22nd May 2016 Russellville, Al to Cullman, Al 103.3 kms - 64.2 miles Up = 581m - Down = 572m
22nd May 2016 - Russellville, Alabama to Cullman, Alabama.
We awoke to a nice morning, and a sunny day with light winds predicted for our Sunday ride!! I’ve been watching weather forecasts for a few days out and how we haven’t had any rain for the past 2 weeks is beyond me!! It always seems to be just ahead of us and gone by the time we get there - or is now raining in places we have come through. Happy to take that though - and certainly hope this can continue for the next 2 weeks!!
Today’s route was pretty straight forward – along the “24” for 45 kms, then the “157” all the way into Cullman. Once there, I'd recheck the route to our Airbnb accommodation for the night.
The 24 was a 4 lane road (2 in each direction) with a really good shoulder. It was “undulating” and we made great time getting to our first stop in the town of Moulden - just under 2 hours. A “Macca’s” stop was had – whether it be our “accents” – or the girl on the counter was hopeless – but none of us really ended up with quite what we ordered. But – it gave us energy to continue!! We also learned that a Sausage gravy and egg biscuit - did not in fact have a sausage in it as we had all thought - but more like a few "crumbs" of sausage in a white gravy. It didn't look that great - but according to Don - tasted OK.
Our elevation profile showed a big climb at about the 80 km mark - and it didn't lie. It certainly was a good climb!! Parts of the 157 had very little seal beyond the rumble strip - but fortunately, being a Sunday I presume - there was very little traffic.. The countryside was lush farm and cropping land, the wind was light – so a very pleasant biking day.
We rocked into Cullman just before 1:00 pm and decided to go into Walmart and grab a salad and drink for lunch. We have all heard about the sights you see at Walmart, and the Cullman one dished up a beauty for us!! It was "Superman" and his homemade bicycle – unbelievable!!! There is a small video clip below - we waited ages for him to move off and he didn't seem to get going - we turned away for a few minutes and he was off!! Luckily Don was able to get pics as we wondered if it really did go without falling apart! Sorry - can't get the video to load at the moment - but will keep working on it!!
We continued the final 6 kms to our Airbnb and met our host Oscar!! When I arrived here I was thinking while it had been a pleasant ride – I didn’t have many photo’s of things of interest. But this "speak-easy" stop changed it all!!
We saw Alabama hospitality at its best – mixing with the locals!! Apparently yesterday was their annual Crawfish party. Luckily for us there was plenty of Crawfish left over – so we were fed well!! Yesterday’s “party” lasted all day and until 2:00 am with 70 – 80 people here!! We were invited – but couldn’t pedal fast enough to get here!!
But there were at least half a dozen locals still here – some came, some went, some came back again – and we had great chats, great food and a couple of beers – played Bocce, and listened to music!! Pat proved to be pretty "dead-eye" playing Bocce and with her partner were the winners for the day!! All in all - a terrific afternoon / evening!