Al Barnett from Childersburg, Alabama on 7/19/2015 6:02:07 AM:
My 13 year old son along with me and my 21 year old nephew just completed a three day 172 mile trip along the trail. Other than being extremely hot we had a blast. We parked in Jacksonville at the old train depot on Thursday morning. We were on mountain bikes which are not great for speed on the trail. We had lunch at a local place called Knuckle Heads in Rockmart. Good atmosphere and the food was good. The ride up to the Brushy Mountain tunnel was a gradual incline the entire way. We spent the night in the Sleep Inn and Suites in Hiram. Very easy access to the trail. Lots of good restaurants within an easy walk of the hotel. The next morning my 13 year old slept while me and my nephew rode on to Smyrna. This was a very easy 28 mile round trip. Back to the hotel for naps and dinner. We were back I. The trail at 6:30 am. Hiram to Rockmart was fast and easy. Of course Rockmart to Cedartown is no joke. The heat index got as high as 112. We had lunch in Piedmont at the Solid Rock Cafe. Excellent food. We got there about 2:30. 76 miles total and we got to Jacksonville about 4:39. Great trip, but I want to go in the fall to see the fall colors.