Shuttling the Susan River

Having lived in Atlanta for eight years, I came to appreciate my first Rail Trail. The Silver Comet Trail runs for 61 miles from the suburbs of Atlanta all the way to the Alabama border, then becomes the Chief Ladiga Trail for another 30 miles. I rode this trail often when I lived in Atlanta, and learned to appreciate the history and conservation efforts of these old abandoned rail lines.

Some might say the trails are boring, as they are typically fairly straight and level, following land that was once cleared for the railway. However, as a huge fan of train travel, I enjoy fantasizing about what it was like rolling down these rails a hundred years ago.

I ran across an article a while back that listed the great “Rails to Trails” rides across the country, and noticed there was one along Highway 395 in Susanville, CA, right along my planned northern route. The “Bizz Johnson” trail is named after Harold T. “Bizz” Johnson, a former congressman who was instrumental in helping convert the 28 mile stretch of abandoned rail path into a recreational trail.IMG_0004 IMG_0006

These bushes along the trail were all in bloom...not sure what they are?

These bushes along the trail were all in bloom…not sure what they are?

And it was good timing for an overnight, just over a hundred miles from Carson City. So I stopped off at Camp Wally World in Susanville for the night, and then got up early the next morning to ride the trail.IMG_0027 IMG_0045

I have long said one of the disadvantages of being single comes in not being able to ride one way bike trails, kayak down a river, or hike point to point along longer trails like the Appalachian, because you don’t have a ride back. Unless there is shuttle service, there is no way to get back to the starting point where the car is parked. So we singles must always do an “out and back.” However, it was in the Susanville Walmart parking lot that night when I had an epiphany. I didn’t need another driver….I just needed another vehicle! One that could be towed! One just like the one parked behind me!IMG_0049 IMG_0011

So the next morning, I drove over and unhitched in the Susanville Railroad Depot and left my Winnie in the parking lot. I then drove the Tracker up the Susan River Canyon, 16 miles along Highway 36, and left the Tracker parked at the trail head. IMG_0019 IMG_0024 IMG_0034

I rode my bike along the scenic canyon, following the rail trail along the river through tunnels cut into the side of the canyon, over numerous bridges crossing the Susan River, and through fields of wild flowers…..all downhill! Then instead of having to ride back up hill, I loaded the bike into the Winnie, drove back up the canyon and picked the Tracker up on my way out of town.IMG_008 IMG_0015 IMG_0018

I have enjoyed the convenience of having a “toad” to break free from the mothership. But I like it even more now that I figured out I have my own shuttle service!

The Pioneer Cafe, "Home of Lassen Ale Works!"

The Pioneer Cafe, “Home of Lassen Ale Works!”

The Victory Lap!

The Victory Lap!

7 thoughts on “Shuttling the Susan River

  1. Yep, I had an “ah ha” moment a couple years ago just like that for shuttling my kayak. Only problem– I was still too chicken to paddle an unknown river by myself for fear of some raging rapid or unknown obstacle capsizing me. So, maybe bike shuttling on a “rail to trail” makes a whole lot more sense!

  2. What an awesome realization! That is one drawback of traveling in a 5th wheel or travel trailer…no built in shuttle. Good for you for taking advantage of this. Looks like a very pretty trail, with rewards!

  3. I love this idea and am adopting it immediately. ” I enjoy fantasizing about what it was like rolling down these rails a hundred years ago.”

    Before you mentioned that you discovered your own shuttle I was going to tell you that not being a single doesn’t help you any with that problem. Two folks in one rig have the same problem. We are always wishing we had a shuttle. Sure wish your solution would work for us in our 35′ but it isn’t as easy to take it to a parking lot and leave it. Full timing for two people in a smaller rig sounds a little too cozy to me. 🙂

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