Emily-

Weekends are really crowded on the Tobacco Trail - weekdays (if you can go after work, etc) are much better. Earlier on the weekend is good too. There used to be a night ride that left from the Bicycle Chain that I'm trying to get re-started - the trail would basically be deserted except for a large group of cyclists. It was a large enough group that I wasn't too concerned about safety, and it was a no drop ride.

It's definitely a different kind of riding from out in Orange County - I like both, it just depends on my mood...

FYI on the issue of the trail stopping at 54 (I hope it's OK to post this here) - there's a petition to speed up the building of a bridge over 40. http://www.petitiononline.com/att2/ Would be nice! I've actually ridden from my house to the trail, down the trail and over to REI, but the getting over to REI part is a little on the dangerous side (in my estimation).