Adventure Travel blog — Silver Comet & Chief Ladiga Trails

Once the longest paved trail in the country (now pushed to second), the 94-mile former rail line spanning two states was the site of my recent bike trip. I had biked a 20 mile or so portion of the Chief Ladiga Trail located in central eastern Alabama over a decade ago with a friend, and it had stayed on my radar ever since. Over the years I came to learn that the Chief Ladiga Trail which starts in Anniston joins the Silver Comet Trail at the Georgia state line and continues on to Smyrna just outside Atlanta. So of course it made it to my list of trails to do. Given that it’s paved and flat because it was a rail line I knew it would be perfect to bike.

Once the temperatures dropped out of the 90s I wanted to hit the trail, but I had to wait for an opening with my schedule and with the rainy weather. Gratefully my dad was able to take two days to drive me down and be nearby in case my bike broke down. And in usual Sara fashion I went from no physical activity in over a month to jumping on my road bike with near bare tires for a two-day 94-mile bike ride.

Every time I think about doing a bike trip I have such grandiose ideas. I imagine I’ll go at least 15 miles an hour and it will be glorious. But once on the bike I am quickly reminded that I am somewhat dysfunctional on a bike and just not able to go fast (for some reason) and I soon start dealing with pain in my butt from sitting on the bike seat but more so this time with neck and shoulder pain from the body position of riding a road bike. I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or that I’m just jumping in too fast without training, but the pain keeps me from entirely enjoying the trip and from being able to go super far.

I was dropped off in Smyrna and hit the trail along with other bikers and runners using the trail. Once away from the suburbs there were less and less people and I had the trail to myself. Given that it was during the week and was cooler in the 60s helped. The path was still wet with lots of fallen leaves covering the trail from the previous days storms. I was impressed with the infrastructure and signage and was able to stop every 10 miles to take a break in nice parks along the way.

***Camp Comet- a free, primitive camping site just for riders of the trail***

I made it to Camp Comet after 45 miles. My dad was there waiting with my camping gear and I went off to set up camp while he went to a hotel nearby. I could have carried my gear on the bike but since he was staying nearby I figured I might as well forgo that extra weight. Plus I don’t have panniers so actually putting the gear on the bike would have been tricky.

After a night of little sleep I grudgingly left the warmth of my sleeping bag and packed up camp. Dad met me in the morning to take my gear and I hit the trail around 9 when it was hovering just below 40 degrees. I ended up wearing 5 layers and socks over my hands because I hadn’t brought gloves.

The ibuprofen I took helped with my neck pain and after a couple hours I made it to the Alabama line and officially onto the Chief Ladiga Trail. I noticed that the trail was much more bumpy from tree roots pushing up the pavement which made the ride a bit more jarring. I continued to take breaks every 10 miles or so and before I knew it I was in Jacksonville passing through JSU campus, which I had remembered from my ride years ago. I had been confused on the mileage and thought I had much more to do so imagine my surprise when I rode under the Welcome to Anniston arch and arrived at the end of the trail at 2:30.

It ended up being a great little trip and I highly recommend it. It makes me proud to know that a trail like that goes through my home state and is not too far away. It was really beautiful and I think it would be a great look into Southern life for those coming from afar. I also think it was the perfect time to ride as it wasn’t busy, the temperatures were nice and cool, and the leaves changing and falling provided beautiful scenery to remind me why I love spending time outdoors. I look forward to riding the trail again in the future as they have plans to extend the trails closer into Atlanta on the Georgia side and closer to Anniston on the Alabama side. That way folks can ride one-way and then take amtrak back.