I'm in the planning stages of riding the northern end of the Natchez Trace next October since I will be in the area. The bike I currently have is a Trek 8.4 DS which in its current configuration weighs 31 lbs. I have Michelin Pilot Tracker 700 x 35 mounted on the rims for road use. I'm planning on doing from mile mrkr 444 to about 321 which is the hilliest section and riding about 55 miles the first day, rest the second day to visit relatives in the area then riding the remainder on the third day down to the Muscle Shoals area. I will have support so I'll just have my water bottles and energy bars with me. My main question is should I use this bike (which I know has the low gearing to do this) or look at purchasing something like a Specialized Tricross. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Depends. How badly do you want a Tricross? As far as this ride, you should be able to complete it on what you have now. But if you want n+1, and this is a good enough excuse, by all means go buy it!

There are more downs than ups going South as well!

My abode is 0.6 miles off the Trace near MP 423. PM me when it gets close to time and I'll ride a portion of your day's trek w/you if you would like. Any excuse to ride the NTP. Mp 423 to MP 429 is part of my daily commute. It's about a 350 ft vertical climb from those to points southward, so be ready for it.

Thanks nashcommguy I'll keep you in mind. I've never ridden from Nashville to Hwy 64 around the Collinwood exit. 20 years ago I rode from Collinwood to Jeff Busby State Park over a two day period with a group benefitting Amer. Lung Assoc. We did 35 miles the first day because we didn't start until about 11:00. The second day was about 65-70 miles with a provision to do a century if you wanted to. If I remember correctly there was a pretty good climb around the Tenn-Tom waterway. Unfortunately we don't have very many hills around this part of Florida to practice on. Mostly rolling hills (called bumps around here). But I was living in south Alabama when I did it before and we didn't have any hills there either. I plan on being in north Alabama this weekend for a bluegrass festival which I will combine with the ride next year since it is only about 30-40 miles east of Muscle Shoals.

Are you going to the Athens Fiddler's Convention? My band is competing in the band category Saturday. The band is called "Pam Thrower and Shine". Look us up and we'll talk bikes and bluegrass! I might well be able to ride a day with you next year too. The Trace is a great spot!
Karl

Yeah, we try to go to Athens every year. We will get there tomorrow afternoon. I'll look you up on Saturday

My grandson age 27 just finished the entire Trace on an old, heavy bike, loaded with panniers. His friend pulled a Bob Trailer. The section you will be riding is hilly, but you should be able to do it with almost any kind of bike, especially if you're only riding for a day or two. Unless you are exceptionally strong, young, and maybe a little bit foolish, longer tours on a mountain bike like what you have will wear you out.

You've got to be kidding. In cycling, what goes down must go up.

You've got to be kidding. In cycling what goes down must go up!!

I've done it both North to South and reverse and it seemed to me to be easier going South. Who knows? I didn't measure the total gain or loss in either dirrection. I will add that I find the NTP to be one of the most booring streches of road I have ever ridden solo in my life, probably not too bad with a group of friends. Today I avoid it if at all possible, and take other routes.

I've ridden many parts of the NTP, but not the whole thing. I agree with you. It's basically pretty boring, but we sometimes have moonlight rides on the Trace in the Nashville area, and I find those to be fun. You do have to watch out for racoons, possums, etc. crossing the road at night, and you need good strong lights.

You do have to watch out for racoons, possums, etc. crossing the road at night, and you need good strong lights.

I thought the armadillo had replaced those! The NTP is the only place I have ever seen a live armadillo!

May I ask a Natchez Trace question? I'm considering riding the full length (one direction) in spring 2012.

I'm trying to figure out how to park my car in Nashville, get a shuttle/bus/pickup-truck to Nachez, and then ride my bike back to my car. Any advice is most welcome, thank you in advance!

I live in collinwood, and hells yes go south if you want to do more descending than ascending.

I'm interested in the Trace myself. Here are a few options I found:

UHaul quotes price of $421 for one-way from Natchez to Nashville.

Enterprise shows least expensive one-way car rental from Jackson, MS to Nashville is $430.

Here is one shuttle service in Natchez; not sure about price: https://myweb.cableone.net/busterminal/index.html

Here are some other options: https://www.natcheztracetravel.com/bi...portation.html

Greyhound quotes prices from about $80 to $130. Not sure about bike as luggage. Given baggage restrictions (bikes must be boxed), it may be better to take Greyhound from Nashville to Natchez and ride north. Could be difficult to find box for bike in Natchez.

I've ridden sections of the Natchez Trace, around Jackson, Mississippi, and by and large I find it boring.

I've driven the Trace from Jackson up into northern Mississippi, and I found it boring in a car, too.

I did see a lot of wild turkeys on one drive, though, and on one especially hot day I took the liberty of a brief swim in the Ross Barnett* Reservoir to cool off — that was nice.

*Ross Barnett — what a jackass. I propose Mississippi rename it the James Meredith Reservoir. There'd be some justice in that.

Was it monotonous scenery that became boring?

IMO, the scenery is nice and the terrain is varied north of Tupelo. Below there it becomes less interesting.