Southeast - Chief Ladiga Trail completion progress report.

Monday 11/27/2006 concrete pour was done on the fourth and final bridge under reconstruction. I checked myself and took this photo today 11/28/2006.
http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/3207/concreteporedto9.jpg

Paving may now start on the final 9 miles, which will connect to the Silver Comet trail. This contract is to be completed by February 2007. Extensive preparation is underway and I expect the paving to be done long before February 2007. One company obtained both contracts for the entire 9-miles and they seam to be in a hurry to get their money.

In the meantime you can bypass this rough unpaved section using highways 49, 70, and 94 to get to the Silver Comet trail. From Piedmont, AL ride the Chief Ladiga trail until you get to the (closed) snack shack and turn left off the trail and right onto highway 70. Look for the green arrows. Take the next paved road to the right. This road is not marked but a green arrow with parentheses will show you the way. This is highway 94. You will find a sign telling you the bridge ahead is out and the road is for local traffic only. Ignore this sign as you and your bike can cross the bridge but vehicular traffic cant. Highway 94 will take you to highway 70 and then you take 49 to the Georgia line. From their take the next paved/unmarked road to the left, which will cross the Silver Comet trail. You can take highway 70 over the mountain but it a pretty long, hard, and steep climb!
Here is a photo of the bridge on highway 94 just so you know what you're getting into if you take that route.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1351/94bridgejy7.jpg
Highway 94 is a very scenic route and well worth getting off your bike and carefully pushing it across the damaged bridge and it sure is a lot easier than taking that hellish climb on highway 70!

What is the total milage going to be when the two trials are joined?

When both trails are completed the Chief Ladiga trail will be 32 miles and the Silver Comet trail will be 60 miles for a total of 92 continuous miles. You can take local low traffic roads and fill in the gaps. Anniston, AL is working on an additional 12 miles and some are talking about trail construction to Birmingham, AL for approximately another 60 miles.

I checked the Cleburne county section of the trail today 12-16-2006.
Guardrails are up on the final bridge allowing save passage but there is still welding being done. You must pick your bike up and step up or down according to your direction of travel on the west end of the bridge until a ramp is built up. All 9 miles of the Cleburne County section is easily navigable due to preparatory work for paving. Paving is to start sometime next week (12-18 to 12-22-06) according to weather conditions. Paving will start at the Silver Comet trailhead for about 5 miles ending at the 220 ft bridge just west of Borden Springs, AL. Paving of the final 4 miles will begin in January 2007 depending on weather conditions. The paving contractor must have all work completed by 2-28-2007 or pay penalties.

We were out on the Silver Comet today, and it's been extended quite a bit. We didn't go all the way to the end, but it was paved will past 44 miles. Not sure how short it is of joining up in Cedartown, but it was fun to be able to keep going past Rockmart for a while.

Here is a picture of the bridge as of 12-17-06.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2809/donexm0.jpg
Final welding and painting will be completed this week. The paving contractor said that paving will start today (12-18-06) and if the weather holds out as predicted the paving of the first 5 miles up to this bridge will be completed this week. The next 4 miles will be slower due to three other bridges along the trail requiring the heavy equipment to be moved from the trail to a busy highway to the next section of the trail between bridges.
Our group did the trip on mountain bikes from the Piedmont, AL Welcome center to the Esom Hill Silver comet trail head where another group of cyclists said that the finial section of the silver comet trail was completed and that construction of that trail was complete. If the weather stays nice both trails may be complete before the end of Jan 2007.

oh man, I'm excited...thanks for keeping us updated!

I can't wait for a "tour" of the full 100!

That's great to see. The trail was one of my favorite tours but that bridge was scary to cross.

Cleburne County Engineer Shannon Robbins warns Chief Ladiga Trail users to stay off the Cleburne stretch of the trail for a little while.

Check this link for today's The Anniston Star newspaper article about the Chief Ladiga Trail and continuing work.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1221-editorial-6l20t1334.htm

Thanks, please keep us updated.

A while back I stopped in Anniston when driving to Bham, and found the trail start north of the city. It was completely deserted so I resolved to do this ride with a group of people instead of just myself or one other. I stopped at that big, old hotel there, I think it was The Victorian (?) and found out how to make reservations for the intended long weekend ride there and back.... If the completion is slated for early 2007 do you think planning a there-and-back from Atlanta in April would be too optimistic? We were thinkikng about hauling a trailer there and back with us.....

