Motorcycle Alabama

Alabama Rides => Ride Reports => Topic started by: klaviator on September 11, 2015, 10:02:27 AM

Title: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 11, 2015, 10:02:27 AM
We have just lived through the "death" of the old Bamarides forum and then the birth of the new.  We don't know if the old database can be recovered.  It would be great if it can but the most important part of the old Bamarides is still here.  That would be the people on the forum.  I was thinking that now would be a good time to look back at my history with Bamarides and to try to put more focus on the people than I normally do in my ride reports.

So, here goes:  Back in April of 2013 I bought a house in the Huntsville area and moved here full time.  No more commuting back to Marietta, Ga. on weekends.  So I decided to join the Bamarides Forum.  This took several tries because I had to watch the video several times to get that damn code :-[  A month or so later I decided to go on my first ride with BR. 

It was around the end of June, 2013.  The ride met at Ditto landing in Huntsville.  It was called a Mystery BBQ ride. So I headed over a little early on my Sport City 250.  I was one of the first to arrive but more kept trickling in until there were 20+bikes of all kinds.  When I looked around and saw the incredibly diverse collection of bikes and riders, some ATGATT and some NOTGATT, I thought "this is going to be a disaster" 

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0283_zpsa46b70ef.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0284_zpsdc0fe462.jpg)

Then the rider leader who bore a slight resembalance to Santa Clause and was riding two up on a Harley Electra Glide, gave a ride brief.  He talked about two lane back roads, curves, hairpins and ride your own pace, we'll wait at all turns. 

Maybe this won't be that bad??

So off we went.  Up over Green Mountain.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0285_zps3dc3d416.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0286_zps344e0ba9.jpg)

One of the guys who was riding a Super Teniere went ahead and took pics of the group as we rode by.  I didn't know this guy at the time but I do now.  You know him as the guy who takes awesome pics and changes bikes like most of us change underwear :)  Yes, that would be Gharshman.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0287_zps6f909a9e.jpg)

He rode ahead to take pics more than once.  Here's a pic he got from another spot:

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n496/gharshman/Faves/faves%2010_zpsw0gi9fsc.jpg)

We had a nice ride on some winding roads east of Huntsville.  I was impressed at the pace set by the ride leader, who I'm sure most of you have guessed by my description to be none other than Jrobinson.  The pace was fast enough to be fun but not so fast that people were being left behind.  Eventually we took a break at a scenic spot.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0290_zps9024c37d.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0289_zps9eb4ed91.jpg)

There was one other rider there on a really small bike like I was.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0291_zpse981d520.jpg)

That was Duanew on his WR250.  We ended up talking some.  Little did I know at that time that we would have some great rides together in the future.  I also didn't realize I had corrupted him as he would eventually join the ranks of the scooter trash ::)

More bikes.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0292_zps13a4328c.jpg)

I'm pretty sure that was BackintheSaddle's M109.  I don't know about the rest of the bikes.

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 11, 2015, 10:38:46 AM
After the break we rode some fun roads and that included 65 through Paint Rock Valley.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0299_zpsf79c887a.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0304_zps8ce409fd.jpg)

We took another break.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0307_zpsbd585400.jpg)

Nice view:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0310_zps16cb79f3.jpg)

Then it was off to the BBQ place.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0311_zpsb8d5ba66.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0313_zpsa29b1f7e.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0314_zps80dfc7fc.jpg)

It was a great meal.  Then it was time to head home.  I didn't know the area very well so I decided to follow another rider part of the way home.  He knew a much better route than just droning back on 72.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0317_zpsca043af5.jpg)

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0319_zps7ada0b9e.jpg)

I had now idea who this guy was but he was riding 2 up on this huge Valkyrie with a car tire on the back.  It should of been a slow ride but like Jrobinson on the main ride, he knew how to ride this thing.  It looked like he was about to scrape something going around every curve.  Eventually he stopped at a little store for a drink and a break.  That was my first time talking to Tim (slowroad) and his wife Angie.  Those of you who know Tim and Angie know what great people they are.  I had never ridden much with cruiser riders but it was clear to me that Tim was a real rider who shared my passion for riding.

I folloowed him a while longer before breaking off and heading home.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0326_zpsc1526d08.jpg)

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/br%206-29/IMG_0331_zpse833a251.jpg)

So, this ended up being a great experience for me and made a very positive impression of Bamarides on me.  Some of the people on this ride are now my friends. 

