The 2008 challenge will test your endurance and navigational skills to a very high degree, even when using a GPS. To help you with your navigation, a detailed route sheet showing turn by turn directions including total miles and leg miles is available here. Also included is a Garmin GPS route file and the All Around Alabama information letter.

The trip is 1,267 miles in length and contains in excess of 200 waypoints.  Many GPS units will not handle more than 50 waypoints so for your convenience, two GPS files are included. The first contains the entire trip in one route and the second contains the trip broken down into five routes to facilitate loading into your GPS unit.

Here are the All Around Alabama 2008 route and information files for you to download.

This is a great ride over some excellent back roads and through beautiful scenery. CR 33 and SR 65 are ABEES Favorite roads. Gallant Road, Duck Springs Road and SR 146 are also excellent roads to ride. The Wills Creek Winery in Duck Springs is open for tastings on weekends and be sure to have lunch at the Pikeville Store and Deli just north of Scottsboro. They have the reputation for serving the best cheeseburgers in Alabama. The switchbacks into Bucks Pocket on the way to the camping area is an excellent ride and the overlook in the park is an good place for taking photos of the surrounding area.

Two lane good clean pavement. Slight elevation changes with nice curves. Mud Creek will dead end into Lock 17 Road. Turn left and proceed approximately one mile to Camp Oliver Road (bares to the right). Turn left at the 3 way stop sign and continue on Camp Oliver (approx. 4.5 mi) turning left onto Smith Camp Road. Tight turns and elevation changes, this one will test your skills, so be careful! This road will dead end at Smith Camp store. Check it out while there. Return to Camp Oliver and go back 1.4 miles turning right onto Paul Allman road. Tight curves but scenic, this one is the connector back to Lock 17 Road. Turn right onto Lock 17 14 miles to Brookwood, Al. Sweeping curves, good pavement. Watch for coal trucks in both directions! Note the large abandoned coal dragline and active coal mines along this route. Nice ride. Turn left onto AL 216 for a 12 mile twisty ride back to I-59/20 (Exit 100).

One of the best motorcyclling roads in Alabama with great scenery and minimal traffic. Many curves and great scenery; a little bit of the dragon in northeat Alabama. Be sure to stop at the Little River Falls overlook 1/4 mile before Hwy 35 for a great view and photo opp.

Stop by the Old Mill Restaurant. Excellent food and known for their famous fried dill pickles. While there, be sure to see the old covered bridge and the original Grist Mill.

Alabama 65, north from US 72 to Huntland, TN. then backtrack to Sr 146 to left on Sr 79 to right on Cr 33 to Cr 21 to Scottsboro. Sr 65 is wide open, with fast sweepers and no side streets!! Cr 33 has great hairpin curves.

Great roads and scenery with minimal traffic. Hwy 65 could be the best motorcycling road in Alabama. Be sure to check our the Pikeville Store & Deli for the "best burgers in Alabama".

For great Italian food, stop at Joe's Pizza near Woodville. It's tiny with limited seating and worth the stop. Try the Muffelatta; it's to die for.

From Dogtown, go east on Alabama 176 to the first overlook, then bare left to Alabama 35. Curves and switchbacks. Excellent scenery, especially at the Little River Falls overlook (near Hwy.35) Don't miss this one!

Alabama 25 from Elliott Ln. to US 231 passing 29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort. A "little dragon" in central Alabama. Be sure to stop at 29 Dreams for refreshments and "chit chat" with other bikers.

Shelby County/Bibb County #10 from Aldrich (near Montevallo Safety Center) to Alabama 25 near Brierfield Ironworks Park. Fairly well paved with good sweepers, switchbacks. Not well marked so always keep left at the intersections. Don't worry, you're not lost. Turn right onto Hwy 25 and ride ½ mile to the Brierfield Ironworks Park entrance.

This ride begins at the intersection of Blue Ridge Road and the "Cheaha" Skyway (Hwy 281). To get there, follow Steve John's 29 "Dreams to Mt. Cheaha” ride and turn left off of Clay County # 12 onto Blue Ridge Road (7.5 miles from SR 77). Blue Ridge Rd. is newly paved and under construction, so there may be a "road closed" sign. If workers are not present, go around the sign to the starting point at the Skyway. If workers are present, then continue on Steve's ride to Mt. Cheaha and go SW on Hwy 281 to the end; turn around and start the ride.

