Dear Readers, due to my computer's death, it is taking much longer to post my blogs of the rest of the Silver Comet Trail trip. Please be advised that I am feverishly working on this problem and have spent Saturday, part of Sunday and today at the county library trying in 30 minute intervals and moving from computer to computer to post this story. I'm happy to report that Day 2 is finished, and I am posting. Still can't post photos. Guess that will come later.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Day 2 started quite early with my having a breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits, coffee, and milk, a little after 6 AM at the hotel. Really I woke up early and just couldn't sleep. Had planned to get up around 8 PM. However due to getting up so early, I found myself still tired, so after researching the SCT on the computer for an hour or so, I returned to my room for a little more sleep. I woke after only an hour or so and started packing up for Day 2 ride. I left the hotel, retraced my path back to the trail by way of Watts Road to Copper Mine Road to left turn to get back on the Silver Comet. Once on the trail, I felt that familiar uncomfortable seat and slow going that had plagued me from Day 1. The trail (although appearing flat) required much peddling to move forward at any amount of speed, and coasting for more than 5 seconds was impossible.
As I was returning to the trail, I stopped by a sign that had the history of the Silver Comet Trail and took this time to read more carefully about the trail that I and so many other people had invested so much time into riding. The trail is named after the shiny, silver, passenger train which rumbled along this route from May 1947 to April 1969, carrying travelers between New York City and Birmingham Alabama. The Silver Comet Trail is built along this abandoned railroad right-of-way once owned by the Seaboard Airline Railroad and later by Seaboard Coast Line after a merger. According to the sign, in 1967, a ride on the Comet from Atlanta to Birmingham cost $5.06. The train consisted of two or three coaches, a couch tavern car, a dining car and several sleeping cars. All seats in the coaches were reserved and there was a porter assigned to each car. A Nurse/Stewardess was on board. The 23 hour trip from NYC to Birmingham was a luxurious travel experience. The sign also detailed the timetable for the Silver Comet, when it arrived and departed from each city and stated how the Silver Comet was the link to sophistication for many small southern towns for over twenty years. After reading and looking at the old pictures on the sign, I stood awhile and imaged how differently the trail would look with tracks and a sleek silver train running down it. I imagined how it must have felt and looked to have ridden on that train those many years ago, having dinner served on linen and china plates and later having my choice of drinks made by the bartender on board. I was deep in thought luxuriating in what a luxurious experience that ride would have been (compared to my current ride).
However, dreams stopped abruptly as I heard a fellow biker passing by and I realized I better get going if I was going to make Rockmart before dark. And on a darker note, on the back of the sign was a notice for a reward leading to information on the assault of Tina Waddell that occurred July 29, 2014. Her attack occurred nearby at the 19 mile marker and I later learned that the site of the Jennifer Ewing murder was at Mile 17, only a couple of miles from where I had just ridden. Now I realized why I'm seeing so many cameras along this section of trail. It was now around 12:30 or so and time to push forward quickly!
Back on the trail, I again zipped along at a snail's pace through beautiful fall colored woods and passing bikers. A member of my Team, my son Shea, sent me a text around 12:30, reminding me I was 2 miles from Dallas and I needed to get water at the next stop as there was no more water until Rockmart. My next stop was Tara Drummond Trailhead, mile 22.20, where I loaded up on water again and spent a little time talking to a fellow biker who had just ridden in from Smyrna, had ridden farther ahead to the Brushy Mountain Tunnel and was returning to Smyrna.We talked and discussed the sights and mileage ahead. Then I asked him how long it would take him to ride back to Smyrna and he said "about an hour". What can I say, it had taken me 3-4 hours yesterday with more to go today just to get to where he had already been and was returning from. Sheesh...what was that story about the tortoise and the hare? Feeling very totoisey about now...The Tara Drummond Trailhead was a nice stop with restrooms, water, picnic tables and a water fountain splashing noisily. It was a beautiful 72 degree sunny day and I had procrastinated long enough. Also about this time, 1:52 PM, I received a text from Shea, asking if I was still in Dallas. I answered that it was only 14 miles now and that I was gonna pick up the pace. His 2:12 PM response was that my pace today is too slow to make it to Rockmart before 6 PM, but in another text he said, "after the tunnel is downhill."
Realizing I had to move on, I noted the sign that pointed to downtown Dallas to the right, I crossed the bridge in front of me and started off on the 14+ miles which had no water and no restrooms ahead.This part too was slow going, with less and less cyclists in front and/or passing me. For awhile I rode behind a couple with bright orange shirts, who seemed to be at about my same pace. I followed behind for a few miles, but lost them as I stopped to make photos and sight see. Close by was another sign that pointed ahead to the Pumpkinvine Creek Trestle 0.8 miles, and Brushy Mountain Tunnel 8.6 miles. Behind was Powder Springs 12.7 miles and Hiram 7.5 miles (so I had made some progress). Seeing that the Pumpkinvine Creek Trestle was so close, renewed my determination to get going.
