Recently I attended the 2024 Southern FJR Owners (SFO) gathering in Jemison, AL hosted by my good friend Turk and his lovely wife Jana. The whole trip tallied up at 6 days and about 1,800 miles for me. Having just returned from a 3 month visit to New England only days earlier, I was a bit weary. But adventure waits for no man, and so I decided to give it a go.
SFO has been in Jemison for 9 (NINE) years running now, and I’ve attended 5 or 6 of them. This gathering is the epitome of southern hospitality for the motorcyclist: good riding, good food, good drink, and impeccable fellowship. It always makes for great opportunities to see old friends and ride with them. A few weeks out, I started communicating with peeps, and it didn’t take long for a good plan to come together. Three friends from the west: Doug (California), Marty (Arizona), and George (Washington) found each other a week or so early, and started heading East. Another buddy, Mark (Iowa) started heading south just after that, and met Curt in his home State of Arkansas. I found all 5 of them on Wednesday in Arkansas and from there, we convoyed to SFO.
With the right bike and attitude for adventure, it’s not really that far. I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1 (Wednesday): Lafayette, LA to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, approximately 375 miles.
Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/S5DfDwg27A4NBTkQ8
I was happy to learn that Turk and Jana were saving a bed for me at their place this weekend. That means I don’t have to lug the camping gear and packing the horse was a snap. I woke up early and excited about the ride. I gulped down my breakfast and coffee, and kissed my wife goodbye.
I get across the city fairly easy, leaving early enough to beat most of the workday traffic. Soon, I am on Interstate 49 in high gear heading north like greased lightening.
I’d rather avoid the interstate for any ride, but today I’ve got considerable miles to go and the faster I get out of here, the better.
In Alexandria, I turn north on US Hwy 165. Most of the US Highways in the south are in good shape. They have generous speed limits and are much less congested than the interstates.
The weather is warm but very dry and I’m having good fun running through the forests of central Louisiana on State highways.
I cross the border into Arkansas and pull into Crosett just in time for lunch. I found this nice bistro just a block off the main highway.
The waitress assured me that the home-made onion rings were good. She was right.
After lunch, I continued north through the piney woods of southern Arkansas. The roads are in good shape, curvy enough, and other than the occasional log truck, I’ve got it practically to myself.
Mid-afternoon, I stopped in Rison, AR for my treat.
It’s a great day for a ride.
I rolled into Pine Bluff, Arkansas about 4 pm. I had reserved a room for $58.00 at the Motel 6 and it was spotless. With plenty of daylight left, I picked up some needed supplies.
This one is brewed in Little Rock – very tasty.
This is one of my favorite sipping tequilas. I can’t find it anymore in my hometown, but imagine my surprise when I stopped at an ABC store and found this for $20.00 including tax! I wish I had room for more than one bottle.
Soon the others arrived. Everyone got checked into their hotel rooms and we met at the parking lot where a local food truck selling BBQ was setup. This makes it easy for us – we’ll just eat in the hotel breakfast room.
The BBQ was “so so” – but the conversation and friendship were excellent. This trip is off to a great start.
Day 2: Pine Bluff, AR to Jemison, AL, approximately 425 miles.
Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jjNYAABCH2sowuqv5
I slept good on the hotel mattress and before I knew it, sunrise was upon me and it was time to ride.
I’ve ridden every road around here more than once. As such, the group chose me to lead the ride. For this particular leg of the trip, an important thing to understand is that we’ve got to get across the Mississippi River and there are only a few ways to do that. Given my choices, we will just run US Hwy 65 down south and cross at US Hwy 278,
It was nice to just play some music and enjoy the cool morning.
The bridge at US 278 is brand new and it is magnificent!
Looking good, guys!
At the Mississippi border, we stopped for gas and bilge and I got a text from Turk. I sent him our expected route for the day and was pleased to learn that he was heading west to intercept us. I suggested a good town to meet for lunch, he replied with a restaurant suggestion, and so off we go!
Marty is a couple thousand miles into this trip by now, but he looks ready for more!
Objects in THIS mirror are pretty freaking cool, man.
We all get to the restaurant right on time.
Blackened chicken sandwich for the win. I’m on an onion ring kick. Damm good food at this place (Market Café’, Louisville, MS)
Peach Turnover Ala Mode for dessert? Don’t mind if I do!
We are now 7 in our moto train, and after lunch, we are taking it in bigger chunks!
Some of them have helmet to helmet communications, but not me. I’ve ridden with all of these guys a LOT over the years. There’s no need to talk – we know where we are going.
We get to Alabama and then cross the Tenn-Tom Waterway.
Again, I’m running very familiar State highways toward our destination. I know instinctively where I am going.
Turk just picked up his Tenere from the repair shop and that puppy is running like a scaled ape!