A while back I stopped in Anniston when driving to Bham, and found the trail start north of the city. It was completely deserted so I resolved to do this ride with a group of people instead of just myself or one other. I stopped at that big, old hotel there, I think it was The Victorian (?) and found out how to make reservations for the intended long weekend ride there and back.... If the completion is slated for early 2007 do you think planning a there-and-back from Atlanta in April would be too optimistic? We were thinkikng about hauling a trailer there and back with us.....
I am very sure the trail will be complete by then. The contract for paving the trail includes fines to be imposed on the contractor if the trail paving is not completed by the end of Feb 2007. The Victorian is a very nice place to stay but most people from out of town use the long Leaf Lodge located in Ft. McClellan. It's close enough to the Anniston trailhead that you may simply bike to the trail. Presently plans are in the works to extend the trail via the old railroad tracks to Ft. McClellan ending at the long Leaf Lodge.
http://www.longleaflodge.com/
Ft. McClellan is a popular cycling area for local bicyclists. Speed limits on the old fort are 35 MPH or lower and the traffic count is extremely low, as the fort has not been extensively redeveloped. You can cycle the old roads for hours and rarely encounter motor vehicles.
http://www.mcclellan-jpa.com/images/render_entrance.jpg

In the 90's I had a car I simply adored, a KMart-Bathroom-Blue MG I called 'Nigel' - Nigel broke down enroute to Birmingham and quite near Anniston. Amazingly, some friends knew a shop that would work on him in Anniston, and there Nigel resided for the next couple of weeks. Once he was cured,( or actually, 'in remission' might be a better term because as it turned out there was no cure for Nigel,) I took an Amtrak Train back to Anniston from Atlanta to pick him up at the mechanics'. I wonder, is this the same route I rode in the train about 12 years ago? Anybody know? I don't think that particular passenger train line still exists today....

In the 90's I had a car I simply adored, a KMart-Bathroom-Blue MG I called 'Nigel' - Nigel broke down enroute to Birmingham and quite near Anniston. Amazingly, some friends knew a shop that would work on him in Anniston, and there Nigel resided for the next couple of weeks. Once he was cured,( or actually, 'in remission' might be a better term because as it turned out there was no cure for Nigel,) I took an Amtrak Train back to Anniston from Atlanta to pick him up at the mechanics'. I wonder, is this the same route I rode in the train about 12 years ago? Anybody know? I don't think that particular passenger train line still exists today....
Not the same one. The old passenger train that used the track was called the silver comet and hence, the name of the Georgia section of this rail trail. When I was working in a Ship Yard in Morgan City, LA I used to take that same train from New Orleans, LA. To Anniston, AL. to visit my parents and friends. That train went on to New York, NY. And is still in operation by Amtrak. Anniston, AL is trying to get the trail extended to the new train and bus station so trail users may commute via train or bus and get right on the Chief Ladiga trail at the station.

This Saturday (1-6-2007) I will be checking progress
of contractors paving the Cleburne county section of
the Chief Ladiga Trail. I will leave the Eubanks
Welcome Center in Piedmont, AL. promptly at 10:00 AM
CST on a Mountain bike. Everyone is welcome to join me
on this ride. The ride will include 5 miles on
pavement from the welcome center to the Cleburne
county line and possibly 9 miles off road to the
Silver Comet Trail if any of the Cleburne county
section of the trail has not been paved. It is unknown
if any paving has been done and this is the reason for
this ride. It is possible that up to 5 miles has been
paved from the Silver Comet Trail to the bridge just
west of Borden Springs, AL. Any unpaved sections are
hard packed gravel so off road tires are required.
Bring a few dollars or pack a lunch, as we will be
stopping at a small store close to the Silver Comet
Trail (Yes, they sell lottery tickets). After lunch at
the small store we will start the return trip. Weather
reports look good with temps in the mid 60's and only
a slight chance of rain. Be sure and bring a spare
tube just in case you have a flat. A jacket may also
be required if the weather is uncooperative and cold.
If it's raining at 10:00 AM the trip will be canceled.

Jan 6 2007 progress report with photos.