I arrived at the Trestle quickly and began making pictures. The Trestle sits high above the countryside above a small creek. As I watched, a cyclist stopped and began to make photos off the bridge. I thought I'd do the same and as I crossed I slowed and noticed insects buzzing around. On closer inspection (thank goodness I didn't lean on the wooden top of bridge where they were busily taking off and landing) I noticed that these were WASPS...flying and landing all around me. The problem with me and wasps is that I am very allergic to them and they know it. I stayed in the middle of the bridge as best I could and away from them. "Wasps," I called out to the other cyclist. "Excuse me," he said. "There are wasps flying all around here," I bemoaned. "Yeah," he said dispassionately, "I see them." With that he hopped on his bike and rode on... leaving me alone,..on a bridge... with swarms of wasps... did I mention that I am allergic to them? Anyway at some point, I braved my way over to the inset in the bridge where the cyclist had been making his photos, and the wasps allowed me to make a couple of shots before again taking over. I quickly got on my bike and rode on.
At sign 22.89 was mileage to Coots Lake 10.6, Rockmart 14.7, and Cedartown 28.4. I peddled again through woods, over bridges, through tunnels, but now not across streets. I rode through some type of preserve that had happy little bird houses all along it. Today as yesterday, squirrels crossed and recrossed in front of me daring me to hit them. Didn't see as many chipmunks today as I did yesterday. On and on the trail went until what breakfast I had eaten was expended and I was quickly running out of energy. It was at this point of low energy and shaky legs, that a set back occurred. I was sweating profusely and extremely hot so I decided to take yet another break and eat some apple slices and walnuts that I had brought and cool off. I had struggled to make it to this point and it seemed like a good time to rest.
All went well with only 1 or 2 cyclists passing me along this stretch. As I was about to start again, I looked down and realized that I didn't see my phone, I pawed around frantically looking on the ground around me. No phone. Yikes... Maybe because of the heat or threat of being without communication, yes... I PANICKED!! My mind raced back to my previous stop on a bench about 1 1/2 to 2 miles back. I did another check of the area and rode quickly back to that spot only to find no phone. This time however, I thought of taking a closer look into my backpack and sure enough...there was my lifeline...my contact with the outside world, my wonderful cell phone. Now I am really angry at myself for not taking the time to thoroughly check my backpack and having to make this extra 3-4 mile trip. I peddled furiously and quickly, albeit it painfully and made up the time, or at least I convinced myself I did. Hurrah...disaster averted.
Onward I pushed, through tunnels, under tall bridges and around curves still having to pedal consistently,with not enough speed or downgrade to coast. I once again traveled past the cleared area where power lines crossed the trail overhead and hummed noisily as I rode beneath them. Clear sunny azure blue skies were dotted by large, white, fluffy marshmallow clouds. Barren looking hills, of brown vegetation along the power lines stretched up a hill where they disappeared into the azure and cloud dotted sky.
On and on I pedaled...past a tall trestle with bridge behind it. On and on over the SCT, where the shoulders of the trail were becoming high and rocky on either side, with trees now growing on top of rocks and around them.
Navigational Support had said "After the tunnel is downhill", and I was ready for not peddling. Now faster and faster I coasted. I made note of the mile 31 marker as I rode past. I determined to ride more and photograph less, but had to stop and make a photo at the 31.28 mile marker before I rode across the Polk County Line to send to NS. "Eight miles downhill was the response." This was the second county line I had crossed since Smyrna. I paused again and made a photo of a sign that described and pictured Wildlife of the Silver Comet Trail. The pictures and descriptions were of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Belted kingfishers. I hadn't seen any of these birds along the trail, however from time to time I'm pretty sure I heard the rat tat tat drill of the woodpeckers.
As I peddled on to the 33.48 mile marker, I came to Coot's Lake and Coot's Lake Beach whose signs loudly proclaimed private property and no trespassing. There is a fee to go in this lake area. I sent a photo of the Lake sign to my team. At this point I was again at an intersection, where the SCT crossed and continued on the other side of a road. Lacking energy and needing a break, I decided to go a little ways up the road to the Citgo...ahhhhh...civilization...
