Silver Comet / Chief Ladiga Forum

Plan to stay at Beautiful Rock Campground in the Spring. Is the most scenic leisure ride to be found 20 miles or so East or West of Rockmart

I suggest Rockmart to Hiram and back. It is a lovely scenic ride.

Will the trail be flooded or muddy this weekend due to Friday's heavy rain?

If you're into this sort of thing, I've published on Kinomap the GPS-tagged videos of my late-Spring 2020 ride on the Chief Ladiga Rail Trail in Northeastern Alabama, from the beginning of the trail at the Georga-Alabama state line to the trail terminus in Anniston, Alabama

If you have a smart bike trainer, or even a not smart trainer, or even an exercise bike or an elliptical trainer you can to do these as virtual rides.

The advantage of using a "smart" exercise device is that the Kinomap app on your Android or iOS device can control the difficulty level based on GPS data while you exercise.

Here is a link to a playlist of the three segments that make up my ride of the Chief Ladiga Rail Trail:

https://videos.kinomap.com/en/playlists/11789

There is also a single GPS-tagged video of the entire Chief Ladiga Rail Trail ride if you want to do the whole thing in one go:

https://videos.kinomap.com/en/watch/m2jzus

If you want to see all of my Kinomap bike videos and playlists you can visit my Kinomap profile here:

https://dashboard.kinomap.com/en/users/288557/videos

https://dashboard.kinomap.com/en/users/288557/playlists

My husband and I want to drive up to CLT and start in Anniston for a day ride. Where should we turn around and head back. Is there a good place to ride out to, stop and eat and.ride back. This is our first time on trail. Would love to ride only about 40-50 miles. I saw a mention of the CLT trail not being in good shape. Is this a concern? Thanks.

Ride to Piedmont and back, about 40 miles.
Trail is getting bumpy with roots.
Just pay attention and slow down.

The best ride is to put in at Piedmont and ride to the Silver Comet trail. My husband and I have done this MANY times. It’s great scenery, smooth paths and very relaxing.

Hi- My boyfriend is going to use the Silver comet to run his virtual 1/2 marathon this week. I'm his support crew via my bike. He wants to run on as much asphalt as possible instead of concrete. We wanted to start at the 11.7 mile marker and go out 6.5 miles and then turn back.
Does anyone know if 11.7-18 is still asphalt? I know the bridge might be concrete, but hoping the rest is asphalt. We are doing it on Saturday, 11/7. Thanks all

Concrete Trail starts around MP# 14

Hello, we are looking for a B&B along the bike trail and would love to hear your reviews about the English House, specifically if they are bike friendly as we prefer to bring our bikes inside to charge them overnight. Do they serve breakfast? I can't seem to find a website for this inn. Thanks in advance.

On the
http://silvercometga.com/silver-comet-map/silver-comet-map.shtml
the distance from the beginning of the trail in Smyrna and Rambo Road trailhead is 22.2 miles. The trip planner on this website has the mileage at 26.2 miles. Does anyone know if this (26.2) is the mileage to the actual town of Rambo?

A friend and I are planing to leave our car at Cedartown overnight but have noticed several warning about crime in the area. Anyone have recommendations about leaving the car unattended overnight in Cedartown?

Hey there! I see a lot of these questions are geared towards shuttles, and inquiries about how to leave a car at one side. My spouse and I plan to leave our truck in Smyrna, rent a Nissan Frontier or something similar at the Enterprise Rent A Car in Smyrna, throw our bikes in the rental truck, drive to Anniston and drop the rental at the Enterprise there, 8 miles from the trail head. It'll cost about $150, it was the only viable solution we could think of short of enlisting someone's help with a drop off. Let me know your thoughts and I hope this idea helps y'all!

I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to use it, but I think it's a great idea. I'll share it with those who ask me about the trail.

I organized a small group to ride the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails three years ago. Due to a couple of elderly riders, one with heart problems (me), we decided to forego riding loaded. I didn't know what a wise decision it was until we got to the hilly part! Our plan was to camp at the two commercial campgrounds on the trail and ride out and back in each direction. The campgrounds are nicely spaced for that... although we did shuttle to Hiram the first day to keep the first days about 30 miles.

Unfortunately our trip was cut short by nasty weather. It was November. Cycling and tent camping in the rain at 40° just didn't sound like fun. We were glad we had vehicles with us.

Willing to assist with a shuttle.

There's a new sign at the Paulding Chamber exit off the Silver Comet that points to "Dallas Battlefield Trail." What's that? Do you have to ride on regular highways and roads to get there?

It is about 1.5 miles away to the to the park.
All travel is on roads except the 278 piece to Hwy 61 has a paved bike trail.

