Skill Level:

Intermediate - This ride has no major climbs or difficulties. Traffic on the long stretch CR 104 may get a bit heavy and fast on weekday mornings on the way out of town, but there is a bit of smooth shoulder on these parts of 104. Advanced riders can enjoy the long stretches of uninterrupted road for hard riding. There are many opportunities for exploring and extending the route. 

Variations:

Here are some great alternatives to this route:

• At the intersection of CR 9 and US 98, it is possible to extend the route east about 2.2 miles for a quick visit to Magnolia Springs. There are a few decent restaurants in this scenic town.
• Shorten the loop approximately 3 miles by proceeding directly east on Fairhope Avenue out of town instead of CR 104. Follow Fairhope Avenue 7.5 miles until it intersects CR 9 (Bohemian Hall Road).
• Weeks Bay Short Loop – 28 Miles. This is a shortened version of this route that departs east on Fairhope Avenue. Right onto Section Street will lead the rider directly south as the road turns into CR 3. Follow CR 3 all the way until it intersects US 98 near the 98/98A split. (See Weeks Bay Short Loop Route Sheet.).
• An easy to navigate out-and-back option would be to follow 98A or the Eastern Shore Trail directly south until CR 1/Easter Shore Boulevard splits off to the right. Follow CR 1 all the way to Weeks Bay. Return via CR 1 and 98A for a 27-mile out-and-back.
 

Features:

While Fish River Point is typically a scenic point of interest on this loop, it is of particular interest in the wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005. While the road to the point is in decent shape, the surrounding terrain, woods, parking and housing is only now beginning to recover from the effects of the storm surges from those hurricanes. The return up Scenic US 98 past Clear Point is the high point of the loop. 

Afterward:

Fairhope is a boutique-y little town with many nice restaurants and dining opportunities.

• Papa’s Pizza – 2004 “Baldwin’s Best Pizza." 300 Fairhope Avenue (west of Section Street). 251-990-9600
• Andree’s – Breakfast, lunch (sandwiches and soup) and early dinner. 403 Fairhope Avenue (east of Section Street). 800-239-3077. 251-928-8863.
• Ben’s Original Barbecue – Pork and chicken BBQ, shrimp, catfish. 552 North Section Street (Corner of Pensacola Avenue and Section Street 251-928-1211.

 

Notes:

• Group Rides: While there is no organized bicycle club operating out of Mobile or Baldwin County, there are many cyclists in the area. There are often informal pickup rides starting at the Fairhope Pier at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. (and sometimes earlier) on weekend mornings. These rides range from under 20 miles to over 60 miles. The West Florida Wheelmen hold frequent weekend rides from Spanish Fort and Daphne.
• Eastern Shore Trail: Fairhope is the home of the Baldwin County Trailblazers, a nonprofit trail-building organization. Under the direction of Teko Wiseman, the Trailblazers have been securing grants and developing a cycling and walking path from the Battleship Causeway along the entire length of Scenic 98 almost all the way to Mullet Point. Work is ongoing and there are still a few short missing links. However, the trail makes it possible for casual, occasional or inexperienced cyclists to safely and confidently ride the length of the eastern shore from Spanish Fort to Mullet Point. The most significant recent addition is the completion of the Gator Alley boardwalk and underpass for I-10. It is now possible to cycle from the battleship USS Alabama Memorial Park on the Battleship Parkway/US 90 all the way to Daphne and points south.

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Baldwin County Trailblazers

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

Baldwin Welcome Center

Street Address:
P.O. Box 2000
Robertsdale, AL 36567
Phone#:(251) 946 - 3375

Bicycles of Mobile, Inc.

Street Address:
4258 Cottage Hill Road
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone#:(251) 666 - 3700

Bicycles Shop

Street Address:
661 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36602

Cadence 120 Bicycle Works

Street Address:
5558 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36608
Phone#:(251) 344 - 7435
www.cadence120.com

Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce

Street Address:
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone#:(251) 928 - 6387

Eastern Shore Schwinn

Street Address:
6845 Hwy. 90, Suite 102
Daphne, AL 36526
Phone#:(251) 626 - 0079

Fairhope Visitor’s Center

Street Address:
20 North Section Street
, N/A N/A

Grand Bay Welcome Center

Street Address:
P.O. Drawer 626
Grand Bay, AL 36541
Phone#:(251) 865 - 4741

Just Ridin'

Street Address:
915 Hillcrest Road
Mobile, AL 36695

Local Ride Information Web Link

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
members.aol.com/Carotop111/road.html

Spoke N Trail Inc.

Street Address:
4453 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36608
Phone#:(251) 341 - 1712

Springhill Schwinn Cyclery

Street Address:
4260 Panorama Blvd.
Mobile, AL 36609

West Florida Wheelmen

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.wfw-pensacola.com