Clarkson Covered Bridge

This is a 78 mile ride to the Clarkson Covered Bridge, traveling counter-clockwise and skirting the Bankhead National Forest to the west. While the route covers some interesting terrain many of the roads west of I-65 are average pavement, and there are several dogs on CR-1101, after the first rest stop at mile 25, that chase.

The route is fairly hilly with three climbs. The first starts at mile 22 and is the toughest with two steep sections, the other two climbs are fairly easy. There's a Jet Pep convenience store where the route crosses AL-157 at 25 miles; another small store is on CR-1101 around mile 30 but it may be closed. The covered bridge rest stop at 50 miles has restrooms and water and a soda machine. There are some stores four to seven miles after the bridge, near West Point; traffic picks up in this area but it's only heavy during school/work drive times.

Route - Google Maps

Cue Sheet

Directions to start:

The start for this ride is 15.7 miles after crossing the Tennessee River, at the intersection of AL-36 and AL-67, a few miles past the Cotaco ride start. Park at the Hickory Stick BBQ or small office building next door; 6 Mile Road is accessible from the parking lot.

Google Maps directions to the start. From Madison it's much faster to take I-65 south to AL-67.

Directions to Hickory Stick BBQ near Somerville

A 54 mile version of this ride starts at the local high school in Falkville which is located a mile west of I-65, about 40 minutes from Huntsville, five miles south of Hartselle. Google Maps directions to start.

The 54 mile route has two of the climbs from the 78 mile route, including the toughest climb which comes at mile 7. The Jet Pep convenience store where the route crosses AL-157 comes at 10 miles; another small store is on CR-1101 at mile 15 but it may be closed. The covered bridge rest stop is at 35 miles has restrooms and water and a soda machine.

54 Mile Route - Google Maps

Cue Sheet