05/13/2026
VFW Riders Group Southern Conference Ride
Results of the initial reconnaissance for the Southern Conference Ride in October.
It was determined that the best place to start the ride is at the USS
Alabama, we have gotten permission to enter the park without paying the $5 parking fee, as we will not be staying there - that will be our meet-up place.
Kickstands up will be at 11 AM from the USS Alabama on Battleship Parkway, we will ride to the VFW post 5660, Fairhope, AL, where we will plan to arrive at 11:30 AM. It will take approximately 25 minutes to get there. We will spend 45 minutes at that post and leave at 12:15 PM. We will take Spanish Fort Blvd down 98 and turn left onto 90 east until we hit 13 south. From there, it is approximately 14 miles (go 1 block past Fairhope Ave, where we will turn onto Morphy Road, then turn left onto Boothe Road, a right onto Nichols - a couple of blocks down is the VFW.
We will leave Fairhope VFW at 12:15 and continue south on 13 to Elberta, then pick up US 32 to the Foley Beach Expressway. It is approximately 36 minutes. We will then arrive at the Elberta VFW Post 5658 at 12:55. They plan to have food to purchase when we arrive. (This is subject to change as far as the food, as there will potentially be a new CMDR at that time.
We will leave Elberta at 2:00 PM to allow enough time to eat. We will then leave and arrive at MawMaw's gas station at the intersection of 87 and 90 for a short bathroom break/fuel stop if needed at 2:20. Time en route is approximately 20 minutes. This will be a 15-minute stop max.
At 2:35, we will continue north on Hwy 87 to Highway 112, make a left on Holy Ave, and then a left onto New Port Parkway to arrive 35 minutes after departure from MawMaw's at the Bay Minette VFW Post 3568 on the right at 3:10 P.M. We will stay there for 45 minutes. We will depart Bay Minette at 3:55 PM. We will take 31 to D. Oliver Street to pick up 225 South. 225 South to 98 returning to the USS Alabama on the Causeway. The ride will be approximately 35 minutes back.
For those that are wanting a campground to stay - we found Meaher State Park, which is 5.3 miles / 7-minute ride to the USS Alabama on
Battleship Parkway
Location
5200 Battleship Parkway East, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Phone Numbers
(251) 626-5529 Office
HOURS
Park open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or sunset)
Office open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Park day use permitted while the gate is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.e
