The Natchez Trace

[BobAin'tStoppin']

I am routing a trip to Texas next fall and the Natchez Trace falls into place.  So I'm wondering if anyone can suggest should or shouldn't doos for that area.  I see that there are some closures on the road now and it seems that there aren't a lot of easy detours in many areas.  Any suggestions from the collective?

[Ray]

Glad to hear. Should be a great trip.

Yeah - I heard on one of the cycling fora, there are some closures that seem to be permanent.

I always thought my time on the Natchez Trace Parkway was similar to the Blue Ridge - slow and sometimes frustrating. Great views, smaller road, but the speed limit is only 40-50 mph, and I always seem to get stuck behind an older couple in a convertible setting the pace at 30 mph..... (These folks seem just as slow and dangerous when riding the bicycle.)

I recall zipping along on a weekday a few years ago in Feb., on the way to a meeting in Florida, but then there's the reputation the Natchez Trace has for enforcement of speed limits.
("The ranger wouldn't like that, Yogi....)

All that said - if you haven't ridden it, do it - preferably weekdays to avoid the picnickers. (Especially great on the bicycle - free NPS camping that does not cater to motorhomes and a lot of 2-wheel travellers for company, spring and fall.)

Knowing your occasionally tight schedule, I'd say, if you only have time for a section - the section in Tennessee is most memorable - Birdsong Hollow's double arch bridge and some nice scenery. As I recall, most of the closures were down south.

Tupelo MS and the King's birthplace. ("Thank you. Thank you very much.")

Keep us posted.

[mojoguzzi]

One of my favorite stops is the tavern and the memorial where Merriwether Lewis died/committed suicide. Fascinating story

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Thanks Ray and Mojo for your suggestions. The main closure that seems long term is on the southern end of the parkway. So I have made adjustments. Will enter at Nashville end (mile 440) and get off near Houston MS which is mile 240 or so. With 200 miles and roughly 4 hours that will be plenty of the tourist stuff. With a few stops along the way I'll have a full day on day 5 of my 6 day scooter journey.

[Ray]

....With a few stops along the way I'll have a full day on day 5 of my 6 day scooter journey.

Wait. What? 
Scooter?

OK - I take back everything I said about those frustrating coupes blocking the Trace at 35 mph. 

We all recognize the smaller displacement scooters as the true future of adventure riding, as in, "What could possibly go wrong?"

(I mean, are you going to need a tire change along the way? And who even stocks Dunlop Scootsmarts?)

That said, probably a little jealous. (And recalling, as I put together my Alaska/Dempster trip for this summer, you've been there and done that, so you can ride whatever you want.) (If I had any guts, I'd ride the Dempster and the Dalton on a 49CC scooter with tools, tires, and a backpack.... Instead, adding some engine bars and 50/50 tires to the RS in Anchorage.) 

Hope you don't find your ride too adventurous. Look forward to seeing you down the road.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

I'm expecting there will be four scooters at Kerrville this year. XMax it the way of the future.

[Ray]

I'm expecting there will be four scooters at Kerrville this year.  XMax it the way of the future.

Can one do Texas without dirt or gravel? I suppose so, though Google always seems to insist I ride one or two unpaved connectors whenever I'm doing the tumbling tumbleweed thing.  

Will be honest with you - if I'm going smaller displacement, I'm going to have some gnarly tread, more than 15 inch wheels, and more than 3 inches of travel in the rear shocks. And although your's is somehow lighter, the Burgman 650 is more than 10% heavier than the latest RS.... 

If I find one tall enough, I might do a cross-country trip on a 49CC "adventure scooter" at some point, but once a bike's over 400 pounds, I'm going to expect some "amenities." Not sure how Bruce can even tolerate a 650 that won't stick it's nose in the air to wheelie out of the turns. (Obviously, he keeps something going with another bike on the side. )

Snow's melting here. Had the bike out for a tank of gas on Tuesday (and a long wash of all the salt-slime that seems to creep into every crevice larger than my toothbrush). (Saint Louis usually only gets one chance/year to dump all the industrial waste they call "road salt," so it usually doesn't get completely washed off until April.)

Hope y'all are out and riding soon.