The Adventure Collective

Cross the Largest Cable-Stay Bridge in the U.S. (Downtown Charleston)

// August 17th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Charleston Biking

Forget the horse-drawn carriages: historic Charleston is best viewed by bicycle. Park at the Visitors’ Center on Meeting St., then head over to King St. and pedal north 1 mile to Huger St. Turn left, then turn right on Ashley Ave. Circumnavigate Hampton Park before turning into the Citadel, Charleston’s impressive military college. Exit the school on Hagood Ave., then turn right onto Fishburne St. Fishburne becomes Lockwood Ave., which will lead you all the way around the Charleston peninsula along the Battery with its views of the harbor and Fort Sumter. From there, continue along the water to East Bay St. As you head north, a bike lane appears on your right, which then leads up the Ravenel Bridge. From its apex, you’ll enjoy the best view of Charleston available and can survey the route you’ve just ridden through town. Cruise back down East Bay and take a right on Chapel St.(which becomes John St.) to finish back at the Visitors’ Center.
Directions from Charleston: This ride starts right downtown at the Visitors’ Center at 375 Meeting St.

Loop Through a Historic Sea Island (Wadmalaw Island)

// August 18th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Charleston Adventures Home, Charleston Biking

Just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston , the agrarian island of Wadmalaw still exists much as it has for a century. Liberia Rd. (SC 68) allows bicyclists to ride a 9.8 mile loop, or continue down Bears Bluff Rd. another 4.3 miles to White Point Landing and the confluence of the Wadmalaw and Edisto Rivers. Reward your efforts here with a visit to the Firefly Distillery’s tasting room (6775 Bears Bluff Rd.), where you can sample the original Sweet Tea Vodka and their authentic muscadine wines.

Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 S and quickly bear left after the Ashley River Bridge toward Folly Beach. Pass EarthFare on your right, cross another bridge, and take a right onto Maybank Hwy./SC 700. Continue across James Island, cross a bridge, then continue straight across Johns Island. Once on Wadmalaw, drive 2.5 miles and park at the intersection of Maybank and Bears Bluff Rd.

Marrington Plantation Mountain Bike Trail (Goose Creek)

// August 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Charleston Biking

Hardcore mountain bicyclists will forever rag on any trail 20 miles from the Carolina coast, but don’t be mistaken - Marrington is a legitimate ride. Although the 12-mile perimeter loop never drops or rises more than 20 feet at once, the countless v-ditch crossings, sharp curves, and opportunities for jumps and drop-offs keep the ride challenging (we earned ourselves a fat lip and busted knee underestimating one drop!) Several technical offshoots are scattered along the ride and additional cut-throughs lengthen the total ride opportunity to 17 miles. The trail skirts scenic Foster Creek, passes through grassy wetlands and swamp, and includes stretches through tall pine forests home to deer and bobcat.
Directions from Charleston: Take I-26 W to I-526 E. From I-526 E, take exit 19 onto Rhett Ave. northbound. Continue 5 miles and take a right on Red Bank Rd. (poorly labeled - it’s your first traffic light after a 2 mile stretch of trees on your right). Drive 2.9 miles through the Naval Weapons Station to the large green “Marrington Plantation” sign on your left. Turn in and parking is immediately on your right.

Marrington Plantation Trail Map: http://www.coastalcyclists.org/maps/marrington_trails.pdf

Ride Between Civil War Battlefields (James Island)

// August 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Charleston Biking

Not much remains of Fort Lamar on James Island, site of the Battle of Secessionville, save a few earthen mounds and a fine view across the salt marsh to Folly Beach. Begin at the fort on Fort Lamar Rd. and pedal back towards Folly Rd. Take a left on Old Military Rd. and follow it around to Folly Rd. Turn left toward the beach. If you desire, take a 6 mile out-and-back side trip by turning right at Sol Legare Rd., beside the Piggly Wiggly. The route borders the marsh for its entirety, passing through a historic Gullah community before opening up onto a boat landing and a vista across the Stono River. Back on Folly Rd,, continue over several bridges and creeks until you reach Center St. on Folly Beach. Take a left on Ashley Ave. and ride 4 miles to the island’s northern tip to gaze across the inlet at Morris Island.
Directions from Charleston: To reach Fort Lamar, take the James Island Expressway until it dead ends into Folly Rd. Turn left and drive 3.5 miles to Grimball Rd. Turn left and drive .5 miles to Old Military Rd. Fort Lamar Rd. will soon appear on your left - the fort is about half a mile on your left.

Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Francis Marion National Forest)

// August 17th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Charleston Biking

Revolutionary War General Francis Marion earned his “Swamp Fox” nickname by attacking British soldiers and then retreating into the wetlands and coastal pine forests of the Lowcountry. Mountain bikers can follow in his footsteps today, with the aid of raised railbeds and footbridges through the swampier segments of this 47-mile trail. With ten road crossings over the stretch, there are easy opportunities for shorter rides. Those seeking an overnight trip have five primitive campsites along the route to choose from. The Wadboo Swamp section at the trail’s western end can be saturated after rain, so inquire at the Hell Hole Outdoor Center in St. Stephen for conditions - they also offer guided hikes and paddle trips into the swamp and forest.

Directions from Charleston: Head north on Hwy 17 to the town of Awendaw to reach the trail’s eastern end (the segment begins on Hwy 17 at Steed Creek Rd.). To start at Wadboo Swamp and the west end, take exit 199B (Hwy 17A) off I-26 W to Moncks Corner. Pass through town and bear left on Hwy 52. Continue 3.6 miles to Canal Recreation Area.

Palmetto Trail Info & Maps: Palmetto Conservation Foundation : 803- 771-0870 / http://www.palmettoconservation.org/
Francis Marion National Forest Ranger Station, McClellanville: 843-887-3257 / http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/