The two mile section along US-72 is busy and the shoulder is not as wide as the eastbound lane, rumble strips narrow it even more; it's rideable but not ideal.
The climb starts at mile 16 and is 2.1 miles (topo), starting fairly easy but with some steep 10-12% sections in the middle before easing over the last half mile. It climbs from 638' to 1578' in 2.1 miles, with an 8.5% average grade.
There are rest stops on route at miles 27 (closed Sundays), 37, 49, and 63 (in Gurley).
The non-reversed route travels north on AL-65 first, followed by a longer, less difficult climb up to Skyline, ending with the hilly CR-8 on top of Nat Mountain. It's slightly longer because it circles around US-72 near Woodville because the west bound lane's shoulder is narrow.
The Cove Park ballfields near Hampton Cove:
If traveling over Monte Sano on Highway 431 (east on Governors Drive): go 4.8 miles after passing Monte Sano Boulevard and turn Left at Old 431/Sutton Road. Travel 1.6 miles and turn right onto Old 431. The ballfields are on the right.
If traveling over Cecil Ashburn Drive: continue straight on Sutton Road for 0.7 miles and go straight across Highway 431. From the intersection go 1.6 miles and turn right onto Old 431. The ballfields are on the right.
