Cycling - Road Route - Anniston - White’s Gap Ride
The route begins in Anniston at the Golden Springs Shopping Center at the corner of Golden Springs Road and Choccolocco Road. You can enjoy gourmet coffee and a pastry at the Java Bleu Coffeehouse, 256-240-7266, before departing on this locally popular ride. This is a lollipop-shaped route that takes in two climbs at the far end of the loop.
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Cycling - Road Route - Fort Payne - The DeSoto-Mentone Ridge Run
Description: Hilly, 32-mile road loop from Downtown Fort Payne. Passes through scenic DeSoto State Park and Mentone. Features shady, curvy, low-traffic roads and one long, 2-mile climb. There is an optional 2-mile side trip to DeSoto Falls. In all, this is an example of a perfect “tourism bureau” bike ride: Downtown start location, easy navigation, good roads, fantastic scenery and good restaurant selection.
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Cycling - Road Route - Lake Guntersville State Park Out-and-Back
One reason to visit Guntersville is to stay at Lake Guntersville State Park. While known for its beaches, hiking and boating, the State Park is a popular meeting point for local road bikers to start an easily navigated out-and-back ride that skirts the southern shore of Lake Guntersville for nearly 25 miles all the way to Scottsboro. The road is lightly traveled as it swings in and out of the hills and through the low backwaters at the edge of the lake. It is as scenic as it is challenging. Riders can really amp up the challenge by detouring to Jackson County Road 38 at Langston Gap. By adding on this 21-mile loop to the top end of the route, you can add in a stiff 1.4-mile climb up Sand Mountain.
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Cycling - Road Route - Lake Lurleen Loop
Scenic and rolling loop around Lake Lurleen on lightly traveled roads. There are plenty of facilities and activities at Lake Lurleen State Park. The park is also home to 10.5 miles of mountain bike trails. The location is ideal for a miniature road and mountain bike getaway weekend.
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Cycling - Road Route - Lake Shelby Loop and Gulf State Park-Canal Road Loop
Gulf shores is the premier beach vacation destination is Alabama. The sugar-white beaches attract visitors from all over the world; however, even cyclists need an escape from roasting on the beach and too much fried shrimp. Gulf Shores offers a number of short and long rides in and around the beach and town; perfect for sweating off excess seafood consumption.

By a quirk of geography, advanced cyclists will be hard-pressed to find a pleasing and easily navigated loop from Gulf Shores to the mainland. Alabama Highway 59 represents a bit of a cycling bottleneck for all but the most hard-headed cyclists. The bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and the several miles of shoulder-free road north of the bridge pretty much keep cyclists onshore or inland, with not much movement in between.

Fortunately, many of the main roads in Gulf Shores are equipped with paved shoulders or bike lanes. Getting around by bike in this busy beach resort town is surprisingly easy. The two rides described here are examples of quick, easily navigated leg-stretcher rides that start and end at Gulf State Park. Visiting cyclists who wish to explore around Lake Shelby and Orange Beach can saddle up for a 17-mile fat-burner from the Park, around Canal Road to Orange Beach and returning on Orange Beach Boulevard (AL 161) to Perdido Beach Boulevard (AL 182). For an easier ride for more casual riders, the loop around Shelby Lake is a scenic 5.5-mile jaunt that can be extended to explore "The Strip" on AL 182 and the State Park's unfettered stretch of beachfront.

