Natchez Trace Ride
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 604
Likes: 64
From:
I can only speak for the northern part of the Trace, Tupelo to Nashville. I thought it was great for a nice relaxing ride. After the first few Historic sites that I didn’t have a clue about “someone or something I never heard of) I just stopped at the scenic stops, set the cruse and relaxed.
Do watch out for the bike riders, and at this time of year there will be a lot of people doing the Trees / leaves thing over the weekends.
Do watch out for the bike riders, and at this time of year there will be a lot of people doing the Trees / leaves thing over the weekends.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
From: Republic of West Florida
we(see the story "how lambchop got his name) ride the trace a lot Great gas up place just north of jackson Right on the trace,called ratlif ferry...y can fuel up and stay on trace...b nice all day ride to tupelo...camping at ratliff also
Read the story, very good read.
Read the story, very good read.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 867
Likes: 17
From: Brentwood, TN
A little warning from the northern end that may apply to whole route. Do not ride it at dusk till dawn as its covered up with deer. I've hit one with my car and almost got another with the office car traveling down to Pickwick Lake.
Nice restaurant at the northern end, Loveless Cafe, and historic Leipers Fork is interesting. Lots of Trace info at the link:
http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/
Check Isle of Capri closely as the one in Vicksburg, MS is not maintained very well. I think the link above includes some B&B recommendations but have never stayed at any of them.
Ron, from Nashville
Nice restaurant at the northern end, Loveless Cafe, and historic Leipers Fork is interesting. Lots of Trace info at the link:
http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/
Check Isle of Capri closely as the one in Vicksburg, MS is not maintained very well. I think the link above includes some B&B recommendations but have never stayed at any of them.
Ron, from Nashville
Last edited by TNCarters; Oct 18, 2010 at 08:26 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Nice relaxing ride
We usually stay at the Eola Hotel downtown, when we start the Trace ride. Nice old style, interesting hotel, good restaurant in-house. Also within walking distance (5 or 6 blocks) from Bowie's Tavern down next to the river. We like to walk to supper when we are on road trips, so we can have a few beers. Jim Bowie came from Natchez, but I don't know if the tavern is really connected to him.
I agree with the suggestion to turn around in Tupelo, given your schedule. Unfortunately, the more interesting road is north of there. Fortunately, Tupelo is a good place to spend the night and look around a little. There is a good Hilton Garden Inn in Tupelo, with decent rates and a good breakfast. Also easy walking distance (1 or 2 blocks) from a couple of good restaurants. The car museum is excellent, don't miss it, but allow at least 2 or 3 hours. It's just around the corner from the Hilton. Elvis Presley birthplace and museum are also worth a look.
Finally, if you like good beer, restaurants in both Natchez and Tupelo have Southern Pecan ale, which is excellent.
We previously lived in south Louisiana and would spend the night in Natchez before riding the Trace, sometimes all the way, and sometimes just to Tupelo.
We have not been on the Trace in over a year, so I hope all these places are still open for you. Historic locations abound all along the Trace. If you don't know anything about history, as someone else mentioned, it's not hard to look a few things up online, so you will know what you are looking at.
Have a relaxed ride. Because of the well enforced 50 mph speed limit, most of the crazies avoid the Trace. That makes it nice for the rest of us.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
comfort suites in vidalia la. (across the bridge from natches) is probably the nicest motel I've ever stayed at. get a top floor riverside room and you won't be sorry. just really a great place.the priceing is great considering how nice it is. also they told us to park our bikes under the roof right up front.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Bend Lake Texas
I Can't Feel My Butt
The Trace is a great ride if your a History buff, it's loaded with history. Most people don't look at it from a historical stand point and find it boring.
Just relax, enjoy a nice easy ride thru some beautiful rural country side.
Don't Speed, there are a kajillion park rangers, with radar guns.
Oh Yeah, if your not a regular rider, your Butt will dictate how long the trip is!
Just relax, enjoy a nice easy ride thru some beautiful rural country side.
Don't Speed, there are a kajillion park rangers, with radar guns.
Oh Yeah, if your not a regular rider, your Butt will dictate how long the trip is!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
From: Southern Arizona
444 miles, 50 mph speed limit most of the way, a couple of places that it drops to 40. Don't speed, although you will be passed. There are no stop lights, signs or towns on the trace so the only stops that you take are ones to take in the history. If you are into history, and scenery, it's a great ride. Critters are all over, especially deer and turkey, so stay alert dusk to dawn or better yet, only ride during the daylight hours.
Last edited by Lures; Oct 19, 2010 at 12:06 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, LA.
If it is the journey you are wanting and not the destination, I highly recommend the Trace. A nice leisurely cruise through some beautiful country and you might not see a vehicle for 20 minutes in any direction. A lot of wildlife and history make the ride even better. Give it a try.