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Old 11-14-2017, 09:32 AM
 
15 posts, read 13,749 times
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Hello all, I would like to know where to cycle in or around Birmingham? I have lived in Birmingham in the past and don't remember anything significant, but I didn't cycle back then either. I don't want to ride roads if possible because of safety and, let's be honest, cyclists don't belong on the roads. I am looking for about 10 - 20 miles of paved trail. Is Oak Mountain still considered the "best" place to ride?
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Old 11-14-2017, 09:47 AM
 
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Red Rock Ridge & Valley Trail System

Alabama Bicycle Coalition
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Old 11-14-2017, 10:01 AM
 
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Do you want hills or flat?

If you don't mind all flat, the Shades Creek Greenway in Homewood is about 2.5 miles one way so you could do a few roundtrip loops on that.

If you want more challenging terrain but want to stay off busy roads, Oak Mountain is probably your best bet.
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Old 11-14-2017, 01:41 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steveklein View Post
Do you want hills or flat?

If you don't mind all flat, the Shades Creek Greenway in Homewood is about 2.5 miles one way so you could do a few roundtrip loops on that.

If you want more challenging terrain but want to stay off busy roads, Oak Mountain is probably your best bet.
Don't really care if it's flat or hilly. I just mainly want somewhere to ride 10+ miles at least without being in the streets.

The 2.5 mile stretch mentioned above is not what I'm talking about. Im asking more about urban trails similar to Beltline in Atlanta, Boardwalk in Austin, or Katy Trail/White Rock trail in Dallas.
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Old 11-14-2017, 01:46 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonjon70458 View Post
Don't really care if it's flat or hilly. I just mainly want somewhere to ride 10+ miles at least without being in the streets.

The 2.5 mile stretch mentioned above is not what I'm talking about. Im asking more about urban trails similar to Beltline in Atlanta, Boardwalk in Austin, or Katy Trail/White Rock trail in Dallas.
Are you familiar with the Shades Creek Greenway? Other than being much longer, what exactly do those other trails provide that the SCG does not?
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Old 11-14-2017, 01:53 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steveklein View Post
Are you familiar with the Shades Creek Greenway? Other than being much longer, what exactly do those other trails provide that the SCG does not?
Primarily length and things to do on the trail. I am familiar with SCG and been on it many times. When cycling, 2.5 miles gets old very fast. It's been a solid 10 years since I've been though. I think I'm really looking for a really long Rotary Trail or something from RR Park. Somewhere interesting to ride with places to stop.
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Old 11-14-2017, 01:57 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonjon70458 View Post
Primarily length and things to do on the trail. I am familiar with SCG and been on it many times. When cycling, 2.5 miles gets old very fast. It's been a solid 10 years since I've been though. I think I'm really looking for a really long Rotary Trail or something from RR Park. Somewhere interesting to ride with places to stop.
I gotcha. I'm looking for the same type of thing, but unfortunately we don't have it here yet. There is a master plan to build out hundreds of miles of trails that connect throughout the area but it's decades away from being built out if we are being realistic.

The Shades Creek Greenway does have a couple more phases planned that could maybe get off the ground next year and lengthen it to 5+ miles. We shall see.
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Old 11-14-2017, 02:08 PM
 
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I've been hearing of plans to extend SCG since the early 2000's. I'm not sure where it would go unless they connect it with Jemmison Park which would be nice! It would be awesome if they could connect SCG somehow to Red Mountain Park and on to RR Park.

Do this before trying to build a dome
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Old 11-14-2017, 02:18 PM
 
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OP I know exactly what you are talking about. I go to Cheif Lidiga trail which starts in Weaver Alabama and goes up through Alabama and then back down into Atlanta. In Georgia it's called the Silver Comet. I usually go 15-20 miles one way and then back depending on how much energy I have. I get on at several points along the way. I've ridden the whole thing about 3 times over the past 3 years. Last 3 times was on the Georgia side.

Yes, it's @ 65 miles to get to Weaver and even further to get to other spots, but as an avid rider who likes riding long and flat with plenty of open areas and scenery, this is what I do about once every 4-6 weeks. And there are many more that do the same.

There is nothing even remotely comparable to this anywhere near B'ham proper. I've looked.
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Old 11-14-2017, 02:21 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Blazin65 View Post
OP I know exactly what you are talking about. I go to Cheif Lidiga trail which starts in Weaver Alabama and goes up through Alabama and then back down into Atlanta. In Georgia it's called the Silver Comet. I usually go 15-20 miles one way and then back depending on how much energy I have. I get on at several points along the way. I've ridden the whole thing about 3 times over the past 3 years. Last 3 times was on the Georgia side.

Yes, it's @ 65 miles to get to Weaver and even further to get to other spots, but as an avid rider who likes riding long and flat with plenty of open areas and scenery, this is what I do about once every 4-6 weeks. And there are many more that do the same.
Yes! I was just about to post about Chief Ladiga Trail. This is more what I'm looking for but would love something a bit more urban that's not so far from where people live.

What $ maintains the Chief Ladiga Trail ?
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