retnav94

I have been searching the threads for info on bike trails. I am looking for dedicated bike trails such as the st. Marks trail in Tallahassee or any of the rails to trails type paths. I am looking to put pavement miles on the mountain bike mainly for fitness and I am still leery of road traffic in my area. Anyway, any info would be greatly appreciated. I live in SE Alabama and would like to find trails within a few hours of here, however, a weekend trip is fine also.

kjc9640

These would all be a weekend trip but well worth the drive
The Withlacoochee State Trail starts in Citrus Springs and goes south for 46 miles.
West Orange Trail starts in Apopka Fl joins the South Lake trail to give you about a 40 mile trip south and west
Pinellas Trail-- Tarpon Springs to St Pete

Find a place to stay about mid way on each of these trails ride one direction on day and the other direction the next day. I have ridden these trails many times if you have any questions PM me.

retnav94

Thanks Slo, my brother actually lives in Apopka. He is a new roadie but at 50 he is racking up the miles. I will have to plan on that the next time I head there.

kjc9640

I didn't mention this one in the original post but the James Van Fleet Trail would be a good option when you visit your brother. it runs from Mabel Fl (just west of Clermont to Polk City Fl (just east of Lakeland) 30 mile long paved. This is a great trail to develop your speed and build your average MPH . Only about 4 cross roads in the entire distance. No traffic. Take your own food and water as it is wilderness all the way.

retnav94

sweet, many thanks again

Grim

It would be a bit of a ride but the Silver Comet starts in Smyrna GA to the AL state line where it Joins the Chief Ladiga trail all the way to Anniston AL THere is primitive camping between Rockmart and Cedar town and a full service campground in the same are just off the trail. Detailed map. https://silvercometmap.com/
There is also areas you can ride off trail on Mountains and Cross bikes.

The Comet is going to be joined to Atlanta proper with routs spider webbing out eventually.

Some riding up at Calloway Gardens just north of Columbus. One of the MS rids is in the area but they typically ride road.

There is also a Riverwalk trail in Columbus I have heard about but not rode yet.

I tell you what if you ever get the chance to go to Greenville SC you got to go to the Falls Park. It would be worth a long weekend to make the trip. It is one of the nicest parks EVER. They also shut down part of Main Street in down town to vehicle traffic on the weekends in the same area as the park. Great restaurants and super nice area to visit.

https://www.fallspark.com/ Map of the area that shows the Swamp Rabbit trail that is part of the Falls park. This map shows where the trail is and will be. the Norther part is not complete yet.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=greenv...05681&t=h&z=18

The Swamp Rabbit site. https://greenvillerec.com/parks/swamp-rabbit/


Try this map out. It shows a lot of trails https://www.trails.com/stateactivity.aspx?area=10270

retnav94

Many thanks Grim, I was talking to a bud today about doing the Silver comet and the Chief Ladiga in a day. We want to do a long ride and that seems perfect. We just need to figure out the logistics of getting to the trail head and pick up. We may go one way one day , camp then head back. I am closer to Anniston then Atlanta, but either way is only 4 hours at the most to get there. Our preferance is to stay on a bike path and avoid the roads all together. I need to see if there is a road transition between the trails if we do the ride in one day. Thanks again for the info.

FL_MarkD

There are a few journals on Crazy Guy on a Bike about Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trail rides. Do a search there for some info about what others experienced. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

Sounds like a good two day ride. I am trying to figure out the best 2 or 3 day light touring/hotel ride using the Suncoast Trail, Withlacochee, and maybe the Van Fleet.

I will do something this spring.

Mark

bbeasley

Cruise on down to the Big Easy; Enjoy the MUP on the Mississippi River levy; Drive across the lake and ride the 27 mile Tammany Trace rail to trail. South Louisiana is great this time of year.

retnav94

I think I have found the ride we are going to eventually do, the Silver Comet Trail and Chief Ladiga trail. It is over a hundred miles and there are about 6 or 7 coworkers interested. I think maybe the April time frame will get them use to riding. I am actually going to start another thread to gather some info on it. thanks for the input all.

Grim

I have several friends that we want to do the same thing ( out then camp or hotel then back next day).

The area in between Powder springs and Smyrna is VERY crowded on the weekends. Pretty quiet otherwise.

I highly recommend Frankie's in Rockmart for Lunch or dinner. THe Tilapia Parmigiana is very good. https://www.frankies-rockmart.com/

jasonball

the river walk in columbus GA is 99% all paved trailed. with a small section of round about to get the to the next part of the trail. out and back will give you a good 30 mile ride. travel from columbus on to ft. bennning and back. there is also callaway that has trails but the parking is exspensive there.

flat rock park is a 10mile loop in the woods. rock and gravel surface.

columbus is about 100 miles up the road from dothan. only take up half aday. stop by check out the local bike shops while your in town. that is usually what i do when I travel. I would be interested in rollling the sivler comet with a group of yall when you do it. look forward to your dedicated thread.

retnav94

Thanks jason, I was looking at the riverwalk website last night. It looks like a good day trip. I have been wanting to get up to the bike shops in Columbus for a while, we are somewhat limited in selection here.

jasonball

yeah Ih ave been through dothan plenty of times.

pointyhead

There is no road transition between the SCT and the CL. There's simply a large overhead sign and markers on the ground to let you know you have passed from one to the other. There's also a small parking area, picnic tables, and one porta-potty there to use as a rest stop. (also no water there!)

chuben

ie

I need to check out th riverwalk, sounds like a good day trip. Retnav, if you need another rider I might be interested. I'm assuming this would be in the spring?

jasonball

hell why wait till spring. lol. are there any good riding dothan. I'm sure we can swap. I'll come down there for a ride and then yall come out this way.

chuben

I'm kind of new to cycling, so I'm not sure if there are any "good riding" down here, but the riverwalk sounds interesting. btw, War Cam Eagle! Beat those Cocks

jasonball

hell yeah war eagle. check out map my ride see what rides are in your area

GrantH

Hard to believe that no one has mentioned the Longleaf Trace here in Hattiesburg, MS. It may be a stretch on time ~2-3 hours but a great trail with pavement and dirt trails for horses that lend themselves to mountain bikes.