A longer out-and-back ride can be found along AL 180 (Fort Morgan Road), which runs east-west out to Fort Morgan. AL 180 has either bike lanes or paved shoulders the entire 21 miles to Fort Morgan State Park and the Mobile Bay Ferry.
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Cycling - Road Route - Leeds-Westover Junction Loop
60-mile road ride around the hilly, low-traffic area west and south of Leeds. The ride is punctuated by two long (< 2 miles) climbs, over Coosa and Oak Mountain. The terrain is rolling and the roads are curvy and well paved. Road signs are sufficient for easy navigation. With the exception of rush-hour times on US 78 leaving northeast from Leeds, the roads are generally low traffic.
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Cycling - Road Route - The Guntersville Lake Mountain Valley Mini-Epic
Though short, at 24 miles, this vigorous ride from Guntersville gives a fine sampling of the best riding that Marshall County has to offer. The route traces a loop around the southwest finger of Guntersville Lake on lightly traveled roads. After tackling one of the many challenging routes up Georgia Mountain, the loop wraps up with a fast decent down freshly paved Georgia Mountain Road. Return across Guntersville Lake on the Hwy. 69 causeway to finish a quick leg-stretcher ride for fit enthusiasts. It is a perfect ride for visiting cyclists looking for a quick, easy-to-follow route that covers a variety of terrain and some very nice lake, forest and mountain scenery. The terrain between Arab and Guntersville offers many cycling opportunities for the adventurous cyclist.
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Cycling – Off Road – Fairhope - Eastern Shore Trail
Cycle along the 24-mile Eastern Shore Trail, a pedestrian/cycle path from the USS Alabama Battleship Park in Mobile to the Grand Hotel in Point Clear and beyond. Route passes through bayside communities of Daphne and Fairhope
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Cycling – Paved Off Road - Chief Ladiga Rails to Trails
Easy, flat, paved rails to trails bike path that runs on the old railroad bed from north Anniston, through Weaver, Jacksonville, Piedmont all the way to the Alabama State Line. The trail is fully paved and now connections to the Silver Comet Trail at the Alabama/Georgia State Line. The two connecting trails are almost 100 miles of railroad grade riding through towns and valleys.

Starting at the Stateline Gateway you can intersect with the Pinhoti Trail (linked to the famous Appalachian Trail) at Mile 7 or visit the town of Piedmont at Mile 15, Jacksonville State University at Mile 26, Weaver at Mile 31 or go all the way to Anniston at Mile 33. Along the way there are many stores, parks, welcome centers, creek crossings and opportunities to sightsee.
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Cycling – Road Route – Anniston – Horseblock/Cheaha Mountain Ride
This is a scenic 40-mile ride from Anniston to the highest point in Alabama. The route runs mostly very lightly traveled roads. Plenty of scenery and vistas along the way plus a lot of challenging climbing packed into a relatively short ride. The route features the long climb up to Cheaha State Park. Once on top, you can plummet down the back side of Mount Cheaha to Adams Gap, then turn around and come back over the top. Taking a break at the country store at the park entrance on top should be enough for most riders. The break may be needed since after the descent back on Hwy. 281, the route is marked with a series of five leg-breaker hills that are short, but much steeper than the big climb to Cheaha.

Part of this route is well known to Alabama cyclists as it is part of the annual Cheaha Challenge Century. This route, however, leads riders on a different way to Hwy. 281 that features more hills, more shade and more scenery than the Century route from Piedmont. This ride gives the most entertaining parts of the century in a 40-mile ride.

Cycling – Road Route – Auburn to Loachapoka Loop
34-mile scenic loop that takes in the rolling roads to the west of Auburn. The route starts in downtown Auburn, close to the vigorous college town business district. Auburn has the distinction of being the first city in Alabama to achieve the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Bicycle Friendly Community designation.

