[FortPayne]

Several weeks ago I made a 2hr drive to the Talladega National Forest and just now getting around to posting. Great place to ride! I just wish I had taken extra gas because that became the real limiting factor. I've since made darn sure I can take extra fuel, ie..tube and boxes.



I started from Fort Payne in Alabama just about 2-3 miles from Little River Canyon. From there I headed down the mountain to Gaylesville and on to Cedar Bluff. There is a large man made lake, Weiss Lake, that I should have grabbed some pics of but I see it so often I didn't think of it. I continued south to Centre and on to Piedmont.



Piedmont is the last gas stop before the forest so I filled up- $4, gotta love it.

There are actually two ways to enter the forest, one being through Old Mountain Road and a fun ride, but I had only gone through once before and went the way I knew. I went the Rabbit Town Road, very, very junky to begin with but turns into beautiful country side.



Here is a pic of the road where you enter the forest.

Entrance to fun and awsomeness (its a word)

Look, some wonderful ******* helped take care of the sign. Probably why this particular road was closed. I went around the gate- knew I wasn't headed in to shoot it up and my tdub wasn't hurting anything.

The dam was a nice place to stop and eat my samich'.

.

 

[FortPayne]

Then it was time to ride some fire trails. They had been burning the week before and still had the gates down...fair game in my book.

Then the fuel problem kicks in. I had 10-15 miles til reserve and was exiting on the other side of the forest meaning it was time to start wrapping it up. On the other side of the forest I found the information kiosk.

I spent hours riding and didn't even put a dent in it. There are two lakes I know of that I didn't even get to not to mention miles of trails. I plan on going back in the next few weeks and then onto Cheaha.



Only problems I had was the incredibly sore arse on the way home. Off roading im good all day but I guess the long stretches of pavement kill me. I gotta do something about my seat before my next long trip

 

[FortPayne]

I'll throw the pics from my ride to Menlo Ga up tomorrow.

 

[B-dub]

Great pics! Cool to get a feel for what the riding in Alabama is like. It's a lot greener than I thought it would be this time of the year. Looks like your bike is well setup. I have a trunk similar to that one on my bike now, and it sure is handy. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to the additional pics.

 

[admiral]

The only time I've been to Alabama was during my basic training and schooling at the now closed Ft. McClellan. My memories of that time aren't as fond as I would like as one could imagine. Looking at your pictures makes me feel a lot better. That looks like a pretty nice place to live and ride.

 

[lower al]

Thanks for the pictures .I have to get up there some time soon .All we have down here is flat land.You live in a nice part of the state thanks again for the pictures

 

[FortPayne]

Went for a drive Thursday to test out my new ammo panniers. Its all good and well for them to look nice but gotta be functional too. I decided to go a route I havent been in years and head to Menlo, Ga. If you dont know and probably dont, Menlo is about the size of the motorcycle department at Wal-Mart.



I dropped off the mountain and hit Blanch (literally one gas station) and from there its a straightaway to Menlo.

The road between Blanch and Menlo ranged from gorgeous wide open pasture land to completely junked the crap out trailers. At some point the pulp-wood company sold all their timber land and it must have been dirt cheap or else the quality people that throw their trash bags out the front door wouldnt have been able to afford it. I should have taken pictures of that.



All along the highway, between the road and mountain were 10-15 year old pines that had not yet been thinned. Scattered along these tracts were fourwheeler trails that ran right down to the road. After so many miles I just couldnt take it anymore and hit the next trail I came to.



It was what you'd expect from a tight forest trail: sharp turns, narrow path, blind corners. You know, FUN. Some ways down the trail it straightened out and turned to hardwoods and small hills. I came across a mud hole that had been thoroughly cut out by fourwheelers and avoided it. A little ways further I came to a fence and decided to turn around. I forgot about the mud hole.



As I turned a corner on the way back I realized I was about to plow into this thing and foolishly grabbed the front brake. TDub came to a stop but wet leaves insisted it take a nap. I simply stepped off. There was an awkward bank that kept it at an angle and my new pannier was taking all the weight. I sat the bike back up and inspected the left box. It had bent but not broken the bolt holding the bracket . I bent it back ans all was well. It was time to get back on the road and head to Menlo.

 

[FortPayne]

Here is an old house between Blanch and Menlo. It was abandoned but maintained.

I finally arrived in Menlo and here it is in all its glory...

I ate lunch at this little park, it was a pleasant place.

I decided to head up to Mentone and stop at Cloudland on the way. You could see forever.

In the middle of nowhere there was a chimney.

There I also found an unknown to me wildlife management area that appeared to be closed to riding at the moment.

I headed back to Mentone, and from there was going home, when gravity and vibration decided to finish what the mudhole started.

 

[FortPayne]

I threw on a handy dandy bungie cord and kept on chuggin. I've since added a support bar that greatly increased stability.

That was it for the day. Panniers are awsome, seat still not so much...ouch.



Here are a few random pics of the Little River WMA I ride ride often.

And at the canyon...

I would love to get to do some desert riding one of these days!

 

[admiral]

I love the old houses, small town's and chimney's to what ever could have been there and why it's not anymore. Noticed the top floor porch of the old house and it reminded me something I read a couple years ago. Many of those houses with those upstairs porches, is where folks slept at night before air conditioning was invented. Cooler than inside at night I guess. Anyway, that's what I was reminded of when I saw the old house.

 

[lower al]

Thanks for pictures. Been through the little river wma a few times on jeeps an trucks but not on a bike hope to do it some time soon.Been around the canyon on goldwing but not the tw YET.

 

[n2o2diver]

Payne,

A few months back my GF and I rode two-up from Syllacauga to Mt Cheha on the forrest service roads. It was great. My weekends are full this month but I would love to head back up there and ride with you in April. I have all of the maps for the entire Talladega N.F.

Are you planning on going to the TN trip in May? I am thinking about riding the TW all the way there!

Anyone from Alabama or Georgia want to join me?



Edit

Pictures from my Talladega Trip.

 

[FortPayne]

I wish I could. I think that is Mother's Day weekend which sucks, both because no leave available at work and have to be here for that day anyway.

Maybe it'l be a big hit and they'll do one in the fall.



If you ride the tdub up maybe we can meet up for a ride on your way if you come through here.

 

[elime]

I love your pictures, especially like Admiral, the house, the town and the chimney. Good looking kid too! You must be proud. Thanks for posting them . I really enjoyed them.

 

[ronnydog]

Very nice, thanks

 

[larry joe]

I like the places you've shown. Would really like to go into the Talladega forest. When do we leave. I know Buddy is ready at the drop of oil. You would have liked this Sundays ride, 97 mikes all along the woods and fields between Redstone and the 65 bridge in Decatur.

Larry - in Huntsville