This route is a historically significant trek taking you past the well preserved Kymulga Grist Mill and covered bridge built c1860, then to the 1850 Capertons Old South General Store and Pawn Shop in Weogufka, Al (Center of all things Confederate in this area). The first sight you will notice here is a large Confederate Flag flying from the store's roof top antenna and it gets better when you go in to enjoy a conversation with the owner, Lloyd Caperton, while having your favorite soft drink and snack and shopping for a firearm or good quality knife, or perhaps a confederate soldier's cap or Battle Flag may catch your fancy. Be sure to notice the marble floors. (Lloyd has a ranch nearby and spends some of his time there which means that the store is not open some times). On the way to Horseshoe Bend Military Park you will ride by the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford and the Indian Hills Motorcycle Resort, then in Alexander City, the Big B BBQ and Tallapoosa County Courthouse Annex. Horseshoe Bend Military Park is where the 1814 battle defeated the Creek Indian Nation which eventually led to the treaty that ceded three fifths of the land that is now Alabama. Be sure to see the 20 minute video before visiting the Park. This ride covers many excellent motorcycling backroads. Returning to 29 Dreams you will ride the excellent highways 49 and 77 to Ashland for a fuel stop and to see the beautiful Clay County Courthouse.

This is a narrow, twisty county road with some good sweepers and very little traffic. Be sure to stop in Weogufka and visit Capertons General Store and Pawn Shop, all things Confederate.

Alabama 33 through the Bankhead Forest. There are plenty of side GS roads as well. About 20 miles. Don’t miss seeing Pine Torch Church, the Dual Destiny Statue and Natural Bridge while in the area. Nesmith’s Hamburgers in Moulton is a good and unique place for lunch.

From Fayette down Alabama 171 to Northport, over Alabama 69, north toward Jasper at Oakman, then back to Fayette via Alabama 18. About 115 Miles.

Ride begins near Cherokee, where the Natchez Trace crosses US72. The natural beauty of the Natchez Trace speaks for itself. This portion is primarily rolling hills and open fields. Stop by the Colbert’s Ferry pull-off just before reaching the Tennessee River. Read the sign and go for a short walk detailing the life of George Colbert who was half-Scot and half-Chickasaw. The ride on CR 14 from the Trace to Waterloo is very scenic with much of it running beside the Tennessee River. Once in Waterloo, stop by the Riverwalk Café and have Glenda fix you a meal. CR45 north out of Waterloo may be one of the better runs in Alabama. It is very twisty with several sharp double sses. Be careful! The northern half of CR45 is chip and seal so it may be slick with tar snakes in hot weather. CR 14 back into Waterloo is another fine run with twisties and wide sweepers.

From US 72 @ Gurley, south on Keel Mountain Road, right on Keel Hollow Road to Cherry Tree Road (very tight and twisty).

This is an alternate run on the wonderful roads in NE Alabama that Vernon & Kay gave us (NE 4). This route backtracks from the Pikeville Store & Deli to the Grant Chevron in order avoid traffic in Scottsboro.

This ride extends in to Middle Tennessee with its beautiful rolling hills and forests wile crossing the Elk River numerous times.

Same roads as the Elk River Therapy Run without going into Tennessee.

Lots of curves in places and goes right by Horseshoe Bend Military Park, a great stop.

