Riding in Mississippi
 

While visiting relatives in MS last week, I rented a bike. Had several nice rides with perfect weather all week. I rode the Longleaf Trace from Prentiss to Hattiesburg one day. 43 miles on a rails to trails path. Virtually no other people for the entire distance mid-week. It's a very nice resource for the state. http://www.mylongleaftrace.com/

I also got in nice rides with some locals in Greenwood, and a solo ride north of Greenwood in some rolling hills.

The bike I rented was a well maintained, late '80's vintage Centurion Prestige. I picked it up at The Bicycle Rack in Flowood, near the Jackson Airport - great guys and a nice store. The bike was fine for the riding I was doing (mostly flat), but I didn't like the downtube shifters. Never have. I missed my bike, but was glad to get in the miles to work off all the food that I ate. :)

It's interesting that such a vintage bike was the rental choice. Did they also have new bikes to rent? Did they have just a hodge podge of refurbished bikes available? If so, is sounds like a variation of the "Rent-a-Wreck" company that had older, but reliable cars to rent . . . at cheaper prices.

I think it's great that you rented a bike and took the time to ride. Nice going.

Glad you enjoyed riding in our state. Lots of great venues for road rides, the Longleaf, the Natchez Trace, and many rural, lightly traveled roads. I live 45 miles from Greenwood, and have ridden several times with the Money Road Cycling group, a very nice bunch of guys.

I'm always happy to hear about another great rail-to-trail. One day of riding is something I try to include on vacations and these trails are my first choice.

That was the only one they had available in my size. Although it was a very nice shop, I don't think they have call to rent very many bikes. I worked with Tim at The Bicycle Rack, and he went above and beyond the call of duty. When I picked up the bike, he gave me his personal cell number in case I had any problems. When returning the bike, he met me on the way to the airport Saturday morning before the shop opened.

There are bikes to rent at the Longleaf trailhead in Hattiesburg, but they are mostly hybrids.

One of my wife's relatives is a Money Road regular and was kind enough to organize a ride for me late Thursday afternoon with that group. Really nice folks. Next visit, I'll try to be there for one of their weekend rides.

My wife was going to drop me off at the Natchez Trace one day, but things got complicated, so I just went for a ride on Rt. 35 down to Carrollton and back. A nice, rolling road with very little traffic.

Great route! :)