Day 9

Saturday, 4 June 2011
  Scottsboro, AL to Centre, AL
71.5 miles, 6h18m, 11.3 mph
Elapsed Time: 9h47m, Max speed: 41.4mph
Total Climbing: 4108ft, Max elevation: 1589ft
Total mileage: 582.3


Copyright 2002 DeLorme. Topo USA. Data copyright of content owner.



A really hard day. Two big climbs, the heat, and the rollercoaster roads of the Little River Canyon National Preserve really wore me out. I was outside for a long time. Too tired for narrative. All pictures.


I crossed the Tennessee River on the wrong side of the road. I'd have to climb that there hill.


At the top I noticed this guy has a peacock walking his yard.
Also note the downed tree.


Rainsville was hit by a tornado last month when Tuscaloosa was hit.
There is still a half-mile swath of destruction through town.


I think the building on the left used to be a fast food joint. Not much left.


The civic arean took a beating. I imagine there was quite a bit more
damage that I could not see from the main road. The trees were snapped off
for quite a ways on both sides of the road.


Finally, the big descent into Fort Payne.


The band Alabama is from Fort Payne, and they have a shrine right
on the main drag.


The climb of Lookout Mountain started right in town. It was steeper and more hurty than the
first climb. And it had a nice hairpin turn.


Finally I reached the Little River Canyon National Preserve, which has an awesome geothermally
heated and cooled visitor center. And it has a small waterfall at the end of the canyon.


The Preserve features a twisting, winding road that runs along the north rim of the canyon.
Here I am, early in the ride before I was beaten down by the twisty, winding grind.


I assume this is called Mushroom Rock. It's in the middle
of the road. Weird how it grew right there.


I stopped at all the overlooks. Even the ones that were inconveniently located
at the bottom of hills.


You can see the next overlook in the distance. It was about five miles by road.


It's no Grand Canyon. But it is a little river canyon.


I read this sign and had a chance to bail out to the normal roads, or stay on the canyon
road--which had already been kicking my ass--and now was going to be even more steep and
winding. What did I do? The stupid thing.


Thankfully I got to go down this--but it must be a 30 percent grade. They made
it from concrete because asphalt would flow down the hill. It was exciting. I might need new brakes.


Finally I escaped the Preserve and dropped down off Lookout Mountain. Ten miles
later I was in the Days Inn. But look at the retarded rumble strips. I had no
choice but to ride in the travel lane.
I assume Alabama drunks require the extra deep rumble strips to wake them.

Tomorrow I ride another 70 miles or so, but mostly on a bike path.


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"Tour of the South 2011" Copyright © 2011 By Bob Clemons. All rights reserved.