Tennessee Trail Ride

[Vance]

Several of your club members were able to brave the weather and the elements this past weekend to once again test their offroad skills. Many thanks to Bob Steber for putting this together for us. There seems to be a fair amount of growing interest by us old guys to take part in offroad adventures. The trick is finding the right places and times to take part. Since old man winter just will not loosen his grip on us, we had to go with it!

The weather was much less than perfect but the trip was awesome indeed. Think of this as adventure touring only mostly offroad. Let me tell you it cd et beterwester mdl Tennessee! We toured miles and miles of backroad, dirtroad trails that led us to some of the most beautiful areas you can imagine!

Our home away from home was the old Bell's Branch church and school. This is a wood framed, one room church down in the holler indeed...complete with an updated two seater outhouse!

I will try and post the "legal" pictures later but thanks again Bob...that was really cool and we had a great time. I am wondering if everyone else is a little sore like me!

[jdubeemer]

It was a great time even considering the cool weather. Phillip had a good attitude even after that stray buffalo ran him off the road.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdubick/2010_03_13?authkey=Gv1sRgCISs8qC77MuSeA#

[Vance]

OK...got 'Em Loaded! http://picasaweb.google.com/vanmar27/Cent
What A Fun Time!

[SteveS]

OK...got 'Em Loaded! http://picasaweb.google.com/vanmar27/Cent
What A Fun Time!

Vance,

The link is bad. Try this one.

http://picasaweb.google.com/vanmar27/CentervilleDualSportMarch2010#

[R90srider]

AccuWeather missed the forecast big time by a couple inches of rain and 10 degrees to the low side. My old bod is still chilled to the bone even after two days and two long hot showers . But, I am really glad we made the trip to Centerville to ride Hickman County’s great roads.

Long Tall Sally took me to Columbia to stay with Phillip and Martha Friday before the Saturday and Sunday rides 13 & 14 March 2010. Fortunately Phillip and I made a recon run in his truck over the roads we planned to ride because one of them was in bad shape with about five inches of slick mud for a 1/2 mile or so (not chirt). It's a shame we could not ride that road on our bikes because before getting to the muddy section, we would have crossed a creek three times and then a ride for 100 yards or so upstream in the creek before returning to dry land.

The chirt roads in Hickman County, Tennessee are the best non paved motorcycling roads I have had the pleasure to ride. Chirt is an aggregate naturally dug form chirt banks and pits and is uniquely found in the Hickman County area. Even after heavy rains, riding on these chirt roads is excellent.
Most of the roads we rode followed rapidly flowing creeks or through beautiful valleys. One of them, Russell Creek Road, meanders through Mennonite country and reminds me of what it must have been like during the 30’s ad 40’s in rural America. Another one of the great roads, Wolf Creek Road parallels Wolf Creek for about 15 miles and is great fun to ride.

My niece and nephew recently purchased the land and one room school house/church where their parents, grandparents and older siblings attended school and church. Bell Branch School/Church was built in 1916 and restored in 1964; it was closed in 1984. Both my nephew and niece were married there. This was our home for two days and a great place to throw down our sleeping bags Saturday night.

Here are some photos that do not do justice to the area, but judging by the smiles on our faces, I think you can see that a good time was had by all.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bsteberbtr/CentervilleDualSportRideMarch13142010#

[Gator]

Dog gone it fellas y'all gonna make me go out and buy one of dem der dirt bikes if y'all keep having all of dis fun. Looks like y'all had a great time. Enjoyed looking at the pics.
Gator

[gsezrider]

Good pictures Vance. Man you sure hang out with some old farts.

[Vance]

Yep, that is what keeps me feeling so young!