It was bike friendly to a degree. No commercial traffic (semi-trucks), 50mph max speed limit. Not that many entrances and exits, so most locals go short distance exit to exit. Most RV's and cars gave us the whole lane and if there was a hill or curve just ahead, they had the courtesy to wait until there was definite clear road ahead in which to pass. We were frequently alone on our section of the road for 5-10 minutes at a time, as opposed to regular highways with ten times the traffic at higher speeds and less patient drivers. We met some of the RV folks at a campground and they were very friendly, not resentful of our presence on the Trace. No shoulders but they weren't needed except during rush hour and only near Tupelo and Jackson. Good planning gets one off the highway during those hours in those locations.