Tumlin Gap

35th Annual BBC Century
and 9th Annual Double Century
Saturday, October 11, 2008

The start location is in Springville, AL, at Homestead Hollow. It has ample parking and very pleasant surroundings reminiscent of a 1800s homestead. It also has a lovely creek. We will follow the ride with a BBQ dinner cooked on site by a local BBQ maestro, and plan to have a performance by a Bluegrass Band. We intend to make this a century to remember, and one that you will want to do again.

Announcement:

The BBC Board has agreed to make this year’s Century a benefit for Red Mountain Park.
Your participation will reap dividends in more riding and recreational opportunities ahead.

Web site for Red Mountain Park:	http://www.redmountainpark.org/
See recent news article:	July 30, 2008 - Birmingham donates acreage

• 4:30 AM for Double Century & 150 milers
• 8:00 AM for the 80- and 100-milers
• 9:30 AM for those riding the shorter routes

REGISTRATION:

• Register on-site before the ride.
• Opens at 7:00 AM.
• Continues until 9:30 for the under-80-mile rides.
• Pre-registration is closed.
• Prices: $25 BBC members, $30 non-members, under 18 just $5!

If you pre-registered on-line, you may check your Registration Status here.
For the complete Century brochure in printable Adobe format: Century Brochure.

ROUTE INFO:
Maps and Profiles:

Mountain Goat Century 102 mile map Thanks to Larry Myers for the fine maps!
101 mile map
42 and 68 mile maps
Mountain Goat Century profile
Other profile (thanks to Don Hagan)

Climbs and Descents:
1. Walker Gap (see photo on BBC Home Page): 700 feet of climbing, moderate 9 percent grade with short sections of around 12 percent. It can be bypassed. The descent is nearly straight.
2. Chandler Mountain: 700 feet, most difficult climb on the route. The first 100 feet is very moderate, the remaining 600 more than make up for it. Average grade is 12 percent with sections up to 15 percent. As the climb is unrelenting, you will need ample gears (e.g., 27-tooth cog), or a BMI of under 18. This climb can be bypassed. The descent has a sweeping turn near the top and then is straight.
3. Tumlin Gap (see photo at top of this page): 400 feet, moderate grade. The descent has one bend that requires caution near the bottom. All century riders will do this climb.
4. Blount Mountain: not a continuous climb, but a series of hills. Mild to moderate grades, but at the 80 mile point they may not feel so moderate. The descent has a near hair pin bend very near the top, after that it is straight and fast. Both century routes include Blount Mountain.

Shorter options: Starting at 9:30 AM, a 42 mile route goes out to Rest Stop 1 and back, with or without climb #1. A 68 miler adds a loop back through Rest Stop 1. The 80 mile option skips climb #2 but adds #3 & 4. A 22 mile guided ride option on a separate, fairly flat route is offered for novices, young riders, or anyone who wants to just put it on auto-pilot and cruise.

Double Century and 150 mile options: 4:30 AM start (sunrise at 6:46 AM – lights required). After two preliminary loops totaling 47 miles, riders can either do the Century at 8:00 AM (for 150 miles total) or continue on the separate DC route. From Mile 47 onward the DC is a flat and fast out ‘n’ back up US 11 and through the Little Wills Valley alongside Lookout Mtn, turning back at Valley Head. Rest stop at Little River Cycle & Outdoors in Fort Payne (Mile 113 & 135); bring cash for stores along the route (e.g. at Attalla, Mile 77 and 171). Daylight will be tight! Riders averaging 17 mph with six 15 min. stops will finish ~6:00 PM; sunset is at 6:16 PM.

