Topic: Team South - AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, TN

[kpier883]

Proposed Route: Birmingham, AL to Jackson, MS.

Guys,

It would take an extra hour on the trip from Barber's to Jackson, but it would be a real shame to miss Alabama State Route 25.  It starts about 5 miles from Barber's Motorsports Park and goes up and over Double Oak Mountain with nice switchbacks/curves and scenery. 

I am game for whatever route we take, but the map below shows one option that might make the Birmingham leg more memorable.  I am familiar with the route and would be more than happy to lead the group on this section.  I am not a wannabe racer and would maintain a moderate pace in this section.  It is not a place to get too aggressive if you aren't familiar with the road.

(scroll the map down, the route is north of where the map is centered for some reason)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Barber+Motorsports+Parkway,+Leeds,+AL&daddr=dunavant,al+to:vandiver,+al+to:dunavant,+al+to:mccalla,+al&hl=en&geocode=FVmu_wEdcofW-ikxd3f95hKJiDG_rirhugTpgQ%3BFS4H_wEdembX-in5HleOhWyJiDHrHuI1mPUW7A%3BFca4_gEdXOnX-im9_h8IdGmJiDGXN-r5i56llw%3BFS4H_wEdembX-in5HleOhWyJiDHrHuI1mPUW7A%3BFXPc_AEd8ETQ-im1Adk7VMSIiDFOGI6HVAYZcA&mra=ls&sll=33.223754,-86.923828&sspn=0.391168,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=33.223754,-86.923828&spn=0.21566,0.50087&output=embed

[kpier883]

Also, I have a couple of logistical questions:
1.  Did Jeff Ray confirm the lap around the race track?  If so, what time does that occur?
     Is the lap on Friday?
2.  About what time do we plan to head out Saturday morning?
3.  Camping or hotel in Jackson, MS on Saturday night?
4.  Departure time for Shreveport on Sunday morning?

Thanks for any info.  If I am being too organized, just let me know.

Kirk

[j4hfr34k]

im open for whatever yall want as far as a meetup in jackson, itll take me about anouther 3 hours of ridung to get to monroe saturday night thoufh so the time is more important to me than the place but
im open for whatever

[Tugboat]

@kpier - that sounds really cool. I may end up heading back to Nashville on Saturday though.. we'll see. I'm all for it otherwise - depending on time. I think j4hfr34k is coming from MS to Barber (is that right?) and then heading on to Jackson on Sat and then all the way to AR on Sunday? If that's the case, maybe check with him and see what he wants to do. But like I said, I'm up for whatever if I keep on all the way to Jackson on Saturday.

@poboy and Nashville crew: was talking to Spanner1 this afternoon and we're now considering leaving Thursday night (after work at some point) and heading down to B'ham to avoid the potential rain on Friday. Plus side: arrive dry and (hopefully) safe. Down side: might have to take I-65 down.. not sure about taking all backroads at night.

If it rains on Friday the whole Barber thing might be a bust as well... camping would be soggy at best and Spanner checked at the closest hotel and it's booked solid for the Porsche crowd that's racing this weekend. Rain also = no lap around the track (HUGE BUMMER!!!).

I PM'd JTB, who set up the whole thing with Barber, to see what's up. I guess we'll just play it by ear re: weather.

On a positive note, here's Godzilla checking out the rear brakes on my 750 for me. We're going out on the town later tonite!!

[kpier883]

One other thing - Where at Barber's should we plan to meet?  There is motorcycle parking in front of the museum, but I don't know if that will be available? 

[poboy]

the rain is supposed to move through the area sometime Friday and be clear again Saturday; no hourly forecast is available yet to see if they are morning or afternoon or all day. Right now it is showing a 70% chance. Hopefully it will speed up and move through Thursday night.

[Popwood]

Just posted on the rider's log thread. For some reason my pix aren't showing up. Here's a link to 'em

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=306335&id=575244180&l=bd2ee72c5a

Tugboat, where did you post your ride log? I looked on the sticky but didn't see it. Need to catch up for the next MC blog. And would like to submit a couple of your photos. Any chance you can ID all the riders pictured in the one photo? That quite a crew. Thanks.

[Tugboat]

@popwood - here
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=85509.msg980968#msg980968

[j4hfr34k]

we plan on leaving friday morning and hopefully stay ahead of the rain, i dont mind the extra time on saturday the road sounds like a good ride, i talked it over with my wife and we will be coming to birmingham to meetup even if the lap is cancelled, we could just meet in jackson, but then all of our riding between handoffs would be solo (our total milage roundtrip is going to be 1200+ (including going to barbers)), and as this is our first ride, the company and experience is wat we wanted anyway, even tho the barber event sounds awesome . we have camped in rain before. and i got my bike setup for cruising so it doesnt deter us. we plan on leaving eairly enough to take our time. and if we can leave before rain reaches us we should def get thete before the rain. our plan at the moment is to leave around 7am fri heading to birminghan/barbers. and as my wifes birthday is the following weekend this is also her birthday present she has always wanted to sightsee on a roadtrip just to see the scenery and now she can do it on back of a bike and both of us can be part of this historic ride. is that a first ? first two up riders? anyone carried it on a hondamatic yet? if not thats a first too.

