Clover SC to Vicksburg, MS and Return

Last week I went on my yearly long ride with a few friends. These long rides typically revolve around a Civil War Battlefield. Last year was Gettysburg and this one was to Vicksburg. Planned for Wednesday thru Saturday (Sunday if needed).

Day 1

Starting out we met for b'fast at 6:30am in Clover, SC. On the way it started sprinkling, not the way to start a trip when the local weather was suppose to be clear. DUring b'fast we discussed the route, which was to take us to my brothers house in Decatur, AL for the night. Hard to beat free room and board. We were going by way of SC 11, US 76, US 64, I-75, I-24 and US 72. So off we head on a 450 mile journey.

While going through Hiwassee, GA the weather began to look threatening to the north. This was not good cause the route had us jogging North to get to US 64. We paused for a restroom break and decided to continue on US 76 and see what the weather had in store. As we got into Blue Ridge, GA the skys above began to look very bad. Good time to stop for lunch and get the Black-Berry out and see what we were about to face. My brother had text and let me know that the weather was about to get really bad along the route. After a few texts he sent an image of the line of storms in the close proximity. As soon as we got our meals the bottom fell out and it rained hard for the duration of lunch. Checking the weather it appeared that the rain was moving quickly thru the region and had lightened considerably by the time we were ready to head out. So donning the rain gear (Harley HiVis in my case).

During the ride to Dalton, GA it rained fairly consistently. Once just outside Dalton the rain stopped. We removed the rain gear just before hitting I-75. The rest of the trip to Decatur was fairly clear with no hint of rain until we got to Huntsville, AL. Just as we got to Huntsville the dark clouds began to show again. Just as we passed the Space and Rocket Center we rain into the largest rain drops I can remeber. Almost thought it was hail. The sky was light ahead so stopping would get us wetter than continuing, so no stopping and we ran out of the rain in about 1/2 mile.

We arrived at my brother's home, after talking a bit I handed hm my keys and let him take a spin down the road. He has ridden all his life on a multitude of bikes so I knew it was in good hands. Currently has a Harley (trying to bring him back from the dark side). After eating home-made Lasgana we set around and talked into the night. During the night another storm went through (heavy rain, lightning and winds). It was still sprinling in the morning.

Day 2 to follow:


Vicksburg Trip Album

 

Day 2

Todays route takes us thru the Bankhead National Forrest, Double Springs, Natural Bridge, Eldridge, Fayette, Milport (AL), Columbus, Starkville, Sturgis, Kosclusko, Natchez Trace Pkwy to Clinton (MS).

Started off wearing rain gear (started not too). Within 50 miles we stopped in Double Springs to remove rain gear. Too hot and muggy and had not rained in many miles. While stopped we got gas and were approached by a couple of elderly gentlemen. They walked up and the first thing I heard was " I told you that was one of those bikes with a single sided swing arm". After they walked around the bike they were shocked that we had come all the way from NC on our way to MS. We talked and they were discussing all the bikes they had owned and then gave me a card. It was a motorcycle club "Free-State Brotherhood Riders Club", only in rural AL. They actually have a business cards and a website. Go figure. If I was not from AL origionally I might have been surprised.

On the road again, I was really amazed how good the rural roads through AL were. I really was expecting terrible roads because of all the timber trucks running up and down the road. This part of AL is very rural and not much but timber and hunting land with the occasional town. We made good time and were soon passing the Mississippi State line.

The main goal was to stay off of Interstates as much as possible. The leg from Columbus to Starkville was on US 82 which might as well be Interstate. We stopped in Starkville for lunch and continued on towards the Natchez Trace Pkwy. While on the parkway we had to stop a few times for construction. They were putting in new culverts in many locations so we did not make good time. We did arrive in Clinton safe and sound but required a detour to get to Kevin's cousins. By this time I was about completely wiped out from the distance and heat. For some reason it was mid 90s with heat indexes in the 100s. Welcome to MS. We took a ride over to the Harley dealer so Kevin cold find a new rainsuit. He had bought a Frog before the trip and it leaked on him during the ride thru N GA. He ended up getting the same one I own so now he was ready for the rain. We stopped and got some stuffed pork chops, and kabobs (steak and chiken) for dinner. We ate and then set around talking about the journey so far and plans for tomorrow.

