Six days on the natchez trace parkway, by paul nace. A guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes. National park service designates the entire parkway as a bike route. The natchez trace parkway bicycle route spans 444 miles between natchez, mississippi and nashville, tennessee.
Ive ridden the natchez trace in mississippi, the great river road from st. Numerous signs instruct cars to share the road with bicycles. Lynne bachleda is an excellent resource both for planning and enjoying your trip. However, there are no shoulders or designated bike lanes. A local rider, scott, was leading the aca natchez trace tour in the april of 2018. The natchez trace has been designated as one of the top 10 u. Jan 21, 2016 bicycle tour of the natchez trace day 1.
The entrance to the trace is on the eastern side of natchez. Lynnette weve lived in the nashville area since 2001 and all 3 of our houses have been situated relatively close to the natchez trace parkway. Others may want to enjoy the comfort and charm of a bed and breakfast at night and then, of course, the delicious homecooked breakfast the following morning. Tips for biking the natchez trace parkway the natchez trace. Special use permits bicycles natchez trace parkway u. In 2003 eric, dave, and i decided to ride part of the natchez trace trail. Applications may be faxed to 662 6804034 or mailed to chief rangers. Bicycling the natchez trace a guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner this is the guide that you need for biking the trace. When planning your natchez trace trip, having brochures on hand will help guide and enhance your journey that much more. A guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner 2005, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Our natchez trace tour offers the best of the antebellum south traditional hospitality, early american history, and distinctive architecture. See more ideas about natchez trace, bicycle and bike. This national scenic byway is perfectly suited for cycling and one of the finest twowheel experiences you will ever encounter.
Ten things you need to know about bicycling the parkway. Our bicycle tour starts in the historic town of natchez mississippi which houses several historical landmarks and also the souther terminus of the natchez trace parkway. Driving might be a popular way to enjoy the natchez trace parkway, but biking is the best. The natchez trace is an historic forest trail roughly 444 miles 710 km from natchez, mississippi to nashville, tennessee. It was actually first formed by prehistoric animals following the dry ground of the trace to the distant grazing grounds in what is now middle tennessee. Cars are tolerated there but arent the primary user there. Top 10 reasons to bicycle the natchez trace parkway. Picture yourself bicycling along this magnificent route, with only nature to surround you and soothe your spirits. Cycle along this recreational byway while soaking in all the natural beauty and wildlife it has to offer. Natchez trace bike tour lizard head cycling guides. Natchez to rocky springs this is just a little video highlighting points on our bike trip june 20 27 2015.
In fact, the whole route was designated as a bike route. Mar, 2017 last may, two friends and i spent a week bicycling the entirety of the 444mile natchez trace parkway from nashville, tn to natchez, ms. A bicycle guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearhy scenic routes by glen wanner a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. In 1918 the precursor to the natchez trace association was created with the rallying cry of pave the trace. Man charged after cyclist hit along natchez trace parkway. Natchez trace bike tour classic adventures bicycling. Natchez trace cycling works with the national park service and adventure cycling association to study and improve safety conditions on the parkway. Because the central feature of the natchez trace parkway is a 444mile, tristate motor road. Bicycling the natchez trace parkway mississippi, alabama. The north end has a lot more hills than the south, but none of them are very hard.
Tour diaries, equipment lists, 36 days, first tour. Follow in ancient footsteps as you travel by bicycle along the natchez trace parkway from natchez, ms to nashville, tn with lizard head cycling guides. Apr 27, 2018 i was pondering which tour to take when a message appeared on one of my many bikerelated lists. Because the central feature of the natchez trace parkway is a 444mile, tristate motor road, maps are an important tool to make your visit more enjoyable. Bicycling the natchez trace wandering through time and place. Youll get a pretty good grasp of what you can expect while bicycling on the natchez trace parkway. A bicycle guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearhy scenic routes by glen wanner 1997, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Touring the natchez trace by bicycle day 1 youtube. In april of 2010 jerry and several of his cycling friends biked the trace follow this link to view pictures of their trip. And, a bonus, another local rider, ken, also saw the post and signed up, so i and my bicycle and camping gear could get a ride down to nashville with him. I planned to take ten days to go each way, with nine riding days averaging just under 50 miles80 kilometers each and one slackrest day. This book provides a detailed description of the trace and offers valuable helpful hints for bicycling the trace. Natchez trace bicycle tour cycle of life adventures. Special note book arriving flight to nashville, tn and returning flights from jackson, ms.
Natchez trace bicycle tour cycling the natchez trace. Glen wanners book, bicycling the natchez trace was an extremely valuable resource for this trip. And want to pack this book and take it with you when you ride. The natchez trace compelling history and scenic cycling merge seamlessly on this laidback reel through the natchez trace trail. See more cycling the natchez trace photos click here. Bicycling the natchez trace days 12 bikesbytesbites.
Bicycling the natchez trace parkway the natchez trace parkway bicycle route spans 444 miles between natchez, mississippi and nashville, tennessee. Youll delve into the old south and antebellum past as you tour storied civil war battlefields with a local historian and set your own pace on a pilgrimage through historic homes and gardens. Bicycling the natchez trace by glen wanner, hardcover. Jerry dusterhoff, an avid cyclist who has written books and blog articles about his numerous bicycle trips, was more than willing to offer his expertise on this topic. The natchez parkway stretches 450 miles from the hills of nashville, tennessee, to the rich farmland natchez, mississippi. Six days on the natchez trace parkway my first real bike tour and a great learning experience 480 miles 772 km over 7 days from april 18, 2003 to april 24, 2003. Having traveled widely in all 50 states and many countries, and having read countless guidebooks, i can say that this one is definitely better than most. Louis, the katy trail in missouri, the george mickelson trail in south dakota, around lake champlain, through north dakotas theodore roosevelt national park, south dakotas badlands national park, through the netherlands, and to many more interesting.
