March Meeting at Nauvoo

[R100R Rider]

We are going back to Nauvoo and the Harbin Hotel for our March meeting.

Bob Steber is leading a ride for those that want to go on Friday. The meeting place is Jack's in Graysville, AL. This is on Hwy 78 going toward Jasper. Meet Bob at 8:30 for breakfast with the ride leaving at 9:00 AM. This ride will take you by Smith Lake Dam (highest earthen filled dam in Eastern US), some Hallelujah trail churches, Alabama's oldest jail and Duel Destiny. Lunch will be in Moulton at Nesmith's famous hamburger cafe.

There will be a club ride on Saturday going to some of the same places. Lunch will be at Nesmith's. These rides will take you over some of the best motorcycle roads in Alabama.

I have attached a GPS file that contains routes from different areas of the state. I have also attached PDF file with the written directions. I have suggested rides from Huntsville, Florence, Mobile and Bessemer.

Nauvoo Meeting Rides.gdb

Nauvoo Routes.pdf

Ride safe and far.

[JSparks]

Suggested ride near Nauvoo

Martin,
I wanted to make you aware of some good roads very close to Nauvoo that I ride often. One is HWY 124 that runs from Jasper to Carbon Hill. This area, like most of Walker county has been strip mined, but it has been reclaimed and the scenery is beautiful. Also along this road is the sight of the Boshell's Mill. The mill has been torn down but the area is still neat looking. A photo of the old mill was once on the phone book and a lot of local artists painted the scene. This road has a few nice tight turns and several long sweepers.

Another great little road, especially for GS riders is the Hidden Cove Road off of HWY 102 (toward Fayette). This little road winds through the hilly edges of the Wolf Creek Wildlife Mangement area. It is paved but very small and narrow and sometimes has some loose gravel. I have ridden through with friends on Goldwings and they have made it without problems. This road comes out in the community of Corona on HWY 18, from which you can go toward Oakman or Fayette. Either way from there the road is much like HWY 124 with great sweepers and a few tighter turns.
Looking forward to the meeting/rides,
Jeff Sparks, New guy

[R100R Rider]

Jeff,

Thanks for the suggestions. I look forward to trying these sometime.

See you at Nauvoo

[Don_D]

If I play my cards right and get a kitchen pass, I am going to come up Saturday morning. Is anyone else doing this and we could ride up as a group?
I'm also wondering if we would get there in time for the group ride Saturday.
Don

[R100R Rider]

Don, I am going up on Saturday AM in time for the ride. Will have to leave early. Maybe anyone that wants to do this could meet at Jack's in Graysville for a biscuit. It is about a 45 - 50 minute ride on to Nauvoo.

[beemererik]

What time will the Saturday ride be leaving?

[Gator]

I had been planning to make the March meeting at Nauvoo. Iwas planning to get a whole lot more ABEES points on the way there and back as well as helping take over the town. Unfortunately I had forgotten about my 45 year class reunion which is on the 28th. Since I haven't missed one of my reunions yet, I won't be able to make it to the club meeting at Nauvoo. Shucks, and I had a Peter Fonda mask that I was gonna wear for the takeover Have fun and go easy on the town.
Gator

[jdubeemer]

Saturday ride

Hi Eric,
I think the Saturday ride is leaving the hotel at 0900. Breakfast at 830. I plan to arrive there in time for breakfast.

[R90srider]

Gator, sorry to hear the Cajun contingent can't help us rumble, but a high School 50th will be a lot of fun .

[cpannarbor]

Is the expected (nasty) weather going to affect any of this weekend's plans for Nauvoo? The ride on Saturday?

[cpannarbor]

Is the upcoming (nasty) weather expected to change any plans for this weekend's meeting in Nauvoo? Saturday's ride?

[R90srider]

Good news, the weather forecast is improving for our Friday ride to Nauvoo calling for cloudy Sky's in the morning with a chance of scattered thunder showers in the afternoon and evening We should have clear sky's Saturday. Here is a link to AccuWeather's hour by hour Friday forecast:

http://www.accuweather.com/us/al/jasper/35501/forecast-hourly.asp?partner=netweather&traveler=1&metric=0&hbhhour=7&hbhday=3

Our ride to Nauvoo will depart from Jack's in Graysville (Highway 78 between Birmingham and Jasper) Friday morning at 9 am. Please be ready to go with a full tank of fuel and an empty bladder. Also, just in case we ride through some rain, be suited up with your rain gear.

Our first stop will be at Smith Dam and then the Old Log Jail in Houston, then two Hallelujah Trail churches, The Church in the Forest and the Pine Torch Church. Lunch will be at Nesmith's Hamburgers in Moulton, a most unique eatery. From Nesmith's, we ride the fun Hwy 33 to Double Springs to see the Dual Destiny statue, then to Nauvoo in time to set up camp before the evening festivities. With the exception of the short distance we will be riding on US 78, the other roads are excellent with minimal traffic and good scenery.

This is a fun 150 mile ride and we will see some really interesting sites.

[cpannarbor]

As the newest members, Jill and I want to say thank you to everyone for making us feel so welcome and making sure we had a good time. What a great place there in Nauvoo!

As it should be, a lesson was learned this weekend. When you're riding a 17 year old K75, make sure you're not the last to leave town. My nearly dead battery didn't cut it this morning and Jill was able to round up some help at the last minute. The short story is I owe a A HUGE THANK YOU to Gary, Jamie and crew who helped us get going and followed us to make sure we got off safely.

It is that spirit of taking care of each other that assures me that we are in good company with the AlaBeemers!

Ride on,

Chris & Jill

[Norwood]

Thanks Martin for the tour!

Martin, thanks for the tour...been places I haven't seen since I was a kid...

Great road selection and information...

Here is my Spot Link for
Smith Dam, Churches, Houston Jail, Nesmith, Double Springs...

http://jasonjonas.org/spot/tripViewer.do?id=1096

[R90srider]

It was good to meet you and Jill and I look forward to your joining us at many more Alabeemer gatherings. Sloppy Floyd is another good facility, and the roads and scenery near by are hard to beat. The food there is also excellent. I think Kim and Stan, the caterers, will have blackberry cobbler and homemade ice cream again this year.

Sorry to hear you had the mechanical problem. You could not have asked for better help than Gary and Jamie. Both of them could write a book on how to doctor a BMW motorcycle. If you need a new battery, I have had good luck with the Panasonic sealed battery. Also, it helps to keep you battery fully charged with a good charger like the Battery Tender or CTEK. Terry's Two Wheel carries both brands. Bogart's has the Battery Tender.