What is Bama Rides?
Bama Rides is an online biker community and Alabama-based group of motorcycle junkies, sharing information about bikes, roads, rides, food, pubs, and other great places in Alabama. If you want to contribute your ideas, experience, pictures, and knowledge about riding in Alabama, or want to find out more detail about where we have been, check out the forum and sign up for your free membership.
Brett Cole - one-armed motorcycle racer from Alabama
Brett Cole is an amazing young man from Trussville Alabama who has not let the loss of his arm slow him down. Just the opposite, he is one of the fastest racers in the southeast, racing against guys with all their limbs, and destroying them on the track. I had heard about this kid who races with one arm, and he is really good, with several wins under his belt in his second year racing. I had a chance to meet him at Talladega GP Saturday, and he explained how the custom controls work, and how he actually used them on the track. I am still not sure how he does it, but if you watch the video maybe you can learn how to ride a bike with one hand……maybe he will let you ride his?
Brett Cole - one-armed motorcycle racer from Alabama from dredman on Vimeo.
Spring Track Day at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway
Today was a few firsts for me. This was the first time I have ever ridden on the Talladega GP track, I had brand new tires that did not even have 1 mile on them, and a brand that I have never used before. Needless to say I was a little more than cautious on my first session. Read the article
AMA Racing at Barbers - a new perspective
I have never really been a big race fan, I guess because racing has never really seemed to me to be a real sport. I was never that impressed with anyone’s ability to push a machine across asphalt faster than a bunch of other guys….. until Saturday. Yesterday, all that changed when I saw the Superbike race at Barbers. I saw things that were shocking. Guys doing things with bikes that were unreal. These guys were moving the bikes down the track in ways that defied laws of physics, human abilities, and any reasonable explanation. I was in awe.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have been to races before, and even shot them up close, but I have never seen men operate machines in a way that left me wondering how they did that. I have always believed, with enough practice and the right equipment, I could join the ranks with these racers and compete with them. But no longer. I even discovered a new slight flaw in the track in turn #2. I small dip exists on the exit of #2 that has always been invisible. Invisible, because at 40-60 MPH the other bikes appear to be riding on the flawless surface. At 90 MPH, the small dip becomes visible, as the bikes compress and the rear-end swivels, all in a turn, amazing to watch.
AMA Racing at Barbers - a new perspective
….and with a pop and a wobble I knew today’s ride was over
A Bama Rides member’s hilarious account of a journey to get his classic bike running, and the hazards of riding a cursed bike in Alabama. Read the article
Faunsdale Motorcycle Rally - Spring 2009
The Spring Rally at Faunsdale seems to be the cream of the crop. Several members went down during the week (and a few came up) to get the best spots, and decent real-estate was pretty hard to come by on Saturday, when we rolled in. Read the article
Goodwater Road - central Alabama twisties
North Tuscaloosa county has some hidden gems for motorcycle riders. One is Goodwater Road in north Tuscaloosa county, just west of the Warrior River. Surprisingly, these roads are very similiar to the roads on the other side of the river, known as Lock 17. Same Lock 17, different roads, same great taste - lots of fun for any 2-wheeler. Read more
Smith Camp Road - January Motorcycle Ride in Alabama
On a weekend when the low temperature was at 13 degrees, the Sunday was a balmy 50 and the sun was shining. Ride along this hidden gem just outside of Birmingham. Discuss Smith Camp Road Smith Camp Road - on the Warrior River Jefferson County Alabama
Motorcycle ride along Little River Canyon
A beautiful fall day experiencing the color change, in one of the most spectacular spots in Alabama to view fall colors. The ride is quite unique, the scenery is unmatched, and the company was top-shelf. Little River Canyon Motorcycle Ride
Will Power Motorcycle - unique Alabama
“What the hell is that?”- is what you hear many people say as they pass by the revolutionary design of the Will Power Motorcycle - a blend of diesel power, hydraulic-hydrostatic drive systems, and air suspension displayed at Barber Vintage Festival. A very unique design to say the least, this 2-wheel drive motorcycle has some very interesting features besides it’s looks. Read more about the Will Power Motorcycle
Barber Vintage Festival 2008
An amazing weekend to checkout some amazing bikes, racers, parts, people, and just a relaxing way to spend the weekend. If you did not make it out, you can read more about the Barber Vintage Festival
Trail of Tears - the new route
Well the new northern route was a success, and we have pictures and video to prove it. The first stop was new, Fayetteville, TN - and it looks like they did it right. The final stop in Florence was exceptional, again. If you have any knowledge or experience with the southern route, please join us in the discussion Trail of Tears 2008 - Northern Route
Bankhead Forest Ride
Long, sweeping turns thru a beautiful national park in north Alabama. Bikers from all over central and north Alabama met in Jasper to start the very relaxing and scenic tour of Bankhead National Forest. It turned out to be one of the mildest summer days this year. Bankhead National Forest motorcycle ride - more great motorcycle rides in Alabama
River Ride to Lock 17
A brief look at some roads twisting thru the hills of Central Alabama while riding with a few members of Bama Rides on a Saturday afternoon. We pass sheriffs as they pull a dead body found in the river the same day. River Ride to Lock 17 on the Warrior
Bama Rides Member makes the headlines
sonicsix gets recognition for his achievements in the MAC ‘08 Challenge from Channel 42 Scooters ride across Alabama
Ride Out from 29 Dreams
A beautiful Sunday riding Highway 25, with a fun bunch of guys riding the twisties outside 29 Dreams in Vandiver Alabama. Ride Out from 29 Dreams - one of the best motorcycle rides in Alabama
Motorcycle Mechanic Podcast
Introducing PB from AX V-Twin Performance in Vincent Alabama. Hopefully this will be the first in a series of instructional podcasts to help the biker learn a few things about maintenance, insuring proper operational conditions of your bike, and other safety related topics. PB’s Tech Tips Episode One - Maintain your motorcycle battery
A look at King’s Point on the Warrior River
An intersting follow up to the previous week’s trip to the end of the road on the Warrior River. June 14th found us on the river at King’s Point, and a nice friendly place with a couple of bikes. The next weekend, on Sunday, the place was over-run with bikes, with what is a typical Sunday around this place. They may need to get a few more tables? 
Upcoming events
There are quite a few upcoming events in the next few weeks, many we have placed on the calendar and posted details about, and many other that we do not know about. If you have any event, rally, or interesting bike-related activity you would like posted, take the first step and sign up for a free account here , or if you simply want to tell us what is going on, call or email us
