CHIEF LADIGA: PIEDMONT AL to GA STATE LINE
Today’s ride features the Chief Ladiga Trail, one of the most popular “Rails to Trails” paths in the nation. Chief Ladiga, like many of the trails that are converted from former railroad beds, is paved, very level, and is an easy trail for the beginner Ebiker. While lengthy ( today’s portion of Chief Ladiga is about 15 miles one way), there are many shady spots to pull over, have a snack and some water. If you have a cooler backpack that will hold a blanket, consider pulling over on a wider green space and enjoy a picnic!
Ladiga is located in the central/northeast portion of Alabama, about 90 minutes from Birmingham. While it begins around Anniston AL and runs to Georgia, the entire trail is 33 miles and at the Georgia state line, becomes the Silver Comet Trail. Beginning at Piedmont is a nice way to tell friends you rode through two States, but instead of a full 66 miles, this version is a more doable 30 miles.
Piedmont, a quaint, small town, has an ideal starting point – the Eubanks Welcome Center. Parking is free and there are clean restrooms on the grounds. The paved path is just beyond the Center entrance, and is well marked. Soon the trail exits the town, and around mile marker 3, there is the beginnings of Dugger Mountain to the right, one of the higher mountains of the region
Soon the ride transitions from open fields to long stretches of shade and bridges crossing small streams that feed the Coosa River. At one of these lovely wooden bridges is a post about the Red Eye Bass.
This bass is unique to the area, and while peddling by, some fish (maybe a bass), can be seen as
the water is very clear. As seen on the
sign, Alabama has ongoing conservation efforts for the bass and the
surrounding area.
The endpoint of this portion of the trail is the state line with accompanying signs. Make sure to take a picture from both states, to support your bragging rights about peddling through two states.
Once back in Piedmont, stop by the Dugger Mountain Fudge and Coffee Company. Lots of calories have been burned, so a piece of fudge is a well deserved treat! One favorite snack is the Turtle, full of pecans and creamy caramel.
SO, for the EATING portion of Eating and Ebiking, as inspired by the streams and Red Eye Bass, see the savory fish recipe below. It works for any mild, fleshy fish, from bass to salmon. Its very easy, too. As an ode to the Red Eye Bass, key to the recipe is Smoked Paprika.
2 8 oz. fish filets ( sea bass, salmon, tilapia, cod will work)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika- ( I like the Spice Island brand for this, its really good!)
Mikes Hot Honey ( optional) Lemon Juice ( optional)
Tear off aluminum foil to make “ pockets” for each piece of fish
Spray the foil with Olive Oil Cooking Spray, set aside. Pat each piece of fish dry with a paper towel, then with skin side down ( if there is a skin side), place fillet in center of foil. Pour about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil on the fish, and gently rub all flesh sides with the oil. Here, you can go ahead and raise the sides of foil to make a rectangular “box” around the fillet.
Next, after hands are washed, use a clean fork to “stab” the fillets ( gently), so as to assist the seasonings to penetrate the fish flesh. Then, generously cover all flesh sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. “Eyeball” the seasonings; no measurements are needed. Just remember to season bit heavier than normal, especially if the filet is thick.
Finally, CONSIDER one or BOTH: Drizzle the filet with Mikes Hot Honey, and or, pour about 1 tablespoon lemon juice over the fish. Both can be done as the products work well together!
Finish pulling the sides of the foil together, and crimp the sides so the fish is sealed in a type of a pocket. Please foil packs on a pizza pan and place in a preset 350 degree oven. The fish will bake about 20-25 minutes, and is done at 145 degrees F, measuring at the fillets most thick portion. It is worth it to have an oven thermometer with a long cord attached to the probe.
Bobs Red Mill Polenta, supplemented with butter and green onions, goes well with the fish. Add some steamed broccoli, and the meal is complete. Please add any comments if you try this SIMPLE recipe.
ENJOY THE RIDE AND ENJOY THE FISH!
