Author Topic: guzzi in the south, part deaux......... (Read 12899 times)

Dave Bell · « **on:** August 17, 2015, 08:58:36 PM »

My goal is to ride the entire Natchez Trace Parkway, the same way I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of months ago. On Sunday Aug 23, I will depart Wills Point early for a loosely planned diagonal route across central east texas and Louisiana to Natchez, Ms., and stay there over night. The following day, Monday Aug 24, I will ride only from Natchez to Tupelo and spend the night there. Then, on Tuesday, to Nashville to see my war hero nephew and maybe eat BBQ if he wants. On Wednesday, I'll head for Memphis for two days at the Peabody, and some major sightseeing. I've seen Graceland twice, so will not be going there. I'm considering the Civil Rights Museum, Beale Steet (BB Kings?) :afro:Sun Records, and a couple of other museums like maybe underground railroad. The last day, I'll go to Hot Springs for a massage and a soak, then home.

Anybody got any ideas regarding cool things to see?

I'm so excited, I'm packed and the V7 is in the driveway pointing out........

Lannis · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2015, 09:05:46 PM »

Quote from: Dave Bell on August 17, 2015, 08:58:36 PM

My goal is to ride the entire Natchez Trace Parkway, the same way I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of months ago. On Sunday Aug 23, I will depart Wills Point early for a loosely planned diagonal route across central east texas and Louisiana to Natchez, Ms., and stay there over night. The following day, Monday Aug 24, I will ride only from Natchez to Tupelo and spend the night there. Then, on Tuesday, to Nashville to see my war hero nephew and maybe eat BBQ if he wants. On Wednesday, I'll head for Memphis for two days at the Peabody, and some major sightseeing. I've seen Graceland twice, so will not be going there. I'm considering the Civil Rights Museum, Beale Steet (BB Kings?) :afro:Sun Records, and a couple of other museums like maybe underground railroad. The last day, I'll go to Hot Springs for a massage and a soak, then home.

Anybody got any ideas regarding cool things to see?

I'm so excited, I'm packed and the V7 is in the driveway pointing out........

The things you've got planned, sights, rides, family, BBQ .... that would be a full week for me, I wouldn't NEED any other cool things to do.

Have a great ride!

Lannis

Hugh Straub · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2015, 09:54:02 PM »

The Trace is pretty, but 440 miles at 40 mph can try your patience.

Ride safe.

nunzio · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2015, 11:04:38 PM »

It was 50 MPH last time I was on it.
Actually it is as fast as going the freeway if you're going to northeast Al. from the south as there are no stop signs or lights(Maybe 1 or 2).

We take it whenever we go to Florence, Al. from Dallas,Tx

guzziknight · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2015, 04:23:22 AM »

We were in Memphis last year. Beale St was cool, especially at night. Do not miss Sun Records, lots of history there, you can feel it in the air. Also, take the Gibson Guitar factory tour. Very interesting! Have fun.

Texas Turnip · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2015, 04:52:28 AM »

The speed limit has never been 40 and I've been riding on the trace for over 40 years. Beaver and I rode it two years ago and never met one cop.

Take a tour of downtown Natchez. Stop at all of the historical sites. Take a side trip to Sturgis. WHAT! Yes there is a Sturgis , MS. Take a tour of Tupelo. You have the right idea in taking your time as there is a lot to see. Get gas in Natchez, Jackson and Tupelo as sometimes the gas stations are a ways off the trace.

Enjoy,
Texas Turnip

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2015, 05:51:41 AM »

Almost all of the Parkway has a posted speed limit of 50 m.p.h., but there are small sections that are posted lower.

Frequently Asked Questions - Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. ...

www.nps.gov/natr/faqs.htm

U.S. National Park Service

EldoMike · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2015, 06:47:28 AM »

Rendezvous Ribs....downtown since 1948...best dry rub ribs I ever had

leafman60 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2015, 06:53:46 AM »

Don't forget that car museum in Nashville. I posted it earlier.

Also, Rendezvous (close to Peabody) offers wet (saucy) ribs too.

Beale is great. BBKing' place should still be open as well as the rockin' dueling piano bar on the other end of the street.

leafman60 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2015, 06:54:58 AM »

Car museum in Nashville-

http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/

leafman60 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2015, 07:01:38 AM »

The civil rights museum at the Lorraine Motel where MLK was killed is impressive and exceeded my expectations. If you have an affinity for history, go see it. I was impressed that it was focused on showing a balanced historic perspective of the civil rights movement that did not simply skewer all whites.

There is (or was) a neat little authentic 50's era eatery across the street.

http://civilrightsmuseum.org/

old head · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2015, 07:11:04 AM »

Tupelo is the home of Elvis

they have his boyhood home, and a small museum on the same plot of ground, might be worth a visit.

Old Head

leafman60 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2015, 07:14:19 AM »

I have to laugh.

A good friend of mine here who owns a V7 Racer is from Tennessee. Every year he makes a relaxed trip up the Natchez Trace to his home in TN.

He has ridden the Racer twice and every time he tells me that the speed enforcement police have approached him while he was getting gas or stopped for lunch. Noticing the formidable appearance of the V7 Racer, they come over and warn him about exceeding the low speed limit and the consequences therewith. He thanks them and assures them that the little bike's "bite is no so bad as its bark." It looks like something it's not.

Dave Bell · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2015, 07:32:39 AM »

Quote from: Hugh Straub on August 17, 2015, 09:54:02 PM

The Trace is pretty, but 440 miles at 40 mph can try your patience.

Ride safe.

