interstate but with such a late start and it getting dark on me, I opted for the route that I could hall ass and get there quickly. 4 hours and 5 minutes later I arrived at the Econo Lodge off Exit 12 in Memphis. I was too late for the kickoff party but my Posse picked up my packet, whick included my passport to get stamped along the way, road maps for the route each day and of course my pin and patch for my vest.
Now let me tell you about my Posse. It included a small group of our Mufreesboro H.O.G Chapter members. My partener in crime for the weekend would Ron, which is who I would be sharing a bunk at each stop. Before you start thinking bad thougts, we had seperate bunks each night. Remember.......What happens on the Posse Ride, stays on the Posse Ride. At least you hope that is the case and you never know with our group and who is going to whip out the camera and the most opportune time and pow, there is the evidence. But, it is all in fun.
Friday, the first day of the actual Posse Ride. We got up to dark clouds and a light sprinkle of rain. We decide to hit I-40 for the 70+ miles from Memphis to Jackson in order to outrun the rain. Haha! Wishful thinking. We hit the rain just a few miles out of Memphis and we ran hard trying to get ahead of the clouds all the way as we got a light rain on us. Once to Jackson we made sure we had on all our rain gear and were ready for any kind of weather. Which was a good thing since we pretty much rode in the rain from the time we hit Hwy 421 just out of Jackson until we got into the Boro around 2:00pm. After a short break and stopping to feed Ron's dog, we hit I-24 in a ball of fire on our way to Clarksville. We had heard that the weather had broke up for a short period of time and it was clear of rain for this stretch of our ride, so we hit the blacktop running. I dont think the rubber touched the road but in a few high spots as we headed north. Now we did make it into Clarksville and to the HD dealership for our 3rd and final stop of the day dry. But, we didnt make it to the Hotel dry. We sat in rush hour traffic in the hardest downpour of the day. It was real nice!
Day 2 of the Posse Ride had Ron and I up at our usual hour of 6:00am and ready to roll out on the wet streets of Clarksville around 7:00. With the sun up and damp streets slowly drying up, it looked like it was going to be a good day. After a quick refuel and a bite to eat at the Waffle House, we were on our way up Hwy 79 into Kentucky which would take us on a beautiful morning ride through some breath taking country side of southern KY. We then headed through Owensborough and up to Evansville,IN for our first stop of the day. After a barbecue sandwich at the HD Dealership we headed west on Hwy 62 to the Ohio River where we had to pay a toll of $.60 total for two bikes to cross the bridge into Illinois. We then hit Hwy 45 or 54, I cant remember which, over to Hwy 13 into Marian, IL to Black Diamond HD for our 2nd stop. Guess what we had to eat.......BARBEQUE. I think everyone that had food for us got a deal on barbeque for this event. We then headed south on I-57 t0 I-24 to Paducah,KY for our last stop of the day and the final stop of the Posse Ride.
I want to thank my buddy Ron for being a great companion for these two days. We have a good time together and we are a lot alike in many ways. It is nice to ride with someone that has a lot of the same riding interests. We also got to spend some very special time with some of the folks from the Memphis H.O.G. Chapter on Saturday and we had a blast. Some real nice folks.
The ride home Sunday from Clarksville to the Boro was one of sorrow. See I dont get the chance to get out and just ride my bike for several days very often. This is a rare occasion, but one that I will remember forever thanks to Ron, my fellow Boro H.O.G. Chapter family and the new friends that I made with the Memphis Chapter. Other than the rain on Friday, it was an awesome ride. The only thing missing was my usual co-pilot, Jen. She chose to sit this one out as 1200 miles in 3 days was just a little too much for her posterior to handle, but you can bet she will be there next year.
Brian
Now let me tell you about my Posse. It included a small group of our Mufreesboro H.O.G Chapter members. My partener in crime for the weekend would Ron, which is who I would be sharing a bunk at each stop. Before you start thinking bad thougts, we had seperate bunks each night. Remember.......What happens on the Posse Ride, stays on the Posse Ride. At least you hope that is the case and you never know with our group and who is going to whip out the camera and the most opportune time and pow, there is the evidence. But, it is all in fun.
Friday, the first day of the actual Posse Ride. We got up to dark clouds and a light sprinkle of rain. We decide to hit I-40 for the 70+ miles from Memphis to Jackson in order to outrun the rain. Haha! Wishful thinking. We hit the rain just a few miles out of Memphis and we ran hard trying to get ahead of the clouds all the way as we got a light rain on us. Once to Jackson we made sure we had on all our rain gear and were ready for any kind of weather. Which was a good thing since we pretty much rode in the rain from the time we hit Hwy 421 just out of Jackson until we got into the Boro around 2:00pm. After a short break and stopping to feed Ron's dog, we hit I-24 in a ball of fire on our way to Clarksville. We had heard that the weather had broke up for a short period of time and it was clear of rain for this stretch of our ride, so we hit the blacktop running. I dont think the rubber touched the road but in a few high spots as we headed north. Now we did make it into Clarksville and to the HD dealership for our 3rd and final stop of the day dry. But, we didnt make it to the Hotel dry. We sat in rush hour traffic in the hardest downpour of the day. It was real nice!
