Hey, I'm a student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and I recently got into cycling. You should try out Cumberland Transit for a decent bike shop. They are a great establishment. As far as places to ride go, Percy Warner park is great. It is a beautiful paved trail that has 3 loops of different lengths i think something like 3 miles 6 miles and 8 miles. It seems to be the place to be for cyclists on the weekends. I usually ride the 6 mile route and it has a gentle climb for the first 3 miles and the next three you basically coast back down. It is open to runners, walkers, and cars but the cars are really a non factor. I see maybe 3 cars on one complete traversal of the loop. It is a beautiful trail. Also, there is the famed Natchez Trace. I have not had the opportunity to ride this route yet but from what i've read it is a great riide with little traffic and you can go for miles. I read somewhere that in total it is something like 400 miles as it extends all the way into Mississippi. Good luck and hope i've helped some!!