We had an early breakfast this morning to give us time for the challenging terrain and the excitement of entering our 8th state...Alabama.  If you think it's flat in the south, just ask anyone on this ride for their opinion.  I think you'll get a resounding, "I didn't know it was this hilly in Alabama."  Today and tomorrow are pretty good climbing days with well over 5000 feet each day.  After all the flat terrain we've had around the Mississippi River, the next couple days will definitely use different muscles.  There's nothing big, but there are a couple that are steep and they just keep coming at you...70 feet at a time.  Most of the riders are getting a bit tired due to the long mileage days they had last week, but now the hills are slowing them down a bit too.  Everyone seems to be pacing themselves well though...they'll need to because it's still a couple of days before the terrain will tame down.  

Team Alabama was chomping at the bit this morning to get to the Alabama state line first.  I let them load before breakfast so they could roll out before anyone else noticed...clandestine state line charge!  Everything was going to plan as I drove up through everyone to make sure they were rolling without any problems...but Andy L. was gaining fast.  There were some steep hills just as we were exiting Mississippi and the road surface wasn't smooth so Team Alabama was close to being overtaken before the line.  I drove past them and advised them that they were being pursued so they put the hammer down for the final hill to the state line...Andy was about 100 yards back when the final member, Mike, crossed the line.  Since there was no sign welcoming us to Alabama (remember we are out in the sticks), I took spray paint and painted a welcome for a photo op.  Most stopped and had a Kodak moment, but a few just acknowledged the fact and rode on

Alabama greeted us with smooth roads...a welcome fact since the last two days have been pretty bumpy in spots.  I was surprised to see so many new road surfaces this morning...but we're not complaining.  If you could have packaged a day to have all the time, this would have been the day...cool temps, tailwinds, and smooth country roads to ride...life is good today.

All was not perfect, however.  When I got to the first SAG, hardly anyone was there.  Jeff said that the large group containing 15 or so riders was right behind him at the last turn about 2 miles back, but they hadn't shown up at the SAG yet...oops.  I drove back to the turn and went down the road as if I'd missed the turn...sure enough, I found them about 3 miles down the road coming back toward me.  I could hear them in the distance as they were laughing about missing the turn and how stupid they were.  That's what happens when a big group gets together...no one navigates.  Bob was in that group and he has a GPS on his wrist...all that means is he knows where he is if he looks...unfortunately it doesn't help him get where's he's supposed to go.

After getting everyone back on track, I proceeded down course marking subtle turns so no one else would wander off into the wilds of Alabama.  We haven't found two riders from the last time we came through here...only kidding.  By the time I got to lunch, most everyone had already left...what's with this?  Did someone forget something in Tuscaloosa?  I think people were looking forward to seeing a town that was open...with real live people walking around.  After Brinkley, Senatobia, and Aberdeen back to back, civilization will be a welcomed thing.

As we neared town, our route took us through Northport, a bedroom community of Tuscaloosa across the river.  North Port's an artsy town with lots of great eating establishments so a few of the early riders took the time to chow down before going to the motel.  Jenny and Rachel took my suggestion and had lunch at the City Cafe, a great place for elegant dining on a bike ride.  What made it even better, when they went to pay the bill and the staff discovered the girls were riding across the country, they made it on the house...plus, they gave the girls a City Cafe T-shirt...what a coup!  After Northport, we rode right through the University of Alabama's campus and through a quiet residential area to the motel. 

Everyone got in by 4:30 so they should have plenty of time to rest for tomorrow.  We had lots of climbing today, but we have even more tomorrow.  Another day of up and down all the way...we have some tired puppies in our group, but I'm sure we'll do fine.  See you in Prattville.