Skill Level:

Intermediate-Advanced This ride has some long rolling hills that, while not actual climbs, will require a bit of small-ring riding. The route is easily navigated and features a number of cut-through roads to shorten the ride. 

Route Info:

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 counter-clockwise 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 Blvd.) 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 AM. 

Variations:

Begin the loop in Tallassee and end the ride with a visit to the Hotel Talisi’s country food buffet. For a nice weekend, stay in the historic Hotel Talisi in downtown Tallassee.

The route offers options to shortcut the loop before Tallassee. There is also an option to extend with an 11-mile excursion from Tallassee that returns to the route at Pleasant Hill (Hilltop Kwik Stop) at the intersection of CR 73 and CR 8/Redland Road. 11-mile extension option:

• Continue straight on SR 14 in Tallassee instead of turning left (west) onto CR 8/Friendship Road
• Follow CR 14 8.2 miles as it turns west and turn left at the Good Hope Church onto CR 73/Good Hope Road (aka Fleahop Road on the north side of the road.)
• In .5 mile CR 73 joins CR186. Continue left on CR 186/Good Hope Road.
• In 2.6 miles, take a hard right onto CR 8/Redland Road at the Hilltop Kwik Stop. You have re-joined the Tallassee loop.

 

Route Legs:

• Turn right out of Petro Station Parking Lot.
• Short 4-lane stretch into Tallassee.
• Stores at Corner (Note: Turn Right to find Historic Hotel Talisi and Buffet. Right onto Ann St. across from Police Station.)
• Store.
• Follow CR 8 Left at Hilltop Kwik Stop.
• Store.
• Left at the water tower.
• Left when Dozier ends at Rifle Range Rd.
• Right into parking lot.

Afterward:

Hotel Talisi – Historic Hotel in Downtown Tallassee and locally famous country food buffet starting at 11 a.m. every day. 14 Sistrunk St., Tallassee, AL 36078. Ph: 334 283-2769.

Hog Rock BBQ - 7856 US 231, Wetumpka. 334-567-4545

Smokin "S" Bar-B-Q - 5826 US 231, Wetumpka. 334-567-0605.

Wetumpka Impact Crater – 83 million years ago an asteroid the size of Jordan-Hare Stadium hit a few miles from where downtown Wetumpka is today, creating a 6-mile wide crater. It is only one of six aboveground impact sites in the world and was only confirmed recently through core drilling. Evidence of its effect on the Coosa River is visible from the Bibb-Graves Bridge. Visit the Historic Marker in front of the Elmore County Health Department on US 231. For more information about this unusual geologic feature, visit the following Web sites:

• Trail of Legends Association: www.trailoflegends.org
• Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce: www.wetumpkachamber.com
• Earth Impact Database: www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDatabase/images/wetumpka.htm

 

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Alabama Cycling Camp

Street Address:
 
,    
www.alabamacyclingcamp.com/

Mike Munk’s Bama Cyclist Web Site

Street Address:
 
,    
http://www.bamacyclist.com/

Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau

Street Address:
300 Water Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone#:334-261-1100
www.visitingmontgomery.com

Montgomery Bicycle Club

Street Address:
 
,    
http://mgmbikeclub.org/

Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce

Street Address:
P. O. Box 785
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone#:(334) 567-4811
www.wetumpkachamber.com