2011 TOUR DE IRON BUTT (1st Annual)
**Please note, unless otherwise stated by the group hosting the event, all rides from April-October begin at 7 am. All other rides begin at 8 am.**
JANUARY 22ND - CENTURY LAFAYETTE
Start the new year with this full century ride contained completely within the boundaries of Lafayette County. Beginning at the artists’ venue that is Plein Air, we’ll meander through the countryside taking in the small communities of Taylor, Spring Hill, Abbeville, Lafayette Springs and Paris as we circumnavigate greater Oxford. (100 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
FEBRUARY 19TH - JAVA JAUNT
A “lollipop” ride, so named because of the out-and-back nature of its beginning with a loop thrown in at the middle of the ride which makes the route look like candy on a stick. Starts at High Point Coffee north of the Oxford Square and returns after reaching Coffeeville, thus the java jolt. The lollipop section has some decent hills, along with the long, slow climb back into Oxford, which makes this ride an excellent training route to begin getting ready for the Cheaha Challenge coming in April. (80 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
MARCH 19TH - BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTURY
Destined to become one of your favorite destinations if the old railroad bridge on Hwy 7 is ever turned into a rails-to-trail, this ride starts in the hamlet of Waterford and takes you through the communities of Potts Camp, Hickory Flat, Blue Mountain (with its big-girl-panty climb near the college), Ashland and Beck Springs (hitting some really great hills), before returning to Potts Camp and Waterford. Another great Cheaha Challenge trainer! (97 miles, with shorter options … or you can make this a full century) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
APRIL 10TH - CHEAHA CHALLENGE
This isn’t just a ride or even just a challenge. This is a pilgrimage you will want to make every year. Leaving from the community center in Piedmont, Alabama, this truly challenging and fully-supported century has 26, 47, 66, 88, or 102 mile options. Your name, hometown, and ride time will be posted on the web site after the ride. This is not a race. Ride at your own pace and enjoy the scenery and friendly volunteers! More information from the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association http://www.neaba.net/
MAY 14TH - WATERFORD CENTURY
Another ride starting from the hamlet of Waterford, this century will allow you to keep up your hard won long distance miles after last month’s Cheaha Challenge. See the part of Lafayette County that is north of Sardis Lake, including the remnants of the old highways, 4 and 7. It is a good bet that all hands will be clamoring for catfish at Law’s Hill by the end of the day. (101 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
JUNE 11TH - EUROPEAN TOUR
So called because you will see the grand sights in the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, Denmark, and Paris, with a little bit of Water Valley thrown in for good measure. Set during the time of year just as our local exchange students travel home to Europe. Complete the day by celebrating Oktoberfest in June. Starts/ends from High Point Coffee north of the Oxford Square. (100 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
JULY 2ND - GRAND OLD BANNER
Put on your most patriotic cycling jersey and celebrate the 4th of July with all your peloton buddies on what should be a banner day in Banner. The club will have its summer holiday party and quarterly meeting that evening. (85 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
AUGUST 20TH - WORLD’S LARGEST CEDAR BUCKET
Truly a sight to be seen, we could fit the entire club in this bucket west of Oxford. Also not to be missed on the ride is the historic Sand Springs Presbyterian Church in Orrwood on the Lafayette-Panola county line. A leisurely ride to Batesville and Sardis completes the loop before returning to the Oxford Square. Starts/ends at High Point Coffee. (85 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
SEPTEMBER 3RD - PUT ME IN, COACH!
A quick morning ride before the gridiron action begins for the year at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium. Wear the colors of your favorite college team and join the club at High Point Coffee north of the Oxford Square as we ride out to Hurricane Landing and back … just the ticket for tailgating in the Grove later in the day! (32 miles) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
OCTOBER 29TH - TOUR DA’ DELTA
Cross Old Man River, the mighty Mississippi, not once, but four times in one day on this fully supported century that begins and ends in the lovely town of Helena/West Helena, Arkansas. Ride along the geographical oddity that is Crowley’s Ridge. See what’s left of the land of cotton with fields that extend beyond the horizon. Circumnavigate two oxbow lakes. Then sit back and enjoy some darn good barbeque and blue grass provided at the end of the ride. (100 miles, with shorter options)
NOVEMBER 5TH - GOOD OL’ ROCKY TOP
Quick! Where’s the nearest state line? Why it’s Tennessee, of course! This will be an out and back ride to the land of dueling banjos just as the leaves are beginning to turn. This route is not set yet and may become an over-night trip. (xxx miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)
pdf route card
DECEMBER 3RD - SQUARE T
Oxford is famous for its “squareness” … The Square, Square Books, Square Pizza, Off Square, so why not finish off the year with a Square Ride? Cycle on all of our favorite roads as we visit the four communities of Thaxton, Toccopola, Tula, and Taylor. (90 miles, with shorter options) (self-supported; bring money for store stops)