It was actually first formed by prehistoric animals following the dry ground of the trace to. Bicycling the natchez trace preface bikesbytesbites. Want to get your children excited about taking a trip on the natchez trace. Most cyclists dont need any convincing to want to bike the natchez trace.
The roads are in fabulous condition and only the northern end has any hills to speak of. The distances are modest and although there are a few days where the mileage may seem overwhelming, the support van is always there to provide a lift. Cyclists are by law allowed to take the whole lane. There are no traffic lights or billboards its beautiful. For questions, contact the chief rangers office monday thru friday 8 am4. Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true.
Although the scenery was pretty steady lush and beautiful, the weather was a mixed bag of sunny hot days, and warm. Cycling the natchez trace part 1 jennifer and zachs adventures. This historic, 444mile scenic parkway links natchez with nashville and crosses some of the most beautiful terrain in the states of mississippi. The natchez trace was a path of least resistance back to nashville after floating barges down to natchez from the north. They would ride a 500 mile route up the natchez trace from natchez to nashville. Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true, and why we do it four times a year. There are no services markets, campgrounds, motels visible along the trace although there are many nearby.
Natchez actually vidalia to rocky springs campground 55 miles the group started the day by crossing the mississippi river and following the mississippi river trail through natchez. Special use permit requests must be submitted ten business days prior to the event. In glen wanners book, bicycling the natchez trace youll find the best locations along the trace for food, water and lodging, plus lots of practical advice to make your bike ride even more enjoyable. The astounding scenery, the winding road, a relatively low speed limit and few cars all make the trace prime riding locale. Magnolia trees and mossdraped oaks add a charming flavor to quiet country roads. The goal is to make a visit to the park a safe and enjoyable experience for motorists, cyclists, hikers, and every other visitor. According to a sign posted there by the national park service, old trace is a wilderness road that originated from a series of trails used by the southeastern indian tribes. We rode our gravel bikes and camped along the way considering it was a shake out ride for longer off road adventures to come. Enjoy true southern hospitality from the people of mississippi on this natchez trace bike tour. Casual riders and intense trainers alike take to the road when the weather is good and even when it is not. At home, she uses the tablet as an ebook reader, having finally given up mostly reading paperbased books, but this is the first trip shes tried. Without his book, a huge amount of time and energy would have been wasted trying to find out where the services along the route are.
This started out to be a cycling trip becky was going to take with a friend. What do you need to take on a natchez trace parkway biking. March 30april 8as usual, our little vacation became kind of epic. The national park service has designated the entire 444 miles as a bicycle route, where bicyclists can relax and enjoy an exceptionally scenic roadway, unspoiled by commercial signage or development, and offering up gorgeous vistas at every turn. A planned roundtrip selfsupported ride down and back up the natchez trace parkway on a 2016 surly disc trucker with a rohloff hub.
Youll visit historic sites, enjoy scenic backroad riding, and get a taste of the deep south. Mar 28, 2019 the natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america. When it comes to cycling, the natchez trace parkway is your ticket to ride. The interaction with traffic along the trace is the best you can ever hope for and the country you ride through is beautiful and fascinating.
Tips for biking the natchez trace parkway the natchez. All bicyclists agree, pedaling out to cycle the scenic natchez trace parkway offers an easygoing, easytolove experience. The natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america. My first real bike tour and a great learning experience 480 miles 772 km over 7 days from april 18, 2003 to april 24, 2003.
Work on the parkway was started in 1937 and in 1938 it. Last may, two friends and i spent a week bicycling the entirety of the 444mile natchez trace parkway from nashville, tn to natchez, ms. Search for library items search for lists search for. Youll visit historic sites, enjoy scenic backroad riding, and get. Here are some tips for bicycling on the natchez trace parkway. Apr 09, 2007 march 30april 8as usual, our little vacation became kind of epic. Well also enjoy trips off the trace to nearby vicksburg, one of the most historic and pivotal locations of the civil war, and stopovers adjacent to the trace in natchez and jackson. Applications may be faxed to 662 6804034 or mailed to chief rangers office, 2680 natchez trace parkway, tupelo, ms 38804. In addition to the three campgrounds open to all visitors, bicyclists can enjoy. When the friend bowed out, i was really excited and schemed my wayread more. Friends marcia katz, susan baum, sara ostrofsky and ann goldfarb took a galpal trip, bike riding the natchez trace from jackson to natchez, miss.
Originally an indian path, the natchez trace became the road that opened the forested wilderness of the deep south to settlers, soldiers, boatment and outlaws. Natchez trace bike tour classic adventures bicycling vacations. During their trip, they enjoyed delicious southern treats like cheese grits, fried green tomatoes and gumbo and a strawberry birthday cake to celebrate anns 64th birthday. In fact, the entire length of the natchez trace parkway is designated as a bicycle tour route. How to spend the best day along the natchez trace parkway. This is the guide that you need for biking the trace. Tom and i bicycled northbound on the natchez trace from natchez to just outside nashville in june 2019. Cycling the natchez trace parkway nps photo some are individualists who want to travel light, and alone, and prefer to camp under the stars. Travel along the scenic natchez trace parkway from ridgeland to natchez, a southern jewel of a town.
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