After 4 years I was finally able to make it back to the Annual Skyway Beer Run, for its 6th version. Every year I have been involved in some for or fashion, mostly as the t-shirt designer. Work has always seemed to get in the way, but not this year. No sir, I was going on this ride.

This year, unlike the previous adventure, my group set out on a loop rather than a traverse through the Talladega National Forest. We had high hopes of completing an 80 mile loop. Hopes that were later dashed by given the option to cut our ride short 40 miles in and all of us being a little out of shape.

After a 3:30am wake up call, 2 hour drive in the rain, some coffee and a little bike prep our group of 5 set off in a fog thicker than the collective hangover from the night before. That fog did gave the ride a more epic feel. Nothing like being able to see only 5ft ahead of you while traveling 20+ on a bike to get the blood pumping.

The first section of our journey took us to Kentuck Mountain, probably my favorite section of our ride. That could be due to the fact that this was the only section where my fitness felt pretty solid. We also only ran into 1 vehicle in the entire area. If you are unfamiliar with Kentuck, it lies northwest of Cheaha inside the Talladega National Forest. There is a network of OHV trails there, which are open to bikes. Those trails are typically closed for winter, November-February. Although I have never ridden them, the trails appear to be pretty solid fun for a bike. Additionally, a gem of the TNF which most people don’t know of is in this area, Salt Creek Falls. Totally worth the stop and look even if you feel like you are entering a meth den.

After Kentuck we meandered over to Forest Sevice Road 637 and its multiple mile long gravel climbs. Seriously, check it out on Strava. This is probably why our motivation started to fall. But again, the beauty of the Talladega National Forest takes over. Amazing woodland with hollers, streams and valleys. The potential for mountain bike optimized trails in this neck of the woods is endless. Think Pisgah but with less teeth.

Oh yeah, don’t forget about the muddy parts. After the ride was finished, we all believed that if the turn for the 80 mile route was before this we would have pressed on. The muddy bits were within that 5 miles of spirit breaking.

SNACK BREAK!!! At mile 40 was where our decision point was located. I might not have been the first to think it but I was certainly the first to say “I’m turning left” aloud. But thank god Dave was there with snacks and beer. Without that little break before we started 600-2 I might still be out in the TNF snacking on twigs and acorns wrestled from deer.

On to 600-2 and the world of overlanding. The remote feeling of Kentuck Mountain and 637 were soon washed away by Jeeps going “off-road”. *Short Rant* I’m sorry but if a reasonably out of shape, on the verge of bonking cyclist is climbing faster than you can drive up a hill in a Jeep you might be doing it wrong. Did I mention the climb is 3+ miles on gravel. 600-2 is a challenge even for the fittest rider. This is where my creativity took a turn and the photos came few and far between. All energy was diverted from my brain to my legs for propulsion.

After 600-2 the remainder of our ride was a bit of a blur. I know we climbed for what seemed like eternity on pavement to reach the campground. I had done this climb on a number of occasions but never this badly. Each up hill seemed to double in size as my friends yo-yoed in front of me. But you know what, we made it. And the top was still super foggy. And I failed to take any photos because what’s a camera.

Back at the campground, food in one hand, beer in another, I begin to get my bearings on the situation. It was a great day. 60 miles ridden, 6700ft of climbing. All the while letting me know how out of shape I am for this type of ride. We were challenged and thats the goal. Good times. And as the evening faded into night, beers and stories from the day flowed. This is what it’s all about. Whether you did 17 miles or 70, 50+ people got out and challenged themselves. Thanks for the good times Beer Run!