It was a great first ride with Bamarides but would certainly not be my last.

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 11, 2015, 10:41:59 AM
Since that first ride I have gone and many rides and attended many other events with Bamarides.  I will try to post up something on all that I can but that will take some time.  I plan in waiting a few day between my posts.  I would like to ask those of you who where there to share your thoughts on those rides and if you have some pics to post that would be great too.  Let's make this ride report a group project!
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: Argh Oh on September 12, 2015, 07:08:28 AM
Always enjoy your reports Win, you take very interesting rides. You were my first exposrure to a scoot here. This remains my fave scoot pic too! Sisters in Arms.
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 13, 2015, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Argh Oh on September 12, 2015, 07:08:28 AM
Always enjoy your reports Win, you take very interesting rides. You were my first exposrure to a scoot here. This remains my fave scoot pic too! Sisters in Arms.

I remember the time when that pic was taken.  I think that was my second or third ride with Bamarides.  I'll have more on that ride later.

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 13, 2015, 07:46:51 AM
In July someone,  (I think it was Jrobinson)  posted about a bike night at cycle Gear so I went.  Johnny showed up and I got to spend some time talking to him.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0339_zpsbcce5f26.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0344_zps6c7ce86e.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 13, 2015, 08:07:50 AM
My next event with BR was a flash mob at Crickets in Madison.  This was at the end of August 2013.   Debbi and I spent the evening talking to Smiley and another guy (Chemengineer??).  That was the first time I met Don.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0425_zpsda9a5c1c-1.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0423_zpsc710bf0a-1.jpg)

that was the first of many great flash mobs I would go to at Crickets
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 13, 2015, 08:32:14 AM
In Sept. I got the chance to go on another BR ride.  This was posted as a spirited ride so I took the KLR instead of the scooter.

We met just outside of Guntersville.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0431_zps263ced5f.jpg)

I don't remember the name of the guy leading the ride but he was on an old Nighthawk 700 and lived around Guntersville.  I do remember meeting Shane (Lostinbama) and I think Kevin (Kwb377) was there as well. 

It was a fun ride on some nice roads.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0435_zps5e4148a4.jpg)

Taking a break at Guntersville SP

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0437_zpsc9cd8d52.jpg)

We finished up by eating at a Mexican place in Scottsboro.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0446_zps175c8523.jpg)

It was fun riding with and talking to some sportbike guys.  It was also great seeing how such a diverse group of bikes could have a fun ride together.  Looking back, that has been one of the trademarks of Bamarides, diverse bikes and riders able to go out and enjoy the same ride by riding their own pace and enjoying each others company at the stops.


Win I hope you don't mind me adding a video of the ride - jrobinson
https://vimeo.com/73683028
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 14, 2015, 08:36:56 AM
I went on another big BR group ride in November.  This one was led by Slowroad and we had quite a large crowd show up.  There was a large variety of motorcycles and then me on the only scooter.  I don't remember many details from this ride other than it was a fun ride on some nice curvy roads that I had never ridden before.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0689_zps7442d387.jpg)

The one thing I do remember was that we stopped somewhere at a civil war museum.  Most of the people went on the guided tour but I stayed and spent that time talking with Argh Oh.  I don't remember exactly what we talked about but it was an interesting conversation.  I'm sure that one of the things we talked about were our bikes which were practically twins being that they were both blue Aprilias.  Here's a pic.  See if you can spot the differences between them ;D

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0694_zps89f8e0c0.jpg)

A few more pics from this ride:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0695_zpse22d8b64.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0696_zps33cb1d63.jpg)

Looking at the last pic I noticed that Jrobinson was on every one of the rides/events I have posted so far.

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0697_zps5e72c5df.jpg)

We must have ridden past Smith lake.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0699_zpsdc1d560b.jpg)

The lunch stop.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0703_zpsff2a1a0f.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0704_zps3158c114.jpg)

Back then all these people where strangers, now many are friends. 
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 14, 2015, 04:38:38 PM
Next up was my first dual sport ride with Bamarides.  This one was posted by Al Goodwin.  I had actually "met" AL through posts on ADV years earlier and we occasionally crossed paths there and maybe on the KLR forum.  This was the first time I met him in person.  It was also the first time I met his wife Melony.  I have since had the pleasure of riding and spending some time with both of them many times since this ride.

