Bike the Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} National Park bicycle route that ESPN calls one of the ten best biking roads in America. There are no traffic lights or billboards -- it's beautiful. Learn how to traverse it by bicycle.

Steps

Join an event

  1. Ensure you have an adequate bicycle. Since the road kept is fully paved and kept largely clean of debris, a road or touring bicycle is recommended. Hybrid or mountain bikes will certainly work, but the rider must work harder.
  2. Choose your method. Do you want to ride it alone or with a group? Those choosing to ride it alone should create contingency plans for unsafe conditions and check in regularly with someone who is monitoring their well-being. Riding it with a group is usually a better idea. You can either recruit friends or others from your local cycling club, or find an existing event to join. The Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure (http://www.fullercenterbikeadventure.org), for example, organizes an annual 1-week fully-supported group ride.
  3. Train. There are no mountains on the Trace, but there are some moderate to large hills. If possible, your training should include climbing. You should train with at least the same number of miles in each week as you intend to ride. For example, if you intend to average {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per day on the Trace, you should train at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per week. Those who are younger will find that their bodies can adapt more quickly to the distance than those who are older, so older riders may wish to further increase their training regimine.
  4. Prepare. The great thing about joining an event is that most of the preparations you will need are already taken care of by the event organizers. This includes emergency support, places to stay, rest stops, and all food. It also may include a ride back to where you started so that you do need to bike all the way back. Be sure to read all the material that the event sends to you ahead of the trip and to pack and prepare accordingly.
  5. Persevere. No matter how difficult it seems on the trail, if you do not stop pedaling, you will eventually reach your destination! Keep on going: you can do it.

Self-lead your own journey

  1. Ensure you have an adequate bicycle. Since the road kept is fully paved and kept largely clean of debris, a road or touring bicycle is recommended. Hybrid or mountain bikes will certainly work, but the rider must work harder.
  2. Those choosing to ride it alone should create contingency plans for unsafe conditions and check in regularly with someone who is monitoring their well-being. You can either recruit friends or others from your local cycling club, or find a friend or loved one to travel along with you in a support vehicle.
  3. Create your schedule. When do you want to start? How many days will you take to complete the journey? Which direction do you want to go -- will you finish where you started or will you have to turn around and bike back? It is best to plan all this out ahead of time so that you can make arrangements for your evening accommodations. Don't forget that the northern part of the Trace, especially, can get very cold in the winter, which usually ends sometime in March.
  4. Plan out your logistics. Call ahead to secure places to stay. Since you will need to leave the Trace to find them, determine how you will find them. Since cell and data service are unreliable in very small towns and remote areas like those along the Trace, print off your route sheets to take with you each day. Since most of the route will be on the Trace, they will be relatively simple.In addition, you should secure and bring with you a map of the Trace as issued by the National Park Service to make it easy to find restrooms and other landmarks along the route.
  5. Train. There are no mountains on the Trace, but there are some moderate to large hills. If possible, your training should include climbing. You should train with at least the same number of miles in each week as you intend to ride. For example, if you intend to average {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per day on the Trace, you should train at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per week. Those who are younger will find that their bodies can adapt more quickly to the distance than those who are older, so older riders may wish to further increase their training regimine.
  6. Show up. The hardest part of any journey is the first step (or pedal). Don't back down -- you can do it!
  7. Persevere. No matter how difficult it seems on the trail, if you do not stop pedaling, you will eventually reach your destination! Keep on going: you can do it.

Warnings

  • This is a bicycle route, not a bicycle path, which means that motor vehicles are permitted on the Trace. However, commercial vehicles like trucks are prohibited.
  • Traffic near the cities of Jackson and Tupelo can become heavy during rush hours. Use caution or avoid cycling during those times.

References

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