Talladega Dirt Skyway - Sunday, Mar. 4th

[Nice Goat]

Been prepping my bike for a trip to Colorado this summer, and it is about time to start doing shakedown rides.
Purpose of this ride is to see how the bike does on 150 miles of dirt and rocky roads.
Come on out and shake loose some of those bolts from your dual sport!

Meet at Huddle House in Piedmont at 7:00am.  We'll eat breakfast then ride down 500/281/600-2/600-1.
We'll turn around and ride the exact same roads back north to Piedmont.
We'll stop and get gas & snacks in Waldo.  We should get back to Piedmont about 8-9 hours later.

I'm going to trailer to Piedmont and leave the truck somewhere.  I'll be bringing my tool roll and extra tubes just in case, but no other camping/overnight gear ... that will be shakedown ride #2.

Here is the route (link and map attachment):
https://goo.gl/maps/5nSjXS7U9rv

[KevinB]

I'm in!   :)

[springer]

 One question, how "big bike" friendly is this, specifically when the rider of said "big bike" as a tendency to fall over?  :(

Asking for a friend... ;D   

[jrou111]

One question, how "big bike" friendly is this, specifically when the rider of said "big bike" as a tendency to fall over?  :(

Asking for a friend... ;D

At the north end, it's all easy dirt and gravel a Honda Civic could handle. From Adams Gap (where the southern end of 281 meets 600-2) down to where 600-2 meets Union-T Rd at the bridge/ RR crossing, that's the rockiest section. Lots of baby heads and some washed out areas. It's not impossible on a big bike, several BMW GS riders I know have ridden it, just have to go slow.

From Porter Gap to Bulls Gap on 600-1 is fairly rocky too but not bad. There are a few muddy spots from trucks here and there too.

[norton73]

Other than the "mud hole from hell" it's pretty doable on any bike with more than a couple inches of ground clearance. I believe Kevin knows which hole I am talking about, and it's not hard to ride around.

[KevinB]

Yep, I know that mudhole. It looks like it would be just a few inches deep on the edge, but it definitely is not....buried my Husky Terra up to the fenders in it.

Bring that AT out...we'll get you through all of it. I know some guys that did it this past weekend on  a WeeStrom and a Honda NightHawk...like James said, just gotta go slow and take deliberate lines through the rocky section.

[terryrussell1]

Depending on how my work schedule pans out this weekend I'm a maybe.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[norton73]

Yep, I know that mudhole. It looks like it would be just a few inches deep on the edge, but it definitely is not....buried my Husky Terra up to the fenders in it.

Bring that AT out...we'll get you through all of it. I know some guys that did it this past weekend on  a WeeStrom and a Honda NightHawk...like James said, just gotta go slow and take deliberate lines through the rocky section.

It was tough on my GS too.



Wish I could make it, but this weekend is MFCKR*






*Mulberry Fork Canoe and Kayak Races.

[springer]

Okay then! I hear by claim the worstest rider ever on this ride. ;) See y'all Sunday!!!

[Nice Goat]

These are the same roads that punched a hole in Slater's oil pan on his GS800.  The roads are very rocky in places, just so everybody is aware.  Good idea to have skid plate and engine guards installed.  Make sure you are well-rested also, because the rocky sections can be strenuous.

[Gam]

Okay then! I hear by claim the worstest rider ever on this ride. ;) See y'all Sunday!!!

If you get to that last stretch over horns mountain and don't like what you've seen so far, you can take horns valley road and you should beat them to their turn around point on 148. If I wind up camping at Cheaha or Pine Glen I will try join y'all. All of my bikes are in an egregious state of disrepair, don't know if I have time to get anything road worthy.

[norton73]

Okay then! I hear by claim the worstest rider ever on this ride. ;) See y'all Sunday!!!

I hope someone with a GoPro will be following you.

;D

[springer]

I hope someone with a GoPro will be following you.

;D

I will have my GoPro...so y'all can hear my bitching n moaning.  ;)

[kylepeterson]

I hope someone with a GoPro will be following you.

;D

You rang?

[Fencejumper09]

Headed to Anderson, SC to help my mom with some stuff on her house she is selling on Friday. If I can knock out the list by Saturday afternoon I should be back in time to meet you guys in Piedmont. I would probably head north once we get to Sylacauga!

Hopefully I can make it!