going to ride the trace next month with 4 buddies. anyone whomhas ridden it have any input for must sees, food, lodging.[/align] thanks[/align]

 

The wife and I rodethe whole thinga few weeks ago.
I am guessing that since you are in OK that you'll be picking it up on the Nashville end.

The Loveless Cafe on hwy 100 right at the end of the Trace is a must. Great food and atmosphere. Motorcycle only parking out front. Biscuits that are to die for.

Don't miss the beginnig of the Trace from that end. There is a very curvy section for several miles that is fun to ride. The Speed Limit is only about 40 on that stretch and it is a Federal Parks road and the tickets can be expensive so don't push it. There is also a great double arched bridge that is really hight that you will go over.

Gas stations and food are non-existant along the Trace without getting off so you do need to plan for that. There are places to get of though and usually signs of civilization near by when you do.

A lot of history and scenery along the way. The stops are clearly marked and you can pick up maps with details at several places or get one mailed to you from the Parks department.

The Tennessee side is not as manecured and there is more private land along the route than there is as you go south.

There are lots of camping areas but Tupelo MS is where we stayed (Birthplace of Elvis so go see his house) and we stayed at the Quality Inn on N. Gloster St. It was OK but not for the price. The little Village Inn right next door was a lot cheaper and looked kind of cool. It only has 24 units, some with kitchenettes. You might check that out if you want to save some bucks.

Check my blog for some photos of some of the things to see along the way. (The link is in my sig)

Speed limit on the Trace is only 50 mph and lots of places for troopers to hide so take your time. Plus there are deer, turkeys, and other wildlife so keep an eye out.

Alabama part has more elevation changes and the terrain has lots of hardwoods and Rocky ground.

Mississipi section is really manacured and green with lots of pines and Cypress.

Some stops, Meriweather Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) burial site.

Jon Busby Scenic overlook.

Ratliff's Ferry (Biker hangout and boat launch)

Here is my trip thread https://www.hdforums.com/m_1987734/tm.htmthere are some board members that may want to meet up with you in Mississippi, you can find who they are in the thread.

There are some Plantations before you get to Natchez. Natchez also has a big Casino if you're into that.

Enjoy, it's a good ride.

 

Parts of the Trace are in the National Park system. Federal cops with NO sense of humor. I've seen deer in the Mississippi Trace too thick to count.
If your not in a hurry you will love it!

 

Bug and Joenuclear thanks for the input. It sounds as though you may not want to take it thru Tenn? Looks awsome in those pics Bug.

 

My mother-in-law was in a movie by that name.

spiz

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Tupelo at the halfway point (from Natchez). If you stay over there, don't forget to go by Johnnie's Drive Inn. It's a dive that serves Dough Burgers. We ate in Elvis's Booth.

 

Not only are the deer thick, but on the Tennessee end the wild turkeys are pretty thick as well. I had one fly between the bike in front of me and me at windshield height that scared the crap out of me.

We detoured off the Trace long enough to visit Davy Crockett State Park in Tennessee that was worth the ride. Seems like it was only about a 10 mile detour.

I rode with a group of 8 bikes ridingsouth to north and then back, so we hit all the scenic stops on the right side going north and then hit all the scenic stops on the right going south. This way we got to seethem all and didn't have to crosstraffic getting back on the Trace.

 

I live about 5 minutes form that curvy part and the bridge the other poster spoke of, I ride that section very often and I can tell you that 40 is fast enough and yes they do patrol this area and will get you for going 41mph. The Loveless is a MUST....go on a weekday though we tried to go this weekend and there was an hour wait at 10:30 in the morning.

 

Not at all. I think it is all worth riding. It's just different. In Mississippi it's like riding through a national park, some of the TN part is that way but thereis a lot of private land and some businesses visible from the road, that's all. Still a lot to see. In 444 miles a little variety is a good thing.

No commercial trucks are allowed on the Parkway and we often would go for miles without seeing another vehicle. Very peaceful.