We get close to Jemison and learn that others have already gotten there before us.
Marty and Doug look like they are ready to eat a fence post!
Thankfully, they didn’t have to. Jena prepared a delicious chili with fixings for us and after dinner, we all sat down with our favorite beverage and discussed the meaning of life.
As a side note, on Day 1 when I stopped in Alexandria, LA, I got a text from my good riding buddy back home. Mike just bought a 2024 Honda Africa Twin, and was itching to take a ride. After checking with Turk (who knows Mike), we invited him to ride over to Alabama and meet us. Mike had a good ride over and I was happy to see my friend.
It’s going to be a great weekend.
Day 3: Ripping the Central Alabama Roads, Approximately 275 miles.
I slept good last night. One cannot discount the value of good rest. I’m a simple “drip coffee” kind of guy, but Turk and Jana have one of those fancy Keurig machines. I just kept pressing buttons until coffee came out of the thing. Victory!
Today is going to be a good day!
We rode over to Clanton to meet the others that were staying at the hotel.
Some of us are going to visit the Barber Motorcycle Museum. It is a must-see for any motorcycle enthusiast of ANY kind. I’ve seen it several times already, so instead, I’m going to ride the hills with the other group.
As previously stated, I’ve been here numerous times, and know most of the roads well. However, Turk did lead us on some new-to-me county roads that were very good. Having a local show you the stuff is a wonderful gift.
We made it to Lake Mitchell and stopped for a break.
It’s certainly warm for late October, but no one is complaining!
We continue generally north and when we got to the Talledega Scenic Byway, Turk let me by so I could pick it up a bit on this twisty road. About halfway through, I stopped at the top for a photo.
Lots of good memories buried in this photo. Good friends are priceless.
The road is clean and there is very little traffic. So I led us on a “spirited” run north down the mountain. It was fun to turn the reigns loose on the big FJR and let her sing her favorite song.
At the bottom, we cruised into Heflin to Marie’s BBQ for lunch.
After lunch, we can’t think of a better route to take, so I led us back up the mountain on Hwy 281. I shortened my foot pegs just a smidge on this run. I stopped at the intersection of Hwy 49 to wait for the others.
Mike and Alma are also enjoying the quicker pace as they were just behind me the whole way.
Hwy 49 is also a good road, and we ripped it up pretty good as well. In New Site, AL, it was time to let the adrenaline wane a bit.
Now back in the lowlands area, it was a bit more deliberate heading generally in the direction of “home”. At one point, I passed a small sedan legally on a dotted yellow line, but the driver decided to road rage me. He was tailgating me way too close, and eventually passed me and others uphill on a double yellow. I was bracing myself to witness an accident, but thankfully, it didn’t happen. At that point, I had enough of him and just let him go. No matter how stupid someone is, I’m not going to win this fight.
None the less, what a great ride today!
(I was just trying to get around a log truck…. Shhhhh… wink wink)
We all get back to our accommodations and clean up for supper. Happy hour may or may not have lasted over 2 hours today.
Turk and Jana prepared a wonderful shrimp boil, complete with sausage, corn, and trimmings. It was very good.
Also good was sampling this delicious rye after dinner. I shall remember this one and try it again at home.
My buddy Mike P went with the group to Barber today and he had a good time as well. I enjoyed mingling with the entire group and cutting up like I do. For boys, 7th grade humor last a lifetime.
Tomorrow is another day!
Day 4: Hiking Oak Mountain, and a short ride. Approximately 100 miles.
Again, I slept good and again, I was quite grateful to be able to wade through the PhD Dissertation otherwise known as the coffee maker.
I asked Mike P what he wanted to do and he seemed indifferent. So I suggested we take a walk. I kind of feel like stretching my legs out a bit. Mike found some trails at Oak Mountain State Park only about 20 miles away from Jemison. We stopped at a store on the way so Mike could buy some shoes and we also picked up a subway sandwich for lunch.
Mid-morning, we are walking up the mountain.
The name of the trail we walked is called “The Kings Chair”. The area was crowded, but as we moved higher on the mountain, we started spreading out a bit more.
Up top, the views were pretty good.
I was expecting to see a rock formation that resembled a “King’s Chair”, but did not.
We ate our sandwich in the breeze under some shade at the top of the mountain. Mike pointed us on a different trail back down the mountain and after a 4-ish mile hike for the day, we were back at the motorcycles.
I picked a few county and State roads to zig zag back to Turk’s place. We got there late afternoon and shortly thereafter, I was happy to see my good friend Josh arriving from Southern Illinois. Josh rode over 600 miles today to be with us and in that ride, he saw a fluctuation in temperature of about 50 degrees!
Good conversation cutting up with friends over Happy Hour. Even our “Pole Dancers” seem to be enjoying it!
Evening appears and the natives are getting hungry!
