Later we will have a page devoted to Routes.
Are there any ride route files?
Check the Rally website again . Oh, and the upcoming Concourier...I've been checking and haven't found any yet. I sent off for the www.Northalabama.org Motorcycle routes brochure (pdf HERE) and I'm
unimpressed with it. Most of the routes appear to be cruiser oriented and every motorcycle photo in the brochure was of a
cruiser. I've started making my own routes based simply on looking at Google street views. They look OK on a map, but since
it's hard to judge traffic and speed limits on Google they could really be terrible. The Google times for distance traveled are really long so I imagine that there are a lot of low speed limits and double yellow sections. The road along the upper edge of Little River Canyon looks
interesting (if it isn't choked with slow traffic)
This route is mentioned on the rally attractions page but not shown in much detail (yet).
Coming up with routes for a National can be exhausting, especially if you feel that you need to ride them all first and then keep checking with the various state hwy departments for construction closures etc. The last thing you want to hear if you're in charge of a national's routes is to have 20 or so people come in and say "the routes suck", "the roads were closed", "the road turned to gravel and there was no safe place to turn around", "OMG the traffic on that effing road was terrible".etc etc. ...so have patience even though it's hard to do. Personally I plan on spending one day at Berber and one at the tourist sites around Chattanooga, so I just need routes for two days of riding, unless it is exceedingly hot and humid in which case I might just visit the Caverns one day.
Below are a few of my feeble armchair mapping route attempts. (and to be clear, I have no connection with the 2021 National Rally team nor are these official routes nor have they been tested or ridden by me etc etc normal riding precautions apply, ride at your own risk, wear a helmet, do not ride after sunset or before sunrise, etc etc. if you have doubts about your riding skills take a MSF course, make sure your motorcycle is properly maintained as per the manufacturer's owners manual, to maintain your safety perhaps you should just stay in your room, if you see trouble ahead make a U-turn and go home. When you get there wear a mask, wash your hands while singing the Happy Birthday song, repeat, climb into bed and hide under the covers, enjoy. This disclaimer is simply a poor attempt at humor and in no way is it any kind of a political statement nor is it meant to offend, if you are offended please pretend you didn't read it and accept my apologies.)
https://goo.gl/maps/L2aAH9WU73ccFK5WA (lake Guntersville Loop)
https://goo.gl/maps/8CnjsUkGxspNSJUP8 (Tennessee Waltz)
https://goo.gl/maps/fRzCk8pnYCYDoE7Y6 (Lookout Mountain Part 1)
https://goo.gl/maps/zcTp843bWvUG496t9 (Lookout Moutain Part 2)
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, I just did that, but all I see are attractions, no routes. Maybe you better give me a link? ...or did you mean keep checking back on it everyday in the future?Check the Rally website again .
It's about time!I'm happy to say that I finally registered Jorge and me for the rally. I'm really looking forward to this event.
Yep, June is nice, temperature wise. We wouldn't want to hold this in August!For those thinking it's gonna be too hot...average monthly weather for Rally location.
Tom
Ruh-roh, my bad. Page is still a work in progress. Will be up soon. But do check out the information in the next Concourier!Maybe I'm doing something wrong, I just did that, but all I see are attractions, no routes. Maybe you better give me a link? ...or did you mean keep checking back on it everyday in the future?
Tom, Connecticut Yankee coming down to your Beautiful state for the RAlly. My 1st National Rally and I'm stoked! I'm looking for New England COG members riding down to the Rally to ride down with. Also, what might we expect in weather and bugs in June in Alabama?Hello COG!
My name is Tom Sills, a.k.a. Volcantour, and I have the honor of being Rallymeister for the 2021 Ridge Runner National Rally being held June 14-18 at Lake Guntersville State Park outside of Guntersville, in northeast Alabama. I and the Rally Team are quite excited about the venue for the Rally as well as the great travel destinations nearby. And, oh yes, there are roads to enjoyable get you hither and yon. As was stated in the Concourier article, It's AL Here! I highly recommend reading the article if you have not already!
This space on the forum will be updated time to time with information about the venue, the various attractions in the area, the roads, and the variety of activities available to Rally participants.
We will have the website and online registration ready to go online by January. Information about lodging options is already available through separate threads and at the current Rally website landing page on the COG site.
Look forward to having y'all come on down in June!
Tom (Volcantour)
Sorry for this late response! You are coming to north Alabama, where June temps are as shown on the attached weather history.Tom, Connecticut Yankee coming down to your Beautiful state for the RAlly. My 1st National Rally and I'm stoked! I'm looking for New England COG members riding down to the Rally to ride down with. Also, what might we expect in weather and bugs in June in Alabama?
