Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Passes Through Alabama

Southwest Alabama — A new, long-distance bicycle route following the historic path of the Underground Railroad has been completed and passes through western Alabama. Created after three years of research and planning by Adventure Cycling Association, the largest bicycling organization in North America, the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route travels 2,058 miles from Mobile, Alabama, to Owen Sound, Ontario. (map © Copyright 1997-2007 Adventure Cycling Association)

Adventure Cycling Association’s inaugural tour begins this Sunday, April 15th leaving from Brookley Field in Mobile. The Alabama Bicycling Coalition will support the group of 16 cyclists along the Alabama course. After a daily 50 – 60 mile ride, the tour will stop each night in Grove Hill, Coffeeville, Linden and Aliceville before passing into Mississippi and beyond.

“Cyclists can ride from the Deep South all the way to Ontario, Canada,” says Carla Majernik, Adventure Cycling’s Director of Routes and Mapping. “Or they can take short rides on any portion of the route, which is filled with historic Underground Railroad stops and lots of excellent cycling through beautiful scenery.” The inaugural ride will conclude on May 30th – some six weeks after its start in Alabama.

“The Underground Railroad Route has to be one of the most historically important bicycle journeys ever created — plus it’s fantastic riding,” said Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling Association’s Executive Director. Every year, thousands of cyclists use Adventure Cycling’s TransAm Trail, the organization’s first and most popular cross-country route, and the organization says communities along any new route can expect a significant increase in the number of traveling cyclists passing through each summer. The UGRR is the second “heritage route” for Adventure Cycling (the first was the Lewis & Clark Trail), and they hope to do more historically infused routes in the future. “It adds rich layer of depth to the experience of bicycle travel,” says Sayer.

The UGRR follows the most fabled trek to freedom in American history and honors the bravery of freedom seekers and those that provided shelter. According to Adventure Cycling, whose membership has surpassed 42,000 members, more people than ever are traveling by bicycle and the UGRR, with its poignant stories and vibrant historical sites, should appeal to history lovers, African Americans, and adventurous people looking for a great ride.

Adventure Cycling partnered with the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (CMH) on the UGRR after seeing its potential to strengthen cross-cultural ties and promote lifelong health through cycling — a form of physical activity available to people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control, African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and obesity. Bicycling is a fun, healthy activity that can help offset these potentially deadly health conditions.

“Today we must promote physical activity within the cultural context of African American history, including the struggle to freedom from bondage,” says CMH director Dr. Stephen Thomas. “We are realizing the contributions we can make together toward the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities by creating innovative healthy lifestyle options that are scientifically sound and culturally relevant.”

Adventure Cycling’s maps for the route steer cyclists along cycling-friendly, low-traffic roads, and feature elevation profiles, historical notes, and information on camping, lodging, and worthwhile historical sites along the way.

Starting in Mobile, Alabama, the route winds north through river valleys and wildlife refuges to Kentucky and Ohio, before reaching Lake Erie, Niagara Falls, and its end-point in Owen Sound, Ontario on Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, the final destination for many freedom seekers. Besides the lush green scenery and the many small towns the route passes through, a host of museums, historic parks, and visitor centers bring the history of this remarkable period alive.

“We’ve all heard the story of slaves who escaped to freedom,” says Dennis Coello, a veteran photographer and writer who recently rode and photographed the route for Adventure Cycling, “but here’s a chance to feel that story — and to experience a continent along the way.”

The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route was created with generous financial support from Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Bikes Belong, and the members of Adventure Cycling. Sally Jewell, the President and CEO of REI (America’s leading outdoor gear retailer) says, “The Underground Railroad Route is a culturally engaging experience that links communities of cultural and historical significance with individuals, families, and cycling enthusiasts of all abilities. As a company that aspires to engage more individuals in human-powered recreation, we are proud to support the route.”

To learn more about the route, visit www.adventurecycling.org/ugrr.

Adventure Cycling is leading a self-contained tour of the entire route in spring 2007 (www.adventurecycling.org/tours/2007ugrr.cfm) and a seven-day supported ride ending at the 145th Emancipation Celebration in Owen Sound, Ontario in August 2007 (www.adventurecycling.org/tours/2007ugrrcelebration.cfm).

The Alabama Bicycle Coalition (AlaBike) is a statewide, grassroots not-for-profit (501c3) cycling advocacy organization whose mission is to promote cycling safety, education and access. AlaBike works with state and local officials to preserve, improve, create and institutionalize bicycle-friendly roads, trails and policies throughout Alabama. AlaBike encourages communities to develop programs that promote this vision. Bicycle-friendly cities, towns, counties and regions provide a healthy environment for Alabama residents and project an attractive image to visitors and prospective newcomers. The investment in a high-quality, user-friendly road networks and recreational trails is returned many times in improved quality of life, property values and economic development.

For more information, go to www.alabike.org or contact the Alabama Bicycle Coalition at Post Office Box 18984, Huntsville, Alabama 35804, or call Robin L. Denson, Executive Director at 256-656-2353.

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