I was wondering if anyone here is going to ride?

http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org/

I may ride the 1st half of it.....

I'm trying to arrange work schedule to be able to do the main ride from Chattanooga, TN to Florence, AL.

I'm planning on riding up to Waterloo and checking out the vendors, does the ride end in Florence or Waterloo? The flyer I have says Waterloo but I don't know where they'll put all the bikes. Anyway, I'll be there and hope to meet some of ya'll.

I've done this ride twice; once just to Waterloo, the other time all the way to Oklahoma. I'm not going this year, but I'll definitely do it again sometime. The reason I say that is because it's the most awesome display of motorcycling and a respect for motorcyclists that I've ever seen. Leaving Chattanooga they block the streets so it's motorcycles only, and they give you a police escort all the way to the Alabama state line. And there are people lining the streets, highways, overpasses, etc... just to watch all the motorcycles. It's amazing!!!

For those that are going and it's your first time, be prepared to share the road with about 90,000 other bikes. (Thats the number of bikes they estimated were there my first time.) So if riding in a crowd (and thats a gross understatement!!) bothers you, you might want to reconsider. For the first hour or so of the ride you'll be riding side-by-side on some not-so-wide roads, so it can get a little scary, especially if the person next to you or behind or in front of you doesn't know what they're doing. So just be careful.

As for Waterloo, the ride officially ends there, but some people opt to stop in Florence. From Florence, it's about another hour to hour and thirty minutes to Waterloo. And it's "dry", so if you want beer or any other alcoholic beverage, you need to get it in Florence. And camping is just wherever you can find room enough to set up a tent. But the sooner you get to Waterloo, the better your chances are of finding a decent spot. And yes, there are alot of venders.

Again, to those that are going, ride safe and have a good time. It's definitely an experience you won't soon forget.

In The Wind,
Aaron

My best Friend Lives in Chatanoogs and says excactly what you just posted. will be a nice ride for me. its 650 miles to chattanooga from home. the worst part is I have to be back by monday night.

i rode once years ago, not this time. hey coachdan, i thought that looked like the waters of tiptonville area

Hey TIN MAN
Yep, that would be Reel Foot lake. It's about 30 minutes from me, and often I'll ride around there during the week, the weekends are a little to crowded for me. Makes an awesome backdrop for a bike photo don't you think.

Looks like two different trail of tears rides. I picked up the flyer for this ride in Waterloo, AL.

http://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/

theres an ongoing debate on which route and where it should end, from my understanding the two Coordinators have argued about this...so there going seperate routes..makes no sense to me...why change it after all these years