Mississippi's Long Leaf Trace Bike Trail

by Larry Lagarde

Several months ago, I interviewed Herlon Pierce, the executive director and trail manager of the Long Leaf Trace (LLT). Along with several other outstanding rail trails & bikeways (such as the Chief Ladiga, Silver Comet and more), a trailhead for the LLT begins near a stop on the Crescent, (the Amtrak train that runs from New Orleans to New York City), making it possible to pedal a series of rail trails in one vacation - all via the Crescent.

With word that new construction would finally make the Chief Ladiga & Silver Comet into 1 seemless, paved, interstate bike trail, I was ready to book my travel on the Crescent and do some trail riding. Unfortunately, delays and detours (such as a new Georgia DOT bridge project over the Silver Comet) have pushed back to early in 2008 the ceremony and group ride marking the connection of the Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet trails. Rather than wait until then to do all the rides, I've decided to bike the Long Leaf Trace as soon as temperatures here in the Deep South become a little cooler.

Considering my upcoming ride on the Long Leaf Trace and participation this week at the TrailLink 2007 bike trail conference, I could think of no better time to share an account of the development of the LLT from the man that has shepherded the trail from early on - Herlon Pierce. The story will appear as a multi-part series with publication of the first segment tomorrow. I hope you enjoy it.

Longleaf Trace Bike Trail - A History by Herlon Pierce