tbdean

On Saturday I'll be riding Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet West to East.

It'll be a little warm, should I bring more than two water bottles, or will there be enough water fountains to fill up at?

If I leave my car overnight Friday at Publix in the Highland Station Shopping Center will it be okay? Is there a better place to park?

Thanks!

RonH

Hey Brad. Last time I was up that way (a few years ago) the watering holes were few and far between. That's what prompted me to buy a 100oz Camelbak.
Good luck and stay cool if you can.

Ex Pres 

Take 2+ bottles for sure.

Don't know about parking. We parked in Weaver and rode to Rockmart and back same day. Have fun.

tbdean

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to bring lots of water then!

Juan Foote

That shopping center seemed to be well lit and is on a major roadway. I wouldn't think you will run into any issues, but wouldn't leave anything of value visible like anywhere else.
There is an online map at PATH that shows amenities as well as business along the way. The further West you go, the fewer and farther between things get, but think with a bit of planning you shouldn't run into a situation a few dollars at the convenient store couldn't fix.

Have fun

zzOtherlandzz

I would love to ride this trail... Trying to make time/plan a trip for early fall. Have fun!!!

AdamSean

I really want to ride this trail, but I have nobody to ride with.

tbdean

Thanks again for the info guys. I did the ride yesterday. My wife and I dropped my car off in the Publix shopping center Friday afternoon and drove up to Jacksonville where we stayed the night. In the morning she dropped me off at the end of Chief Ladiga in Anniston at Mike Tucker Park. I couldn't find an address and GPS didn't know it - but it's at the corner of Weaver Rd and Holley Farm Rd in Anniston, AL 36206.

I took four 24 oz water bottles. It really was surprising how little water is out there. I filled up at Cedartown (mile marker 52), Dallas (mile marker 20) and The Silver Comet Depot (mile marker 4). It'll be easier next time knowing where the water is, but I did get dehydrated trying to conserve water. I probably could have found water in Piedmont, AL - I'll try next time. I just assumed there was a welcome center with water and bathrooms and the state line and I was planning on filling up there. State line has nothing except a sign and some benches and a bunch of cyclists standing around asking if anyone knows where to get any water.

It was a great ride. The car was fine, btw. I hope to do it again soon!

Disciple1

Thanks for sharing about your experience. I have been planning to ride that one in the future myself .

TrailViewMount

I was reading how this trail has had some serious crimes on it in the past. Do you all worry about that?

sedges

There was a murder there in 2006 and the guy was caught and got the death penalty. There were two robberies in 2008 by teen age groups. In one incident the victim was beaten pretty bad. There was another beating on the Wild Horse Trail, a Cobb County side trail in 2009. Nothing since then that I know of. None of the robberies involved weapons. They simply knocked down the rider or runner and overwhelmed them.

There is a real noticeable police presence on the trail these days, especially in Cobb and Paulding Counties. Police patrol on bicycle and ATV type carts and are friendly and helpful.

People recommend that you not travel alone on the trail, though I do it regularly. I am cautious around groups of people just standing around on the trail, especially teens, but I don't see this very often. If you are at all concerned about getting assaulted or robbed, DON'T TRAVEL ALONE.

Blinkie

Past the Hiram trail head (14.66 miles), you can fill up at both the Rambo Nursery (the small white pavilion on the far side from the parking area at the trail head ... approximately 21/22 mile marker), and at the Seaboard Ave. trail head (a bit closer' I'm not sure its official name, but it's hard to miss). After Rambo Road you're looking at quite a distance to the next place I'm sure has water (Coots Lake; at the very least there's a convenience store not very far away -- I suggest looking at satellite views for all of these, just to get a better feel before going out), and then not really again right at the trail until Rockmart. There's a nice park you'll eventually ride through, and a school and cemetery, with several fountains and taps. Those are the places I remember right off hand. I haven't yet been past the 42 mile marker.

Edit: Google Maps is a bit behind on things, at least as far as the Rambo Road trail head is concerned. But when you get there, it's tough to miss the water fountain.

And this is the general area in Rockmart where you can find places to stop for water:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=33.99840...06539&t=w&z=18

From there it's hard to tell. It looks like there may be two potential areas for a water stop, but mostly the trail looks isolated, or at least near isolated roads.

Ex Pres 

I'm planning on heading over to near the AL terminus for a ride 10/06. A couple of the guys I'm riding with want to ride their first century. Not beginners, but certainly not racers, either. We'll probably start at the Jacksonville Community Center, with plans to make it to Rockmart and eat lunch at Frankies before we turn back. That should be 100 or just over, and the group can always turn around early if it's just not their day. If anyone is interested in joining us PM me.

Ex Pres 

Bumping this up in case anyone is interested this weekend.

crashmo

How was the ride EP? Itching to get over on that side of town to ride!

Ex Pres 

Much new pavement between Jville and Piedmont. You have to watch for a few holes where the anti-car posts have not been replaced, but cones were in most of them. It was a nice ride. Everyone should go.