| Subject: |
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Silver Comet/ Chief Ladiga Ride and a BIG thank you!!!! |
| Name: |
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Bobby Rone |
| Date Posted: |
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May 5, 08 - 4:59 PM |
| Email: |
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bobbyrone@yahoo.com |
| Message: |
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As promised, I want to post info on the Silver Comet/Chief Ladiga Trail ride for anyone interested in a great ride on paved bike trails, with no traffic and great scenery.
First, though, a big Thank You to Sarah Lovett and Steve and all the great members of the Murfreesboro Bike Club who gave our group of bike riders (The Bobby Ride)such a warm welcome in your amazing city!!! The BBQ, socializing, and meeting of all the wonderful people a Sarah's house on Friday evening was great. Our "Bobby Ride" group really enjoyed riding with the club members who rode with us to Bell Buckle on Saturday. I especially liked drafting behind Larry. He can cut wind with the best of 'em!
Silver Comet/ Chief Ladiga:
From Smyrna, Ga to Anniston, Al - exactly 100 miles on paved bike path. This is a road bike ride!!!
Terrain is mostly flat because all but 17 miles are a rail trail featuring trestles, tunnels, etc. The other 17 miles follow next or near a rail that is still in use.
The easiest way to do the trip is plan 2 days - 100 mostly flat miles each day - starting in Smyrna, spending the night in Anniston, and then back to Smyrna the next day.
At the end of the trail in Woodland Park in Anniston, just go out on the road next to the trail and continue exactly 1/2 mile to the main highway, where you will see 2 motels and several eating places. Reservations are not needed at the motels. Take a small backpack or bike bag and carry a change of clothes, toothbrush, etc.
Along the way to Anniston, plan to eat lunch in Cedartown. Simply get off the trail at the old train station in downtown, turn right on Main Street, and there are several eating places on your left about a block from the trail.
On the way back, plan to eat in Rockmart. Get off the trail downtown, there are several places to eat near the trail.
Directions:
You can park overnight at the Publix parking lot on East-West Connector in Smyrna. From I-75 heading south toward Atlanta, take I-285 West toward Birmingham. Get off at South Cobb Drive exit and turn right (west). In about a mile and a half, turn left on East-West Connector and turn right into the Publix shopping center. Park near the sidewalk along East-West Connestor (we have permission from the manager at Publix). On your bike, ride down the sidewalk down the hill, curve right past some apartments and run onto the Silver Comet Trail parking lot at mile zero -about a half mile from the Publix. (FYI - we don't like to park at the Silver Comet Trail parking lots because they have had a few vandalism problems in the past).
Notes:
Silver Comet trail is very very busy and congested on weekends in good weather. I always do this ride in midweek. But the crowds will diminish considerably after about 10 or 15 miles.
The trail changes to the Chief Ladia Trail at the Alabama line. The Chief Ladiga is never crowded as far as I can tell.
All but 8 miles - a section between Rockmart, Ga and Cedartown, Ga - are complete. Simply ride to the end of the trail a few miles past Rockmart, and follow the white road marks for about 8 miles until you pick up the trail again near Cedartown. The people in Cedartown tell me that the last section of the trail will be complete by next spring. Once the trail is complete, the total mileage will drop to 96 or 97 miles. Right now, the total trail ride is 99 miles plus a half mile to Publix and a half mile to the motel.
Due to the fairly easy terrain and lack of cars, this is a great ride to do with kids or the riders who prefer a more casual ride and peaceful ride. It is an especially good ride to do with a group (we had 10 a few weeks ago). |
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