Atlanta, GA to Birmingham, AL
06-11-07, 10:34 AM
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Atlanta, GA to Birmingham, AL
Hi, I may have an opportunity to take a short bike tour to Birmingham in a few weeks. I'm thinking of taking the Silver Comet Trail and Chief Ladiga Trail as far as possible then taking back roads into Birmingham. I estimate 2 days riding one-way. Have any of you used these trails or ridden a similar route? Route suggestions or general advice for this area appreciated...
Thanks,
Chapman
Thanks,
Chapman
06-11-07, 12:59 PM
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Currently the Chief Ladiga Trail ends in Anniston Alabama. From there to Birmingham would require taking back roads adding lots of miles to the trip and the back roads are crowded with traffic. The only straight-line route between Birmingham and Anniston is via I-20 and bicycles are not allowed on it. When they built the Interstate they used existing roadway and there is a 45 MPH minimum speed limit on that road.
Cleburne County is in the process of paving that county's 9 miles of the Chief Ladiga Trail. 4.2 miles of that 9-mile stretch was just paved. If you use a MTB type-touring bike capable of traveling over hard packed dirt and gravel surface you can stay on the trail. If not you'll need to take a couple of backcountry roads in order to stay on pavement. The new pavement on the Chief Ladiga Trail starts at the Silver Comet trailhead and runs 4.2 miles to the 220-foot long Borden Springs Bridge. A very short dirt access road used during bridge refurbishment allows access to highway 70 just before you get to that bridge. Take highway 70 to highway 94 or Old Borden Road. You will have only one moderately tough climb before highway 94. Ignore the bridge out-local traffic only sign at highway 94 as you can easily cross it on your bicycle. Highway 94 ends on highway 70 bypassing an extremely hard climb over Dugger Mtn. After getting back on highway 70 take the next paved road to the left, which will cross the Chief Ladiga Trail. There are no gaps in the Chief Ladiga Trail between the Cleburne County Calhoun county trailhead and Tucker Park in Anniston, AL. Portions of this section of trail has been in existence for 11 years with virtually no maintenance. Watch for areas of asphalt pushed up by tree roots as some of the pushed up pavement breaks are sharp enough to cut tires. Some bridges have wood plank surfaces and have screws and nails holding the boards in place. Some of these screws and nails have worked up a 1/4" or so and will shred your tires. I always get off my bike and walk it across the wood planked bridges. You'll also need to watch out for rotten and or missing planks while walking across.
Cleburne County is in the process of paving that county's 9 miles of the Chief Ladiga Trail. 4.2 miles of that 9-mile stretch was just paved. If you use a MTB type-touring bike capable of traveling over hard packed dirt and gravel surface you can stay on the trail. If not you'll need to take a couple of backcountry roads in order to stay on pavement. The new pavement on the Chief Ladiga Trail starts at the Silver Comet trailhead and runs 4.2 miles to the 220-foot long Borden Springs Bridge. A very short dirt access road used during bridge refurbishment allows access to highway 70 just before you get to that bridge. Take highway 70 to highway 94 or Old Borden Road. You will have only one moderately tough climb before highway 94. Ignore the bridge out-local traffic only sign at highway 94 as you can easily cross it on your bicycle. Highway 94 ends on highway 70 bypassing an extremely hard climb over Dugger Mtn. After getting back on highway 70 take the next paved road to the left, which will cross the Chief Ladiga Trail. There are no gaps in the Chief Ladiga Trail between the Cleburne County Calhoun county trailhead and Tucker Park in Anniston, AL. Portions of this section of trail has been in existence for 11 years with virtually no maintenance. Watch for areas of asphalt pushed up by tree roots as some of the pushed up pavement breaks are sharp enough to cut tires. Some bridges have wood plank surfaces and have screws and nails holding the boards in place. Some of these screws and nails have worked up a 1/4" or so and will shred your tires. I always get off my bike and walk it across the wood planked bridges. You'll also need to watch out for rotten and or missing planks while walking across.
