The Doof Highway, the lost sign, and the Muscle Shoals Sound

[Redleg]

So a few weeks ago, I had a free Monday and wanted to take the RT on an inaugural 43 run and hopefully snag one that I'd been wanting for a few years.

Here she is in the garage, serviced and waiting to roll out.



I headed west toward Muscle Shoals and headed north along the Doof Highway, US 43. This sign greets you soon after you turn off of US72 (ALT).



And just up the road and off to the right, you'll find this -



For those not familiar with Fame Studios, you might want to track down the documentary "Muscle Shoals"


Objective one accomplished, I headed a little further up the Doof Highway. Too bad I wasn't very hungry, I could have stopped in and had one of these:



No, I rode on and officially baptized the RT with her first 43 sign. Garage Rd. leads into a TVA maintenance yard.



I didn't realize at the time that the other half of the Muscle Shoals story was just around the corner, that would have to wait for later in the day. Instead, I loaded up Milan, TN in the GPS and headed northwest. AL 20 turns into TN 69 and provided some gentle sweepers that allowed me to work on getting my feel back. It was Deep South hot and I was glad I had my CamelBak full of ice and cold water.

Continued riding and got up to Jackson, stopped in a Chik-Fil-A for lunch. Checked the map and found I was very close to the southern end of TN 43. I had read that it was masked along the way by US 45E, but I didn't realize how much of it was masked. I rode that highway all the way up and into Martin, TN. Only 45E signs were visible, then this:



I knew that wasn't it, so I went back out to the highway and rode around, remembering Don's post Roadwolf at TN43.
Well, the signs that Don had the pictures of are now gone. That road is now TN 216. It must be a very recent change because my Zumo has the current map set loaded and showed this:



But what's there is this:



I was frustrated, it was getting late, and it looked like weather might be closing in between me and home. I turned back south and by the time I reached Jackson, there were severe T-storms between me and home. So, I ended up dodging the worst of it but had to ride south on 45 to Corinth, MS then turn east on 72. Had one more objective to accomplish.
Remember I mentioned the other half of the Muscle Shoals story? Well, if you've seen the video or are familiar with the history, you'll know that The Swampers (yes, the Swampers Skynrd sang about in Sweet Home Alabama) left Fame Studios and formed their own recording studio, Muscle Shoals Sound, a few miles away. With light fading, I found it.



And from there, I headed back home. Still have to go get that TN 43 though, there's one section left up in South Fulton on the Kentucky line.

[Dinero]

Great ride report of a great ride.

I have to get out more.

[griffin]

Sounds great !

[Backroad Mike]

Hey James. Picture #5, isn't that a U.S. 43 along with the state 43?

I think you got a 2 fer.


Congrats.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by Backroad Mike

Hey James. Picture #5, isn't that a U.S. 43 along with the state 43?

I think you got a 2 fer.


Congrats.

Patti, check the dosage on his pain meds. That's US43 and AL13.

[Sleeveless]

Way to go James! Can't wait to ride with you again.

[d j]

Very cool.

[Turbo Turtle]

Sounds like a great day riding. Nice scoot!







BOB

[RoadWolf]

Man, I love traveling with you.

Even vicariously...

Loved the Muscle Shoals connections!

So ..... when you stopped at the recording studio did you have them mix together some motorcycle sounds???





Seriously -- love the new scoot!

[Redleg]

Thanks everybody. I'm really enjoying the bike so far and re-developing the reflexes after 4 years away. Will probably go back to the camera though rather than the iPhone. The picture quaility just isn't as good with the phone.

Don - we need to plan a Dixie Doof Reunion ride for when your church and farm schedule allow it.

[Backroad Mike]

Originally Posted by Redleg

Patti, check the dosage on his pain meds. That's US43 and AL13.

Your probably correct. My sleep cycle wasn't so good last night.

[BillyB]

Outdamnstanding ride report! Looks like a wonderfully Doofy day for a bike ride

[BigTOE]

I spent a lot of time in the old Muscle Shoals Sound Studio during my misspent yout. My old buddy Lane Southerland bought the building (or maybe rented it) and started Big Bear Audio in it in about 1980. Haven't seen him since I moved away and looks like the store has moved.

All the sound booths were still there and there was lots of graffiti from the artists that recorded in them. Was an interesting place to hang out.