Natchez Trace... - ST-Owners.com Forums

**bygdawg** · 08-28-2007, 07:58 AM

Natchez to Nashville

More than 13 million visitors can't be wrong. The Natchez Trace Parkway is expected to become the most heavily traveled national parkway by 2008. The modern road stretches 444 miles through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Construction on the thoroughfare began in 1934 and was finally completed in 2005. Today it is a modern road that parallels centuries-old trails made by hunters, traders, and Indians.
The National Scenic Byways Program designated it an All-American Road in 1995.

Bones · 08-28-2007, 08:10 AM

This is a road I'd love to travel whenever the tourists are elsewhere. Anyone from the region have insight into when that might be?

Austin city limits · 08-28-2007, 08:17 AM

I am shooting for,,, November or March... After/Before farming and no where NEAR,,, the Moonshine day...

Lew · 08-28-2007, 08:21 AM

A few years ago I rode the Natchez Trace from the TN river to Nashville in mid September and there wasn't a lot of tourist traffic. But that was probably five years ago or so.

At least on that section, there were many places to safely pass any slower traffic.

Austin city limits · 08-28-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

At least on that section, there were many places to safely pass any slower traffic.

Yeah well,,, I can ALWAYS,,, find a spot to "Safely" pass,,, just tell that to the cop stopping me down the road...

Was spotted up in the mountains for passing a semi on an uphill mountain road... There was at LEAST a 1/2 mile stretch straight ahead,,, no traffic,,, speed limit was 45mph,,, and the semi is doing 12mph... A long,,, BEAUTIFUL,,, stretch of curves lay just ahead...

So,,, I passed on double yellow,,, and 3 cars behind was a State Cop...

He pulled me over about 1 mile ahead as I saw his lights... He walks up and said,,,

Quote:

You know what Double Yellow Lines are Right???

Told him we didn't have Double Yellow lines back where I live,,, all the while trying to sound more than just a shade like Gomer Pyle,,, just not OFFICIOUSLY,,, sounding like I was trying sound like Gomer Pyle...

Quote:

He said,,, No Double Yellow lines where you live???

I said that is right,,, I live in Illinois,,, and we don't have any Curves...

I made him laugh,,, and he let me go...

uptoblackwood · 08-28-2007, 08:44 AM

I'll be on the trace in October.....first week...

Forest

Uncle Phil · 08-28-2007, 11:06 AM

I live in Nashville, TN and did the Trace down and back (plus a little side to Alexandria, LA) for my SS1000, besides having ridden many other times (I live about 10 miles away). If you only stop for gas (and plan this wisely!), it's about 9 hours top to bottom. Lots of historical sights along the way. As far as traffic goes - what traffic? On week-ends, it's pretty busy around the major cities it passes through with bicyclists and such. During the week, you will probably see more wild turkeys and deer that you will cars. The upper 50 miles is the best as far as curves go. And at the north entrance be sure to stop at Loveless Cafe for fried chicken that will make your tongue beat your brains out, not to mention killer preserves and biscuits. Great place for breakfast too! There's a Shell gas station right next door, so it's a good place to fuel up. It is pretty heavily patrolled by rangers (where you least expect them with instant on radar) with 40 mph on the top end and 50 mph the rest of the way. Also, on the lower end it is not 'limited access', just crossroads - and the locals are not expecting anybody to be coming down the Trace (translated - they seldom stop). Gas at Tupelo (about 180 miles) and Jackson (about another 160 miles) and you will probably be fine. To me, it is one of the most peaceful rides in the USA. One warning though - Do not plan on riding before good sunrise or after sundown unless you wish to collect a Bambi or wild turkey for your very own. The Days Inn in Natchez is a pretty decent place to stay on the south end. The easy way to it is exit 192 off I40 and take McCrory Lane straight to it. McCrory Lane t-bones into highway 100. Turn right and you go to the Trace, turn left and you will see Loveless Cafe. Hope that helps!

**bygdawg** · 08-28-2007, 12:04 PM

I agree with Uncle Phil. I live about 15 miles away from the Trace and the traffic isn't bad during the week, providing it isn't a holiday. Weekends can be hit or miss, but you should have too much trouble during the week. Do watch out for the rangers though, as they'll be more than happy to give you a riding award. I'd be happy to coordinate with anyone that wants to do this ride in November or possibly October. I'd just need a few days notice.

Ride Safe,
bygdawg

rocky17 · 08-28-2007, 08:37 PM

Did the Trace early last May during the week from the start just south of Nashville to Natchez, 444 miles without a stop sign. Very scenic, lots of wild turkeys, and little traffic at that time. Radar traps in Tennessee even with the light traffic. Must have a lot of State troopers with nothing to do.

**bygdawg** · 08-29-2007, 07:52 AM

Troopers or Rangers?

