A Quick Run to Memphis

I have been to Memphis many times.   It is a great town, a unique Southern American city.   Seen the Grizzlies beat up on the Thunder in the FEDEX Arena.  I have been to Beale Street, listened to the Blues at the original BB King's Blues Club.  Heart-wrenching Blues imported from the Mississippi Delta.  Howled at the moon near the Mississippi in sight of Mud Island.  Know the history of STAX Records and all of the great music that comes from this city; music that brought black and white together.

Been to the hotel where Martin Luther King was shot and the room where he died, personally a very moving experience.    So riding my motorcycle on the streets of Memphis has been something that I have wanted to do for a long time. The same streets where Elvis road his Electra Glide.

My younger son was coming back from a month long motorcycle journey from Chattanooga to Seattle, and I had 4 counties in West Tennessee to ride.  So I was off to meet my son to ride home with him.   A quick run to Memphis and back to see my son finish his 3000-mile odyssey.

So I'm off at 6 in the morning.  After stopping at 3 other county courthouses before arriving at the Shelby County Courthouse, two blocks from the Mississippi shortly before noon.   My mission is almost complete with 78 of 94 Tennessee counties ridden.  I leave Memphis and meet my son in the Dyersburg soon after he enters the state.

It was great to see him sitting on a park bench as I rode up.  It was a good feeling knowing that I'd be with him on the final leg of his journey.  So we're off to Clarksville and get home shortly before 6 PM. The steak dinner cooked on the home grill tasted good.  We were all happy that he is home.



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The Tennessee Lost Highway's: Highway 31 and 63 the Roads to Sneedville TN

Sometimes a road captures your soul and then sometimes it scares you out of it.  I have ridden some curves in my lifetime, both the Tail of the Dragon, in the mountains of West Virginia, and a lot of places in between.  But the roads in and out of Sneedville are something I will always remember.   After finishing Terri and I agreed much more difficult than Tail of the Dragon.

After leaving Rogersville on US Highway 11W, you take a right on Tennessee Highway 31, the road to Sneedville.  This winding road climbs over Clinch Mountain.  The views from the switchbacks are breathtaking.  On the descent, you are dropping into the Caney River Valley.  You then ride through a small mountain gap.  Once crossing the  Cinch, you arrive in the backwater town of Sneedville.

As if Highway 31 wasn't enough Tennessee Highway 63 will surprise you.  The large trucks are not recommended sign should have been a warning.  The very steep winding ascent was most unusual for a paved state highway.  For the 1st mile, it was mostly 1st gear to negotiate the steep uphill turns. Once getting into Mulberry Gap, you think that it's over with until the descent into the Mulberry Creek Valley.

Getting down to the Valley you would think the road would straighten out a bit, but it doesn't.  Negotiating the winding road while following Mulberry Creek with dozens of blind curves is challenging.  After making a left onto 345, we rejoin US Highway 25E at Tazewell for the trip through the Cumberland Gap and home.

This road should be a motorcycle destination an incredible ride both in scenery and a test of your technical riding ability.  The Tennessee Lost Highways gives you what you need.

Riding Tennessee Counties: Clarksville to Chattanooga and Back

This weekend it was a long 600-mile ride to Chattanooga and back.   We did get another 12 counties under our belt. We now have 49, with another 45 to go.  This should put me back in the lead of the Harley Owner Group Directors challenge.  I can taste free service on my motorcycle.

Every courthouse we visit has a distinct architectural style.  My favorite is the art deco.  These mainly being built in the 1930's when art deco was the rage.  Every one of them looks like a Picasso painting.   These county squares are a treasure trove of Tennessee history detailing key events in our past.

As the miles rolled along we pass through towns like Winchester, Jasper, Dunlop, and of course Lynchburg world famous for its Jack Daniels Whiskey.   I have talked to people all around the world and when asked where I live, I always say Tennessee first. Most of the time they have no idea where that's at.  Then when I say where Jack Daniels Whiskey is made they know immediately.  Usually saying; Awe Jack Daniels!; with a big smile on their face.