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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Skill Level:

Intermediate-Advanced – The short length of this ride is deceptive because of the vigorous climb on rough pavement and a fast decent with a tight turn at the bottom. The climb is approximately 1.2 miles in length. The pavement quality ranges from smooth new asphalt to standard, rural Alabama chip seal (tar over gravel; abrasive, but unbroken). Adventurous riders will be rewarded with nice vistas of the lake, pretty scenery and glimpses of birds and wildlife. Because pavement quality can range from smooth to rough and broken in places it is strongly recommended to fully inflate tires to full pressure and to carry adequate spare tubes.

Variations:

Beginner riders not experienced with steep-hill climbing or riding on abrasive pavement can opt to skip the climb up Georgia Mountain by continuing straight on Warrenton Road back to Hwy. 69.

Features:

If the aroma is tempting, don’t be afraid to stop at the Char-Burger on Hwy. 69 for a proper gut bomb before the short ride across the causeway back to the Guntersville Recreation Center.

Check out the Giant Chicken on Warrenton Road at the Wayne’s Farm. Marshall County is among the top chicken producing counties in the nation. You will see many, many chicken houses on this ride. This particular breed of chicken was purchased after a particularly good weekend in Tunica, MS.

Afterward:

As a lake resort town, Guntersville offers many dining opportunities not found in other towns this size. There are many dining options along Gunter Avenue/US 431. It is possible to ride your bike right up to any of the establishments around the historic square in downtown.

Squig’s BBQ – 3633 Hwy. 227 (east of the causeway on the way to Lake Guntersville State Park, near Goldkist Plant), 256-582-8857. Open for lunch and dinner.
Covington’s Café – 524 Gunter Avenue (US 431), 256-582-5377. Open for lunch. Sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts.
Two Brothers Philly Cheese Steak and Pizza – 373 Gunter Avenue, 256-571-0109. Open for lunch and dinner.
Crawmama’s – 5002 Webb Villa (near Guntersville High School), 256-582-0484. Seafood, steaks, gumbo, crawfish. Open for lunch and dinner.
Death by Chocolate – 2328 Taylor Street (on the courthouse square), 256-582-3557. Espresso and gourmet coffee, desserts and confections. Open 7 a.m., M-Thu. Lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Char-Burger - 3848 Al Highway 69 (West of the Causeway, at Gunter Mountain Rd.), 256-582-3502

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Contact any of the following for additional information:

Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Street Address:
200 Gunter Avenue
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone#:(800) 869 - LAKE
www.marshallcountycvb.com