LeavingSatto Jackson MS from Dallas Txand picking up NTP. Heading North towards Tupelo the next day and up to TN. Get off the NTP the 3rd day and head East to the Smokie Mts. 4th day- jump into Ga and NC around the Dragons tail. 5th day- start high-tailing it back home. If you have ridden this trail beforeor know any good places to stop, hollar at me.

 

I have ridden it NUMEROUS times and is one of my all-time favorite rides. The speed limit is, and I mean IS, 50MPH and you will get busted speeding and it won't be pretty if you do.......just fyi. The good thing about it is that it is full of sweepers and NO COMMERCIAL trucks/traffic is allowed......The trace is pretty sparsely occuppied until you get to Tupelo, so we fill up in Jackson. Watch for deer and turkeys and other critters that run out in the road, cause there is alot of 'em.

Beautiful scenery, quiet and tranquil the whole way through.

 

I have been twice, love it. Very nice. Do not get in a hurry. At the northern end near nashville is a great place to stop for food. Loveless Cafe.

http://www.lovelesscafe.com/supper.html

Along the parkway, one time I stopped at a gas station just off the parkway (hot dog) another time I stopped at the about mile marker 160 “Information Center” and just off the parkway was a family restaurant

Not great but I do recommend Loveless.

Enjoy

 

I live about 5 miles from the southern end of the trace and ride it all the time. Just north of the Ross Barnett you will see Cypress Swamp on the left side.After you pass Cypress swamp, River bend will be on your left. The next left pass River Bend is Ratliff Ferry Road.Turn to your right and goto the river. There is gas, convenience store, campground and bikes.Ratliff's Ferry is a local bike hangout. Lost of times on Sat or Sunday afternoon there are 50 plus bikes there. The trading post burned several years ago and the new owners are gradually getting it back open. When it's warm and the river is full of boats, thescenery is pretty good.

A little farther north, you can get off atKosciusko. Food, gas and lodging available there. Not much else right on the Trace until you get to Tupelo

If you are wanting something good to eat before you get going out of Jackson, take the second traceexit past I-55 and go the the right.(lots of construction at this exit, be careful)Take a left at the light and go down about 3/4 of a mile and look for the sign for Shuckers Oyster Bar on the left. Great food, good bar and usually a few bikes there also. Shuckers just had their yearly crawfish festival this past weekend and it was jumping.

 

i ride it with clients twice a year...its ok, it aint the BRP...once you get towards the Smokies you'll like it better....but its definitely better'n ridin in the city

 

I have not ridden it myself but I talked to a guy the other day that said it was a MUST ride.

 

I live about two miles off the second Tupelo exit off the Trace. Good place for a laid back ride. Like stated before, watch the speed limit. 55 will get you by and some will let you go at 60, but the speed limit is 50 until you get within about 30 miles of the northern end where it gets really nice and curvy, but the limit drops to 40. Always wanted to take my 998 up there when I had it, but couldn't bear the thought of the ticket I'd get when I got there. Look out for deer and turkeys and my least favorite, the multitude of bicycles: just like the others, where you see one, there are likely others. Fuel is also scarce north of Tupelo, though if you get gas on Hwy 72 just after crossing into AL, you should make it on to Nashville fine unless you have a Vrod with you (which I had) and then you'll have to get off again for gas. Also, don't expect the Trace to end in Nashville either. It actually just comes to a dead end and you'll have to take a county road from there to I40 to get into Nashville.

 

We affectionately refer to it as the "Natchez trance" as it seems to all look the same. The first time I rode it, I was unaware of the speed limit and wondered why so many bikes were going so slow through such non-technical twisties. I passed a few of 'em at about 80. I guess it was my one free pass. The northern end is a bit more scenic. Lots of good pull-offs to enjoy a BYOB or 2. As mentioned before, any chance you have to get fuel, you better get it while you can.


nogood o~`o

 

I was coming back from Starkville one weekend many years ago(1979) . Got stopped on the Trace in my truck. Was doing 80 and had a cooler full of beer. Cost me $500 and a night in jail. The Trace is federal and they don't take no ****.

 

I rode it on my bicycle and camped out along the way in 2004. Took me 6 days and was an absolute blast. It’s very scenic at 15 MPH. If you are not in a hurry and don’t mind the speed limit for motor vehicles I’m sure you would enjoy it. There is great history associated with the Trace. If you go in the summer count on afternoon rain storms. No commercial services are allowed on the Trace so it’s best to get a guide on places to get fuel and supplies off of the few exits. This is the guide I used when I biked it, but the info still applies for a motorbike. - http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Natchez-Trace-Parkway-Nearby/dp/0963779842