08-28-2007, 07:58 AM	#1
bygdawg Vendor Bike: ST 1300 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dixie/Alabama Age: 35 Posts: 3,441 Tip Overs: 1	Natchez Trace... Natchez to Nashville More than 13 million visitors can't be wrong. The Natchez Trace Parkway is expected to become the most heavily traveled national parkway by 2008. The modern road stretches 444 miles through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Construction on the thoroughfare began in 1934 and was finally completed in 2005. Today it is a modern road that parallels centuries-old trails made by hunters, traders, and Indians. The National Scenic Byways Program designated it an All-American Road in 1995.
	Jay www.bygdawg.com Providing the strongest original tip-over bars since 2003, with well over 1,000 satisfied customers to date worldwide.

08-28-2007, 08:10 AM	#2
Bones Your Humble Scribe Bike: '03ST1300ABS Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: western Mass Age: 47 Posts: 5,498 Tip Overs: 03 2010 Miles: 007546 Total Awards: 2	Re: Natchez Trace... This is a road I'd love to travel whenever the tourists are elsewhere. Anyone from the region have insight into when that might be?
	Ride. Good. _______________________ Reading Material

08-28-2007, 08:21 AM	#4
Lew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 88	Re: Natchez Trace... A few years ago I rode the Natchez Trace from the TN river to Nashville in mid September and there wasn't a lot of tourist traffic. But that was probably five years ago or so. At least on that section, there were many places to safely pass any slower traffic.

08-28-2007, 08:44 AM	#6
uptoblackwood Forest Aten Bike: '07 ST1300 ABS Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Richardson, TX Age: 57 Posts: 3,230 2010 Miles: 011859 Total Awards: 3	Re: Natchez Trace... I'll be on the trace in October.....first week... Forest

08-28-2007, 11:06 AM	#7
Uncle Phil Event Coordinator Bike: ST1100(s) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Age: 57 Posts: 2,219 2010 Miles: 011271 Total Awards: 3	Re: Natchez Trace... I live in Nashville, TN and did the Trace down and back (plus a little side to Alexandria, LA) for my SS1000, besides having ridden many other times (I live about 10 miles away). If you only stop for gas (and plan this wisely!), it's about 9 hours top to bottom. Lots of historical sights along the way. As far as traffic goes - what traffic? On week-ends, it's pretty busy around the major cities it passes through with bicyclists and such. During the week, you will probably see more wild turkeys and deer that you will cars. The upper 50 miles is the best as far as curves go. And at the north entrance be sure to stop at Loveless Cafe for fried chicken that will make your tongue beat your brains out, not to mention killer preserves and biscuits. Great place for breakfast too! There's a Shell gas station right next door, so it's a good place to fuel up. It is pretty heavily patrolled by rangers (where you least expect them with instant on radar) with 40 mph on the top end and 50 mph the rest of the way. Also, on the lower end it is not 'limited access', just crossroads - and the locals are not expecting anybody to be coming down the Trace (translated - they seldom stop). Gas at Tupelo (about 180 miles) and Jackson (about another 160 miles) and you will probably be fine. To me, it is one of the most peaceful rides in the USA. One warning though - Do not plan on riding before good sunrise or after sundown unless you wish to collect a Bambi or wild turkey for your very own. The Days Inn in Natchez is a pretty decent place to stay on the south end. The easy way to it is exit 192 off I40 and take McCrory Lane straight to it. McCrory Lane t-bones into highway 100. Turn right and you go to the Trace, turn left and you will see Loveless Cafe. Hope that helps!
	97 ST1100 STD +128,000 / 02 ST1100 ABS +60,000/ 97 ST1100 ABS +27,000 www.UnclePhil.us

08-28-2007, 12:04 PM	#8
bygdawg Vendor Bike: ST 1300 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dixie/Alabama Age: 35 Posts: 3,441 Tip Overs: 1	Re: Natchez Trace... I agree with Uncle Phil. I live about 15 miles away from the Trace and the traffic isn't bad during the week, providing it isn't a holiday. Weekends can be hit or miss, but you should have too much trouble during the week. Do watch out for the rangers though, as they'll be more than happy to give you a riding award. I'd be happy to coordinate with anyone that wants to do this ride in November or possibly October. I'd just need a few days notice. Ride Safe, bygdawg
	Jay www.bygdawg.com Providing the strongest original tip-over bars since 2003, with well over 1,000 satisfied customers to date worldwide.

08-28-2007, 08:37 PM	#9
rocky17 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Crystal Lake, IL. Posts: 93	Re: Natchez Trace... Did the Trace early last May during the week from the start just south of Nashville to Natchez, 444 miles without a stop sign. Very scenic, lots of wild turkeys, and little traffic at that time. Radar traps in Tennessee even with the light traffic. Must have a lot of State troopers with nothing to do.

08-29-2007, 07:52 AM	#10
bygdawg Vendor Bike: ST 1300 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dixie/Alabama Age: 35 Posts: 3,441 Tip Overs: 1	Re: Natchez Trace... Troopers or Rangers?
	Jay www.bygdawg.com Providing the strongest original tip-over bars since 2003, with well over 1,000 satisfied customers to date worldwide.