Biking in Charleston, South Carolina

When one thinks of South Carolina, Charleston is often one of the first places that comes to mind. It is steeped in the history of the United States from before the American Revolution, to the Civil War, all the way up to modern day. It is a destination of visitors from all over the globe via land, air and sea. Yet once one is here the ideal way to experience the Charleston region is by riding a bike.

The area is suitable for every type of cyclist; weekend warrior road cyclist, hardcore mountain biker, urban transportation rider, and recreational poke about cyclist. The cycling infrastructure of the area is definitely becoming more noticeable and used. His is a brief introduction to just a few rides around the area for the visitor and the resident alike.

We will begin in the Wes Ashley area of Charleston. Beginning behind the building with the Starbucks in the South Windermere Shopping Center on Folly Rd. is the beginning of the West Ashley Greenway. The Greenway is a flat, mostly hard-packed dirt path corridor that parallels HWY. 17 south of the city through neighborhoods and into the salt marshes before reaching John's Island to turn around.

Another good point will begin on the other side of the peninsula of downtown Charleston and involving the Arther Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River to Mount Pleasant. Opening in July of 2005 the Cooper River Bridge is the longest cable stay span in America. There is a wide pedestrian/bike path along the entire span separated from traffic which is a fantastic way to see the sights from up high. While biking across one can see a vast panorama of downtown Charleston, Patriot Point and the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, and fort Sumter national Monument.

For the off road cyclist Charleston is probably the farthest thing from your mind. "Mountain" is not a word often associated with Charleston. Never fear, there is some good dirt trails that even the most dyed in the dirt mountain biker will be able to appreciate. A local favorite are the trails of Marrington Plantation. There is lots of rolling fast single track with roots and bumps for more the technical cyclists to play with.

Another trail that is one of my favorites is the Swamp Fox passage of the Palmetto Trail. The Palmetto Trail is a trail beginning on the coast, which traverses South Carolina up into the mountains. The Swamp Fox passage was officially named in 1968, making it the oldest designated part of the trail. This 42 mile trail crosses the Francis Marion National forest just north of Charleston. The trail accommodates some old elevated railways and swampy foot beds that are augmented with boardwalks and footbridges.

This article can only be a short introduction to the biking available in the Charleston area. I have only lived here for three years and have only scratched the surface of what Charleston has to offer.

Many of the information about the trails and local attractions can be found in the links at the end of the article.

www.sctrails.net/TRAILS/alltrails/railtrails/WestAshGreenway.html
http://www.dirtworld.com/trails/trail.asp?id=13254
http://www.sctrails.net/trails/MAPS/SCmap.html