Skill Level:

Beginner/Intermediate The terrain is flat, flat, flat. Navigation is fairly easy since all roads of any length run east-west and the only ones that goe anywhere are AL 180 to Fort Morgan and AL 182 into Florida. Safety is good thanks to ample shoulders on AL 180 and AL 182 and bike lanes throughout the town. Potentially busy traffic points are the intersections of AL 180/AL 59 and AL 182/AL 59. Al 59 is the main road from the north into town and can have very heavy traffic loads. 

Route Info:

Gulf shores is the premier beach vacation destination is Alabama. The sugar-white beaches attract visitors from all over the world; however, even cyclists need an escape from roasting on the beach and too much fried shrimp. Gulf Shores offers a number of short and long rides in and around the beach and town; perfect for sweating off excess seafood consumption.

By a quirk of geography, advanced cyclists will be hard-pressed to find a pleasing and easily navigated loop from Gulf Shores to the mainland. Alabama Highway 59 represents a bit of a cycling bottleneck for all but the most hard-headed cyclists. The bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and the several miles of shoulder-free road north of the bridge pretty much keep cyclists onshore or inland, with not much movement in between.

Fortunately, many of the main roads in Gulf Shores are equipped with paved shoulders or bike lanes. Getting around by bike in this busy beach resort town is surprisingly easy. The two rides described here are examples of quick, easily navigated leg-stretcher rides that start and end at Gulf State Park. Visiting cyclists who wish to explore around Lake Shelby and Orange Beach can saddle up for a 17-mile fat-burner from the Park, around Canal Road to Orange Beach and returning on Orange Beach Boulevard (AL 161) to Perdido Beach Boulevard (AL 182). For an easier ride for more casual riders, the loop around Shelby Lake is a scenic 5.5-mile jaunt that can be extended to explore "The Strip" on AL 182 and the State Park's unfettered stretch of beachfront.

A longer out-and-back ride can be found along AL 180 (Fort Morgan Road), which runs east-west out to Fort Morgan. AL 180 has either bike lanes or paved shoulders the entire 21 miles to Fort Morgan State Park and the Mobile Bay Ferry. 

Variations:

Gulf State Park is a good start point for a 42-mile out-and-back ride to Fort Morgan. The park is at the eastern terminus of Fort Morgan Road (AL 135). Park at the Gulf Park Headquarters and depart the park westward on AL 135. At the intersection with AL 59, continue straight on Fort Morgan Road (AL 135 becomes AL 180). There is a bike lane for about two miles beyond the AL 59 intersection. After that, the road has a shoulder all the way to Fort Morgan. You can take the ferry across Mobile Bay to explore Dauphin Island; however, be sure to check the schedule. Ferries run every half hour from 8:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. (www.mobilebayferry.com) 251-861-3000 

Features:

Shaded parking, water, restrooms, lakeside cabins, camping, picnic area 

For more info:

Gulf State Park

Street Address:

20115 State Hwy. 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Mailing Address:

20115 State Highway 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542-4501

TollFree#:

800-ALA-PARK

Phone#:

251-948-7275

Fax#:

251-948-7726

URL:

www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=22

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Baldwin Welcome Center

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

Cadence 120 Bicycle Works

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
Phone#:(251) 344-7435
cadence120.com

Grand Bay Welcome Center

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

Gulf Shores Welcome Center

Street Address:
3150 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy 59S)
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone#:(251) 968-7511

Gulf State Park

Street Address:
20115 State Highway 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone#:(251) 948-7275
www.alapark.com

Local Ride Information Web Link

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

Orange Beach Welcome Center

Street Address:
23685 Perdido Beach Boulevard (Hwy 182)
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone#:(251) 974-1510

West Florida Wheelmen

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