Amtrak to Anniston, Silver Comet to Atlanta, camping?

[billonmidwatch]

As a warmup, shakedown cruise, prior to our spring cycling tour, we're considering taking Amtrak from Atlanta to Anniston, AL and riding the Silver Coment trail back. Has anyone done this? Is Amtrak cool with bringing the bikes? Are there any places to camp about half way?

[TripleThreat]

How far is that? How long is the bike ride?

[Bob Barker]

The whole trail right now is right around 100mi

[TLupo]

There is a great campsite, The Rock, just past Rockmart heading toward Atlanta. They have showers and other facilities, as well as being close to Rockmart for convenience.

There is a sign on the trail marking the turn off. It will take you on a gravel road and you then have to cross GA 278. That would put you about 2/3 of the way to Atlanta, which might be more than you were planning to ride for that day, but it's worth it. Also, the ride from the Silver Comet to Atlanta proper is a more challenging ride.

What is your final destination in Atlanta? I may be able to help with some advice on that portion, as well.

Tommy

[sedges]

You may have already figured this all out, but here is what I found.

Amtrak has onboard racks on some trains. You need to contact them for a specific route. If onboard racks are not available on the route you will need to box bike and check as baggage. However, checked baggage can only be dealt with at certain major stations. Anniston is not a check baggage station, it is essentially a flag stop. I don't know if the Crescent has bike racks. This link tells it all.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080554487&ssid=43