Excellent support of the Rally coming from Barber Museum. Check it out on the Door Prizes page!Another place to explore (just across the state line in GA) Cloudland Canyon State Park is an interesting 1.5 hour ride from rally central.
Cloudland Canyon: Stunning views and tumbling waters
blueridgemotorcyclingmagazine.com
(Registration is stll open. We received LOTS of information this week about our guests coming from the Barber Museum. Yeah!!!
I trust you will like the selection. Just remember to ride your ride. We cannot vouch for every route as conditions change over time for which we have no control.All the GPX files imported into Scenic... Ready to ride!!!!
I'll be working on getting the schedule posted this week.Any idea if/when the schedule will be posted on the National Rally Website?
Great News! Thanks. The wife and I were planning to stop in Memphis on the way home, but that was before they closed the I-40 bridge, so tryign to figure out a timeline.I'll be working on getting the schedule posted this week.
Hey, how about helping greet folks on Tuesday morning at the Lodge entrance?? Entails handing out bottles of water and wet rags to wipe off sweat then providing some directions....Sharon and I will be available for downloading gear and setup also willing to man registration just let us know where and when you need us. Thanks Charles!
What day and route were yiu planning on taking, and where are u coming from?Hey, is there anyone riding to the National Rally from the SE or SC Region? I'd like to ride along if possible. My caring and concerned wife would feel much better if I rode with a group or someone else. Thanks. Mo-#8554
Good to hear. I was getting ready to post about where the stuff was. I'm guessing there are plenty of folks heading out this week who would like to pack their gear for the trip.6. Rally merchandise bought at the time of registration is being mailed out beginning today. Those ordering shirts, hats, etc. should be seeing stuff arrive at their location in the coming week.
Thank for the information! My brother N Law and I were on the fence about bringing along our GSs with the ZGs but now I am seriously considering it...On another thread there is discussion about finding dual sport rides. We are continuing to research that option. In the meantime, Rally team member David Hamil has pulled together a good listing of motorcycle route websites to which I've attached comments. Another option which I regularly enjoy is the ride to Cheaha Mountain State Park which contains the highest elevation in the State of Alabama. Use this information to explore the area around the Rally and reliance upon my footnotes is at your own risk! Enjoy!
Merchandise is hitting mailboxes today.Good to hear. I was getting ready to post about where the stuff was. I'm guessing there are plenty of folks heading out this week who would like to pack their gear for the trip.
Stuff began arriving at my house Monday!!Good to hear. I was getting ready to post about where the stuff was. I'm guessing there are plenty of folks heading out this week who would like to pack their gear for the trip.
Hey, is there anyone riding to the National Rally from the SE or SC Region? I'd like to ride along if possible. My caring and concerned wife would feel much better if I rode with a group or someone else. Thanks. Mo-#8554
What day and route were yiu planning on taking, and where are u coming from?
I'm recently retired and I plan on going to the rally in June (my first). I'd like to ride up and back with someone or group. I live in South Louisiana and I'd be glad to meet up with someone from S TX, S or central MS, or S AL ... or of course S LA. Looking forward to it. Thanks.
The vendors supporting the Rally are listed on the Rally website and in another thread of this Rally information. I do not expect to see either of the communication firms you need at our event.Is there a list of vendors who will be at the rally?
I'm thinking about buying a communication system ( SENA / Cardo etc)
The vendors supporting the Rally are listed on the Rally website and in another thread of this Rally information. I do not expect to see either of the communication firms you need at our event.
To any of you guys who haven't been to Barber Motorsports Park or Museum: Do it, just do it, make the time.
An hour and a half on the first of four exhibit floors is not atypical...Agree! And plan to spend the better part of a day if you're really into that kinda thing. When we went right before the Rona we spent close to 5 hrs but it wasn't nearly enough time. Simply too many displays to take in and process. I could have spent an entire week in just one section. LOL
There will probably be someone in Rally Central to sign you up.We actually are not coming in until Tuesday afternoon. Is there somewhere I can come and sign in still?
Thanks for making the trip!Home safe after 2295 miles and 43 hours of two up riding. Barber museum took up 5 hours of our time. What a great place. Tennessee aquarium, Look Out Mountain and Little River Gorge and still made it back for the ice cream social. Our short day got us to 3 covered bridges and the space and rocket center in Huntsville. Watched some great sunsets, met new people, and got a dinner. Who could ask for more. I guess we can. We both got a door prize and a plaque for the longest two up riders.
Thanks to the rally team for a great event.
Jeff and Kathy DeBruyne
Gloucester, VA.
One is in the hospital In Rome and his wife’s on the way we heard, but no word on his condition, I’m sure due to privacy laws.Does anybidy have any updated info on the 2 riders that went down?