Back to the ride.  It was a weekend ride and camp event but I only made it out there for the day.  We had a great turnout of riders form all over Alabama and Georgia at Al and Melony's place in Vinemont.  They cooked up a bunch of great food for breakfast and even though I had already eaten, I pigged out some more.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0736_zpsd0081e04.jpg)

Then we headed off.  Perhaps some of the dirtbikes with lights crowd might have preferred more dirt and less pavement but I thought the route was great and didn't hear any complaints from any of the other riders.  Besides, I was feeling pretty rusty and didn't want to get into anything too gnarly.  There was some of everything on this ride.

Some mud:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/04fc2017-395b-45cc-b110-cb62d24a9b73_zps8a255484.jpg)

Some great paved roads that I had no idea existed:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0755_zps1f683af0.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/7040506b-b987-4382-8bb3-bdf58bd26e56_zpsebe333a5.jpg)

Some nice hairpins:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0759_zps5c9df17e.jpg)

There was some fun dirt getting out to Ft Bluff and the view there was great.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0761_zpsf76649dd.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0765_zps4d3819ca.jpg)

We climbed around some on the rocks.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0764_zps8c273685.jpg)

There's an old vehicle at the bottom of these rocks.  I'm sure the story of how it got there is interesting.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0763_zps7433093c.jpg)

Heading back out from Ft Bluff.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0769_zps32eb7146.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0768_zpse39314af.jpg)

Lunch was at the Shak:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0771_zpsd3ccea54.jpg)

More fun riding after lunch.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0772_zpsd96d6859.jpg)

We stopped for a gnarly hill climb.  I don't remember anyone making it to the top.  I didn't even try.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0776_zpsb7df45c0.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0778_zpsa5bb7cd9.jpg)

Then we found this nice "parking lot"

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0780_zps13595b25.jpg)

And we went caving:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0782_zpsd867985d.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0786_zpsd18bd25e.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0791_zps1e635bc0.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0793_zps7db4e7a3.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0795_zps3e9e39cb.jpg)

This KTM must have been tired from riding with all those KLR's and was taking a nap ;D

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0796_zps8893dfac.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0798_zps4f2d8b9c.jpg)

Then we did some more riding.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0799_zps2f3e47ba.jpg)

And then we made it back to the Goodwin's

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/IMG_0802_zps3f3efea7.jpg)

Speaking of the Goodwin's.  Al is an extremely talented rider.  He rides his KLR WITH a passenger on the back better than many of us ride without a passenger.  Melony is also amazing passenger riding on the back of a KLR on rides like this. 

It was another great ride with Bamarides!!!







Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on September 16, 2015, 03:34:35 PM
When winter comes to N. Alabama riding slows down a little but that doesn't mean Bamarides comes to a screeching halt. 

I December, thanks to a large part due to the efforts of members of Bamarides, The Why We Ride movie made it to a theater in Birmingham.  I cheated and drove the cage there.  It was cool watching a movie about riding in a theater full of motorcycle enthusiasts.  We took a group picture of all the Bamarides members afterwards:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0843_zps2afcd9e5.jpg)

At that time I hardly knew anyone there.  Looking at the pic now I recognize some faces :)  How many of you still active on the forum where there?



Jan of 2014 found me out getting dirty with Jrobinson and Beck:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0856_zpsb70e5f2e.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0861_zps9f8ff845.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2013%20pics/IMG_0858_zps58d92261.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 01, 2015, 11:57:17 AM
My next ride was a street ride on my scooter.  I met Johnny and Sandy at the Chevron in Gurley and we rode to Scottsboro where we met Wayne (Hawkvtx).  Johnny led us on some scenic roads up on Sand Mountain and we ended up at Buck's Pocket SP which has some nice twisty roads and nice scenery.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0918_zpsbd3a6c9f-1.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0919_zps88fae130.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0920_zpsa399e862.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0929_zps7fe733f5.jpg)

One of the cool things about this ride was that we riding completely different bikes, A Harley Dresser, a metric cruiser, and a scooter but it didn't matter.  We were all enjoying the ride.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0931_zpsf9e98f84.jpg)

Then we rode to a place I had never heard of.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/BR%201-12-14/IMG_0941_zpsf9117093.jpg)

That would be High Falls after a lot of rain.  I've been back several times since but I might never have herd of it if not for Bamarides.
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 01, 2015, 12:06:39 PM
In February we had some pretty cold weather but I decided to post up a short local ride.  The meeting place was Cycle Gear on 231.  I expected a few local riders to show up but was surprised when Lazybum showed up all the way from Muscle Shoals.  That's pretty hard core.  We rode up to the Madison County Hiking trails and then Duanew showed up right after we parked.  We did a mile or so hike then rode down Green Mountain.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1014_zps938df1bb.jpg)

At this point Duane and I swapped bikes.  He was interested in getting a scooter and wanted to see what the felt like.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1023_zps0ec84503.jpg)

He described my scooter as "being pushed along on an electric pillow"

Riding his WR250 was interesting as well.  It was quite a contrast to my scooter.

