I rode around Bankhead on Saturday on my DR650. No pictures but the weather was good. I decided to take the V7 out on Sunday. I rode from Huntsville to Columbia TN where I caught the parkway. From Columbia I rode down the parkway to Tupelo MS. I was considering riding further but a storm popped up between Tupelo and Jackson and I wasn't in the mood to get intentionally wet. I ended up taking backroads from Tupelo through Bankhead and back to Huntsville.
The Steed
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Rides/2020-08-16-Natchez-Trace/i-4WsRs8M/0/3bc7a8e2/L/IMG_0751_heic-L.jpg)
Some Nature
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Rides/2020-08-16-Natchez-Trace/i-WSqkBvp/0/62b4f9d8/L/IMG_0753_heic-L.jpg)
The temperature noticeably dropped in stretches lined by trees.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Rides/2020-08-16-Natchez-Trace/i-jgQjnbk/0/b706fbc1/L/26D74350-05F4-46A5-ACE6-2C8D913BF67A-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Rides/2020-08-16-Natchez-Trace/i-SPWZ5DB/0/fa742363/L/0467630F-5A62-4579-8427-61F0A91C632B-L.jpg)
Tennessee River
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Rides/2020-08-16-Natchez-Trace/i-tsjPB8M/0/57c9bd43/L/D83225B3-1535-4BE7-8494-C958D74FE130-L.jpg)
I look forward to riding the length of it from Natchez up one day.
Quote from: Guidedawg on August 18, 2020, 09:16:50 AM
I look forward to riding the length of it from Natchez up one day.
Me too. Maybe one day the National Park Service will reopen the campgrounds.
Quote from: Nice Goat on August 18, 2020, 05:48:32 PM
Me too. Maybe one day the National Park Service will reopen the campgrounds.
I talked to the maintenance guy at Lewis Memorial, and he said they were cleaning the campground.
It's a beautiful road that every motorcyclist in the area should ride at least once. I've never ridden the whole thing, but might make a good ironbutt ride.
I suspect that 50mph limit might not be conducive to the Ironbutt time restraints ;)
Besides, it's a route (I assume) best appreciated by frequent stops along the way to enjoy the history.
Quote from: Guidedawg on August 31, 2020, 04:34:21 PM
I suspect that 50mph limit might not be conducive to the Ironbutt time restraints ;)
Besides, it's a route (I assume) best appreciated by frequent stops along the way to enjoy the history.
Its not all 50 MPH. Some of it is 40 MPH.
And the Rangers are Federal police officers, they are happy to ticket anyone who challenges their authority.
The Northern end of the parkway is pretty nice but once you start getting south about an hour or so it just gets boring. I have had trouble staying awake on it. While there are plenty of historical sites to stop at, the riding itself is pretty boring IMO. There are much better roads in the area, especially up in TN.
Quote from: Guidedawg on August 18, 2020, 09:16:50 AM
I look forward to riding the length of it from Natchez up one day.
It is a great ride on a bike with cruise control and music. I have done south to north with stops at ever historic spot, and have done north to south in one day to enjoy some of the world's best fried chicken in Lorman, MS.
I have ridden on the Tennessee section many times on various bikes. Not a road to ride if you are in a hurry.