Thanks. I found on the Blue Ridge Parkway that I really don't mind riding around 50. I think that speed limit was 45. I only saw Rangers close to larger towns.

LowRyter · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2015, 09:45:24 AM »

I could never ride so slow. A friend did it and said it's really dark there at night, spooky. But I couldn't stand BRP either.

Don't forget Nashville Honky Tonk Row on Broadway.

Lannis · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2015, 11:09:04 AM »

Quote from: Dave Bell on August 18, 2015, 07:32:39 AM

Thanks. I found on the Blue Ridge Parkway that I really don't mind riding around 50. I think that speed limit was 45. I only saw Rangers close to larger towns.

Once you get into the sightseeing rhythm of it, the Natchez Trace and BRP speeds aren't bad at all. I put a couple hundred miles on the BRP the other day, and averaged about 53 MPH. The speed limit is 45, but I've been painted by quite a few ranger radars over the years and no ticket yet. A park ranger friend tells me that their goal is to not let the BRP turn into some "Dragon" Rickey-Racer road, with people pulling track bikes in to challenge the cops, so you'd probably be ok on the Trace too at 55 or so.

After a few hundred miles of that, 75 on the highway feels like insanely fast speed ...

Lannis

jknight611 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2015, 08:36:53 AM »

The "Trace" is the longest, skinniest national park in the country, 50 mph is plenty fast enough, any faster you will miss seeing the wildlife, turkeys, deer, fox, raccoons , all kinds of critters. Get the tour guide from the park service and enjoy our national treasure.

decotriumph · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2015, 09:23:40 AM »

I second the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville. It has the world's largest collection of Tatras outside the Czech Republic.

Not all policia on the Trace are visible. They have a reputation for unusual unmarked cars (Nissan pickups, VW Jettas, etc.). Have fun!

Lannis · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2015, 10:14:48 AM »

Quote from: decotriumph on August 19, 2015, 09:23:40 AM

I second the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville. It has the world's largest collection of Tatras outside the Czech Republic.

The latest Mad Max "war rig" truck is a Tatra. You look at how those are built, they are some REAL heavy-duty vehicles. I don't even think we make anything like it in the USA ....

Lannis

Grigio Motociclista · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2015, 07:42:43 PM »

If you're into it the Pyramid in Memphis is now a Bass Pro Shop.

drums4money · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2015, 09:12:45 PM »

The Perfect Pig - Just a little West of Nashville in White Bluff, TN.
It's a good thing there's no such comfort food to be found north of the Manson/Nixon line. Otherwise I'd weight eleventy-hundred pounds.
I miss that place a lot.

I had to limit my intake at The Pig to twice monthly. It's in the middle of nowhere, so people are only there for one tasty reason. Don't screw with touristy trappy holes like Loveless Cafe up at the head of the Trace. Take the country roads just a little west.

http://carlsperfectpig.com/

The Trace is nice through that part of Tennessee. If you're there Saturday/Sunday mornings, you can jump off the Trace & get some breakfast at Puckett's Grocery in Leiper's Fork. There was usually an interesting assortment of cars & bikes there on weekend mornings.

Dave Bell · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2015, 07:25:15 PM »

Made Natchez, 330 mile slog across Texas and Louisiana, on hwy 64 and 84. It got up to 96 but I never really got uncomfortable in my jacket with vents open and riding with helmet flipped up some. Natchez shuts down on Sunday, so I ended up in the rather bizarre predicament of eating tamales in Mississippi. They were good, however. Rode around some. Natchez is an interesting mix of history and rotting structures.

Tomorrow, I'm riding the first part of the trace to Tupelo. I was fighting sleep by 4:30, so I rode around some more, got gas and talked to some locals.

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #22 on:** August 23, 2015, 07:48:02 PM »

Quote from: Dave Bell on August 23, 2015, 07:25:15 PM

Made Natchez, 330 mile slog across Texas and Louisiana, on hwy 64 and 84. It got up to 96 but I never really got uncomfortable in my jacket with vents open and riding with helmet flipped up some. Natchez shuts down on Sunday, so I ended up in the rather bizarre predicament of eating tamales in Mississippi. They were good, however. Rode around some. Natchez is an interesting mix of history and rotting structures.

Tomorrow, I'm riding the first part of the trace to Tupelo. I was fighting sleep by 4:30, so I rode around some more, got gas and talked to some locals.

One of my favorite places near the Trace is the Ruins of Windsor, it is just a few miles off the Trace.

http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-mississippi/vicksburg-port-gibson-ms/188-windsor-ruins.html

Dave Bell · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2015, 06:45:18 PM »

Easy ride from Natchez to Tupelo. Most interesting stop was French Camp, where I talked to a 2011 grad of the school for troubled kids. She now has two years of on line college. Rode about 55-60 and did not see any Rangers. My brother reminded me that my great great grandfather landed in Natchez from England in time to be a Texas Ranger for Sam Houston. Ate good ribs at rib shack in Tupelo. Tomorrow more trace to the end in Nashville. 260 miles today.

Dave Bell · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:50:50 AM »

In enjoy staying in nice Hotels. I stayed in the Grand Hotel in Natchez. Natchez was sort of closed on Sunday. There is some good architecture there, but a lot of it is sort of deteriorated.

Dave Bell · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:53:58 AM »

In Tupelo, I did not care about seeing the Hardware Store where Elvis bought the first guitar, but I did eat some good ribs at the Ribshack. On the way, I had a bit of a time finding a place for breakfast. Didn't open until 9 because all the locals are retired and don't get up that early. The lady said "Glad yuh et with us".