Starting at the Old Stage Coach Restaurant at Stockton, Al, go south on Hwy 225 which takes you along the Tensaw River Delta and Blakeley State Park, the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. You can walk the boardwalk and miles of trails along the Tensaw River. Continue south on 225 til you get to Spanish Fort and follow Hwy 31 south across the causeway (Battleship Parkway) Hwy 90. In this area you can find some of the best sea food in South Alabama, namely Roussos Seafood Restaurant 30500 Hwy 181, Spanish Fort, The Original Oyster House and Felix’s Fish Camp Restaurant, both on Battleship Parkway. When you finish eating go to the USS Alabama and walk off those pounds on the ship and land sites. Leave the battleship and head west through the old Bankhead tunnel into Mobile’s Government Street and take a side trip on Dauphin Street to Wintzell’s Oyster house, or west on Hwy 90 (Government St). to 60 North Florida Street to Butch Cassidy’s for one of their World Famous Burgers. Get back on 90 west and please take time to enjoy the old homes and old live oak trees along Government Street. Continue (Hwy 90) to to Theodore, Al turning left on CR #59 (Bellingrath Road) till you come to the Bellingrath Home & Gardens and please take the tour of one of Mobile’s most beautiful historical sites along the Dog River of Mobile. When you leave go back to the left on CR # 59 and watch for Deakle Road, the first right going west which will dead end at Padgett Switch Road. Look to the right and you will see the Lighthouse Restaurant which has some of the best crab claws in South Alabama. When you're finished go south on Padgett Switch road which dead ends at Hwy 188 and go through Bayou La Batre and Historical Coden Al. Stop and enjoy the shrimp boats at Bayou La Batre and then on to Mother Mary's Restaurant in Coden to eat. Continue south on Hwy 188 til you dead end at Hwy 193 and take a right (South) to Dauphin Island to enjoy the beach, sand between your toes, Estuarium, and Fort Gaines. Then take the ferry and catch some sunset on the Mobile Bay between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. After your visit to Fort Morgan please head east on Hwy 180 to Gulf Shores, Al. continue east on Hwy 180 to Gulf Shores, Al. continue east on Hwy 182 to the famous Flora Bama for your favorite beverage.

This is a good ride. It is only about 12 miles, but a lot of fun.

Here is an ABEES riding tour that takes you on the great backroads in northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia with stops along the way for seeing some of the interesting sites that are there. You will also find some excellent eateries to enjoy, so be sure to take your ABEES Touring Guide with you for all of the details. The tour is divided into two one day rides with an overnight or two at Guntersville State Park for folks that do not have time to make the rides in a day from their homes. The two routes string together the best of the best roads that our club members have recommended for our Alabama Beemers’ Exploring and Epicurean Society “ABEES” Touring Guide.

The route direction sheet can be downloaded so you can print it and change the size, if necessary, that will fit in your tank bag. Total miles are shown in the left column and the leg miles (approximate distances between turns) in the middle column. The third column shows waypoints, directions, and points of interest information. Just zero your odometer at the Guntersville State Park Lodge and notice when to make your turns as the miles roll forward. If you miss a turn, then navigate by using the leg miles to let you know when to turn. Many of the roads are on printed maps, but many of the best ones are not. To find those roads for making your plans, refer to Google Maps or any other mapping program. For those of us that have GPSs, the Garmin Route File is also available for download.

These roads are excellent and I can confidently assure you that you will enjoy the ride. If you have any questions about the tour, please give me a call or send an email.

Route begins at the Old Courthouse. If you are hungry, there are two good eateries a little ways west on AL 41 from the court house. Uncle Redd’s for a great meat & 3 and Jackson’s for some of the best fried chicken ever. Continue SW on Alabama 41 32 miles to CR 39. Turn right and go 10 miles to Perdue Hill. Stop here for a break and fuel if you need it. Be sure to spend some time looking at the early 1800s buildings there, one of which is the boyhood home of William Travis. Turn right on CR 1 and go 22 miles to AL 59 at Chrysler. Turn right on Hwy 59 and go 26 miles to Stockton and the Stage Coach Café. Between Chrysler and Stockton you will go by Red Eagle’s Grave, Red Hill Spring and Fort Mimms. Each point of interest is well marked.

Some of the most beautiful scenery and exciting motorcycling roads in the southeast. Be very cautious on the W Road which has sharp, traffic stopping, hairpin turns up Signal Mountain.

This is Cr-63 below Moulton. This 11 mile road is smooth with just new pavement. Full of curves and twists. A must ride.

It’s a pretty neat little ride. Along the way, we observed an elderly lady who would walk down a steep hill to cross the road and tend a really large garden and there were many others along the way. Also look for a large brick home in the middle of nowhere. We often see wild turkey too. There is a remote control airfield and the old Sardis Church and School along the way. This area also has strip mining and I noted a new gas tank cemetery.

