check out Biophilia, near Elberta
20 miles from Gulf Shores (59 at 182/beachfront) is Biophilia.
http://www.biophilia.net/
This place is a hidden gem. A couple bought this ranch land and is letting it revert back to wetlands. They do tours of the plants and animals there. It is awesome. They will show you carnivorous plants, and other cool stuff.
You just need to be bold enough to ride the local roads with the ******** to get there. You could ride up there one morn, do an hour tour with the Biophilia folks, then cruise back. The ride itself would not be scenic.
Tour Fort Morgan: from GS beach, 20 miles east on 180. The bay views are not very exciting, and this area is very rural. But a fair amt is shaded, and it is cool to see Fort Morgan, which is a civil war historic site. The roads won't have much traffic so you can cruise along in relative peace.
Look for Ft Morgan at:
http://www.800alabama.com/alabama-attractions/
You could also jump on the ferry and cross Mobile Bay - on the ferry, there is always wildlife incl porpoises to be seen.
You could drive over to Pensacola, then on to Gulf Breeze (the actual town at the beach - people usually say Pensacola when they really mean this little town on the gulf). The drive would be abt 40 miles. From Gulf Breeze, you could cycle abt 18 miles east to the end of Navarre Island. This is probably the most uncrowded scenic beachfront ride you can get in the area.
Keep in mind that there will be tourist traffic anywhere you go. Also, it is very humid and the humidity will really deplete your energy.
Take some photos and give us a ride report!