I ride the trail all the time. Love it.
I am willing to assist with a shuttle or information about the trail.
You can contact me on BikeForms.net my handle is 1979schwinn.

1979Schwinn
Saw your post, Im kicking the idea of driving up to Smyrna, dropping my car and renting a car to head to Anniston..what do you charge for shuttle from Smyrna to Anniston, and if you are able to do it what is your availability?
Thanks
Skydude58@yahoo.com

1979Schwinn
Saw your post, Im kicking the idea of driving up to Smyrna, dropping my car and renting a car to head to Anniston..what do you charge for shuttle from Smyrna to Anniston, and if you are able to do it what is your availability?
Thanks
Skydude58@yahoo.com

No charge.
Just need to schedule it an get it on my calendar.

You can email me at: bcoyle@paulding.gov

I am looking to ride the trail the week of Oct 21. Would love to get a shuttle or take a train so my husband and I can do the route in two days. What information do you have?

Most of the trail is shaded and runs 2-4% grade.
Zoom into the map and more detail shows up.
The start in Smyrna is a busy commercial area.
It then blends into suburban areas but is still secluded.
Next is Hiram (good Bike Shop), then Dallas. West of Dallas is wilderness till Rockmart.
Rockmart to Cedartown is country with a 8% grade for about a mile. West of Cedartown is country and wilderness till Piedmont. Then you head to Jacksonville (collage town), mostly parallels to a road off and on. to Anniston. There are a few bathrooms and water stops along the way. Get water at Hiram, Dallas, Rockmart, Cedartown, Jacksonville and Anniston.

Spending the night.
The free campsite is Camp Comet west of Rockmart (near Fish Creek). There are pay campsites before Rockmart, in Al at Chief Lagiga Camp (before Piedmont), and at the end in Anniston.
There are various hotels & BB mostly l-2 miles off the trail.
Zoom in on the map, click on them, and contact them for reservation.

Is camping in Camp Comet West safe?

Yes, no one is anywhere near you.
Middle of nowhere.

Any current info?

Primitive, filter your water, no facilities.

Bruce is correct. But I would like to add that there is a port-o-let at the Don Williams Trailhead, a quarter mile east of the camp. It was very clean when I was there a few years ago. Sure beats squatting in the woods for #2. The camp was well kept with two or three clear areas for tents. It also had a couple of grills and some log benches. It's back in the woods and very shady. Don't forget your favorite bug repellent.

First time on the trail . We began at the trail head at Heritage park and rode to Anderson Farm Road . I would like to know if anyone knows the mileage between the two points ?

That's a little over 6 miles, one-way.

First time on the trail . We began at the trail head at Heritage park and rode to Anderson Farm Road . I would like to know if anyone knows the mileage between the two points ?

This morning while I was riding bikes with a friends we came upon 4 stray puppies right at the start of the Chief Ladiga Trail right as you enter Alabama. We were not able to take the puppies because we were on bikes but if anyone knows a shelter or someone who would be willing to try and rescue these adorable pups it would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, my wife and I are looking for the most scenic 10 to 12 mile segment of the trail for a 20 to 25 mile R/T ride. I looked at parking at Germain Park Jacksonville and riding to Piedmont and back. I'm guessing its not the most scenic though? My wife is still rebuilding/recovering from a Tibia Plateau Fracture from 2019 and doesn't have max endurance back yet. Just want to be sure we pick the best segment for scenery, etc to make the trip from Memphis worth it.

A ride from Eubanks Welcome Center, Piedmont, AL to mile marker 7 is a great ride of about 14 miles with beautiful sights in the National Forest.

Suggested Ride from Martin Trail Head (West side of Cedartown, GA) to Alabama State line and back. This is 16 miles round trip, flat, and scenic.

This is no longer a Holiday Inn Express... it's an Econo Lodge...

All facilities are open at the Welcome Center including the outside restroom facilities. You will need a face covering if you go into the Center.

The trail (CLT) remains a rough ride in the Piedmont, Bordon Springs areas, from mile marker 1 to 23, ride with caution, a helmet, and sound equipment.

I going to be riding the trail from Piedmont to Smyrna On July 17 with a small group and returning the next day. I’m wondering where’s a safe location to park overnight In Piedmont

Have you visited this page.
https://www.piedmontcity.org/chief-ladiga-trail/
There's a phone number and two different emails listed ...one at the very top of the page and another at the bottom.

After talking with the Piedmont Welcome Center, I'm comfortable leaving my car there overnight. You need to get a parking permit from them first just as a record

Have a great ride!

