I'm a roadie that likes to go long and fast. The Silver Comet Trail is a great resource for this. The Atlanta metro area is crowded and congested and well known as a dangerous place for cyclists. Motorists here view bicycles as an inconvenience that shouldn't be on the road and generally show disregard for our safety. The Silver Comet is a mixed use trail that has become dangerous to many due to the careless nature of some "elite" roadies on their "oh so important" training ride. Families, children, and pets are a crazy variable. Wildly unpredictable. It is up to the cyclist to approach with extreme caution. If you plow into a child at 20mph it won't matter that YOU had the right-of-way. YOU will be the a**hole! I've seen plenty of these jerks on the trail and am embarrassed to be associated with their representation of our sport. If you want to go fast, I say "Go West Young (Wo)Man!" The further out you go, the faster you can go. Solitude, scenery, and unobstructed speed. It's a beautiful thing. If you need a good workout and must use the crowded eastern portion of the trail, try some interval training. Speed along 'til you see "The Unpredictables", hit the brakes, slowly pass with a kind smile, get out of the saddle and start hammering again. Repeat as necessary. Think about it. On a mixed use trail that is open and belongs to everyone, the high speed cyclist(in effect) has become the dangerous automobile.