"Are You Experienced Macho Man?" (Silver Comet Trail: Hendrix Rd to Chief Ladiga Trl)

Are you dreading the same old Monday workout at the Y.M.C.A.?  Are you worried that your Memorial Day Weekend celebrations might leave you stuck in a Purple Haze?  Then come out and join us for a ride on a different section of the Silver Comet Trail!

We'll meet at the Don Williams Trailhead on Hendrix Road, ride through Cedartown, and then find a spot at the State Line Gateway Park near the Georgia/Alabama line for a picnic lunch.  There are picnic tables available at the park.  After an hour or so we'll head back.  About a mile into our ride (the Grady Trailhead) the terrain changes from the standard rolling easy grades (2% for the grading nerds, steep as a handicap parking space for the lay people) to much steeper grades.  Euphamistically referred to as "Surprise Hill", this section is bigger than it looks and will be harder on our return trip.  There's also a sharp curve that can be tricky to navigate depending upon your speed.  We plan to ride at a moderate pace of 10-12 miles per hour, though your speed may vary.

Along the journey we will pass a few cool places including:

• Camp Comet: A 500 acre park with 4 miles of nature trails and 5 tent campsites that include fire pits and cooking grills. The campsites are on a first come, first served basis, and did I mention that they're free?; and,
• The Cedartown Depot: A replica of an original Seaboard Airline Railway train station. Built in 2004, it houses a Silver Comet Museum (highlights include train memorabilia and the memoires of Cedartown's Sterling Holloway, the voice of Winnie the Pooh), has lockers, showers, concessions, and bathrooms.  It is open and staffed during business hours.

Because of the length and terrain, this is not a beginner ride. Mountain bikes are welcome on the trip, but you will be expected to keep up with the group.  If you are not sure that you will be able to maintain that pace over hilly terrain, we ask you to consider a different event.

Please be sure to check the condition of your bike prior to leaving for the event and perform any needed maintenance then.  You will be responsible for your own on trail bike maintenace, though your Trip Leaders and other riders may be willing to offer assistance or advice.  You will also be responsible for any maintenance resulting from any off trail experiences.  The latter we recommend that anyone not on a mountain bike seriously consider avoiding.

Helmets are required for this event and your Trip Leaders reserve the ability to remove you from the event if you don't bring and wear one or if your bike is not ready for a ride of this nature.

The Don Williams Trailhead is at mile marker 44.8 on the Silver Comet Trail.

From Atlanta:

Take I-75 North to Exit 260: Windy Hill Rd
Turn Left onto Windy Hill Rd SE     
Continue onto GA-360 W/Macland Rd     
Turn Left onto GA-92 S/Hwy 92 S     
Turn Right onto GA-6 W/US-278 W/Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy

Note: Highway 278 mile markers start over in every county

Turn Left onto Hendrix Road (Next to Vicotry Baptist Church)
Drive 0.4 miles and you'll pass over the railroad tracks
Don Williams Trailhead parking lot will be next to the tracks on the right.

Rain in the forecast will not necessarily mean the event is cancelled, but watch your Inboxes as your Trip Leaders will make a determination should one be necessary.