Just finished half the Trace, from Nashville to Tupelo, last Thursday, Friday and Sat. Great ride, great road. Enjoyed it a lot. Tennessee by far was a more enjoyable experience. In Alabama and N. MS it appears to be just a road.
Weather was perfect.
Tips: Nice B&B in Fall Hollow TN. (Fall Hollow Campground and B and B) Right off the Trace. You could ride 8 miles uphill into Hollenwald if you want, but why?
Construction detour in Alabama. working on three bridges. You can get through, but you have to cross streams and such. We did, and we'll take the detour next time.
Not much for rooms in Colbert County AL. We took 14 into Florence AL for a hotel (14 miles). We took 2 back out to the trace. A couple of miles longer but fewer dogs. Pretty scenery.
I am working on a website with pictures. Good luck.