Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced This is a long ride that requires some navigational skill. The way out of Tuscaloosa is short, but a bit complex. You can follow the old Hot Hundred Century paint marks away from Capitol Park, but the marks are not guaranteed to last. Shorter loops can be enjoyed by intermediate and beginner riders. 

Route Info:

Riding out of Tuscaloosa is characterized by the Black Warrior River. Mainly, there are only two ways over it by bike, Lurleen B. Wallace Drive (US 13) and US 11. Exiting town on Sanders Ferry Road allows for a wide variety of short to long loops that return on US 11.

The Echola ride is the longest option. It is a complete 62-mile loop all the way around to Lake Lurleen and back into Tuscaloosa through Northport. Shorter options loop back around and return to US 11 and Black Warrior Road/Sanders Ferry.

The terrain is moderately rolling with some shorter hills that require efforts in the small ring.

 

Variations:

There are numerous out-and-back variations of the Echola-Lake Lurleen Loop for riders seeking a shorter ride. All routes are moderate, intermediate rides.

• Sanders Ferry – 23 miles. Follow Sanders Ferry Road to Black Warrior Road to US 11. Turn around at US 11 and backtrack to start. Very easy ride.
• Dry Creek – 34 miles. Easy intermediate ride
• Follow route out to Dry Creek Road
• Left onto Dry Creek Road at 13.4 miles into ride.
• Bear right onto Grant Creek Road
• Left onto Gainsville Road/CR 51
• Left onto US 11 (Store at Fosters)
• Backtrack on US 11 to start
• Frog Ridge – 46 miles.
• Follow route out to Romulus Road
• Turn left onto Romulus Road at 20 miles into ride (Hard left! Sand feeds into Romulus.)
• Left onto Gainesville Rd./CR 51
• Follow Gainesville all the way to US 11 (Store at Fosters)
• Left onto US 11. Backtrack route to start
 

Features:

Nice shady start location near Black Warrior River and popular University Boulevard. Quick exit from downtown Tuscaloosa to moderately flat, rural roads. Many ride variations after Dry Creek Road. 

Route Legs:

• Start at Capital Park. Park in shaded area. On-street parking on University. Follow Hot Hundred century marks out of town.
• Cross bridge over tracks.
• Jog one street over to 6th St.
• 6th dumps onto Country Club Circle.
• CC Circle becomes West Circle before turn. Right at T.
• Third right.
• Over rough tracks. Next left past plant on right.
• Right at T.
• Cross Black Warrior Parkway. Quick L-R jog to Sanders Ferry.
• Bear left as Sanders Ferry splits off to dead end.
• Right onto wide highway over Black Warrior River.
• Begin a short hill.

  Note: Continue to next right turn from US 11 to find a store. Follow CR 51 Gainsville Road right, then take next right onto Sand Road to return to course.

• Right at T.
• Sand feeds into Romulus.
• Very sharp left turn. No sign for Booth Town. Look for old century arrow on pavement and Sam Jones Road on right.
• Right onto Pate Road. Option: Continue straight onto Sipsey Valley Rd. directly to Buhl.
• Pate ends at CR 140/Lower Columbus Rd.
• Store at Buhl – Closed Sundays.
• Cross US 82 (Busy Road!). Store- Open Sundays.
• Store – Closed Sundays.
• Look for Lake Lurleen State Park sign.
• Store - Lake Lurleen State Park
• CR 49 ends on Mt. Olive Rd.
• Sharp left! Look for it.
• Cross 70th. Olivewood ends at Harper.
• Harper Ts into Flatwoods.
• Jog left-right back to Harper.
• Cross US 82. Cross tracks.
• Right onto highway to cross bridge. (Lunch note: Turn on next street, Bridge Ave., to find Dreamland BBQ franchise. Stop for post-ride pig out, literally).
• Right at first light after bridge.
• Back to Capital Park.

Afterward:

Dining – Ample opportunities within walking/biking distance all along University Blvd. Tuscaloosa is a college town with a wide variety of eclectic, traditional, adventurous and original places to eat. 

Notes:

• Many stores en route. Some closed on Sunday. • Tuscaloosa is a college town. Game days will be very busy for seven weekends per year during the fall starting in September. Check the football schedule ahead of time.

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Alabama State Parks

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.alapark.com/parks/

Cycle-Path, Inc.

Street Address:
1221 University Boulevard
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone#:(205) 345 - 3144

DCBC Contact

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A

Dreamland BBQ

Street Address:
101 Bridge Avenue
Northport, AL 35476
Phone#:(205) 330 - 7887

Dreamland BBQ

Street Address:
5535 15th Avenue East
, N/A N/A

Druid City Cycling Club

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