The 56-mile Tuskegee Loop follows Wire Road nearly all the way to Tuskegee and then turns to pass the Tuskegee Airmen Historic Site at Moton Field on Chappie James Road. It passes through Tuskegee National Forest and some older, late 1800s homes in Notasulga before rejoining the shorter route for the scenic return to Auburn.
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Cycling – Road Route – Birmingham – Westover Junction Loop
25-mile road ride around the hilly, low-traffic area west and south of Leeds. The terrain is rolling and the roads are curvy and well paved. Road signs are sufficient for easy navigation. Traffic is light. Though the start location is some distance away from Birmingham, it offers an easily navigated route and ample opportunities for variations and exploration.
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Cycling – Road Route – Fairhope Pier to Weeks Bay
Fairhope is possibly the most pleasant place in south Alabama to start a bicycle ride. Situated on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, this idyllic retirement and art community serves as the start point for many of the locally popular rides. This 41-mile loop starts on the bay under the big mossy oaks of the Fairhope waterfront. It rolls out into the flattish eastern interior of the county and then turns south to follow the watershed down to Weeks Bay. This particular route explores the short road out to Fish River Point at the mouth of Weeks Bay and then returns to Fairhope along the waterfront all the way along Scenic US 98.
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Cycling – Road Route – Guntersville- International Ride of Chicken Houses
As expected from the name, this tour of one of the top chicken-producing counties in the state will pass many chicken houses. But, this 38-mile ruggedly beautiful ride gives a lot more than its length and goofy name indicates. Beginning at the Guntersville Recreation Center, this route crosses the AL 69 causeway and immediately climbs the freshly paved Georgia Mountain Road to begin a raucous tour of the aggressively rolling roads across Brindlee Mountain. With a bit of navigation, the route rewards the adventurous rider with many roads that swoop and sweep through the rural sections of Marshall County.
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Cycling – Road Route – Huntsville Downtown Ashburn Loop
Vigorous 30-mile loop from downtown Huntsville featuring a quick exit from downtown onto a series of scenic, low-traffic roads that return over a challenging 1-mile climb on a new road with broad shoulders. The final climb features a vista of Huntsville that is most striking near sunset. Be sure to leave enough time to descend and ride the last 8 miles to downtown before dark.
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Cycling – Road Route – Huntsville – Putnam Mountain, Paint Rock River River Ride
Scenic 75-mile loop from Gurley into Middle Tennessee that returns via Designated State Scenic Byway, AL 65.
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Cycling – Road Route – Huntsville- Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Approximately 30 miles of flat dirt and gravel roads through the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. The roads offer a view of the Tennessee River for many miles, as well as a look at the backwaters, swamps and wildlife along the north side of the Tennessee River. Though it is a bit off the beaten path, it is not hard to find the parking area to begin the ride. The intrepid rider is rewarded with a view of the Tennessee River and its backwaters not easily seen from paved roads.
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Cycling – Road Route – Leeds - Camp Winnataska Loop
34-mile road ride around the hilly, low-traffic area west of Leeds. The ride is punctuated by two long (< 2 mi.) climbs, over Coosa and Oak Mountain. The terrain is rolling and the roads are curvy and well paved. Road signs are sufficient for easy navigations. With the exception of rush-hour times on US 78 leaving northeast from Leeds towards the freeway, the roads are generally low-traffic. This route is especially pleasing late in the afternoon as the shadows grow long.
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Cycling – Road Route – Monroeville Lenox Loop
Monroeville is, admittedly, a bit off the beaten path. It takes a very good reason to pull a visitor more than 30 miles from the nearest freeway, but Monroeville offers that reason. If you visit Monroeville, you are more likely to be involved in pulp mills, lumber, a fan of famous homegrown authors Harper Lee and Truman Capote or attending the Alabama Writer’s Symposium in May, than to be cycling. If you are in town for one of these reasons AND a cyclist, then you are in luck. Or for the cyclist looking for a great ride away away from any large town, this is your route.

A small group of local cycling enthusiasts have been riding the area for a number of years and have put together a number of loops that take advantage of the lightly traveled roads for some rides that show off Alabama’s own remote “Big Sky” country.

The two rides featured here offer a little something for everyone. The Monroeville-Lenox Loop is a fine road loop of 41 miles with just enough stores along the way to remind you that people actually live out there. The terrain heaves gently with enough profile to keep the scenery in constant flux and the ride interesting. You return to town on scenic Experiment Farm Road and cut over to Mount Pleasant Street, taking in the historic homes of Monroeville before finishing on the square at the old courthouse made famous in Harper Lee’s novel and the film To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Literary Symposium Lunch Tour is designed to sneak you out of the annual Alabama Writer’s Symposium Awards Luncheon at Alabama Southern Community College for a quick dash into town for a real hamburger at Mel’s Dairy Dream on South Alabama Avenue. For lit fans and writers, a gut bomb at Mel’s is a fitting tribute to Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), as the old diner is built on her childhood home site. Next door is the site of the Faulk House, where Lee’s childhood buddy, Truman Capote, lived with his cousins. Swing around the famous Courthouse Square and have dessert at the Mockingbird Grill. The route follows Mt. Pleasant St., with its historically significant homes, back to the college before the end of the awards luncheon. Don't worry if you are in town at a time other than the Writer’s Symposium , the ride is great anytime.

