Cheif Ladiga/Silver Comet

[clm42]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the Chief Ladiga trail in AL was connected to the Silver Comet in GA by pavement. I know the trails connect. It is one trail that switches names at the AL/GA border. The Rails to Trails site says that the Silver Comet is concrete and that the Chief Ladiga is pavement, but pictures of the trails on the same website have the border area as unpaved in anyway. I want to do ride the whole trail round trip, but I would be on a road bike.

[SherryOlson]

Chief is paved all the way now.  There is a section of Silver Comet that is not complete and you have to take a 6 mile road route around that section. You can do the entire Silver Comet/Chief Ladiga on Road Bike. See www.trailexpress.com for maps of the 2 trails and 6 mile detour around unfinished sectoin of Silver Comet.  Beautiful ride.  

[clm42]

Thanks! That site helps a lot. Since you seem to know the trails, do you know if there is anywhere to camp along them? Or at least super cheap motels or hostels? I really want to break it at the border into two parts. I was thinking that staying in Talladega National Forest would work. I just need something at either end.

[dweav256]

Hello,
As the previous member said, it is paved all the way from Anniston, AL to Smyrna, Ga. Also, I am opening up a room in Aug, 2009, as a Bed and Breakfast in Piedmont, Al. My site is www.chiefladigatrailbedandbreakfast.com . Check out the site for more information.

bye,
Don Weaver

[BikePacker]

Hello CLM,
Would encourage you to give Don Weaver's B & B (above post) a try, though it is about 10 miles west of the states' line in just south of Piedmont, AL.
Meanwhile, recognizing your main interest in camping... the only campsite of which I am aware is call The Rock ( www.TheRockRVPark.com ). The Rock is a few miles east of Rockmart, GA about 1/4 t 1/2 mile south of the SCT... you may encounter a couple hundred yards of hardpacked gravel getting to this rv/tent camp location.  I have never stayed there; however, the owner, Johnny, and I have spoken several times by phone and gives the impression of being accomodating.

[sedges]

Cedartown, GA is almost right at the midpoint of the two-trail ride.  It has several of the generic motels and many restaurants within an easy small town ride from the trail.  It would be the ideal place for someone to open a hostel/bike shop facility for trail travelers, but that has not happened yet.

This fall I plan to do a round trip ride from the Smyrna, Ga end.  Planning on four 50 mile days.  Staying in Cedartown twice and a motel near the Weaver end once.