Talladega Dirt Skyway - Sunday, Mar. 4th

[KevinB]

Not my videos, but an idea of the rougher section...

[Nice Goat]

Some photos from last year:

[Nice Goat]

Sunrise will be 6:06AM and sunset will be 5:42PM, which means that we have 11.5 hours of daylight.  If we leave Huddle House at 7:30am, we will only have 10 hours of daylight remaining.

Rough timetable below for the ride (more detailed plan is attached).  Doesn't leave much time for fixing breakdowns or pulling people out of mudholes, so bring your "A" game.  If we have to make up any time, it will come from reduced breaks.

-----------
07:30 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    Leave Huddle House, take 500 to Shoal Creek Ranger Station/Start of 281 (mostly smooth dirt)
08:39 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    Leave Shoal Creek Ranger Station, take 281 to Adams Gap (smooth pavement)
09:11 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    Break
09:26 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Adams Gap, take 600-2 to Hwy. 77 (combo smooth & rough)
10:26 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    Break
10:41 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Hwy. 77, take 600-1 to Hwy. 148 (combo rough & smooth)
11:51 AM   -------------------------------
-----------    Break
12:06 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Hwy. 148, take 600-1 to Hwy. 77 (combo rough & smooth)
01:16 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    Waldo Quick Stop (fuel and refreshments)
01:56 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Hwy. 77, ride 600-2 to Adams Gap (combo smooth & rough)
02:56 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    Break
03:11 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Adams Gap, ride 281 to Shoal Creek Ranger Station (smooth pavement)
03:43 PM   -------------------------------
-----------    From Shoal Creek Ranger Station, ride 500 north to Piedmont (mostly smooth dirt)
04:52 PM   -------------------------------
-----------


Now you know why we are starting early!  Not a lot of room for error!

[kylepeterson]

Poor old girl, she's sobbing in the corner of the garage... Said something about "I thought you did that with the new girl, I'm old!"

It's been years, let's she if she can still get dirty :-)

[jrou111]

Poor old girl, she's sobbing in the corner of the garage... Said something about "I thought you did that with the new girl, I'm old!"

It's been years, let's she if she can still get dirty :-)

Test run for taking her on a DS/camping trip up here?  ;)

I wonder if she'll do 500 miles in the Smoky Mountains...

[kylepeterson]

Test run for taking her on a DS/camping trip up here?  ;)

I wonder if she'll do 500 miles in the Smoky Mountains...

A few years ago I stumbled upon the realization that the best, most memorable , hilarious things happen on the "pre rides".... Instead of the "planned everything down to minute" rides.

Shake down rides are always more fun.  The unpredictability and randomness of throwing crap on the bike and taking off - has massive appeal to me. Mix that in with old friends, you can't go wrong. :-)

[TFancher]

Can't make it.  Supercross in Atlanta Saturday. Probably be 2AM getting home.

[LT]

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.

So my Weestrom XT with skid plate and bash guards will make it? Ive got plenty of dirt experience but not on the Strom. (DR650 amd KLX250). Sadly dont own those any more.

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[springer]

So my Weestrom XT with skid plate and bash guards will make it? Ive got plenty of dirt experience but not on the Strom. (DR650 amd KLX250). Sadly dont own those any more.

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He did say a bash-plate is whats needed.  ;) I'd say, come on out and have some fun!

[KevinB]

You should be good to go.

[Gam]

He did say a bash-plate is whats needed.  ;) I'd say, come on out and have some fun!

I've done it on a wee strom and a big strom...wasn't wet though.

[jrou111]

Same here. In a Wee it's not difficult, just ground clearance limitations/ A skidplate is essential. On a DL1000 it was a good bit of work, but not impossible.

[kylepeterson]

Come on Mr sun, burn off some of that surface water so I can run slicks instead!

[Rokitt]

I have never ridden up there and I certainly would like to explore but on a much more relaxed time schedule.

[Nice Goat]

Hanging at the Huddle House...
Smokehouse Breakfast...
With my peeps!