Ride to the Alabama Border & back via Silver Comet: 50 miles roundtrip

***** NOT A BEGINNERS RIDE *****

- This is a 50 mile road ride so if you're not sure you can ride the entire distance, this is probably not the event for you -

- Must have completed a recent minimum 42 plus mile bike ride with hills to participate -

This event is dependent on state and local government direction and AOC Leadership direction. We will adhere to any social distancing directives that may be in place.

For new members and/or members without recent D4 bike riding related experience, please email the trip leaders explaining your recent long distance riding experience & history. You may be moved to the waiting list until we hear back from you and approve you for the ride.

Up front notice: This is a no-drop ride so no one will be left behind, but if you can't keep up with the group and/or follow the bike course direction markings, you may be asked to turn around - you're responsible for finding your way back to the start.  Road bike strongly recommended, unless you can keep up with the other cyclists on a hybrid bike. 

  We will cycle 50 miles round trip from the Rockmart trail head to one mile past the Georgia/Alabama State Line and back to where we started. We'll be riding at 10-15 mph and will get a little spread out. So be comfortable with that.  We will re-group and take breaks on the way out and on the way back at Cedartown Depot trail head and at the State Line.

Ride will start at 7:45 AM sharp so please arrive a few minutes early to check in and instructions. If you arrive late you will have to catch up with the group or drop from the event.

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:

For safety, helmet required to be worn during this event. No helmet, no ride. Bye, Bye.

Should it rain or look like rain, or other adverse weather conditions, this trip will be cancelled.

You are responsible for your bike maintenance or repairs on the trail.  You definitely want to carry a spare tube and C02 cartridge or bike pump in case you get a flat.

Wear light or bright colored clothing and working lights on both front and back of your bike for visibility.

You will definitely need to carry a spare tire tube in case you get a flat. You don't want to ride without one!

We strongly recommend a road bike although you can ride a hybrid, if you are a very strong cyclist and can keep up on the hills.

Carry your phone for emergencies, GPS, Uber ride, etc.

Carry a whistle for signaling - emergencies, flats, breakdowns, lost, etc..

Inspect & pump up your bike tires the night before the event, and not at the event.

If you're a Garmin user, please join our  'Atlanta Outdoor Club (AOC) Garmin Users' group to connect with other  AOC Garmin users and track your activity.  Join us at:   https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2255568< /span> 

Be courteous to other members on the waiting list - if you're not able to attend the event afterall, please don't wait to drop the day before or morning of the ride. Try to give as much notice as possible so other members can make their plans to attend the ride.

Itinerary is subject to change before and during the event.

You can also check www.silvercometga.com and click on Polk then click on Rockmart.

ADDRESS: 

GPS address:  https://goo.gl/maps/NzXTieayDxjVQNQC8

Rockmart Plaza Parking Lot (Corner ot Water street and between W. Church & E. Church Street)

Directions - Overview

• Rockmart trail access is in the city of Rockmart in Polk County, Georgia

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 27-28 on Hwy- 278 in Polk County
• Between mile marker 27-28, you'll find
  • A signal tower
  • Coot's Lake
  • 4-way intersection (Hwy-278, Coot's Lake Rd, and Old Atlanta Hwy)
• Turn towards the signal tower onto OLD ATLANTA HWY
  • East-bound side of Hwy-278
  • Old Atlanta Hwy turns into Piedmont Ave
• Go approximately 3.4 MILES on Old Atlanta Hwy/Piedmont Ave, and TURN LEFT ON ELM ST
  • Elm St is a 3-way red light
  • Across from Second Baptist Church, next to House of China
• Go 0.5 MILES on ELM ST
• Turn LEFT ON MARBLE ST, next to the Ace Hardware
  • You'll be in downtown Rockmart
  • The Silver Comet and Riverwalk Park are behind the parking lot located at:   Rockmart Plaza at the the corner ot Water Street and between W. Church & E. Church Street