There's a new sign at the Paulding Chamber exit off the Silver Comet that points to "Dallas Battlefield Trail." What's that? Do you have to ride on regular highways and roads to get there?

Good summary of what is / was being built

https://www.ajc.com/news/local/dallas-building-battlefield-trail-bridge/It5tGUmHFnpFtaJh3CaeXP/

Where is a car pick up spot on or around The Alabama State Line

The "Easom Hill Trailhead" is a parking lot about a mile east of the AL/GA state line. I recently rode the Chief Ladiga Trail from there to Anniston. I had my video camera running so you can relive the ride on your smart (or otherwise) trainer or just watch on Kinomap.com:

https://vsuq.adj.st/userName=tmilligan?adjust_t=e3qslbp&adjustdeeplink=com.kinomap.training%3A%2F%2F%3FuserName%3D?tmilligan&adjust_redirect=https://www.kinomap.com/en/u/tmilligan/videos

I was unable to find any kind of shuttle service that would take me from/to any trailhead on the CL/SC trail, so my spouse ran the sag wagon and dropped me off at Easom Hill and picked me up in Anniston, GA.

4-6 of us are planning a thru ride along the SC/CL Rail Trails. I've noticed there seems to be more questions than answers in the forum. Is anyone aware of a shuttle service? We're planning to park at Highland Station and bike westward. Do you need to register your vehicle for overnight stays/multiday stays at the shopping center? We'd actually like to shuttle from Smyrna to Anniston and bike back camping 2 nights.

This is a great website. I just wish there were more answers to trail user questions. I'll contact Southern Express Sag but they seem to be more of a sag wagon option. Thanks

For most people, if not for everyone, top-3 unanswered questions are:

i) can I/we park somewhere for 1-4 night(s)?
ii) can I/we camp somewhere along the trail?
iii) can I/we get a shuttle from either side?

And the reason these are unanswered, because nobody knows the answers.

Park at your own risk (and let us know the experience) or park in a paid parking facility and ask them to drop you on the trail. Or maybe just bike down the roads!

There are camping sites along the trail (think there was one near the state boundary, but I didn't explore that option as I was not interested). I doubt many bikers would carry heavy camping gears; hotels work better for some, particularly with hot waters, comfy beds, no set-ups required and low prices. Believe it or not, the ride is rigorous and you won't want more load or more work for that matter. Still, maybe you can carry your gear, try couple of campsites and post which one is the best for the benefit of others.

There is currently no known shuttle services. If there was one, it would be advertising all over the internet. Even Amtrak at Anniston won't allow your bike currently. Uber with bike rack was a failure and discontinued after the pilot run.

Best would be to have a friend or family member on either side of the trail. We still live in a society :)

Wish,
I appreciate your reply although it seemed to be rather snooty. I've used (and contributed) to the Allegheny Passage/ C&O forums for years. We enjoy traveling self contained and camping out. Miles and hills don't scare us. On longer rides we'll generally stay in a motel every 4-5 days for showers, ect. I know there are 2 campgrounds plus a 3rd campsite that has no water from what I've read. Since I'm coming appx. 8-9 hours from Va. I don't have family to ferry me. In regards to shuttle info, I thought someone on the site might have some "little known" info. This is my 1st ride on the SC/CL Trail so I was asking questions of other trail users to go along with what I've gathered.

Hey Rick, suggestions were not specific to your situation. I addressed it to 'most people', hoping it would end the confusion and egg people to contribute more. Enjoy your ride.

Wish summarizes the standing questions well.
Regarding camping I have found The Rock Campground, a few miles east of Rockmart to be a fine place. Have been there once each year the last 3 years. Here is the website:
https://therockrvpark.com/

Welcome Center will be closed today.

Can anyone give me an idea of trail conditions due to all the rain

Congratulations to Jacksonville, AL trail maintenance department, all ungulations have been leveled, much safer ride now. Would be great if Jacksonville could teach Piedmont and Cleburne county how to mill down the raised asphalt.

Welcome Center and Restrooms closed in Piedmont, AL, plan accordingly. Restrooms open at Train Station in Jacksonville, AL and at the end of the CLT in Anniston, AL

Welcome Center in Piedmont opened yesterday with bathroom and drinks. Outside restrooms not open. Coffee Shop open for coffee and sandwiches, also has a restroom. Mask required for access to Welcome Center.

We would like to ride the full 95 miles both ways in mid May. Are both trails open for riding? Are we allowed to leave our car at the shopping center in Smyrna or a trailhead for 2 nights? And, do you know if the campgrounds are open? I will call, but just curious. Thank you for any info you can provide!! We are looking forward to it!