Silver Comet - Rambo to Rockmart - 30 miles - lunch in Rockmart

 This is a thirty-one mile round trip bike ride that takes in many scenic features of the Silver Comet.  The Silver Comet is a paved rails-to-trail bike trail from Smyrna to the Alabama line.

Basically, we start at the Rambo Trailhead near Dallas, ride to Rockmart, have lunch at Frankie's Italian, and then ride back. 

The lunch will break up the ride a bit, so perhaps the thirty miles will not be so daunting to the less experienced cyclist.  We will go at a moderate pace of around 10-15 mph, so with lunch and breaks, expect to spend about five hours on the trail.

Here is our trip:

 Early on we will cross the Pumpkinvine Trestle, which is 750 feet long and 126 feet high.

 Then for the next eight miles, we pass thru Paulding Forest, which is basically a hilly pine woods.  The hills will not affect us however, since we will be on the old rail bed, with all its cuts and fills.

 Before we emerge from the forest, we go thru the 800 foot long Brushy Mountain Tunnel.  We may take a short break on the far side of the tunnel by the little pools.

 Then it's mostly open pasture till we get to Rockmart.  We will pass Coot's Lake on the way also.

 We will end up at Rockmart at the Riverwalk Park near downtown.  We will have lunch at Frankies Italian Restaurant there.  I will call ahead for reservations.  A two course lunch (salad comes with most) is about $15.00 with drink, tax and tip. 

http://www.frankies-rockmart.com/Lunch_Menu.php

Caution:  Do not gorge yourself on the buttered bread sticks which will be sitting in baskets on our table or you may not be able to finish your entree.

Once we have carb-loaded there, we ride back to Rambo the way we came.

• You can also check www.silvercometga.com and click on Paulding and then Rambo to see a map and directions
  
  

  Directions - Overview

  • Rambo Rd Trailhead is near the city of Dallas in Paulding County, Georgia
  • It's just west of the Hwy-278/Buchanan Hwy intersection
  • Hwy-278 is northwest of Atlanta, and runs east to west towards Alabama

  Directions

  • Note: Highway-278 mile markers start over in every county
  • Go to mile marker 8 on Hwy-278, in Paulding County
    (just west of the Hwy-278/Buchanan Hwy intersection)
  • Near mile marker 8, you'll find the intersection of Hwy-278 and Bonnie Lane/West memorial Drive
    • There is no red light at this intersection
    • Bonnie Lane is on the east-bound lane of Hwy-278; you'll see the sign for Rambo Nursery
    • West Memorial Drive is on the west-bound lane of Hwy-278
  • Turn on Bonnie Lane (east side of Hwy- 278)
  • Take the next left onto Tucker Road
  • Tucker Rd will dead-end (short distance) at The Rambo Rd Trailhead parking lot, The Silver Comet Trail, and Rambo Nursery

http://www.silvercometga.com/silver-comet-map/silver-comet-map.shtml