[scottly]

anyone carried it on a hondamatic yet? if not thats a first too.

Godzilla has already been for a ride on the Samauto down a drag-strip.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

anyone carried it on a hondamatic yet? if not thats a first too.

Godzilla has already been for a ride on the Samauto down a drag-strip.

Yeah, but........ Has Godzilla had a chick yet?!

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Here's a little Barber's appetizer for y'all!

http://www.untamedvelocity.com/Barbermuseumtour.htm

[Hope]

anyone carried it on a hondamatic yet? if not thats a first too.

Godzilla has already been for a ride on the Samauto down a drag-strip.

Yeah, but........ Has Godzilla had a chick yet?!

He will if I get my electric going

What's your route and ETA in LA?

If I can't get the electrics going in time, is it okay to tag along a while on the rebel?

[Tugboat]

@Hope - j4hfr34k is leading the pack through MS, LA and up to AR so check with him regarding the route. My 750's not gonna make it either, unfortunately, so I'll be on my KZ400. All bikes are welcome - the more the merrier!!

[Tugboat]

[Stretch]

The monster that took over Nashville. I knew you'd need to keep an eye on him. At least he didn't get cuffed to the luggage rack.

[jtb]

Latest from Jeff Ray at Barber's:
Hi John,

Arrangements are made for them to camp at the park. Showers and other basic amenities such as toilets will be available as well! No charge but a donation to the museum would be in order.  The trip around the perimeter road is !00%........... track lap is 80%. We are cleaning up after Indy and balancing a Porsche Sport Driving School with the cleanup. Keep in mind we have severe weather predicted for the evening on Friday.

See you Friday!

Jeff

Weather looks crappy Friday.  Rain chance 40% here from 1:00 or so on.  If you guys from TN come down on Thursday night, I don't know if you can get in to Barbers to camp that night.  I'll ask Jeff.  If you come Friday, I'll come up to meet you somewhere.

[jtb]

Plan is currently to meet at Barbers Friday @ 4:00.  Meet at the turn off to Barber's from Rex Lake Road (across from Hampton Inn).  We can get pics at the Barber's sign, then ride in to the museum.  Afterwards, we'll go somewhere to eat, and then maybe retire to my garage for a beverage or two, and wrenches for anyone who needs them.

Saturday we can meet @ Laneys' restaurant in Leeds for breakfast.  They have a good breakfast buffet.  Meet around 8:00 or so, then get going west afterwards.

[jtb]

map to Laney's
http://local.yahoo.com/info-14714110-laney-s-restaurant-leeds;_ylt=ApgeQPtiJMR3mdCg1hKQ7.CKNcIF;_ylv=3?viewtype=map

[j4hfr34k]

sounds good our current plan should put us in birmingham around 1:00 so maybe we can beat the rain there. everything sounds good and  looking at the pics it def makes ya drool a lil at all the goodies they have at barbers.

[poboy]

Looks like the rain is going to move into Huntsville about noon. What time are you guys planning on leaving? I'll catch you at the TN/AL state line and ride for a hour or so before I have to head back. Wish I could make Barber with everyone.

[j4hfr34k]

im about to change the oil in the morning, what weight would yall recommend going so far this weekend, woukd the 10w-40 be ok or do i need to go thicker i couldnt get ajold of an oil cooler like i wanted

[kpier883]

I recommend the Shell Rotella 15W40 with the JASO MA rating that indicates compatibility with the wet clutch.  Caveat - I have run Delo for several years and just switched to Rotella when the JASO rating was added. 

You can see the JASO MA rating on the picture of the back of the jug below.

[j4hfr34k]

Thanks i appreciate it

[Spanner 1]

We've been watching the weather forecast real careful here in Nashville and we think the best plan is to get going early on Friday morning to try to be at Barbers by noon/1 pm. before the big storms come thru'.   If we're really lucky the t'storms may be passed thru' by 'lap time' at the racetrack : Me and Tug plan a few hours in the museum anyway so hopefully it will all work out.  John, your meet-up plan is great ( 4pm at the Rex Lake Rd. entrance) We will call you whatever time we get to Leeds and then meet later at 4. Great.

j4hfr34k........ I PM'd you to get a cell # for you and give you mine so we can meet at Barbers. We should get there about the same time as you on Friday