Rest stops:
Rest Stop 1 & 2 are at the Greasy Cove Volunteer Fire Dept. Rest rooms.
Rest Stop 3 is at the Horton Mill Covered Bridge. No restrooms here, but you’ll pass places with indoor plumbing a few miles later in Oneonta
Rest Stop 4 is at the Straight Mountain Mennonite Church. Rest rooms.
DC Only: Little River Cycle & Outdoors. Restrooms & mechanical help available

Road conditions: Mostly good. There is some rough road on the way to the Horton Mill covered bridge, and the associated rest stop. The historic bridge over the Black Warrior River is well worth the bother; plan to linger, and bring your camera. There are a couple of other short stretches of chip-seal. Traffic should be light in the rural areas that comprise most of the route. There are only two short sections of “in-town” traffic when going through Springville and Oneonta.

Event Highlights: The Century rides offer mountain and valley views, pastoral valley sections, choice of moderate or difficult route, great descents, and Horton Mill Covered Bridge. Located just off AL Hwy. 75 in Blount County, the bridge, built in 1935, is one of the highest covered bridges in the nation, standing at 70 feet above the Black Warrior River. It is also one of three which still exist in Blount County. Rest stop food is a priority! Our new ride start / event venue is Homestead Hollow, a lovely wooded, grassy site with picnic tables and a stream. Plan to stay after the ride for BBQ and Bluegrass.

Meals, Showers: A post ride meal of BBQ will be served at our lovely ride start / staging area, Homestead Hollow. Post-ride showers will be available, or you can take a dip in the clear, cold creek!!! No skinny dipping. The sight of a naked cyclist may cause permanent psychological harm.

Homestead Hollow, our ride start/finish location, is an arts, craft, and music venue, with homestead-style buildings and facilities located on a lovely creek just outside Springville. They have ample parking and are available to be booked for private events such as weddings, and public events such as festivals, and yes even cycling events. Check out their web site at: http://www.homesteadhollow.com/main.html.

Event Jersey: Click *this* link for the ultra-cool graphic and ordering information. Short-sleeved for guys, sleeveless for gals. YOU WILL WANT ONE. Do not make the mistake of not ordering (at least) one in advance, as there will be ONLY a LIMITED NUMBER available for those who do not pre-order. BBC members get a discount! Order by Octber 11 to receive by December 15.

Directions to the start/finish location at Homestead Hollow in Springville, AL:
Homestead Hollow is very easy to get to, and within reasonable driving range of Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.

Homestead Hollow is located 30 miles north of Birmingham, and 35 miles south of Gadsden. Access Homestead Hollow via I-59. Take exit 154 west toward Springville. Homestead Hollow is 2.0 miles on the left.

Helmets are required for all riders.

LOCAL LODGING:

There are numerous hotels/motels in Birmingham and Gadsden. Several links offer lists and contact information:

For the Gadsden area, see the Chamber of Commerce listing at:
http://www.gadsdenchamber.com/c%20Hotels.htm
or
http://www.gadsdenchamber.com/

For the Birmingham area, see the Chamber of Commerce listing at:
http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmweb/wc.dll/ALBIRCOC?id=albircoc&doc=rol/rol1/clistings&kn=4410

Motels also are listed on the Homestead Hollow site:
http://www.homesteadhollow.com/main.html.

RV Facilities: Homestead Hollow has RV hookups available: For more information, please contact Terri Goforth at (205) 467-2002, or via the Homestead Hollow web site (see above).

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:

Noccalula Falls:
http://www.gadsden-etowahtourismboard.com/Noccalula.htm

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: http://www.bcri.org/index.html

Bama Flea Mall and Antique Center- Leeds: http://www.bamafleamall.com/

Covered Bridge Trail (and other scenic or historic local trails and tours):
http://www.800alabama.com/things-to-do/tours-trails/

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (Leeds, AL). 1100 motorcycles; more than 140 manufacturers; the largest collection in the US. http://www.barbermuseum.org/

The Summit: upscale shopping, Barnes&Noble, coffee shops (Birmingham):
http://www.thesummitonline.com/birmingham/

More visitor information can be found via the Chamber of Commerce web site:
http://www.birminghamchamber.com/

For more information, call (205) 702-4876, or e-mail ewcarmac@windstream.net.