Longleaf Trace parking

[bpitt]

USM is having their first home game tomorrow. Now, they've already started parking some tailgating folks over in the parking lot at the Longleaf Trace trailhead. Will there be parking available over there for someone who want's to ride the trace tomorrow? Or, is that whole parking lot set aside for tailgators?

[optimistik1]

http://www.scouttalk.ie/0images/smileys/shrug.gif

[SoMissTV]

The realistic answer is that it's probably set aside. You're better off going to the Jackson Rd station.

[Demetri]

Yeah, Jackson Station Road is your best bet. Not that far out of the way, and takes out all those dangerous road crossings you get between the USM trailhead and the Jackson road station.

[Guru]

I will be ready for the Long Leaf Trace very soon.

[bpitt]

The family and I hit Longleaf Trace yesterday evening. We brought the oldest's bike and the wife and I rented one at the trailhead. I got one with the kiddie toter seat on it and put the youngest in it.

The guy was nice at the trailhead and told us the bridge going over I-59 was closed because some idiot hauling a backhoe had hit it and the DOT wanted it closed till it could get inspected/repaired, whatever.

That meant we'd have to get on West 4th to cross I-59....NOT! I was not about to have the family peddling alongside cars that were going too dang fast for a 2 lane street. So, we rode from the trailhead to the closed bridge, and back, 3 times, thusly totaling 7.5 miles (the guy at the trailhead said it was 1 and 1/4 mile to the bridge).

It was fun, and there were a fair number of people on the trace.

My wife and kids now want to ride the Cades Cove loop in the Smokies when we go up next month. That's about a 12 mile loop. They close the road to cars on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, allowing only bikes and pedestrians. I told my family, however, that riding on the trace and riding in the Smokies are two different things. They said they still feel like they can do it, so it's on next month.

[Guru]

As soon as I catch up some of this at-home work I'm gonna be ready for this little venture. I may go to that Jackson station place to start if they don't have the repairs done by then. I need to get some saddle bags and ape-hangers handlebars, maybe some cruiser foot pegs. Wonder if I need a windshield?