Silver Comet Trail

[sgraham]

Has anyone ever rode the Silver Comet trail in Georgia and if so how was it?

[Julie13.1]

We ride the Silver Comet Trail on occassion. It gets VERY crowded on the weekends and can get frustrating with all of the stop and go business at intersections. But it is a nice trail with good scenery and if you can hit it during the week it isn't quite so crowded.

[sgraham]

Thanks for the suggestions...I will certainly keep that in mind!!!!:D

[sgraham]

Julie 13.1 where do you live? Do you live close by the trail?

[Pedal Wench]

The trail is a great resource. The first 8 miles can be congested on weekends, but beyond that, it's really quite nice. I wouldn't do it alone, but with some company, it's really nice. Very flat and very straight until you get past Rockmart. Then there are a few very short but steep climbs. Rest houses at miles 1, 4, 11, 20 and 37 (in Rockmart), and although it looks quite remote, there's a major road that basically parallels it for support - food/water/etc.

[tulip]

I'm guessing this is a troll. Trolling for women who ride on trails? Not cool.

My reasoning? Several innocuous messages, yes, all fine. No intro, etc. Sgraham, why don't you provide an intro in the Getting To Know You Thread and let me (at least) know you are legit. If I'm wrong, I fully accept that. I'm just cautious.

[sgraham]

Husband and i rode the Tammany Trace Trail about 3 weeks ago and we loved it...It is the first rails to trail that we have ever ridden..Being as I am from N.Louisiana and it is in S.Louisiana, it was great to see all the different scenery..It is 28 miles long and begins in Covington LA and go to Slidell LA..If anyone is interested it was great...Lot's of shade...

[Pedal Wench]

She's written a bit about her new bike, so I'm leaning towards legit - but considering the history of that trail, much better safe than sorry.

[sgraham]

So is the trail in Georgia dangerous or something??? That is why I am asking if anyone has ridden it and what their thoughts are..We are Christian people with very high standards and would not want to be put in a compromising situation!!

[Pedal Wench]

If you're riding with your husband, you'll be fine.

Sadly, a solo woman cyclist was murdered along the trail two years ago, in a quieter section of the trail. The man was captured almost immediately and the trial,I believe, is going on now. (Or else there was a recent hearing.)

And more recently, a few assaults on a sidetrail leading up to the main trail. In this case too, some of the kids were arrested.

It's so sad, since it's a gorgeous area and a great place to ride. As long as you're with your hubby or a friend and stay aware.

I used to ride out there all the time, hundreds of miles, and never had a problem.

[AnnieBikes]

My husband rode the whole thing, including the Chief Ladiga part (which goes into Alabama) in February. You can see the journal he wrote here. Granted he is a guy but I would have had no problem riding with him. Travel with someone and you will be fine.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/SilverCometChiefLadiga2009

He did not ever feel unsafe and he stealth camped a couple of nights.

[sgraham]

First of all I have God with me and second of all my husband and I would be together along with some friends...He is 6'1" and about 265 with no tolerance for stupidity so I would feel sure I would be safe....but thanks for the info... This trail just seems like fun as well as the one in Mississippi...Thanks for your honesty... We will be careful if and when we get to go....

[Grog]

A woman should never be afraid to ride alone.

I don't live in the area but I think about Jenny Ewing often, thanks to the t-shirt: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTE_003_0.html

[Running Mommy]

I was thinking the same thing Grog.

[Pedal Wench]

A woman should never be afraid to ride alone.

I don't live in the area but I think about Jenny Ewing often, thanks to the t-shirt: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTE_003_0.html

I think about her every single time I ride past her memorial by the side of the trail where it happened. No matter what workout I'm doing or who I'm with, I make sure I soft-pedal by and silently remember her.

[kacie tri-ing]

Me too...I rode by it yesterday...

[denny]

I've started to ride the comet at least once a week. I have been warned that it isn't safe to go past the 25 mile mark on the depot alone due to the potential of predators in areas which are not heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. I always have to resist the urge to ignore the warning, but passing Jennifer Ewings memorial always reminds me that no one should take their safety for granted. Sad fact of life. :(

Best time for cyclists on the weekend-early Saturday morning at around 8-9 before everyone and their dogs hit the first 3 miles of the trails. The presence of kids and walkers with head phones have caused a few nasty spills for riders but I love the change from the rolling hills of Stone Mtn where I'm exhausted after 40 miles. I'm looking forward to doing at least 70 miles this weekend.:D

[denny]

The trail is a great resource. The first 8 miles can be congested on weekends, but beyond that, it's really quite nice. I wouldn't do it alone, but with some company, it's really nice. Very flat and very straight until you get past Rockmart. Then there are a few very short but steep climbs. Rest houses at miles 1, 4, 11, 20 and 37 (in Rockmart), and although it looks quite remote, there's a major road that basically parallels it for support - food/water/etc.

Hey pedal, I haven't gone past the cemetry in Rockmart yet. Do you know how far it is to the Alabama state line from the City of Rockmart? Also, how long do you usually take to ride to Rockmart?

[Pedal Wench]

Hey pedal, I haven't gone past the cemetry in Rockmart yet. Do you know how far it is to the Alabama state line from the City of Rockmart? Also, how long do you usually take to ride to Rockmart?

It's probably about another 25 miles beyond Rockmart. The trail, in my opinion, starts to get interesting out there. For a while, it leaves the old trail bed, so it had some sharp turns and some pretty steep little hills. They just finished a five mile section between Rockmart and Cedartown that I haven't been on yet, but before and after was hilly and twisty, so I assume this is similar. I heard reports of a nasty hairpin on a steep section to be careful about. Beyond Cedartown, it becomes pancake flat and straight again to the state line - I've done that section a few times.

I need to check out that new section sometime soon too. Curiousity is killing me!

Edit: how long to ride out there? It depends on who I'm chasing - and where I start! On the comet, solo, I average around 15-16.5, depending on winds and how long I'm riding - slower if it's a longer ride.