I was planning a tour in September and was considering the Natchez Trace route, i've read
some about it but while i was in a bike shop yesterday i was told the road surface was some
kind of "chip" material which made the ride rough.....is this true? Have any of you ever ridden
the Natchez Trace from start to finish or any parts of it?

I did the trace 2 years ago from start to finish. I didn't notice and chip coat until I got to Alabama and Mississippi parts of the Trace. The chip coat wasn't continous and was only in stretches. You might want to go to the National Park Service website and check out the conditon of the Trace there.

VonAlt

Here's an account of my Trace experiences:

https://www.simplecom.net/poleary/Nat...on%20BikeE.htm

Hope it helps.

Philip

Thanks Philip, looks like you had a decent ride, except for guys like Mel, but
we all know a few of those kinda guys! Thanks again for sharing! GBY

Nice write up! Sounds like a greatr ride.

What's a BikeE?

Joe

I just returned from the Trace in May. I started at Merriweather Lewis and finished in Natchez. There were some stretches of road that were the "chipped" material you have heard about, however, I would have welcomed it through Jackson vs the detour with logging/gravel trucks passing me the whole detour! What a nightmare!

That said, I would go again. Want a bud for Sept?

Here is an account of my trip:
https://bike.wbdesigns.com/natchez.htm

Sure, the more the merrier, i gotta warn ya...im no Pro, i average 10-12 MPH
thru the hills, i enjoy stopping along the way, the gentleman that warned me
of the chip material on the Trace, he and his 62 yr old friend did 300 miles in
2 days...thats not my idea of fun...but yes...i'd be glad to have some company
on the trip...you or anyone else who'd like to go! GBY

Arnie, Check your Email please. It looks like I will be in Oklahoma the 1st weekend of Sept, but am wide open the rest of the month. I was going somewhere this fall, but hadn't determined where. I certainly am considering doing this again . . . .