Natchez Trace

[f6john]

Anybody ridden it start to finish? I’m considering using it to travel to Hattiesburg getting off in Jackson Mississippi.  Definitely not the shortest route but I’m not particularly fond of the idea of superslabing the whole distance. I would be getting on at the northern end or start if you will just outside of Nashville. I understand that the speed limit is 50mph which could be a problem for my wrist.

Just considering my options. I’m trying to avoid I75 altogether if possible. Going around Knoxville and Chattanooga is not my cup of tea.

[f6gal]

Anybody ridden it start to finish? I’m considering using it to travel to Hattiesburg getting off in Jackson Mississippi.  Definitely not the shortest route but I’m not particularly fond of the idea of superslabing the whole distance. I would be getting on at the northern end or start if you will just outside of Nashville. I understand that the speed limit is 50mph which could be a problem for my wrist.

Just considering my options. I’m trying to avoid I75 altogether if possible. Going around Knoxville and Chattanooga is not my cup of tea.

I've ridden it.  It's a nice ride.  But speed limit is low and strictly enforced. 

[six2go #152]

Just set the cruise and relax. 

[..]

I'd do it if it was a first time. Otherwise   zzzzzzzzzz, deer, zzzzzzzzz, police, deer, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz police, zzzzzzzzzzzzz deer, deer etc

Take time to read the historical markers along the way and if there's roadside overlooks stop for a few seconds.

[rainman]

the wife and i did it start to finish. the only problem was we had to get off in Jackson and pick it back up on the other side of jackson rather than that it was a nice ride if you are not in a hurry back in in 2000 there was only one stop for gas so you need to watch your fuel pretty much stright up and down riding it was kind of boring for me.   

[Farside]

  I've been on it twice. Starting from Natchez both times and ending up in Nashville.
I enjoyed the ride other than running around 50-55 but doable. It was in 2016 then in 18 that we went. We didn't see much enforcement on the speed but they were present. We did like that fact that there were NO trucks or traffic. We made it to Vicksburg for the first night, then Tupelo the second night and Nashville the 3rd night. We did enjoy the Historical sites along the way. I really enjoyed the history of Vicksburg. It was a few miles off the Trace but worth it. The city was going thru a renovation and we had dinner in an old mill/bakery that had turned into a bar/restaurant that was neat. There were others too that we stopped for a drink just to say we went there. The prettiest part of the ride will be the part that you'll take headed south out of Nashville. Maybe the first 40-50 miles to me along that stretch is the best.
 Our trip was planned to do the Trace from Natchez to Nashville. No other connecting trip  like you'll do making your way to MS Maddness. I may see you there as I'm considering riding over for the day.  Enjoy as the temps will be nice.   Some of us on the 2nd ride up Natchez Trace!

[carolinarider09]

I have ridden the Natchez Trace from start to finish twice (if I remember correctly). 

Right about the speed limit but not really an issue for me.

Have to sort of plan ahead for gas and food stops but they are there. 

Road south from Nashville is, in my opinion, the best part.

Don't forget to visit Natchez Under the Hill (from the John Wayne Movie).  It's more built up now but still there.

Don't forget to stop in Tupelo for a visit to Elvis's home.

The times I rode there was not that much traffic.



The Old Trace



Elvis's Place

[f6john]

Well I’m running out of time to come up with a trip plan but this is looking favorable especially if the weather is agreeable.

[carolinarider09]

Oh... and if I remember correctly Deer are not the issue on the Trace, it's Turkeys.   Less mass but.....

[f6john]

I’ve had a little experience with turkeys, had one fly up and take out the windshield on a 3500 GMC van. Not a big problem for me but I don’t think the turkey survived. Could be different on a bike!

[carolinarider09]

One more thing, not sure if you are a fan but there is a Lynyrd Skynyrd memorial near Gillsburg, MS.  We were there on are return from the Fling last year.  Sort of remembered it on the way back and dropped in. 

Off the beaten path (the monument) but on a paved road.  Isolated area.  Always someone there watching over the place.   Near where their plane went down, October 20, 1977.

Maybe be a little off the way you are planning to return but.....

https://www.lynyrdskynyrdmonument.com

[f6john]

Sightseeing will probably be limited to what I can see from the saddle this trip but it will provide a good scouting opportunity for a return trip with the wife.

[bill-jr]

Check to see if its open all the way i had a heck of a time on it last year with construction closing big stretches that got me really out of the way.. .  Tupelo miss boyhood home of elvis . . .maybe to far outta your way ? 

[f6john]

Check to see if its open all the way i had a heck of a time on it last year with construction closing big stretches that got me really out of the way.. .  Tupelo miss boyhood home of elvis . . .maybe to far outta your way ? 

Probably just due to time constraints.

[Pete]

I used to do it every year just for fun.

Highly recommend it.

Use US27 to I40 to I840 for quick access to north ending and to avoid large cities.

Have fun.

email or call if you want more info.

[Big Rick]

Fazer and I are talking about hitting the Trace either on the way down to Spring fling or on the way back.
 We will be coming from Cincinnati and leaving on Thursday the 30th I think.

[Crazyhorse]

I have ridden it many times and enjoyed it each time. Hope you have a great ride John.

[f6john]

Fazer and I are talking about hitting the Trace either on the way down to Spring fling or on the way back.
 We will be coming from Cincinnati and leaving on Thursday the 30th I think.

I still don’t have a definite route in mind (think DDT) but I planning  to head out on Wednesday early (early for me) and role the whole way in one day gives me more time to recoup for the roll back home.

I have ridden it many times and enjoyed it each time. Hope you have a great ride John.

The weather report looks good so I’m expecting a great ride! 

[Big Rick]

it looks like we are riding the super slab to Chattanooga and stoping, then finish up to Hattiesburg on Friday....
riding the parkway north to Nashville on the return trip

[f6john]

it looks like we are riding the super slab to Chattanooga and stoping, then finish up to Hattiesburg on Friday....
riding the parkway north to Nashville on the return trip

I think last year my first day was ended in Gadsden Alabama. Of course I am starting out 1 1/2 to 2 hours further down the road than you are. I am going to only be on 75 a very short distance then get off at Mt Vernon exit head on over to The Cumberland Parkway and take it West to I65. The Cumberland is virtually traffic free compared to I75 so I expect to make good time there. It will be interesting to see if I can roll all the way to Hattiesburg in one day as I did coming back last year using your route. It was 10 hours of gas and go! See you there.