 

Day 3

Today was what the trip was about, visit the Vicksburg Battle Field. We took back roads from Clinton to Vicksburg, these were the worst roads we had come across so far. From loose gravel beginning to repave to bumpy and rutted. We made the 40 miles to the battlefield and went through the limited museum. We then road around the battlefield stopping a few times to look at sites and get a feel for the layout and what both sides faced. The main attraction was the USS Cairo which was sunk on the Yazoo River by a Confederate Torpedo (actually a mine) that was triggered from shore. If one is ever in the area would definitely recommend. Back on the bikes we hurried back to the main entrance to watch a live firing of a replica cannon. They showed the types of rounds that were fired (ball, shrapnel, small ball and buck shot) then proceeded to fire the cannon. I can not imagine a bunch of these going off at the same time and tring to focus on the job at hand.

We finished riding the park and then proceeded to lunch. I think we all drank about 12 to 16 glasses of water (temp was upper 90s with 105+ heat index). We road around looking for other sites but could not find anything of interest. Before heading back to Clinton I wanted to ride across the MS River so that I could add LA to my list of states I have ridden. We then returned to Clinton and again had a wonderful meal (Shrimp and Fish) at Kevin's cousins house. We then set around planning out tomorrows route toward home. The route was again planned to not use Interstates. This was the plan but plans are made to be broken.

Day 4

The day started hot and muggy. Temp was 80 degrees and guessing 80 to 90% humidity. Was looking like a long day in the saddle. The planned route took us up the Natchez Trace, jog over to MS 25, Louisville, Macon, Brooksville (MS), Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Vance, Harpersville, Pell City, Gadsden (AL), Rome and stop in Gainsville. We headed out and made good time till we got through Tuscaloosa. US 11 was slow, not sure were all the Sunday drivers came from but everyone was taking their sweet time. Anytime we got four lanes they would spped up but then slow down at the next 2 lane. Frustration and fatigue was not helping me focus. I remember looking at the GPS and seeing 2 miles to turn and totally missed it. We came up to the Interstate I-20 just before I459. The GPS re-routed (no Interstate) and so we followed. Next thing we know we have a turn onto a dirt road. Yes dirt road. We stopped looked at the oprtions and said what the heck. So 1/2 mile later we are back on pavement. Continuing on with the new route put us into Bessemer heading into B'ham in the heat of the day with lots of traffic. I made a command decsion and headed for the nearest Interstate on ramp. We got aroud B'ham and stopped in Irondale to eat BBQ (Golden Rule - first time back since mother passed). WHile eating we discussed the options for the trip from here. Continue on the Interstate or pick up our origional route in 20 miles or so. It was decided to try Interstate and see where we ended up.

I changed the settings on the GPS for Interstate and it said we could be home around 8:20. Off to the races. We made it home by 8:40 with 3 stops for gas. The only excitement was when Tom (Honda Shawdow 750) rides up and points at gas tank. He usually can go 160 miles on a tank of gas but the pace had him running dry at 125. Yikes, was hoping to get out side of Atl traffic before stopping. Oh well we make our way across the many lames of traffic from our "diamond" lane. Get gas and head on back up the road. We made one last stop around Greenville, SC. WHen I got off the bike there I really was ready for the trip to be over. We made the remainder of the trip home, waving goodbye as we past Blacksburg, SC. They got off the Interstate for their ride home and I continued on to Gastonia, NC.

When I got off the bike at home my neighbor brought me a glass of tea which hit the spot and I looked at the OD. Aproximately 650 mile day and 1564 miles since we started out from b'fast on Wednesday Morning. I probably had another 20 on top of that getting to B'fast.

I talked with a friend and he suggested I go over the ride and think about what I liked about the ride, what worked good, what could be improved and what was just not right. In the days to come I will add a list. Now to go back to work. YUCK