Finished GAP and have some spare time. I didn't want to do the rest of the C&O (wet, cold, mud, just not my idea of fun)


I am thinking of day tripping the Silver comet Chief Ladiga Trail. Please give me the crash course. If there is a better direction to take it, or...

I am not going race along the trail.
I want to take it slow and photograph everything that is interesting.

Camping is ok, didn't plan on dragging it with me on the trail.
Hotel is ok.
I like good food, so...


I can figure out this trip on the fly, but I don't want to miss something because I probably will not be back to do it again.

A friend and I rode the trail last year from just outside Atlanta GA to Jacksonville AL then returned to Atlanta. Here's web album of our trip:

https://plus.google.com/photos/11360...19615142509665

Maybe some of the images can give you ideas. Like the Great Allegheny Passage, the trail is primarily rural countryside.

It doesn't look like there is a lot of camping on this trail. Since I can go out and back to my vehicle, I am thinking doing the hotel would be easier?

It looks like I should be able to grab lunch just off the trail ever day?

You might be able to do it lightly loaded by riding from Atlanta to Jacksonville; spend the night in a motel; and return the next day. Long days, but, as I said, load it lightly. Stop in Rockmart or Cedartown for lunch.

Make sure you have plenty of water.

You tour differently than I. I go slow and take lots of photos.

I decided to have Cedartown be my base. I will put up a complete tour info later, but right now I am broke down. I am not sure how I did it, but I broke my bicycle seat.

Anyone have a favorite bicycle shop east of Cedartown? Maybe one close to the trail?

Don't know how fast or how many miles you plan to cover in a day.

Many people will start in Smyrna and go to Anniston. Stay in Anniston over-night and pedal back to Smyrna (Kroger parking lot).

The hotels in Cedartown don't get good reviews.

Here is my ride on both Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga in less than 12 hours: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/1432554

You might want to spend some time at this website: https://pathfoundation.org/trails/silver-comet/

Thanks for the links. This was an impromptu trip with no planning time.

I take pictures. So I am slow.

I will give a thumbs up for the Holiday Inn in Cedartown. It may not be the best Holiday Inn I have stayed at, but it is not bad. It was clean. Bed was decent. Breakfast food was minimal. Staff was friendly.

I will give a thumbs down for Country Hearth Inn in Cedartown. Staff wasn't friendly. Bed was worn out. Breakfast was non-existant. Was not clean.

Notes on the Chief Ladiga and part of the Comet I rode.
This is not a wilderness trail. Most of it was like riding through suburbia. The trail is smooth and for the most part VERY flat. Do watch out for Snakes on the trail. Take more water than you think you will need there are not a lot of places to stop and get more.
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There's a shop right on the trail, maybe 5-10 miles from the eastern end. They have rental bikes and recumbents, but should be able to handle most normal needs. Don't remember the name, though.

RW,

Your hotel info on Cedartown matches what else I've read.

The Silver Comet has water ~20 miles apart. The Ladiga felt more remote and I don't remember seeing much water. I carried 3 water bottles so I was able to cover ~60 miles between refills.

However, riding the trails is a great treat and it's tempting to do a winter century on the trails.

Thanks for posting photos of the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails. They are more scenic than I expected. What is the distance from end to end? Are there camp sites along the way? I grew up in Atlanta and this might be a nice option while visiting some time.

BTW, another trail you could consider is the New River Trail in Western Virginia. It runs from Galax to Pulaski, about 55-60 miles total, with camp sites along the way. The trail is unpaved by a good solid surface with small gravel and mild gradients. The scenery is spectacular. (See attached photos.) Another option nearby by is the Virginia Creeper trail, which runs through Damascus, VA. I haven't ridden the Creeper but hear good things about it, but most people get dropped off at White Top Mtn and pretty much coast most of the way, which is not my idea of touring.