My wife and took 2 friends along in 2014 from Nashville to Natchez. At that time there was no shuttles at all...so we contacted a lady called Down town Carla Brown. We were the first people she shuttled on the Natchez. In those days the park service planned your trip...guy named Randy. We met the stone talker and told us that he built that monument for grandmother who walked the trail of tears...we purchased his book and he signed it. All our other stories align with yours. except we stayed in hotels and such which got us off the trail each day. Thank you for sharing...it's Natchez or RAGBRAI for 2023. What say you...wish I could share pictures. Chow for now
Thank you! That is a great story about Downtown Karla Brown (www.downtownkarlabrown.com/). I'm glad you helped get her started with the shuttle on the Natchez.
Thanks for this! And what a wonderful job. Great pacing and voiceover. Never boring. Perfect restrained use of special effects. Just really a total wow!
Nice job again documenting another of your cycling adventures Brian and thank you for all the detailed information which is greatly appreciated! It'll be a bit of a drive for me to make out to Nashville or Natchez, MS from Raleigh, NC but it looks well worth the effort. Looks like you may have outfitted your Surly with some new rear panniers? I tend to be a bit all over the map so I appreciate & admire the way you're able to calmly knock out the mileage while carting your gear and filming your trips. I'm 65 and still riding about 5k - 6k miles a year but my pace has slowed significantly over the last three or four years due to ongoing issues with my lower back, left hip, and both knees. Aging's apparently not for the feint of heart. I've developed allergies to shellfish and beer and it seems my body can't tolerate caffeine anymore either. Giving up coffee has been way more difficult than booze as I was never much of a drinker. I'm like, geez why can't I have my one remaining vise? Lol
Thank you! It seems like you are the one knocking out the miles each year. I was just remembering this ride yesterday, and it was a great one. The resources along the Parkway were plentiful.
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. You mentioned being from Ohio. Formerly my wife and I lived in NW Ohio. I'm sure you've ridden on a number of trails in Ohio. 😅
Great video. My son and I are planning to ride this May 2023. You mention Karla's shuttle service picking you up in Nashville and transporting you to Natchez to begin your ride. Her website doesn't mention Nashville as a pickup. Did you make special arrangements with her? What is the cost?
Thank you! Karla's web page also had me confused at first, but she does she she will transport either direction, "Natchez, MS to Franklin, TN (either direction)." The cost is $600 so hopefully you have a group to share that with. It is two full days of driving and gas for her (1 to get to Franklin and the 2nd to take you to Natchez), so the price did seem fair to me. She also does have some great stories to share and helpful pointers about the Trace for the ride.
Hi Brian, thanks for sharing your video. It looks like it was another good tour. I’m planning to do this tour in October and wanted to ask a question about your bike. I know your using a Surly Midnight special but can you tell me what your gearing was for this route. I have 1x drivetrain as well and debating a 38 or bumping it up to a 42. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Thank you. I just carry a power bank. I have found it important to focus not just on the capacity of the power bank, but also to get one that takes a charge quickly so it can be replenished when I do have access to an outlet. For example, the one I have for longer trips has a 60W PD Charger. I also carry an extra battery for my camera and use a Garmin bike computer for navigation to minimize time using and draining my phone. I can ride for four days without access to an outlet for charging, longer if I ration my power usage.
I primarily use a Garmin device along with Google maps on my phone to search out restaurants and stores. For this trip, I also downloaded the National Parks app and made sure to set it to download the maps of the Parkway for access when phone coverage was spotty. This provided better information about the scenic spots, restrooms and mile markers along the Parkway.
I forgot to mention that this website also provided excellent information on the best bicycle route for the detour as well as a great deal of other information about the Trace. www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-mississippi/tishomingo-belmont-ms/3861-paving-project-phase-two.html
We’re planning to cycle the Trace in November. Would you ride Natchez to Nashville again or go Nashville to Natchez? Prevailing winds I thought would be from South/Southwest? Thanks for the great video.
I never have luck planning according to prevailing winds. On the Natchez, it is supposed to be better to start from Natchez for the prevailing winds, but I still had a headwind the last 3 or 4 days. I think there are more hills near Nashville and some people prefer to get those out of the way first.
@@briansadventures Many thanks for prompt reply. We live in Montana but headed to Lake Cumberland and then Ohio in November so we can do the Trace on the way there or back. And, we don’t care about the hills since we ride mountains out west. But a significant headwind - if we can avoid or mitigate, we will. Thanks! Rog
