Enjoy the backroads of Central Alabama as you enjoy the smooth pavement of the original Seven Bridges Road made popular by The Eagles, ride through Pecan Farm country, visit the home town of the Troy University Trojans, pedal the quiet & scenic roads east of Montgomery and roll by Motor Field Municipal Airport, the location of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and Museum.
The route starts within a few miles of Santa Rosa Beach’s famous beach towns of Seaside, Grayton and Blue Mountain Beach and heads directly north and in a short while you are on mostly quiet rural roads. You will ride through a mix of forest, farmland and the occasional orchard and vineyard. Although Florida is not known for its hills, the route can be described as rolling with the opportunity to get in the small ring from time to time. Leonia marks the most northerly part of the route then you proceed south and east towards the Choctawhatchee River valley which you will generally follow all the way back to the bay. A surprise along the way will be the little community known as Cerro Gordo which appears to be a tribute to the Battle of Cerro Gordo in Veracruz, Mexico.
Rolling roads between Tuscaloosa and Citronelle. The stretch on US 43 is more heavily trafficked but is not problematic. Other roads are more rural. Planned Overnight after 400K (250 miles) in Jackson.
Gomer's 600K is a hilly ride that climbs the highest point in Alabama, Mt. Cheaha. Leave Springville traveling NE to Alabama's Ski Resort town of Mentone. Turn East and South for 55 miles before crossing back into Alabama. Hop on the Chief Ladiga Rail Trail in Piedmont for about a mile before heading toward the highest point in Alabama, Mt. Cheaha. Descend to the finish in Talladega, the home of NASCAR's Longest Oval! During the last 200K visit the hometown of Gomer Pyle, the character made famous by actor Jim Nabors who was born in Sylacauga, AL. The route hits Sylacauga on the way back to the start.
Included in the ride fee is a bag drop to the overnight hotel, snacks/nutrition at the overnight hotel, grab-and-go breakfast foods/coffee on day 2 and miscellaneous other goodies. The fee does not include an overnight hotel room. You may reserve your own hotel room, coordinate with other riders or you may contact the RBA and we will attempt to find someone for you to share a room with. The RBA may secure a staging room at the overnight hotel for riders who simply wish to grab a shower, change their kit and grab a bit of sleep rather than having their own hotel room. If we secure a staging room, this room will be covered in the ride fee.
Join us for this great route!