Day 2 of the Posse Ride had Ron and I up at our usual hour of 6:00am and ready to roll out on the wet streets of Clarksville around 7:00. With the sun up and damp streets slowly drying up, it looked like it was going to be a good day. After a quick refuel and a bite to eat at the Waffle House, we were on our way up Hwy 79 into Kentucky which would take us on a beautiful morning ride through some breath taking country side of southern KY. We then headed through Owensborough and up to Evansville,IN for our first stop of the day. After a barbecue sandwich at the HD Dealership we headed west on Hwy 62 to the Ohio River where we had to pay a toll of $.60 total for two bikes to cross the bridge into Illinois. We then hit Hwy 45 or 54, I cant remember which, over to Hwy 13 into Marian, IL to Black Diamond HD for our 2nd stop. Guess what we had to eat.......BARBEQUE. I think everyone that had food for us got a deal on barbeque for this event. We then headed south on I-57 t0 I-24 to Paducah,KY for our last stop of the day and the final stop of the Posse Ride.
I want to thank my buddy Ron for being a great companion for these two days. We have a good time together and we are a lot alike in many ways. It is nice to ride with someone that has a lot of the same riding interests. We also got to spend some very special time with some of the folks from the Memphis H.O.G. Chapter on Saturday and we had a blast. Some real nice folks.
The ride home Sunday from Clarksville to the Boro was one of sorrow. See I dont get the chance to get out and just ride my bike for several days very often. This is a rare occasion, but one that I will remember forever thanks to Ron, my fellow Boro H.O.G. Chapter family and the new friends that I made with the Memphis Chapter. Other than the rain on Friday, it was an awesome ride. The only thing missing was my usual co-pilot, Jen. She chose to sit this one out as 1200 miles in 3 days was just a little too much for her posterior to handle, but you can bet she will be there next year.
Brian
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Did someone say Cornbread?
Today we made had a modest ride of about 180 miles down to the 12th Annual Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburgh, TN. It was a great ride down Hwy 41 up to Monteagle. From there we went south on Hwy 126 which took us across the mountain and down into South Pittsburg. The ride down Hwy 126 is a beautiful ride through the Franklin Forrest and miles of wilderness.
The weather was pretty nice for the most part. It was a little cool as we left the Boro at around 10:00 am. Once we arrived in South Pittsburgh at around noon it was rather warm as we peeled off all the leather and jackets from our journey. The remainder of the day was around 70 degrees.
The Cornbread Festival attracts people from all over the U.S. and possible the world. I dont know how many people were there today, but it was so many that you could hardly walk down the street for wading through the sea of people. It is a very interesting mix of people considering that South Pittsburgh is still a very rural area and then you bring in all the outsiders and it wakes up the sleepy little old town.
Once we made our way through all the people to the food court, we were able to obtain a few orders of pinto beans and cornbread. Mine without the onions of course, but Jen had extra. Between the beans and onions it was sure to be an interesting ride home in such close quarters. Sure is a good thing that I am always up wind!! Too bad for Jen. LOL.
Sorry for not having some wonderful pics of our adventure, but my accessory was enjoying her ride so much that she forgot to take out the camera and take some pics. I must say that it is a wonderful ride up and across the mountain going south on Hwy 41 and especially Hwy 126 which has very little traffic and the road surface is great. If you are looking for a quiet and desilate road to ride and get away then take a journey down this road into the sleepy little town of South Pittsburg; and make sure you go by the Dairy Freeze(which has been there for a long time) for a burger and a shake.
Ride Safe and Ride often.
Brian
The weather was pretty nice for the most part. It was a little cool as we left the Boro at around 10:00 am. Once we arrived in South Pittsburgh at around noon it was rather warm as we peeled off all the leather and jackets from our journey. The remainder of the day was around 70 degrees.
The Cornbread Festival attracts people from all over the U.S. and possible the world. I dont know how many people were there today, but it was so many that you could hardly walk down the street for wading through the sea of people. It is a very interesting mix of people considering that South Pittsburgh is still a very rural area and then you bring in all the outsiders and it wakes up the sleepy little old town.
Once we made our way through all the people to the food court, we were able to obtain a few orders of pinto beans and cornbread. Mine without the onions of course, but Jen had extra. Between the beans and onions it was sure to be an interesting ride home in such close quarters. Sure is a good thing that I am always up wind!! Too bad for Jen. LOL.
Sorry for not having some wonderful pics of our adventure, but my accessory was enjoying her ride so much that she forgot to take out the camera and take some pics. I must say that it is a wonderful ride up and across the mountain going south on Hwy 41 and especially Hwy 126 which has very little traffic and the road surface is great. If you are looking for a quiet and desilate road to ride and get away then take a journey down this road into the sleepy little town of South Pittsburg; and make sure you go by the Dairy Freeze(which has been there for a long time) for a burger and a shake.
Ride Safe and Ride often.
Brian
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Mid April Weekend
Well, another weekend of riding adventures in the books.
Saturday was one of those days that you can't tell if it is going to rain or not. It was Bike Show Day at Bumpus HD in Murfreesboro,TN on Saturday. There were probably 50 bikes entered in the contest. There is only one thing that a bike show does to me.....give me ideas for things that I can add to my bike. All in all a lot of really nice bikes entered in the show. As far as riding goes, we didnt get much done other than riding across town, dogging the rain drops for a little while, and then stopping at Five Brother's hamburger joint to have lunch with a few friends.
Sunday however had us riding to Chattanooga,TN to get some ribs and barbecue at Sticky Fingers down by the river. We met the group as they headed out of town on Hwy 41. Boy what a group it was today. There were bikes stretched out for a quarter mile staggered formation. It was a great site to see as this is one of the biggest turn outs for a HOG Chapter ride that I have seen. It was also great to see a lot of new members getting out and being active with the chapter.
After a plate full of ribs, the group split up as some wanted to run the interstate, some went a different direction, and a small group of us headed back down Hwy 41 towards the Boro. 228 miles later we were back at home safe and sound. It was a wonderful day full of plenty of sun shine, friends new and old, and another day spent out on the bike.
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