Silver Comet Trail (Auburn, Anniston, Athens: relocate, gated, work)

[TakeAhike]

Hi--

I live in NE Atlanta--have been reading about the Silver Comet Trail--it originates in Smyrna/Rockmart I believe--completely across town from me.

I didn't get much response--none --in the Atlanta forum to my questions about the Silver Comet Trail--hoping that some of you in Alabama would share what you know about it.

I Googled and found their site>>>
http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomet/index.php (broken link)

It sounds so nice. I would like to 'Plan a Trip' --sounds strange--but Atlanta is now so big--that is what life has become. It's about 20 miles from my house to the start of trail--could be a 2 hour drive if something horrible happens on the interstate. But, I'm sure you know--why you are not moving to Atlanta.

Thanks in advance for any information/observations.

sls

[Bbluefish]

Not to scare you off....I'm sure it is lovely & as safe as anywhere can be these days, but the only thing I know about it (if it's the bike trail that goes from Georgia to Alabama) is a woman was murdered there, & it was a stranger murder!!

I'm sure regular cyclists of the path could be much more helpful as I am not from the area. I just remember the story back a few months ago on Nancy Grace....a woman who rode the path every morning or afternoon, suddenly one day didn't come home. Her body was foung the next morning a little ways off the path. Her children & husband were horrified... it was quite a gruesome scene if memory serves me correct.

They did solve the case & the culprit was captured if I remember correctly, so in that case, you really shouldn't have any concerns. I remember people on the show stating that half of the bike trail is more heavily patrolled & protected than the other half....there wasn't time or they didn't go into more detail or elaborate on that fact.

Hope this helps!!

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by Bbluefish

Not to scare you off....I'm sure it is lovely & as safe as anywhere can be these days, but the only thing I know about it (if it's the bike trail that goes from Georgia to Alabama) is a woman was murdered there, & it was a stranger murder!!

I'm sure regular cyclists of the path could be much more helpful as I am not from the area. I just remember the story back a few months ago on Nancy Grace....a woman who rode the path every morning or afternoon, suddenly one day didn't come home. Her body was foung the next morning a little ways off the path. Her children & husband were horrified... it was quite a gruesome scene if memory serves me correct.

They did solve the case & the culprit was captured if I remember correctly, so in that case, you really shouldn't have any concerns. I remember people on the show stating that half of the bike trail is more heavily patrolled & protected than the other half....there wasn't time or they didn't go into more detail or elaborate on that fact.

Hope this helps!!

Oh, yes--that was terrible--horrible.
First I had ever heard of the Silver Comet Trail.

Plenty of pervert/nuts around everywhere.

Surely by the summer--when people are out and about it would be safe to at least drive around--I guess there are roads for cars there?

Certainly sounds wonderful. Wishing my area could have something like that.

The cyclists--people who ride bicycles--not 'Bikes/motorcycles--could use a nice place to ride. I am 'Near Emory' and the cyclists go from there to Stone Mountain--harrowing ride among rude/irritable drivers.

We could have a Stone Mountain Trail---it could go up towards Athens and into SC---just dreaming. Cabin fever today--need to get some fresh air.

Thanks.
sls

[recycled]

You can find more info about bike riding on Silver Comet trail in the "Rails to Trails" website.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_P...ch/default.asp

I have not ridden on that route, but I have ridden on lots of other rail trails around the country. Two great ones are in southwest VA, the "Virginia Creeper" that starts in Abingdon, VA and the "New River" trail that starts near Galax, VA.

I lived in AL (near Auburn) for a couple of years in the 1990s. Riding on most paved roads in AL and GA was a bit scary and I did not feel very safe. I use a rear view mirror on my sunglasses and use reflective vest and blinkie safety light, but that didn't help. There are few roads in GA or AL with a paved shoulder that allows cars to pass by safely. I did most ofmy rides on rural "back roads" (gravel and red dirt) where there were very few cars, and rode a lot up around Talledega Nat'l forest (Mt. Cheaha area) in NE AL. Also did some road rides in North GA in Chattahochee Nat'l forest area. North GA has a variety of good riding but it takes some real good maps, GPS or compass, and a few ride books to find the nice routes.
Go pedal the Comet trail nd let us know about the ride.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by recycled

I lived in AL (near Auburn) for a couple of years in the 1990s. Riding on most paved roads in AL and GA was a bit scary and I did not feel very safe. I use a rear view mirror on my sunglasses and use reflective vest and blinkie safety light, but that didn't help. There are few roads in GA or AL with a paved shoulder that allows cars to pass by safely. .
Go pedal the Comet trail nd let us know about the ride.