At the Citgo, I resupplied. With my energy waning and a way to go before getting into Rockmart, I went into the store and started grabbing sustenance-a large 28 ounce Gatorade, a pack of cashews, and four packs of peanut butter malt crackers, with a Peter Paul mound bar and a pack of chocolate turtles thrown in for good measure...gotta have the chocolate. I quickly ate the two packs of crackers and cashews and drank the Gatorade as I sat on the bench in front of the store and cooled off. I would save the chocolate for later. I was feeling every bit of the now 78 degree temperature and was miserably hot, sweaty, and tired at this point. I also took this time to check in with my team. Shea, part of Navigational Support, gave more detailed directions to hotels in Rockmart. I also charged my almost dead phone on the outside electrical receptacle. Having finished with the basics, with renewed energy and determination, I rode through the Citgo parking lot and again set off on the SCT.
The trail again went through brightly colored stands of trees and with the afternoon sun shining on them, they practically glowed in its light. Beauty and more. I continued peddling under a large concrete bridge that housed a road on its top.
I check my phone where Shea, my navigational support has left the text "When in Rockmart, take a right on to Hutchins Mountain Rd then a right on Elm, then a left on Piedmont. Hotels are on either side of Ingles" I am now peddling through what must be Rockmart. One trail goes to the left through a park by a stream and another goes up a small hill to a road. Ah ha, I think,,,this must be it. When I read the sign, however it is S. Marble Road at mile marker 37.22.
Time to call Navigational Support. I call and am assured that this is the correct road, but is only going under an alias here; it later becomes Hutchins Mountain Road. So I now leave the familiar trail, turn to the right, peddle uphill, cross over a railroad track, and peddle down this alias road. Once in town, I find I'm on a one way street and I'm going the wrong way...hmmm...and about this time, a police car is passing me (going the correct way). I quickly move to the sidewalk, thinking this is the less of the two evils, and if need be I can outrun this cop (after all he has to turn around and come back). The police do not give chase as I make my way onto Elm Road and on up to Piedmont Road. Now I am really hot, tired, thirsty...and about to drop. I see a bench and take this opportunity to rest before continuing on up the traffic busy hill ahead. I cross the street and once I top the hill, I see the Ingles and its parking lot that I need to cut through. I have to peddle to get to the turn off, but part way through the parking lot, I can coast and I do. All the way through the parking lot and almost to the hotel, glorious coasting. The wind now has a chill in it as the sun is starting to set. I take a photo of the water tower that has the Rockmart name on it and continue to the hotel...Econo Lodge.
Once at the hotel, I hear the front desk person on the phone, but see no one. I call out and eventually he shows his face, still talking on the phone. "I'll be with you in a minute he calls." As minutes keep ticking away and I become more tired and hungry, my patience starts to wear away. I consider leaving, but no way I am going to try to find someplace and expend energy I don't have...don't think I could at this point. I take this time to use the restroom, look around the lobby, refill my water bottle, and acknowledge that there is a computer.
Fifteen or more minutes later, the clerk finally comes back and asks if he can help me. I manage to tell him that I have been riding on the Silver Comet Trail and I am very tired and need to get a room immediately. My first impression of this man is not good due to this initial long wait, but I suck it up and act pleasant.(Always trust first impressions! I again relearn later.) He checks me in at about 6 PM and He asks me if I would like to store my bike in a storage room with 2 other bikes from people who are also riding the trail or take it up the steps to my 2nd story room (no elevator). I thought about it and hesitated. Not sure I want to leave my bike, my only transportation. I had taken it, via elevator up and into the room with me at the hotel the night before and felt comfort in having it near. However, thoughts of lugging it up steps to my room seemed too awful so I acquiesced, albeit grudgingly to this separation and placed my bike and helmet in the storage room having been assured by this man that it would be fine.
Upon reaching my room, I immediately collapsed on one of the double beds and lay there for awhile...how long I don't know, but I knew I needed to call for delivery dinner, so I called the Pizza Hut. I was too exhausted to even think about going out. I resolved to take a hot bath and maybe go down to the computer later to write about this day. Eventually, I did go down and write some...later though after talking with my friend Faye to assure her I was alright and after texting my team these words -"K. I'm here. Thanks for the help. Am rethinking about tomorrow. I might be done. It's really strenuous today." To which Shea at Navigational Support replied, "Today was strenuous? Tomorrow is the hills though. Even harder." To which I wrote, "That's why I may be done. I need to see a break down of the rest of trail and where I can get off if I need to." He replies, "Half of it is along 278. After the hill its more off road but downhill. Its not much farther to Cedartown. You can take it slow uphill and finish." My last reply was, "Have to see how I feel in the AM. I'm too tired and sore to even think about it now." Thus ended Day 2.
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