We have a great new challenging route in Mr. Ed, Browntown, White City and Peach Cobbler. Weighs in at 70mi, RWGPS shows 3,500’ of climbing, but I logged 4,400’ and the worst of it is in the first half of the ride, headed south into Autauga. There are some ridiculous pitches in the first half. Those hills will make you cuss. The elevation is fairly spread out, but the second half is so much more gradual.
Today’s initial traverse was a bad day for it, with wind gusts of 20-30mph from the NE all day. I believe we had a total of 5 minutes of tailwind, and 4 hours of climbing, greeted with headwinds at the top of every other hill.
Aside from the wind, it was a beautiful cloudless day with some great scenery. There are several Bentonia reminiscent sunken roads, sheep, horses, cows. The dogs were all pretty chill except for one Doberman maybe around mile 30-35. He didn’t like being told what to do, but I kept my rear wheel on his nose and told him to go get back on the couch. He finally relented.
I’d say this route is 80% dirt, 20% pave, and it is a good one. There are some great descents, and some long straight and flat speed zones. The gravel was a mixture from Marbury sand and chunky pebbles to graded logging roads and a lot of super hard pack red clay that just gripped the tires so good.
Today was a great adventure.