Southeast - Hello Southerners - Curious Who rides in TN - Nashville?

Hi guys, forgive my nerdiness, but I keep seeing folks post who are from TN and was curious what the community is like there. I grew up in Clarksville and visit home, but I now reside in Southern Cal (and have for 17 years). We have a pretty active community out here, and I'm just wondering what it is like for you guys in TN. Also, when I visit home, I would love to rent a bike (if that's even possible there) and join on a ride in the Nashville/Clarksville area if any clubs exist. Thoughts from ya'll? (and, no, I'm not making fun - I still have a drawl that surfaces when I drink, am tired or call home). :D

Well I'm down in Atlanta now but was previously up in Nashville. I'm not big into group rides but rode some with the Vanderbilt club/team. And used to commute to work downtown, East Nashville, and occasionally down to Brentwood. Took off all the time to head out to the Warner Parks, Natchez Trace. I guess I can't contribute much to the current scene, but I sure loved my time up there a couple of years ago.

Thanks, guys. Every little bit helps and I appreciate it. If anything, I can at least rent a bike and ride solo if need be. :)

I live in Knoxville and have no idea what the riding is like in Nashville. But you might find more information at the following sites:

Nashville Cyclist (http://www.nashvillecyclist.com/)

Veloteers (http://www.veloteers.org/)

Harpeth Bike Club (http://www.harpethbikeclub.com/)

Clarksville Cycle Club (http://www.clarksvillecyclingclub.org/)

Thanks, Velo Vel, that is very helpful. I'm headed back there in July and if I can get a bike lined up, I'll be thrilled. I'm not willing to ship mine as it's too expensive for just a week's visit. :D

Hope that works out for you, merider1. I've read that there's some pretty good riding around Nashville.

For whatever reason, there's not many Tennesseans on this forum. But you'll find cyclists out on the roads if you know where to look.

I live a little south of Nashville. I'm pretty much a solo rider, so I can't help much with group rides. Some other larger big stores in town are Alanti and Gran Fondo.

dont know anything about nashvegas but i live in chattanooga if youre ever down this way

I'm a grad student here in Nashville...look me up when you get in town...i'll be happy to ride with you :) There are some great rides around the area.

I'd let you borrow my extra bike but unless you are about 6 feet tall it is gonna be too big :) I believe cumberland transit rents bikes but i think is relatively expensive...something like $40 a day i think

If you make it over towards the Smokies let us know. Perhaps we could get a ride up for one of our favorite SoCal members. What size bike do you ride?

Yes, if you come three hours farther east you can have a cycling adventure. :)

http://www.brianarner.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/10001/03%7E1.jpg

This is why I LOVE you southerners! (techinically, I'm still one myself, but I've been out here in Southern Cal for so long...). Anyway, I definitely plan to look up some of you when I get back there. Also, I went on the Clarksville Cycling Club - looks like a great group! I'm surprised there is not more activity on BF for this region. So Cal is out of control (but we're all nutty). I'll be back home the week of July 4th and I hope to get some riding in. I just have to rent a bike. I don't want to pay the extra money to ship mine. Now, if I was riding a tour...:D

Yes, if you come three hours farther east you can have a cycling adventure. :)

http://www.brianarner.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/10001/03%7E1.jpg

That makes me long for home. Tennessee is so gorgeous.

If you make it over towards the Smokies let us know. Perhaps we could get a ride up for one of our favorite SoCal members. What size bike do you ride?

Hi there, BikeWNC - I'm a favorite? Oh, Lord, what is the world coming to? ;) I ride a women's specific size 54. But when I come back, any ol' bike will do. I'm no bike snob and, in fact, a very sweet So Cal member, and friend, gave me a Trek mountain bike (about 10 years old). I call it The Red Baron because it's like a tank! I love it! So, I'm pretty easy that way. The main thing is to be out on a bike riding with others (I will state that I am a beginner mtbker for sure, so I'm best on the roads, but if all I can get my hands on is a mtbike - I'll ride IT on the road). :D Thank you for your sweet offer. I don't know that I'll be anywhere near the smokies (:() but I'm sure it's gorgeous to ride there!

