Silver Comet Day Three

Saturday started rolling a bit earlier. Breakfast and coffee in the hotel were great. It was also great to change a flat in the room. With another week of riding we could really perfect a routine. Chief Ladiga trail east from Jacksonville is beautiful in the daylight.




Piedmont welcome center was open this time around. Water fountains, bathrooms, and bike racks for all. The inside of the house is clearly from a different time, well everything except the 7940 Cisco IP Phone.




There were many people from all backgrounds out on the trail. We saw a double amputee rolling down the trail enjoying life.




There are dated but well kept houses on the other side of trail. Waylon posited that some of them likely cost less to build than the price of some of the nicer bikes on the trail today. I'd say that's accurate and astounding.

Soon after we passed this section where mountain was cut out for the original tracks. This is just one of many rock faces.

The last 10 miles from AL to GA include some long slow elevation. It was easy but slowed our pace a bit. Today we stopped for the state line.

There are a few nice hills from the line to Cedartown.




There was an organized night ride leaving from the depot but unfortunately heading the opposite direction. Strong showing by trail rangers and GRITS.




Another great welcome to Cedartown. They put up a great effort but I'm sold on Rockmart.




Enroute to Rockmart we found the last foot of trail completed. This is in a particularly hilly section.

And eventually we found flatland again with nice pastures and horses.

A random bench in a cutaway with very peaceful stream view.



Props to Waylon for noticing the ornaments on fence posts: arc, then a house, and finally an outhouse.







Good sign doubles as jungle gym equipment. Maybe he needed to peddle up more hills today?

Coming into Rockmart with a beautiful sunset. The sky was ablaze with orange and blue. I think the neon jackets washed out the picture.




We finished up with delicious dinner at Frankie's. I highly recommend the tortellini with chicken and spinach. Frankie is quite a character. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a meal this much. Chitan set us up with a great room at Garden Inn & Suites.

We found a great way to level the playing field with a stretch cord between the bikes. The stronger rider pulls in the front, weaker rider contributes what they can. Stretch cord contracts to keep slack out of wheels. It's also a great way to tow a disabled bike.