My wife joined us at Rosie's Cantina where we had lunch.  Overall it was a short but very nice day of riding and hanging out with some other riders.

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: lostinbama on October 01, 2015, 01:13:07 PM
AWESOME thread! Please keep it going. I was at more than 1 of these events so far haha

BTW I think I would really like a dual sporty bike. Maybe one day...
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 01, 2015, 01:45:46 PM
Thanks.  I plan on bringing it up to the time when the new BR came on line.

BTW I think I would really like a track bike. Maybe one day...

:)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 02, 2015, 06:15:22 PM
I liked High Falls so much that I decided to lead a ride there.  I posted it up and despite some cold weather, a few hard core riders showed up.

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i252/GoldwingFree/HiFalz%20Ride%202-1-14/DSC_5918_zpsc91e9d7d.jpg)

Dredman and One one the side came up from B'ham area.  Andy and Missie (I don't remember his screen name) came a long way to get here.  I think it was the first group street ride for MrsGriff.

We rode to High falss and found that it was mostly frozen.  I'm really glad I got the chance to see this.  It's not something you'll see real often in Alabama.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/High%20Falls%202-1-14/IMG_1039_zps00ea2710.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/High%20Falls%202-1-14/IMG_1053_zps0f6b634a.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/High%20Falls%202-1-14/IMG_1043_zpsff0bd8b3.jpg)

.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/High%20Falls%202-1-14/IMG_1049_zps1d83a02a.jpg)

Then we rode back to Guntersville where we ended up eating someplace near the water.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/High%20Falls%202-1-14/IMG_1082_zps399b685f.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 03, 2015, 12:03:02 AM
Another winter ride.  We met at Cycle Gear.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d5CRsk6thaA/UwlZWpck6wI/AAAAAAAAO_k/xPaMRwpHffo/s640/DSC_2970.JPG)

Ate at Crawmammas:

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd131/shrinkinman/Bike%20Pics/BamaRides/today095_zps54a3373f.jpg)

Then did some riding with a stop at Guntersville SP

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1232_zps1b87c031.jpg)

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 05, 2015, 07:21:36 AM
March of 2014 rolled in with some nice riding weather so I took advantage of it.

First up was a dual sport rider in the Wheeler Wildlife refuge with Falcon7 and Slowroad.  It was Falcon7's first time off the pavement as he had just got his first dual sport bike.  Tim (Slowroad) was new to this dirt stuff as well.  We had a good time and it was interesting watching both of them gain confidence and ride faster as rode. 

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1258_zpsf8bb1214.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1261_zps3f1bb72f.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1266_zps5a365a73.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1270_zpsd6586554.jpg)

Besides the riding we stopped a few times and just talked.  It was great getting to know both of these guys.
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 05, 2015, 07:25:48 AM
The following weekend I got out and explored WWR on the south side of the river with a new Bamarides member.  Due to advanced stage CRS disease, I can't remember his name. 

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1274_zpsa784e596.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1281_zpsda8a27cc.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1282_zps5dfc2b58.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1284_zps4cb125bf.jpg)

Then that evening we had a flash mob at Crickets:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1290_zps1a55c393.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 16, 2015, 06:27:26 AM
March of 2014 started out really great and then just got better.  It really brought to light all the benefits of being on Bamarides.  The day after the dual sport ride and flashmob I headed down to Barber to watch a bunch of BR riders do a track day.  I got to watch the riding, hang out in the pits and Don had access to pretty much anywhere around the track so I got some unique views and took a lot of pics.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1305_zpsa2bc93d8.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1320_zpsd230206c.jpg)

Lostinbama and his distinctive "yellow eyed" R1:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1313_zps5ec2a6e3.jpg)

Don shot a lot of video and pics:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1331_zps9840214e.jpg)

Back in the pits:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1334_zps43e51e77.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1336_zps92f30096.jpg)