No paving yet but there working on it. Below is a photo from a road approaching the trail.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7174/crossingkc7.jpg
Grading work has started along with placement of drainage pipes where drainage is a problem. The trail where they're working on it is no longer hard packed ballast. If it has rained you find it's a hard going muddy mess. I gave up and used highway 49.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7004/drainagenr5.jpg
The construction company doesn't want anyone on the trail as can been seen from this barrier across the trail below.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/759/closedzo8.jpg
From now on I will be using paved roads running beside the trail and will be staying off the areas under construction.

Jan 6 2007 progress report with photos.


Thanks for the follow up! I am looking forward to riding on that fresh pavement.

Thanks for the pics. My son and I went out that way in late November, early December. We checked out the bridge. It didn't have railings yet, and wasn't paved - but did have new ties and corrugated steel. We wandered down and checked out the creek. On the way back, my son lost his sneakers in the mud, so we put them beside the trail (our tribute to the Mud Gods). It's great to see the pictures and hear about progress on the trail.

Can't wait for it to get finished!!!! We're no where near ready for a long ride (just getting back into it again on our Tandem) - but I'm really looking forward to doing the Esom Hill to Piedmont section on pavement!!! We're trying to build up our distance - and are in woefully low mileage numbers - but will hit sections on the SCT and CLT while we build back up again.

Has anyone checked on the progress lately? I'm really anxious to hear some news!

:)

The B'ham Bike Club president is keeping on top of this and is planning some sort of opening ride, announced to all the local clubs. Is supposed to be this month. Check http://www.bhambikeclub.org/ for details.

Make sure you update us here. The Georgia folks would love to meet you at the border!

that's freakin horrible :(

That sucks. I was hoping to take a weekend off in April and try to ride as much of the Silver Comet & Cheif Talida as I could. Perhaps a 3 day event. Guess it'll have to wait till summer.

First 4.2 miles of 9 miles paved in Cleburne County. That 4.2 miles starts at the Silver Comet trailhead at the Alabama Georgia line and heads west ending at the 220-foot bridge in Borden Springs.
A park has been built at the Alabama state line with an arch over the trails. The contractor now must pave the final 4.8 miles broken by 4 bridges making paving extremely difficult. The contractor is estimating completion in late July or early August.

Be extremely cautious of the wood planked bridges! Screws and nails are working out of the wood planks and will rip your tires to shreds. Some planks are rotten or missing. I have started getting off the bike and walking it across all the wood planked bridges. I reported this 2 months ago so I don’t think anyone really cares. According to Mr. Conroy there are no funds for trail maintenance. Be extremely cautious of root damaged asphalt as well.

That's just peachy. No maintenance budget and trail damage before it's even complete. :(
Mr. Conroy was the one who suggested the cheap asphalt surface. He pushed asphalt saying it could be repaired/repaving every 10 years. It's been 11 years so these older sections now require maintenance. All money collected for the Chief Ladiga trail is being spent on the Cleburne county section and the Cleburne county government has refused to help fund there 9 miles. It's a miracle that 9 miles is in the process of being paved! The Silver Comet trail is paved with concrete so maintenance is much less expensive over the years.

Note: The Calhoun County Trail Watch volunteers contacted me and have informed me they are currently selecting roads bypassing the rotten wood planked bridges. Trail Watch volunteers will stop patrolling those sections of the Calhoun County trail as soon as there finished printing maps and installing signs redirecting cyclists to side roads to bypass hazardous bridges and broken asphalt.

Trail Watch volunteers will be using Century road to bypass two hazardous wood planked bridges on the trail just East of Germania Springs. There are three hazardous wood planked bridges just west of Piedmont, which will be bypassed using Mack Alexander Rd., Highway 21, and highway 9. Politicians will not allow posting of detour and warning signs on the trail. If you must use these bridges dismount and walk your bike across them and watch out for missing, loose, and rotten boards. Do the same with damaged asphalt, as it will rip your tires to shreds. Trail Watch volunteers will not be patrolling these sections of the trail.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/rootdamage2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/looseplanks.jpg

Yesterday (June 30) myself and two friends rode from Rockmart, GA to the end of the Chief Lagida in Anniston/Weaver and back. It was 120 miles roundtrip. We were on the trail for most of the way - using the roads to join the missing section between Rockmart and Cedartown (about 5 miles) and the section into Piedmont AL, probably another 10 miles. The trail was in great condition - the only hazards on the new sections in Alabama were the road barriers that prevent vehicles from entering the trail. In most places, they're fine to bike around, but one or two are too close to the sides of the trail, so I had to walk around it.