Turk’s Aunt Jim (yes – you read that right) was an interesting woman. I had the pleasure of meeting her many years ago, and was truly impressed by her cheerful soul and love for her family. Aunt Jim has been gone a while now, but Jana was wise to learn some of her recipes before she passed.
Aunt Jim’s Chocolate Pie is one fine dessert, my friends.
Another SFO tradition is live music on Saturday evening. For many years now, we have been treated to the incredible talent of Alan Barstow. Alan is one of Turk’s friends and an amazing musician.
Sitting with my brother from another mother, sipping on the shampoo, listening to some awesome tunes. Life is pretty damn good, my friends…
Day 5: Jemison, AL to Lafayette, LA, approximately 475 miles.
Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vsRf4m8C3L5VSsps5
I hit the shampoo pretty hard last night and when it kicked in, I was feeling it! Turk and I and some others stayed up a bit late cutting up. It was a lot of fun. So I woke up feeling a bit dry. I started pumping water while I packed.
The road waits for no one and we’ve got 500-ish miles to go. Mike and I got to Clanton about 7:45 am and the western contingent were ready to go.
And with that, we are off!
I picked the route that offers the best mix of 2-lane State roads, some 4-lane US highway, and still runs pretty “direct” toward my house. The weather is continued dry and, in the morning, it was kind of cool. Plenty good enough for today. We stopped at a Mexican Grill in Laurel, MS for lunch.
After lunch, on the desolate 4-lane, you kind of just sit there and twist that. Marty is making the best of it.
I was making due as well with my thoughts.
It hard to describe to the non-rider, but when a motorcyclist finds a rare opportunity to ease his guard down just a little, it can be quite a good experience. On US Hwy 84, well between any cities or towns, there is no traffic to speak of. The divided highway provides some protection against others coming at you. This particular section of road has enormous shoulders and the trees are clear cut WELL off the road. The visibility is excellent and so for about 30 minutes, with the cruise set at 10-ish over, and the drone of the engine at a constant hum, I get to chill out. For Pants, when this happens, especially at the end of the tour, I start reflecting on the trip. I get melancholy, humble, and thankful all at once. I’m so blessed with this life of mine; I can hardly express it in words.
This time, I was particularly fascinated at our diversity, which can be expressed many ways. I hope I’m not leaving anyone out, but this year for SFO, the following homes were represented:
Washington
California
Arizona
Louisiana
Arkansas
Tennessee
Kentucky
Alabama
Illinois
Iowa
Pennsylvania
Georgia
North Carolina
Florida
And one gentleman from Canada.
Our home location isn’t the only thing that separates us. We come from all walks of life. Our backgrounds are as different as we are. Over the years, we’ve used our love of riding motorcycles as a start. We’ve taken a chance on each other and it’s paid off huge dividends. Perhaps now more than ever, we need each other. The fellowship stands on its own, but its much more than that. When I look at our diversity and I thrive in spite of that, it reminds me that what I see and hear elsewhere is a farce. Nay – the world is indeed a good place where good people do good things. These people remind me of this, and I’m eternally grateful for it.
Of course, there was the obligatory confectionary stop.
I was so glad that George made this trip. I’ve wanted to tour with him since 2017 when we met in California. He’s a nice man and a good friend.
We get to Lafayette about 5 pm and stop at Walmart so that George can get a gallon of oil, as he wants to change the oil in his motorcycle at my house. Mike moves on to his house, but will re-join us this evening for a meal.
When we arrived home, my wonderful wife has prepared snacks for us, and we hit it like a pack of hyenas!
Last week, in anticipation of this evening, I cooked a chicken and sausage gumbo and froze it. This morning, my wife took it out of the freezer and it was real simple to just heat it up and make some rice. Mike brought his lovely wife (Pam) over, and we enjoyed a simple cajun meal together. Uncharacteristically, I took no photos.
After dinner, we mulled over the map and I whipped up a nice route for the guys tomorrow heading west. I’m running them along the Louisiana and Texas coast to Freeport, TX, before they turn northwest on the day after for a stop at Big Bend National Park.
It’s been a great ride.
Day 6: The Western 3 move on.
There’s nothing quite like your own mattress. I slept like a rock and morning came quickly. I made coffee and biscuits for the guys as they packed up to continue their journey. I was glad that they opted to stay at my house for a night. George was a special good sport for drawing the short straw and having to sleep on an air mattress in the office.
It's foggy this morning and while I intended to ride with the guys to the LA/TX border, as I started stirring, I just wasn’t feeling it. So I sent them on their way with eternal thanks for their comradery and friendship.
Over the next days, I followed them vicariously through the wonders of social media. I was pleased to learn that one by one, all of them got home safely.
Our diversity is the bond that holds us together. That, and the motorcycle.
Stay thirsty, my friends…
