Join friendly folks on an easy, approximately 7-mile bicycle ride on the Horse Creek Trail in Dora and Sumiton, in Walker County, sort of near Jasper, Alabama.  The trail itself is about 3.5 miles long one way.  Everyone will be bicycling one round trip on this outing.

Ride on one of Alabama’s rails-to-trails conversion routes on an old railroad right of way.  This smooth trail is wide, level and paved.  No hills on this trail.  On this particular bike ride you will be bicycling on a scenic trail which goes through fields, near houses and through the woods.            The trail is nicely developed, with frequent covered benches.  People you meet are both friendly and helpful.

No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail!  Note this is a relatively easy ride, one which should be lots of fun for everyone who enjoys bicycling.  Please bring your bicycle water with you.

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jVLXQ8RofST6nFUl1

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

After the bicycle ride, there may be an optional lunch at a nearby exceptional restaurant with lovely views over the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.  I can’t find out at this time whether the restaurant will be open on Saturday.  If the restaurant will be closed on Saturday, we will offer an optional opportunity to bike a second 7-mile round trip on the trail for those who would like to bicycle some more.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. just outside the left front door of the Wal-Mart in Sumiton, Alabama.  We plan to depart by car from there at 10:00 a.m. and drive to the start point of our ride on the trail.

Info and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Wal-Mart Sumiton— 690 Highway 78, Sumiton, AL 35148.  From downtown Birmingham and points south get on I-65 heading north.   Drive on I-65 north to new exit ramp for I-22 toward Memphis.  This exit on I-65 is Exit Number 265A and is just past the Carver High School which you’ll see on your right.

As you approach the I-22 exit, get in right lane on I-65.

Stay on the exit ramp from I-65 which is 1.1 miles long.  Then continue on the entrance ramp for I-22 which is 1.7 miles long.  Total combined ramp distance is 2.8 miles.

Go 11.3 miles (including I-22 entrance ramp) on I-22 toward Jasper and Memphis.

Take the US-78 exit, Exit Number 85, toward Adamsville/Graysville.

Drive 0.34 miles on exit ramp

Merge onto Highway 78/AL-5 toward Jasper.

Drive 8.6 miles on AL 5 to the first traffic light in Sumiton at the Sumiton Wal-Mart SuperCenter on the right.  Turn right at that light and park near the LEFT entrance to the Wal-Mart.  Note that U.S. Highway 78 is now Alabama Highway 5 or also referred to as OLD U.S. Highway 78 since the new interstate I-22 is currently signed in places as U.S. 78.  Meet Southeastern Outings people outside the front door on the left side of the Wal-Mart in Sumiton.  We recommend that you use the restrooms at the Wal-Mart.  The Bevill State Community College Business and Industry Food Service Building where we start our bicycle ride is closed and locked due to the Covid 19 virus, so we will not be able to use the restrooms there at all.

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS

Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has over 250 members.  We scheduled eighty-seven events during calendar year 2019 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events.

Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from most of our outings.

Thank you.