We were definitely impressed with the number of centurions who completed the Hot Hundred with "feels like" temps equaling the 2002 record of 102 degrees! But then, that's how we roll...in heat, rough roads, rain, wind!  You name it! We also congratulate those who recognized they were in trouble and opted out earlier than they had hoped.

Next up?

Ironworks Century - august 8th-tannehill ironworks historical state park

• ONLINE REGISTRATION  is open  until Thursday, August 6th, 11:45pm CT.  Primal Wear Jersey sales are closed; however, check with organizers to see if there are any extras or let them know if you're interested in a 2nd order by writing here.

 

Ironworks Jersey

• ONSITE REGISTRATION begins at 6 am with Mass Start at 7:00.
• DIRECTIONS  

  located <30 miles southwest of Birmingham, AL at I-59 Exit 100.  O r you can take I-459 to Exit 1 and follow signs (approximately 7 miles). Address is  12632 Confederate Parkway * McCalla, AL 35111 * (205) 477-5711
• NEW HEADQUARTERS  The start/finish location will be at the Farley Field area at the north end of the park (go left after you pass the entrance kiosk) Park entry is included in your registration. You will be waved through if you are an obvious participant; however, additional non-bikers will be required to pay an entry fee.
• BRING THE FAMILY!   While you're out riding, they can enjoy the park's country store, crafts cabins, water-driven grist mill, cotton gin and many other 1800's buildings, miniature railway, hiking & biking trails, picnic & camp grounds, the Iron & Steel Museum, and, of course, the historic replica blast furnaces  The registration fee includes the rider's admission to the park and the post-ride meal; separate fees apply for additional park admissions and certain activities (e.g. the train rides and the museum). Tannehill offers RV & tent camping - and cabins!   For more information on staying at the park, nearby lodging options, or other park features,  go to  www.tannehill.org . 

   
• Our Ironworks Century is a "no frills" old-fashioned event with no fancy goody bags or tees, but offers this very cool commemorative and useful bandana!  We love Ride Director, Doug Daughhetee's description:  The Ironworks Century route map printed on a piece of cloth might be the bestest multi-tool you'll ever own! Use it whenever you need to soak up the sweat, keep off the sun, make your dog more photogenic, splint a broken bone or rob a stagecoach - it even points the way from Tannehill to the nearest bike shop!  Or just frame it under glass and display it with pride; it's that good.  Included with your registration fee, while they last (but we expect to have plenty). The color will be a light green, about the same shade that other riders will turn - with envy! - when they see you flaunting this year's must-have accessory.

Ironworks Bandana

• THE ROUTES In the first route changes since 2012, this year's Ironworks course is better suited to hot weather by making it a little flatter and faster, and we've also shortened the rest stop intervals to no more than 16 miles.    Look forward to nice road surfaces, beautiful scenery, and well-stocked rest stops. Century riders will visit Eclipse Coffee in Montevallo 3 times where you may be tempted to hang out until the next SAG rolls by!  And yes!  There will be bacon/tomato sandwiches there!  Other supported distances are 16, 42, and 73 miles.  The 73 and 100-milers will visit Eclipse Coffee.

Here is the Ride with GPS download for the century route. This course challenges you to about 5,000' of elevation gain.

16 mile option has about 800' elevation gain

42 mile option ~1100'

73 mile option  ~3000' 

• Bike Link, Cahaba Cycles, Bob's Bikes, and Birmingham Bicycle Company will provide SAG and will be in their marked shop vans. Find them at headquarters for last-minute service and then they will rove.

• Printed maps/cue sheets will be provided with Emergency Contact phone numbers.

• All road markings will be white, painted in the traditional "Dan Henry" style (looks like a crankset). All shorter options are subsets of the full century created by returning from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rest stops.

• Restrooms are right next to the pavilions  including showers located within 150 yards.

• SIGN IN Please sign in after your ride.  Plenty of Centurion Medals & patches have been ordered and the Alabama Backroads Century Series girls will be there cheering you in and taking photos of your smiling faces.  You know the routine for Photographer, Rose Gacula...pose with your bikes, wearing or holding your medal/patch.  She will make you famous!

Rose Gacula

  

• POST-RIDE INFORMATION

• The Post-Ride meal is the traditional Ironworks red beans & rice along with cold brews after your ride. Spend some time getting to know the folks you rode with during the day!
• soft drinks & bottled water from our awesome Presenting Sponsor BuffaloRock/Pepsi! 
• Event proceeds will benefit construction and maintenance of hiking & biking trails at the Start/Finish venue, the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.

• More event details and registration link can be found here.

   

Just a few Safety Reminders...

• Helmets are required for all Series rides!
• No aero bars allowed when riding in groups.
• No personal SAG/Support vehicles are allowed on the course.
• Please respect all Rest Stop property owners!  Urinating in public is illegal in our state and even on private property, if it's visible from a public place.  Charges may include disorderly conduct, indecent exposure or public lewdness.  

_______________________________________________________________________

***SIGN UP EARLY!***

And, again, it helps us so much in planning for food and your support if you go ahead and pre-register.  These events have open online registration and many have the sharpest ever jerseys, shorts, bibs & arm-warmers:

  

IRONWORKS CENTURY	8/8	TANNEHILL HISTORICAL STATE PARK
BBC 42ND ANNUAL CENTURY	9/12	ASHVILLE (BIRMINGHAM)
ALL YOU CAN EAT CENTURY	9/19	HUNTSVILLE
JOHNNY RAY CENTURY	9/26	OPELIKA
GLASSNER AUTUMN CHALLENGE	10/10	PINTLALA (MONTGOMERY)

  

 Our first Primal Wear ABCS jersey order arrived with jerseys being hand-delivered at the Hot Hundred or mailed out.  Interested in buying one now that you've seen how awesome they look? Here's a link to purchase and expect delivery at the October 10th Glassner Autumn Challenge. 

 

2015 ABCS Jersey

  

As you know, BuffaloRock/Pepsi has been a huge supporter of our Century Series!  Now it's our turn to support them. You may have heard about the proposed Alabama Beverage Tax which would increase prices on common grocery items including many Buffalo Rock products...in turn affecting the job security of their employees and ultimately, sponsorship of our Alabama Backroads Century Series. Please, please join the Stop the Alabama Beverage Tax coalition by simply signing up at the StopTheAlabamaBeverageTax.com website. Visit our SPONSOR page at www.alabama-backroads-cycling.com for more information and be sure to follow these social media sites for the latest: