Tell me about Natchez Trace Parkway

[bpreynolds]

What the title says.  Never driven it before.  How does it compare to the Blue Ridge?  Deal's Gap Area?  Arkansas?  Is it more scenic than technical?  Are there more technical portions?

[radguzzi]

    

[StuCorpe]

A nice lazy scenic ride.

[Kiwi Dave]

I drove part of it in a cage last year.

We started in Natchez and were headed to Nashville, so it seemed to be a good idea.  But progress was slow, 55 mph speed limit I remember, and other cages going much slower than this.  If you like trees you'll get plenty, but I wouldn't call it a scenic route, i.e. not much else to see.

After about six hours worth, we opted out and went back on the highway.

[rider33]

I road it from Natchez to Tupelo (a whole lot of shakin goin on) a few years back.  Think gentle sweeps thru Spanish moss crusted trees, true old south, not technical stuff.  I found it beautiful but at the 45MPH speed limit it's not about going fast, it's about slowing down and smelling the magnolias.  I actually liked it more than the Blue Ridge actually but having ridden thru most of the mountain ranges out west I tend to be slightly jaded when it comes to vistas.  'Nice way to get north if you are not in a hurry.

[Texas Turnip]

The Trace is fine if ridden at a leisurely pace where you stop and do the walks on the nature trails and read the historical markers.

The Blue Ridge Parkwa is what it is and the Nachez Trace has its beauty. Try and ride it the end of Sept.

Enjoy,
Tex

[rodekyll]

I got bored with it.  I wanted to ride it for the historical context, but I started wandering off into the rural roads.  They proved to be very interesting, and more so the further into the little hollows I got. 

I spent a full day discovering that the road system there connects churches, not towns.  The named streets are the "Such and Such Christian Church Road".  The church roads might come and go in 4 directions from the church building, but the name is the same.  All I can figure is that they run in figure-8's with the church in the eternal center.

But the experience overall off the beaten Trace was enlightening.  I understand the region better from my observations.  Having spent half of my life in small town Alaska, seeing how the people live and getting a sense of their values was an eye opener.

[Chuck in Indiana]

What the Turnip farmer sez. Nice in it's own way, but not my cuppa tea. I have a need for speed..

[oldbike54]

 It follows an old Indian trading route if that matters to you .

 Dusty

[timonbik]

500 miles without a stop light or stop sign, no intersections or private driveways or commercial vehicles.  Great scenery and lots of history.   Nirvana with the exception of the low speed limit.

Tim

[Guzzistajohn]

I rode some of it on the way back from the world round trial @ Sequatchie, Tn. I enjoyed the hysterical markers, got off the beaten path on the Tiger some. It is a rather leisurely pace, but I'm cool with that.

[twowheeladdict]

I've ridden on the TN portions many times.  It is a historic road with a lot of history stops to read.  It is a road to be enjoyed at a casual pace.  Cruise control set.  Music playing.  Enjoying the ride without dealing with commercial vehicles. 

The bridge over the Tennessee River. 


I've started at the south end and rode north stopping at every historic marker and site of interest.

I've started at the north end and rode to Lorman, MS on the trace to enjoy the worlds best Fried Chicken.

[roadscum]

In a word..... boring!

Paul

[twowheeladdict]

There are a few overlooks and some indian mounds that are of interest.

Many make it a point to eat at Lovelace Cafe on the north end.

You do have to watch out for animals.

[twowheeladdict]

In a word..... boring!

Paul

For troglodytes, yes.

[MMRanch]

Last May I rode the length of it on my way to Kerrville Tx from middle Tn.   Speed limit 50 , but idling along at 55 worked nice .   
Before you go :

Down load the map of the Exits and plan your FUEL STOPS .
There are free camp grounds on both ends and in the middle (Three of them) (yes, Running water and flushing commodes).
On the Southern end plan on having "Bug Repellent" if ya do much stopping.

I went during the week and wasn't in a hurry .   Traffic was light .

If ya want Technical go ride Hwy 80 around Marion NC. ((Speed-limit 55, Curves mostly 40mph's)  = (fast as you want to go … legally))      But "STAY-IN-YOUR-LANE , no matter what ! "   

[Moto]

It's a completely artificial experience. No towns, nothing but a straight road, trees, and a sleep-inducing speed limit. Made me wish for billboards!

Moto

[Vagrant]

everybody should do it once. again if it's your cup of tea.
it will be the best gas mileage your bike will ever get!

[leafman60]

I've done it. Everybody is different but, for me, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a better bicycle road (400+ miles) than motorcycle.

It's pretty country, mostly flat with a few hills and the speed limit is not only LOW but there seem to be plenty of Park Rangers out patrolling it. I think when I did it, the limit was 45.  Now I understand it is 50 MPH.

A friend of mine from Tennessee rides it about once a year.  We got a laugh because he also has a little Guzzi V7 Racer.  He says  that almost every time he stops for a break, a Park Ranger politely comes by and gives him a heads-up warning about the speed limit.  That V7 Racer LOOKS like a racer bike to them so they think he is going to get into trouble with it.

If you do the road, check into the Lane Motor Museum in Tennessee -

https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh6uO8-nG3AIVw7rACh1OfwoIEAAYASAAEgLH1fD_BwE

.

[flower_king001]

I live about 30 miles east of the parkway and have ridden from time to time. For the most part it's boring due to the speed-limits which are enforced. The road is much better suit for Sunday drives with the family or bicycle.