rickjames

Trying to find people who are interested in riding from the start of the trail in Smyrna to Alabama and back in one day. I have a friend or two who would like to, but they have only mtn. bikes, so that wouldn't work with me on my road bike. Hoping to do it on a weekday (I'm a teacher...so I'm free). Hoping to leave around 8am so could be back in the afternoon. I'm an average rider...not in perfect shape, but I never back down from a challenge, so it's something I want to attempt.

soobaroo227

How far is that ride?

sknhgy 

There's a guy named Clark Kent who might do it with you. He dresses like a Fred, though.

Spoonrobot 

I've been considering doing the Silver Comet 200K but I have to drive to the start point and then drive back home when I'm done so the motivation has been lacking. He's a link to the route that I found:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1181801

I only have a fixed gear so I'd probably not be the best riding partner.

jpr1379

I'm trying to get stationed in Georgia at Ft. Stewart but its a 4 hour drive just to get to the start. At my current pace that would take me about ten hours. Sounds like an awesome ride.

Blinkie

I definitely cannot handle that ride yet (I've been on my bike twice this week, the first time in about fifteen years lol), but depending on coincidental timing you all may end up passing me!

lil earle

I am going to do the whole thing on Sat. the 18th. I am going to leave Publix parking lot on Cobb pkwy at 5 am. I will average about 13 miles an hr. with breaks along the way. If you would like to ride along meet me in the parking lot at 5 am. I will be on a silver trek. I will probably be the only bicycle in the lot at that time. Hope you can make it. It would be nice to have some company.

Juan Foote

I am tempted to join you for this ride. The Comet is a lot of fun and I haven't been up there since early Spring. If I can scare some gas money and motivation up, I might have to come up and ride with you.

lil earle

Hope you can make it.

DaHaMac

Man this sounds tempting, I'd have to get up at 2am to make the ride but...

I did the Silver Comet from Mavell Rd Trailhead to 1.5miles on the Chief Ladiga a few months back. Of course, I averaged 17mph but if I brought my Touring Bike then maybe I could roll slow.

Geesh, if I had the money for a hotel room Friday night I might forget that I am supposed to do yardwork and schoolwork this Saturday. I reckon I'd better do the yardwork and schoolwork :-( Y'all have fun.

Apocheir

I'm tempted to come along. I had thought about doing that this weekend, but I'm hesitant to take my U-District on a serious, sustained, long-distance ride. Longest ride so far is 20 mi., and I know already that I need to lose the flat-bar and there's something clicky in the drivetrain that I want to have checked out. I think the bike would survive, but part of me wants to wait until I upgrade some components to really put it (and myself) to the test.

I'm either going tubing on the 'hooch or hitting the Silver Comet. Maybe I'll see you.

lil earle

My average speed is just an estimate. I will be on my touring bike and will not be in any hurry so the 13mph felt right. I did the Covington century a few weeks ago and averaged 18mph on the same bike. I will post details of the ride when I get back.

lil earle

Ok I am back and had a good trip. 127 miles from the Publix parking lot in Smyrna to the state line and back. There is a huge tree down blocking the whole trail at 36 miles. Only way around is to lift your bike over it. Going out was no trouble. Coming back the hills near Cedartown test your fortitude as they are at about the 80 mile mark. Once you get within 15 miles of Smyrna you start running into a lot more traffic. When I do this again it will be during the week. It took me 8 hrs. and 30 minutes to do it. I probably could have done it faster on my road bike but I rode my touring bike which is geared a lot lower. Anyway I just wanted to let you know I made it and I would have enjoyed some company but nobody else showed up. Maybe next time.

Spoonrobot 

Good work. What's the water situation like?

lil earle

Water was no problem. I had two bottles and made sure I filled them when I could. One thing I forgot to mention, when you are going to Alabama it is down hill most of the time, although it is just 1% grade. Coming back you have to pay the fiddler for that nice ride out. So when you are cruising along on the way to Alabama thinking "This isn't too bad." Just remember for every down hill there is a climb. It may not be a big one but it is still a climb. Make sure you drink enough and bring some food along to keep you refueled. You have to watch out for the suicidal rabbits, the spider webs across the trail and the big white dog who wanted a piece of me right past Coont's Lake.

lil earle

Here is the deal. After riding to the state line and back I am looking for more. Some time in November, probably in the first two weeks I am going to ride from Smyrna to Anniston and back in one day. It will be a long one in the middle of the week. Any body who wants to go with me I would enjoy the company. Details to follow once I figure distance and a date.

DaHaMac

earle, let me know well in advance and I'd like to do the ride with you. So long as it doesn't conflict with any special events at work, I'll take the day off. I agree that weekdays are better.

DaHaMac

Cool, that is the ride I mapped out. Here is the ride report on RWGPS - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/654871 My stopped times were way too long as my ride partner was cracking. I finally had to leave him at Cedartown with his assurance that he'd call me when he made it back to his car.

lil earle

Will do. Looking at some time the first two weeks of November maybe late October. I am leaving on the tenth to ride to Anniston then down through the Talladega National Forest for about five days. I have some friends from work are going to do a Anniston overnight second week of October. I will probabaly do that one too. You are welcome to join us if you like.

lil earle

I just got back from my trip to the Talladega National Forest. The Chief Ladiga trail is being resurfaced between Piedmont and Jacksonville. There are big holes where the poles were taken out and alot of bad pavement. I have decided o wait till the spring for a shot at the whole trail because of this. Maybe after daylight savings tmes starts. It is 95 miles from the Publix parking lot in Symrna to the end of the Chief Ladiga trail. Tack on another ten miles somewhere and you could get a double century out of this. I will repost when I come up with some dates in the Spring.