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Cotaco Backroads 40

        This ride is 40 miles, starting in Cotaco at the intersection of AL-36 and Cotaco-Florette Road, south of the Tennessee River. The first half of the route is rolling with several long grades, nothing steep. The second half is relatively flat. It travels on mostly good pavement thru beautiful quiet farmland, with rest stops at 17 and 27 miles.

The route can easily be shortened to 31 miles by heading north on Cotaco-Florette Road from the second rest stop at mile 27, returning directly to the start at Cotaco.

Legend has it that Cotaco was the name of a Creek Indian chief in the area. The original pronunciation was Cuh-tauk-uh but the locals now pronounce it Co-TAY-co, with all long vowel sounds.

Cotaco Backroads 40 map
       
Cue sheet Route map Google Earth file:
KmzCotaco40.kmz
BikeRouteToaster
        The total elevation gain is 810', starting at 620' with a maximum elevation of 755'.

There's a 63 mile version of this route that adds three mountain climbs, the first 22 miles are the same as this one.

Cotaco Backroads 40 elevation profile
        Directions to start:

This ride begins at the Cotaco School parking lot, on Cotaco School Road off of AL-36, south of the Tennessee River. Travel South from Huntsville on US-231 (Memorial Parkway) across the Tennessee River. Three miles after the bridge turn Right on AL-36 (flashing yellow light). Travel 8.3 miles to the intersection with Cotaco School Road and Cotaco-Florette Road, at the Cotaco Grocery store. Turn Right and go 0.2 miles to the parking lot in front of the school.

Google Maps driving directions to Cotaco School.

Directions to Cotaco School” width=