From SR. 79 to CR. 470 down Crow Mountain. Exciting hairpin turns and good scenery, but the road is a little rough. At the bottom of the mountain, and approaching CR. 470 there is a swamp. Look closely, and you may see an eagle flying or roosting in the trees. Continue right on Cr. 470 1 ½ miles to the Pikeville Store and Deli for an excellent cheeseburger. From the Pikeville Store, it is 6 miles south on Cr 21 to Scottsboro, home of Unclaimed Baggage and four other ABEES check-offs.

This ride to Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground starts in Cedar Bluff, Alabama at the intersection of SR 9 and Sr 68. (GPS coordinates: N34 13.041 W85 36.465). It avoids the congested areas of Atlanta, Chattanooga, Rome, and Calhoun while taking you over some of thebest motorcycling roads in the SE. If you are in Ellijay, GA around lunch time, be sure to stop at the Cajun Depot Café for a fantastic lunch.

The route direction sheet is very easy to follow. Place the direction sheet in your tank bag map window, zero your odometer at the intersection of SR 9 and Sr 68, and then refer to your odometer for distances at which you make your turns. The Leg miles column lets you know the approximate distance between turns.

WORTH THE JOURNEY

In the state of Alabama, we are fortunate to have eight family operated wineries located across the state. These wineries include: Jules J. Berta Vineyards in Albertville, Wills Creek Vineyards in Attala, Morgan Creek Vineyards in Harpersville, Perdido Vineyards in Perdido, Bryant Vineyards in Talledega, White Oak Vineyards in Anniston, Ozan Vineyards in Calera and Vizzini Farms Winery in Calera.

By following the Alabama Wine Trail, wine lovers will learn where Alabama wineries are located and where to find the wines. The wine trail enthusiast will also receive a commemorative Wine Trail glass at the last stop on the trail. Pick up a Passport at the first participating winery and get it stamped at all participating wineries, then collect your memorable souvenir glass at the last stop. There are seven participating wineries:

• Bryant Vineyards (256) 268-2638
• Morgan Creek Vineyards (205) 672-2053
• Wills Creek Vineyards (256) 538-5452
• White Oak Vineyards (256) 231-7998
• Ozan Vineyard (205) 668-6926
• Vizzini Farms Winery (205) 685-0655
• Jules J. Berta Vineyards, Albertville (256) 891-5115

The ABEES GPS route and direction sheet start at Jules J. Berta Vineyards in Albertville and end at Ozan Vineyard and Cellars in Calera. Perdido Vineyards is not included in the 172 mile ride. The route attempts to go on Alabama backroads and avoids major highways as much a possible. Plan to spend an entire day touring the Alabama Wine Trail, and at the end of the day, enjoy some extra time at the wonderful Ozan Vineyard and Cellars in Calera. The Patrick family has a beautiful facility nestled in the middle of their vines offering for $7.00 a sampling of 10 wines including an Ozan wine glass. Tasting three of their wines is complementary.

After enjoying your visit at Ozan, a great place for dinner is the La Spada Bistro, 4524 Southlake Parkway, just off of Valleydale Rd going NE ( I 65 Exit 247). Everything on the menu is excellent, but I am partial to their pizza.

Each of the seven wineries, the favorite ride, Logan Martin Dam, Childersburg and the La Spada Bistro is checkoff, plus you will receive one bonus jacket ticket for visiting all of the participating wineries making for a total of 10 checkoffs and one bonus ticket. It is not necessary to visit each winery in a day to receive your commemorative wine glass and bonus jacket ticket, but it is a lot of fun to do it.

This ride shouldn’t be missed.

The 14 mile ride along Jackson County Road #8 from Woodville to Skyline at Cr 17 is one of the best motorcycling roads in Alabama. It has great s curves and sweepers with a switchback or two while making many changes in altitude. Beautiful hardwood trees line both sides of the road most of the way. If you are in Woodville at lunch time, be sure to eat at Joes Pizza. Vernon and Kay say their Muffelatta is to die for. Another place good to eat close to Skyline (about 25 miles if you ride down Crow Mountain on CR 33); closer if you go direct on Cr 21 off of Sr 79 is in Pikeville at the Pikeville Store and Deli. They have the best cheeseburgers in the world.