Birthday Ride
Once again, at about the same time each year, I get wiser and much more handsome. Yep, you guessed it, my birthday arrives. This year I will do something I have always wanted to do. Ride the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia.
Saturday Morning at about 8am, I will begin my pursuit to cover 38 of the 61 miles. My ultimate goal is to ride the entire trail and connect with the Chief Ladiga that ends in Anniston, AL (another 34 miles). That should make for an impressive two day ride.
I checked the maps and the longest distance between trailheads looks to be 11 miles. Hope there is lots to see so I can pass the time! Check the photo gallery for pictures.
Long time friends who live near the trail head at my mid-ride destination and I will meet up for lunch. Round trip should total about 75-80 miles.
Weather may present a problem, but we can hope it holds out! The trail has a 2% grade but Georgia also has elevation. Which means “HILLS”, or should I say MOUNTAINS for us Florida riders!
I did ride this morning and covered almost 17.5 miles. Even with the “hills”, I commanded an impressive 13.3 mph avgerage and finished the ride in 1:18:37. I didn’t receive the first honk or shout to get off the road and was passed by two LEO’s who didn’t question me.
My 17.5 mile ride was on the road, not the trail.
Happy Birthday Rodney!
What a great thing to do for you’re b-day. Can’t wait to see the photos and hear about the trail.
Is it too much to expect some video, too?
That would be awesome!!
I rode Chief Ladega / Silver Comet from Jacksonville State University (AL) to Smyrna, GA ~88 miles and returned the following day, May 3, 2009. We carried small backpacks with enough stuff to overnight at a motel in Smyrna. With exception of the vicinity of Carrolton, GA the Trails follow abandoned railroad beds that remain relatively flat. In the vicinity of Carrolton the trail deviates and there are more than a few short but sharp ascents and descents. The trail is wider and paveed with concrete in Georgia; asphalt and somewhat narrower in Alabama. But, and I emphasize this, a very good trail ride. Same admonition as always: Please back off a lot when there are others, especially non-cyclists and/or youngsters occupying trail space. The trails are not roadways.