Skill Level:

Intermediate A very short seven-mile loop around Leeds and back to the park can be negotiated easily by beginner riders. 

Route Info:

• The ride departs from Leeds Memorial Park east on US 119.
• It follows US 78 for seven miles out of town and turns onto Camp Winnataska Road. (Chevron Station at freeway exit.)
• Follow Camp Winnataska road for 7.8 miles where it ends at CR 27.
• Turn Right onto CR 27 in Pleasant Grove.
• CR 27 turns into CR 55 at the St. Clair County line in 2 miles.
• Continue on CR 55 1.3 miles to the split with CR 43. (CR 43 is a shortcut to Vandiver.)
• Bear left on CR 55.
• Follow CR 55 3.5 miles into Sterrett.
• Cross SR 25 onto CR 45. (Sterrett One-Stop gas station is about 800 feet south on SR 25 on the Left.)
• Follow CR 45 3.2 miles into Vandiver.
• Right onto CR 43. Watson’s station on the left at corner of CR 43 and SR 25.
• Left onto SR 25.
• Follow SR 25 for 7 miles over two big climbs.
• Sharp left at the bottom of the second descent onto Elliot Lane. (Look for old Lance Armstrong Foundation century markings)
• Follow Elliot Lane 1.6 miles until it ends on US 119.
• Right on US 119. 1.5 miles back to Leeds Memorial Park.

 

Variations:

Seven-Mile Beginner Loop - Turn right onto SR 25 (Dunnavant Road) just past downtown and the railroad tracks from U.S. 78. Follow Dunnavant for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Elliot Lane before beginning of a long climb. Follow Elliot lane 1.6 miles until it ends on US 119. Right onto US 119 back to Leeds Memorial Park. 60-Mile Leeds Double Loop - Add on 25-mile Westover Junction Loop from Sterrett to make a 60-mile ride. (See Westover Junction Loop.) Notes:

• US 78 leaving Leeds can be busy during rush-hour times.
• Stores located at: US 78 at I-20 exit (5.8 mi.), Sterrett at CR 25 & 55 (22.6 mi.) and Vandiver at CR 43 & 25 (26 mi.).
• Route parallels the Coosa Rail Tunnel through Oak Mountain, reputedly the actual site of John Henry’s successful, yet fatal race with a steam drill.

 

Features:

Continuously rolling terrain after turn onto Camp Winnataska Road. Two long climbs over Coosa and Oak Mountains (> 1.5 mi.) in the last 10 miles of ride.  

Route Legs:

• Geo-Coordinates: N33° 32.352' - W86° 33.593'
• Leave park. Right onto SR 119.
• Follow SR 119 (Ashville Rd SE) to the left as it passes the school on the left before the intersection to US 78
• US 78 (Parkway Dr. SE) Right onto the ‘Main’ drag through downtown Leeds.

  Note: US 78 can be busy with traffic during rush-hour times (Before 8 AM, 4-5:30 PM) Chevron Station at 5.8 miles from start at I-20 Exit 147.

• Note! This is a downhill right turn after a left-hand curve. It comes up fast! Be prepared.
• Follow Camp Winnataska Road for 7.8 miles to where it ends at CR 27.
• CR 27 turns into CR 55 at the St. Clair county line in 2 miles.
• Note: CR 43 is a shortcut to Vandiver. Can be taken as an alternate route. Follow CR 55 3.5 miles into Sterrett.
• Sterrett One-Stop gas station is about 800 feet south on SR 25 on the left. Open Sundays.
• Follow CR 45 3.2 miles into Vandiver. Right onto CR 43 where CR 45 ends.
• Cross tracks. Watson’s gas station on the left at corner of CR 43 and SR 25. (Open Sundays).
• Depart store. Left onto SR 25 after RR tracks and store.
• Follow SR 25 for 7 miles over two big climbs. Sharp left at the bottom of the second descent onto Elliot Lane. (Look for old Lance Armstrong Foundation century markings).
• Follow Elliot Lane 1.6 miles until it ends on US 119. Right on US 119. 1.5 miles back to Leeds Memorial Park.
• Finish at Leeds Memorial Park. (Note: SR 119 can be busy during rush hour). Geo-Coordinates: N33° 32.352', W86° 33.593'.

Afterward:

• Old Smokey Barbecue, U.S. 78, west of downtown Leeds.
• Dairy Kreme, U.S. 78, west of downtown Leeds
• Johnny Ray’s BBQ, (Decent BBQ and excellent pies.) 1460 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, (205) 823-7437
• Barber Motorsports Park (www.barbermotorsports.com) – Vintage motorcycle museum and racetrack.

• Directions to Rex Lake Road. Take exit 140 from I-20 and head east towards Leeds. Take the first right onto Rex Lake Road. Barber Motorsports Park is on the right.

 

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Barber Motorsports Park

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.barbermotorsports.com

Bike Link of Inverness

Street Address:
5263 Hwy. 280 South, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone#:(205) 985 - 0001
www.bikelinkbham.com

Birmingham Bicycle Club

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
bhambikeclub.org

Birmingham Bicycle Company

Street Address:
1103 Dunston Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35213
Phone#:(205) 870 - 8339
www.bhambicycle.com

Bob's Bikes - Homewood

Street Address:
2815 Greystone Commercial Boulevard, Suite 400
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone#:(205) 981 - 7177
bobs-bikes.com

Bob's Bikes - Vestavia Hills

Street Address:
1410 Montgomery Highway #D
Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone#:(205) 979 - 3460
bobs-bikes.com

Cahaba Cycles - Cahaba Heights

Street Address:
3120 Cahaba Heights Plaza
Birmingham, AL 35243
Phone#:(205) 967 - 2003
cahabacycles.com

Cahaba Cycles - Pelham/Oak Mountain

Street Address:
2271 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124
Phone#:(205) 987-4043
cahabacycles.com

Dairy Kreme

Street Address:
U. S. 78, west of downtown Leeds
, N/A N/A

GC Cycling (Racing Club)

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.gccycling.org

Homewood Cycle & Fitness (Owned by Cahaba Cycles)

Street Address:
2834 South 18th Street
Homewood, AL 35209
Phone#:(205) 879 - 3244
cahabacycles.com

Johnny Ray's BBQ

Street Address:
1460 Montgomery Highway
Vestavia Hills, AL N/A
Phone#:(205) 823 - 7437

Leeds General Information

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
Phone#:(205) 699 - 2585
www.leedsalabama.com

Old Smokey Barbecue

Street Address:
U. S. 78, west of downtown Leeds
, N/A N/A

Tandems Limited

Street Address:
2220 Vanessa Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone#:(205) 991 - 5519
www.tandemsltd.com