I'm a grad student here in Nashville...look me up when you get in town...i'll be happy to ride with you :) There are some great rides around the area.

I'd let you borrow my extra bike but unless you are about 6 feet tall it is gonna be too big :) I believe cumberland transit rents bikes but i think is relatively expensive...something like $40 a day i think
Hi Chris, $40/day I can handle. After all, I'll only be able to ride about two or three days anyway. It would be less expensive than flying my bike back! :eek: I hope to meet you. :)

Hi there, BikeWNC - I'm a favorite? Oh, Lord, what is the world coming to? ;) I ride a women's specific size 54. But when I come back, any ol' bike will do. I'm no bike snob and, in fact, a very sweet So Cal member, and friend, gave me a Trek mountain bike (about 10 years old). I call it The Red Baron because it's like a tank! I love it! So, I'm pretty easy that way. The main thing is to be out on a bike riding with others (I will state that I am a beginner mtbker for sure, so I'm best on the roads, but if all I can get my hands on is a mtbike - I'll ride IT on the road). :D Thank you for your sweet offer. I don't know that I'll be anywhere near the smokies (:() but I'm sure it's gorgeous to ride there!

If you do think you might find your way towards the Knoxville area, just a short 2 hour drive from Nashville, be sure to let us know. We'll take you out for a spin around the block. ;)

Tennessee is so gorgeous.
Yes it is. No earthquakes, wildfires, or riots here, either. :)

Yes it is. No earthquakes, wildfires, or riots here, either. :)
Yes, but if TN would only bring in some Trader Joes - then I would consider moving back. ;)

My sister shopped at Trader Joes when she had one nearby. I've never been in one to know what I'm missing. Guess that's the price I pay for residing in a place that has water and living vegetation. ;)

Hi Merider1,

I live in Nashville and would love to ride with you when you come by. Just send me an email a few days before you come. Perhaps, you, me and Chrisvu could ride together on the Natchez Trace. It would be lovely.

Nashville has a pretty active bicycling community. I am a member of Harpeth Bike Club (http://www.harpethbikeclub.com) which is a community of about 500. There is lots of good cycling around Nashville.

crypticlineage,

How is the ridding around Nashville? Is it kind of like the ride around Chattanooga, minus the mountains?

crypticlineage,

How is the ridding around Nashville? Is it kind of like the ride around Chattanooga, minus the mountains?


The riding around nashville is nice....it doesn't have the long climbing like Chattanooga...but there is plenty climbing for me :)

Hi Merider1,

I live in Nashville and would love to ride with you when you come by. Just send me an email a few days before you come. Perhaps, you, me and Chrisvu could ride together on the Natchez Trace. It would be lovely.

Nashville has a pretty active bicycling community. I am a member of Harpeth Bike Club (http://www.harpethbikeclub.com) which is a community of about 500. There is lots of good cycling around Nashville.
You are so on! :) I will either be back home the first week of July or the second week of June. I'm still working with my family on dates. But as soon as I know, I will find a rental (caveat: my NOT be a road bike, may just be a hybrid or standard mtbike as I haven't done my research yet. I won't be on my usual wheels, so don't expect a speed demon :p) and email you. I hope to get at least two good ride days in and would love between 25 and 100 miles each day (depending on the type of bike I get, of course!). If you prefer a shorter ride, that's fine too. I'm just happy to be on a bike and would love to meet some fellow riders in my home state! :D

You are so on! :) I will either be back home the first week of July or the second week of June. I'm still working with my family on dates. But as soon as I know, I will find a rental (caveat: my NOT be a road bike, may just be a hybrid or standard mtbike as I haven't done my research yet. I won't be on my usual wheels, so don't expect a speed demon :p) and email you. I hope to get at least two good ride days in and would love between 25 and 100 miles each day (depending on the type of bike I get, of course!). If you prefer a shorter ride, that's fine too. I'm just happy to be on a bike and would love to meet some fellow riders in my home state! :D

merider,

what size bike do you ride? i'll ask around with friends to see if anyone would be willing to let you borrow a bike if i can find one in your size.