By OldTerry on October 16, 2009
My wife and I live approximately six miles from the SCT and ride there 8-10 times a month. Since one of our hobbies is to ride bike trails in as many different states as vacation time allows I thought I would share my perspective of the SCT in relation to the others.
Most trails have something unique that make them attractive. Wildlife, greenery, rural scenes and so forth are what attract me. In my opinion the SCT trail has all of these things to a degree that when combined elevate it to the position of being the best trail I have ridden (Root River Trail in MN is second). Also, it is a very clean trail and offers a degree of security (in Paulding CO) with regular patrols by Trail Marshalls.
An additional comment is that the SCT trail can now be ridden all the way from Smyrna GA to the AL state line without leaving the trail. Yes, the section between Rockmart and Cedartown.(and a hilly section it is) has been completed.
By mrdhia on April 05, 2009
My wife and I just rode the Silver Comet and Cheif Ladiga trail at Cedertown GA. It is beautiful. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Cetertown. Kay Wallace the manager was wonderful and very helpfull. She gives the riders of the trail a special rate. If starting the trail at the Ga line you want to get on hwy 278 west and go to the 1 mile marker towards Alabama. At the 1/2 mile marker there is a rode that turns to the left. A quarter of a mile from 278 on the right is a gravel parking space right side the trail. You can go east on the Silver Comet or to the west for the Chief Ladiga Trail. We went to Piedmont Alabama. At Center street take a right and about a mile are eating spots. It rained the next day so we were not able to ride the Silver Comet but We will be back to complete the ride of both trails. Well worth the time.
By iridetrails on September 16, 2008
The Silver Comet detour will officially open on September 27, 2008. I rode the trail on the new section in the first week of September. It is amazing. It wasn't center lined or finished in the grading on the edges. There were no workers present and a sign that advised riding at our own risk. We rode from Cedartown to mile 39 near the Nathan Dean Park and back the first day. It has quite a bit of grade. There are a few spots where I wondered how they got the concrete on the steep slopes. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Cedartown and were very happy with the lodging. Clean, quiet, and very friendly. The next day we rode to Alabama from Cedartown. The Cheif Ladiga Trail is great also. The folks a the Eubanks Visitor Center in Piedmont are really nice. Clean restrooms and great people. Make sure you stop and sign the guest register. The also have sag support and some repair stuff. The gazebo outside is a great place to have a break and eat lunch. We rode down to mile 20.5 and returned to Cedartown. I can't wait to ride it end to end. The combined total will be 95 miles.Add in the connector fron S. Cobb Rd and East West Connector and get another mile. I have ridden the whole thing from end to end but, it took me four days. I have ridden quite a few rail trails and this has some of the most varied and beautiful scenery. The first four miles near Mavel Road are the most used and can get quite crowded on a weekend.