Oh--I wish I could 'cycle'.

Out of shape and I know it takes some muscle to ride a bike. Hats off to all who ride bikes.

And yes--very scary to ride a bike on GA roads. Terrible, insane traffic here in metro Atlanta--I am not that bold.

I now think I 'Must' see the Silver Comet Trail--maybe walk along it a bit--I was really looking for a place to take my puppy. And started looking for parks/recreation areas anywhere in Atlanta.

How we need More of those and much fewer new subdivisions, shopping areas and asphalt. That is becoming a rather significant issue around here.

I do hold my elected officials Accountable for the way the area has developed. Lots of quibbling and quarreling and there will be some intense 'Debate' during this legislative session. Cities want to incorporate--counties don't want to 'let them go'---and we don't address issues that Need Attention.
The plan once was--Keep Green Space--and create sidewalks, bike lanes ---

Sometimes I want to live in a remote village.

Enjoy your rides. Maybe I can get in shape enough to ride around my neighborhood.

sls

[bruceg]

The SCT is fun. The TrilExpress website you referenced has good info, and points out some good short trips. If you're out on the western end, Coot's Lake to the Tunnel is fun (and short). Pumpkinvine Trestle is fun. The eastern end of the trail can get busy on weekends (when it warms up a bit more).

My youngest son and I did the whole trail in portions - 10-15 miles at a time. That was a few years ago. We pulled the tandem bike out and started riding around the neighborhood to get ready for new adventures!

To bring this back to the Alabama forums - the SCT connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail. We've done the SCT from Esom Hill over to the pavement east of Piedmont. That was fun - but won't be paved for a few more months.

So - hope on your bike, go for a few miles. Explore a little at a time. Don't forget to head over to Alabama and try the CLT. I'm looking forward to trying the Piedmont to Jacksonville segment next! I gotta lose a LOT of weight, but should be able to do it a little at a time over the course of a couple Saturdays.

There is an SCT and CLT forum. When you are at the TrailExpress website, click the forum button to the left, it will get you there.

[bruceg]

Wish I knew how to edit my previous post, sp I could clean up the typoes, lol.

When my sons and I rode the Silver Comet Trail to Chief Ladiga Trail section (some 8 miles of hard-packed dirt), my youngest son declared that he lLOVED Alabama, and wanted to move there immediately.

We stopped at the instersection of the CLT and the Pinhoti, and hiked a little on the Pinhoti. He dug up some real Alabama clay from an embankment along the way. Anyway - go! But also try riding your bike near your home - there are a lot of cyclists at Stone Mountain. The SCT is good. The CLT is great.

Old pictures are here. We've been back since I took these pics, and we'll be back again.
http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=cal...GID=830058&T=1

[Figment 07]

Thanks for the pictures. What river or creek is that, Bruce?

I've biked several miles of the SCT from the east end in Georgia, but it's all paved here -- as far along as I've been, anyway.

[bruceg]

That's Terrapin Creek. We went out that way in December, and the final unpaved bridge was being worked on. New ties, new corrugated steel, ready for concrete to be poured. It should be finished by now!

I've heard vague rumors of the trail being paved by March (beginning of, end of?) - so we'll head out that way again to check it out. We'll need to check out sandwich shops in Piedmont.

We're from Marietta - and have spent a little time on the eastern end of the trail, but we enjoy heading out to the western end when we can.

It's funny - the reason I checked out this forum is I thought it would be fun to retire somewhere along the bike trail - either on the Alabama side in the Piedmont, Jacksonville, Anniston, Weaver area - or the western part of GA. That might be hard to do. It took a lot of convincing to get my family to relocate to Georgia. They'd shoot me dead if I decided to head on over to NE Alabama (but I would be a happy man non-the-less).