On the way out, we took the road up and over the mountain - a mini-gap that was short and steep, and a nice break from all the flat riding. On the way back, we took the detour over the closed bridge. This was pretty and cooler (it was HOT yesterday!) but the shake-and-bake pavement was really annoying - it was about as rough as I would go on my road bike, and in the future, I would probably just go up and over the mountain both ways.

It was a nice (but boring!) ride, with well-placed store stops. There's a grocery store just past the welcome center in Piedmont and another in Weaver, shortly before the end of the trail. There's water at the depot in Cedartown. It was a long 120 miles, but an easy way to get them in.

The wood planked bridges have been repaired! I just got back from checking them this morning. They replaced rotten planks and took care of any protruding screws and nails. I've been informed the wood planked bridges will be resurfaced with cement over the next several years doing one or two bridges a year. There is talk of installing metal roofs over the steel span bridges to protect and extend the live of the wood planking used as cement can't be used due to weight limitations. I don’t know who or what happened to get this work started but I'm feeling pretty good after these mornings ride and discovering someone higher up actually cares about the Trail. They're going to be repairing root-damaged asphalt as well.

The Chief Ladiga trail is now paved through Cleburne County and connects to the Silver Comet Trail. Horses are allowed on this 8.5-mile section. Use extreme caution around horses! When approaching on-coming horses get off your bicycle, move as far to the side of the trail as possible, and allow horses to pass. When approaching horses from behind slowdown, match the horses' speed, and ask if you may pass. Don't pass horses without asking first! The rider should move the horse to the side and stop to allow you to get around. The rider may dismount and hold the horse so give them time to deal with you. They may ask you not to pass until a road crossing or access to a field. Never assume horses have been trained to be around bicyclists. If you scare one it will either take off and possibly trample others or attack you on your bicycle. Neither action is good for anyone!

The Calhoun County Trail Watch volunteers are not bypassing any parts of the trail now on the Calhoun County section.

Cleburne County has not set up a Trail Watch volunteer group. Calhoun County Trail Watch volunteers may or may not be active on the Cleburne County section and have no way to contact any Cleburne County law enforcement or emergency services at this time. Cell phone coverage is very poor.

Does anyone know if there are any campgrounds along the way ?

Does anyone know if there are any campgrounds along the way ?

The Piedmont sports complex has primitive camping next to the trail. It's just west of Piedmont, Al. Be sure and check and see if it's open when you ride by the Welcome Center on the trail. They may let you camp behind the Welcome Center which would by preferable to the primitive camp at the sports complex. I've just stealth camped where no one could see me from the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails or any homes around the trails.

Official opening date for the Cleburne county section of the trail is currently set for Dec 1 2007.
It's completely paved and clean but you'll need to watch out for steel bollard sockets without the bollard at each road crossing. It's very easy to hit them as it just a square black steel post sticking up a few inches above the asphalt in the middle of the trail. Other than the missing bollards the trail is extremely nice! The bollards should be installed by Dec 1. Opening ceremonies will be scheduled sometime in the spring of 2008.

Some Trail Watch Volunteers from Calhoun County are patrolling the Cleburne county section until a Cleburne county Trail Watch volunteer service can be established. They have already assisted State Troopers with the arrest of persons operating automobiles, 4-wheelers, and motorcycles on the trail. Don’t be surprised to see a State Trooper in a cruiser patrolling the trail until the locals figure out they cant do that since the trail has been paved!

The Chief Ladiga Trail was completed first all the way from the edge of Weaver AL west to the GA State Line. The just completed Sliver Comet Trail starts at the end of the CLT and winds its’ way to the current end at the western edge of crowded Atlanta. The nation’s first interstate paved trail is 92 miles long at this time. Plans are continuing to develop this multi-modal recreation path farther west to historic Conyers, GA, a popular bicyclist’s destination.
A popular starting point from the Atlanta end is the Floyd Road connection where there is a large parking lot and bicycle shop. The Trail is closed after sunset and it is patrolled.
A popular ride is to do the whole trail, stay overnight and return the next day.
There are lighted tunnels, a trestle or two, lots of shade, and a great little park at the State Line junction.
There is one caution for consideration about any isolated non-motor vehicle trail. If you have a catastrophic breakdown you may have to walk a long way to a cross road to get rescued. Be sure to research your trip as some sections are very rural.