Selma Civil Rights and Old Cahawba
Saturday, September 24, 2022
It’s that time of year when town fills up with fans, bands playing, war eagles flying … It’s time to Get Out Of Dodge for a G.O.O.D. Ride.
It is also our National Bike Yer Park ride, where we join cyclists around the country riding and appreciating our parks. This event is sponsored by Adventure Cycling and the National Park Service. Registration for this event is optional but will help the sponsors know how many cyclists are participating. Adventure Cycling will send you a 10%–off code to use on bike gear and apparel at their online store when you register.
Selma gained national prominence during the civil rights movement and the Selma to Montgomery march. We will visit two National Park Service Interpretive Centers and ride through downtown Selma to see several locations that were important during the March. We'll also cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the Memorial Park. ride through other historic parts of Selma, and have lunch at a restaurant on the Alabama River that has fine outdoor seating and the "Best View, Food, and Drinks in Town".
After returning to the cars, we'll drive to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, about 15 miles from Selma. The Park is the site of the first capital of Alabama. Today, Cahawba is an important archaeological site and an authentic ghost town with picturesque ruins and rare natural features [Alabama Historical Commission]. The Park has about five miles of paved and gravel roads that provide good cycling to explore the sites and viewpoints.
Itinerary
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022.
Time: 10:00 am – Meet at our first stop – Lowndes Interpretive Center.
Road Conditions
Maps (PDF)
Selma Route Map
Old Cahawba Map
Directions
From Auburn/Opelika to Lowndes Interpretive Center (about 90 minutes)
7002 US-80 E
Hayneville, AL 36040
GPS: 32.270442, -86.727791 Apple Maps | Google Maps
Take I-85 S to Mongtomery
Take I-65 S four miles to U.S. 80 E (Exit 167)
Continue on U.S. 80 W for about 23 miles to Lowndes Interpretive Center.
From Lowndes Interpretive Center to Selma Interpretive Center (about 25 minutes)
2 Broad St
Selma, AL 36701
GPS: 32.406896, -87.018996 Apple Maps | Google Maps
Take U.S. 80 W about 20 miles to the Selma Interpretive Center. Park in the street.
From Selma Interpretive Center to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (about 20 minutes)
9518 Cahaba Rd
Orrville, AL 36767
GPS: 32.314773, -87.108072 Apple Maps | Google Maps
North on US 80 W / Broad St. to U.S. 80 W / Dallas Ave.
Left onto Dallas Ave./U.S. 80 W/AL 22 8.6 miles to CR 9/
Left onto CR 9 3.4 miles to Cahaba Rd.
Left onto Cahaba Rd. one mile to the Park
Saturday, September 24, 2022
It’s that time of year when town fills up with fans, bands playing, war eagles flying … It’s time to Get Out Of Dodge for a G.O.O.D. Ride.
It is also our National Bike Yer Park ride, where we join cyclists around the country riding and appreciating our parks. This event is sponsored by Adventure Cycling and the National Park Service. Registration for this event is optional but will help the sponsors know how many cyclists are participating. Adventure Cycling will send you a 10%–off code to use on bike gear and apparel at their online store when you register.
Selma gained national prominence during the civil rights movement and the Selma to Montgomery march. We will visit two National Park Service Interpretive Centers and ride through downtown Selma to see several locations that were important during the March. We'll also cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the Memorial Park. ride through other historic parts of Selma, and have lunch at a restaurant on the Alabama River that has fine outdoor seating and the "Best View, Food, and Drinks in Town".
After returning to the cars, we'll drive to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, about 15 miles from Selma. The Park is the site of the first capital of Alabama. Today, Cahawba is an important archaeological site and an authentic ghost town with picturesque ruins and rare natural features [Alabama Historical Commission]. The Park has about five miles of paved and gravel roads that provide good cycling to explore the sites and viewpoints.
Itinerary
- Meet at Lowndes Interpretive Center. Visit displays, watch movie, etc.
- Drive to Selma. Park cars. Visit Interpretive Center for displays, etc. Bike through town and see a number of civil rights and historical sites, get lunch, head back to the cars.
- Drive to Old Cahawba. Visit Visitors Center. Bike to various sites. $2 admission per adult.
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022.
Time: 10:00 am – Meet at our first stop – Lowndes Interpretive Center.
Road Conditions
- Selma roads are all paved, mostly. About ten miles of riding.
- Old Cahawba roads are a mixture of paved and good-quality gravel. About five miles of riding.
Maps (PDF)
Selma Route Map
Old Cahawba Map
Directions
From Auburn/Opelika to Lowndes Interpretive Center (about 90 minutes)
7002 US-80 E
Hayneville, AL 36040
GPS: 32.270442, -86.727791 Apple Maps | Google Maps
Take I-85 S to Mongtomery
Take I-65 S four miles to U.S. 80 E (Exit 167)
Continue on U.S. 80 W for about 23 miles to Lowndes Interpretive Center.
From Lowndes Interpretive Center to Selma Interpretive Center (about 25 minutes)
2 Broad St
Selma, AL 36701
GPS: 32.406896, -87.018996 Apple Maps | Google Maps
Take U.S. 80 W about 20 miles to the Selma Interpretive Center. Park in the street.
From Selma Interpretive Center to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (about 20 minutes)
9518 Cahaba Rd
Orrville, AL 36767
GPS: 32.314773, -87.108072 Apple Maps | Google Maps
North on US 80 W / Broad St. to U.S. 80 W / Dallas Ave.
Left onto Dallas Ave./U.S. 80 W/AL 22 8.6 miles to CR 9/
Left onto CR 9 3.4 miles to Cahaba Rd.
Left onto Cahaba Rd. one mile to the Park