Nice day, thought I might take off for a few hours. For a quick view of the route, here is the link in Spotwalla: Click here
Topped off the fuel tank and headed east. So much for the “Go west young man” comment. I stayed on US72 until I was past Clements HS. I turned right on Hardy Rd at the Elementary School. Hardy becomes Ripley, then changes to Huntsville-Browns Ferry Rd. I pass the Buc-ee’s and veer onto Greenbrier Pkwy. Then down to Old Hwy 20 and make my first stop of the day at the Redstone HD. I get my electronic check-in and picture for the HOG Dealership Challenge.
After turning off US72, the ride has been a slow meandering on two-lane roads, mostly in farm land. As I leave the dealership, I decide to take advantage of the interstate to get me through Huntsville. All the other roads will take me hours to get through town due to traffic and so many stop lights. The interstate eventually ends and I am back on US72. Though higher speeds, very little traffic.
As I near Scottsboro, I may make the right turn onto AL35. I cross the river and now the route is going to become even more fun. I turn left onto AL40. As I ride up the southern parts of the Appalachian range, the roads has nice switchbacks and fantastic views. Areas to pull of come up on my too quickly for me to plan to stop, besides, I like to keep rolling on these twisty little roads.
Back on level roads again and soon AL40 ends and I switch to AL117. My next goal of the day is to photograph a couple of state signs with AULDR stickers. At the Alabama/Georgia line just past Mentone, I was able to get the pictures last year. I assume the signs are still there, and I have new stickers in the event that the previous ones are gone or faded beyond recognition.
I pass through Mentone. This little town is wonderful. Several small places to eat, plenty of BnB’s where you can stay, and the police don’t try to hide because they want people to drive slowly through town. Not a problem!
I pull up to the spot where I can get the pictures of each sign and the bike. I get the pictures and close-ups to prove that the AULDR stickers are there. As I start to leave, I see another biker pulled over standing around his bike. I roll over to check on him.
He is only taking a smoke break and checking in. We talk for a few minutes, then I head back to Mentone.
I make the left turn in Mentone onto Desoto Pkwy/Scenic Hwy. I had come through here last year. I was riding from Gadsden to Mentone and missed a turn. Though the road I was on was beautiful, it wasn’t officially the HOG 50 route. Taking it from Mentone to Gadsden, I will make sure I stay on track.
The part that I missed last year is truly a mix of roads. Some of the two-lane areas aren’t two full lanes, and they have slow turns with trees blocking views around the curves. The speed limit is nice and slow, which helps me keep an eye open for loose gravel. Other parts of the road have clear views for miles, two wide lanes, and higher speed limits which are easily enjoyed.
I divert from the trail to visit the HOG 50 checkpoint. I visited here last year and don’t need the picture for the challenge coin (I don’t get to earn more one coin from Harley for each ride). I walk around for a bit and look over some of the signs. This is a point along the Trail of Tears and the location of a log cabin which was used as a stop along the trail. Here is the picture from last year.
There is construction in Fort Payne, so the GPS keeps getting upset that I won’t follow her directions. I get to the stop, then manage to find an alley where I can get back on track.
The road changes name as I pass from town to town and through different counties. The scenery changes as often as the name changes. However, it is a very nice road to ride. Very relaxing.
As I get to Gadsden, I mostly know the route home. I keep the GPS mainly to help me know where/when I will be making my next turn. The GPS also posts the speed limit if I miss a sign with a speed limit change.
Familiar route from Gadsden. US278 to Cullman, right on AL157, then right on Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals. Just over two hours after leaving Gadsden, I am back home and relaxing in my recliner.
I earned four more points in the AULDR challenge and one HD dealership check-in/picture.