Not your typical track bike:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1335_zps1b73a46b.jpg)

That would be Springer on his XR1200

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1337_zpse6a8ace5.jpg)

Met Karla and Buzz for the first time while we were hanging out at this nice viewpoint:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1342_zpsf0dcd38e.jpg)

There was a parapalegic rider in the expert class.  We stopped to check out his bike:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1338_zpsb69d6c8b.jpg)

Don interviewed him.  Very inspiring:

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: Argh Oh on October 16, 2015, 07:50:55 AM
Great reports Win, some I hadn't read before. We both got involved with these hooligans about the same time. Thanks for your memories!
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 22, 2015, 07:59:38 AM
The next ride was another dual sport ride.  This time it was a ride posted by Yankee Dog and we rode the truck trail on the South side of the rider in the WWR.  It was also my first time meeting Yankee dog in person after having traded posts in ADV for a couple of years.  Mrs Yankee Dog and Slowroad also came along.  Some pics:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1357_zpsb1b769de.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1361_zps714b848c.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1362_zps085eeeae.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1364_zpsbdfea991.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1371_zpse03505e4.jpg)

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(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/Yankeedog/Wheeler/IMGP4500_zps8cdae2cb.jpg)

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(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/Yankeedog/Wheeler/IMGP4541_zps65973ba1.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on October 22, 2015, 08:08:18 AM
Next up, and still in March of 2014 was the Top Gun in Montevallo.  BR was supposed to run part of this but ended up being shut out at the last minute.  Many of us still showed up and participated.  It was my first time doing something like this other that than the ERC course I took years ago.  this was much more fun.

When I got there and looked at the courses, they made no sense to me.  Luckily Kyle showed me around the Advanced course.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RLdPRSQot4M/UyZJYPibMBI/AAAAAAAAPR4/32Cbep9uNuQ/w922-h512-no/DSC_3101.JPG)

I kept practicing on the advanced course.

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd131/shrinkinman/Bike%20Pics/Montevallo%20Top%20Gun/MontevalloFlatTrack054_zps4be9f8df.jpg)

I entered the competition.  There where no other scooters so they put me in the cruiser class which I won :)

There where a lot of really impressive riders there including some motor cops and a small gal on a big Harley.  A few more pics:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1378_zps3c32eacf.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1384_zps13f501b0.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1379_zps22e7d65b.jpg)

Kyle taking my scooter for a spin:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/IMG_1393_zpse745d46a.jpg)

Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on January 01, 2016, 10:20:18 AM
March of 2014 was a great month for riding but I wasn't done yet.  For those of you who remember back then, I was trying really hard to get more scooter riders active on BR.  One of the local Scooter club members set up a ride to Barber from Huntsville and we ended up making it a joint Scoot Happens/BR event.  We left Huntsville with 5 scooters, 3 of them only 150cc.

We took this pic on the way:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300020_zpsac6fb3c2.jpg)

Then a bunch of BR members met us at a restaurant in Birmingham where we had lunch.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300033_zpse6418e21.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300032_zpsd5d79faf.jpg)

Then Don led us all the Barber where we spent some time in the museum.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300039_zps32606422.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300040_zps639a472a.jpg)

We took a little detour to the Swann Covered Bridge on the way back to Huntsville:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/rick%20-barbers%20scoot/P3300091_zpsc89b3eb4.jpg)

My total mileage for this ride was around 250 miles.  No big deal on my 250 but a pretty long ride for those on little 150s.
Title: Re: Looking back at my time with the "old" Bamarides
Post by: klaviator on January 01, 2016, 05:33:14 PM
April of 2014 got off to a good start with a great ride in the dirt with Griff, MsGriff and Beck:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4050010_zpsf41ef550.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4050011_zps568b7cc0.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4050012_zps72551666.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4050023_zps3fbc5e13.jpg)

A week or so later I rode to Albertsville and met Al & Melony for lunch:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4100008_zpsd9b73fc9.jpg)

We finished off the month with a dirt skills day at Holly Tree:

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4260001_zpsce2a680a.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4260003_zps6e7e2237.jpg)

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(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4260034_zps0c3885a1.jpg)

Spring had definitely sprung in N. AL.

(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu171/wknudsen/2014%20pics/P4260039_zps184a76e5.jpg)

That evening after the dirt skills day we had 17 people show up at a flash mob at Crickets:

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/u2atuzun.jpg)