Check out Bama Cross. It is like motocross without the moto. It is all pedal power. It is mountain biking without the mountain--instead, a man-made obstacle course, like a steeple chase but without the horses. It is also a little like NASCAR with frequent races with points for each in the series. But it is sanctioned by USA Cycling. www.usacycling.org.

After recent races in Tuscaloosa and Anniston ( night race for the state championship), this past weekend the bikers came out for endurance rides of five to six laps around the grounds of Sloss Furnace. Here is the way Bama Cross described it:

“Epicness back to back is the way we do. The venue that we all love to love is this week, SLOSS. I mean, cool Birmingham landmark, city in the background, trains going by, planes overhead…awesome. Back Forty shall bring the cheer up a notch.”

The riders rode hard, and had to carry their bikes up the steps on each lap, but could also grab a brew as they went by--from the Beer Fairy.

Upcoming races are December 11 in Gadsden, where the Gone with the Wind exhibit now resides, and December 18 in Brookside, Birmingham´s old Russian and Slovakian coal-mining community. In January there will be races in Gadsden again and also Trussville. Watch out for the country girl, and keep up at www.bamacross. com.

Left: Beer Fairy handing out her libations for the race.