Cycling – Road Route – Montgomery – Pintala Ride
This scenic ride around the sparsely traveled roads of southern Montgomery County gives the rider a sampling of well-paved roads, shady lanes, neatly kept farmland and a healthy dose of moss-covered oak trees. The area is popular with local cyclists and weekly rides often start on the weekend from the Pintlala Baptist Church. The church start point is a good springboard for longer exploratory rides.

This route is part of the Montgomery Bicycle Club’s Fall Jim Glassner Memorial Challenge. The route described here extends the 27-mile route to take in a short portion of the historic Old Federal Road.
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Cycling – Road Route – Opelika- Johnny Ray Metric Century
34-mile rolling scenic loop around Opelika that departs and returns through north Opelika historic district, historic Gold Ridge area and Johnny Ray Rail line. The ride passes several historic buildings en route in the Gold Ridge and Oak Bowery areas, plus the twin silos that give the ride its name.
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Cycling – Road Route – Sanders Ferry-Echola-Lake Lurleen Loop
Rolling hills 63-mile loop with frequent stores en route. Stops by Lake Lurleen State Park. Many options for shorter out-and-back rides. Ride starts and ends at Capital Park on University Boulevard, the "main drag" in Tuscaloosa.
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Cycling – Road Route – Southwest Alabama - The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, is a historical route that honors the bravery of those who fled bondage and those who provided shelter.
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Cycling – Road Route – Spanish Fort to Hurricane Landing
The small growth community of Spanish Fort, east of Mobile and north of I-10 is well located for cyclists to explore the lightly traveled roads of northern Baldwin County. Spanish Fort is the popular starting point for many group rides. This particular route is a modified out-and-back that throws in a scenic loop at the top end of the route. The terrain is much more hilly compared to south of I-10 and is considered about the hilliest ride that can be found in the area. You can take the opportunity to explore into downtown Bay Minette, or create a much longer loop that loops the eastern part of the county.
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Cycling – Road Route – Talladega Dugger Mountain Loop
This epic 56-mile ride around Dugger Mountain through the hilly Talladega National Forest is a favorite with local road riders. There is a pleasant return on the paved Chief Ladiga Trail to Jacksonville before the final climb over White’s Gap and the twisty descent back to the start.
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Cycling – Road Route – Wetumpka Tallassee Ride
This route from the rural outskirts of Wetumpka to Tallassee on the Tallapoosa River is a fine example of wide open riding in the wide open spaces of Alabama. Running the loop counterclockwise scrolls some epic-looking scenery along a 16-mile continuous stretch of Rifle Range Road, before turning up a slight hill into Tallassee, around the halfway point. While it is a few miles outside of Montgomery, it is a worthwhile excursion for the road cycling enthusiast.

This route passes through the historic riverside town of Tallassee. Take a moment to visit the old downtown by going right (Barnett Boulevard) at the signal for CR 8 and riding a few blocks towards the river. The famous Hotel Talisi is on Sistrunk Street, third right after turning onto Barnett. The Talisi runs a locally famous lunch buffet seven days a week, starting at 11 a.m.
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Mountain Biking - Bankhead National Forest - Pine Torch Loop, Brushy Loop, Key Mill Loop
These trails in the Bankhead National Forest are similar to the famed Tsali trails around Lake Fontana in North Carolina. Approximately an hour's drive from Huntsville the trails are predominantly sandy-soil single-track trails with few technical difficulties. As a result, they can be ridden at high speeds. The trails are curvy in nature with frequent short altitude changes, "whoop-de-dos" and banked turns.
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Mountain Biking - Fort Payne - DeSoto State Park MTB Trails
Hilly, technical 3.5-mile trail.
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Mountain Biking - Gene’s Loop
Approximately 5 miles of single-track and dual-track (jeep road) trails located just east of Highway 9 off the unpaved portion of Joseph Springs Motorway. It is quite fast and curvy with one short, steep hill called Blowhard. It can be bypassed on a fire road cut-off. Overall, the trail is very good riding for beginner and intermediate riders. The trail can be ridden as marked or in reverse.
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Mountain Biking - Mark’s Loop
This newer 2.8-mile trail bit more challenging and washed out than Mark’s Loop, but it is appropriate for new and intermediate mountain bikers. It is also very fast, curvy and non-technical.
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