+Beast of Traal Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I am planning a 450 mile bicycle tour event cache The tentative start date will be May 20 2005 The Tour will follow the Natchez Trace Parkway from end to end (Natchez Ms to Nashville Tn). The total length is approximately 450 miles. It will take about 8-9 days to complete. To get credit for the event you can ride all or any portion of the tour or just meet me along the way. We will be camping for most of the tour. We will ride on average 60 miles per day with 15 min breaks about once an hour. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the start/end points. Day 1 May 20 Friday night meet at Natchez State Park. Day 2 May 21 Ride from Natchez terminus to Rocky Springs Campground 59 miles Day 3 May 22 Ride from Rocky Springs to Ratliff Ferry 74.4 miles Day 4 May 23 Ratliff Ferry to Jeff Busby 70.5 miles Day 5 May 24 Jeff Busby to Tupelo Visitor Center 74.2 miles Day 6 May 25 Tupelo Visitor Center to Colbert Ferry 62 miles Day 7 May 26 Colbert Ferry to Meriwether Lewis 59.3 miles Day 8 May 27 Meriwether Lewis to Nashville terminus 57.1 miles I'm not sure yet if we will use a sag wagon to carry most of the gear or if we'll carry it on bike. If you are interested in participating or have suggestions email me For more info on the Natchez Trace Parkway click here for the newest info go to the website Bike Quest 2005 http://sky.prohosting.com/boftraal/bikequest2005.html Quote Link to comment
+ironman114 Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 When I read the title of this thread in the Northwest forum I thought Wow that would be quite a bike trip. Then as I read on I realized this wasn't what I thought it was. We have a Natchez Trail in our state (WA.) It used to be 4x4 only. I'm not sure what it is like now except it does cross a Cascade mtn. pass. With a little checking I found the thread posted here also in the proper forum. Good luck on the trip and have lots of fun! Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 BoT, I'm giving some thought to joining you... I've been wanting to do the Trace for quite some time. I hope you've checked out the books... "Bicycling the Natchez Trace." Hmmm. I thought I had it here, but I can't seem to find it. Anyway, my summer plans have not been finalized yet, but if I'm in the region, I'd like to be there. Oh.. I won't be sagging. Jamie Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted February 12, 2005 Author Share Posted February 12, 2005 the Trace Will Open officaly May 21 so it look like we will be the first to ride the Natchez section of the trace I'm sure what time the ceramony will be but it will open to trafic diectly after the ceramony. Quote Link to comment
+southdeltan Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 What do you mean the Natchez section? I haven't been to Natchez recently, but the last time I was there the Trace ended at 61 Hwy. I knew they were planning to build a few more miles there but didn't know they'd actually started on that. Is that what you're talking about? The last major part that I thought was being worked on was the section going through Jackson, MS. southdeltan Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted February 13, 2005 Author Share Posted February 13, 2005 yes they will complete the section of the trac fro HWY 61 to Natchez aboyut a 10 mile stretch. Quote Link to comment
+southdeltan Posted February 14, 2005 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Wow, I didn't realize they had even begun on that. The last time I went through there I didn't pay much attention (When I went south it was still dark and when I came back I was trying to get my cellphone to work so I wasn't paying as much attention as I'd have liked). The time before that they definetly hadn't began to work on it. There's not much information on the Trace's page on the NPS website. I found a few references about stuff in the Natchez paper's website but not a lot (I didn't look long). One bit of advice for you - but it shouldn't matter much - is that they're replacing a bridge in Ridgeland (near jackson) so there's a 2 mile detour. It'll be like that for a year but shouldn't interfere with your ride. I hope to meet up with you at some point during the first 2 or 3 days of the ride if my schedule allows. southdeltan Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted May 12, 2005 Author Share Posted May 12, 2005 The date for Bike Quest has been moved back the new Start Date is FAthers day Bike Quest 2005 The First Anualish Bike Trip Natchez To Nashville -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am planning a 450 mile bicycle tour event cache The tentative start date will be May 20 2005 The Tour will follow the Natchez Trace Parkway from end to end (Natchez Ms to Nashville Tn). The total length is approximately 450 miles. It will take about 8-9 days to complete. To get credit for the event you can ride all or any portion of the tour or just meet me along the way. We will be camping for most of the tour. We will ride on average 60 miles per day with 15 min breaks about once an hour. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the start/end points. Day 1 June 19 Sunday Afternoon meet at Natchez State Park. Day ride to terminus and back Day 2 June 20 Ride from Natchez State Park to Rocky Springs Campground 59 miles Day 3 June 21 Ride from Rocky Springs to Ratliff Ferry 74.4 miles Day 4 June 22 Ratliff Ferry to Jeff Busby 70.5 miles Day 5 June 23 Jeff Busby to Tupelo Visitor Center 74.2 miles Day 6 June 24 Tupelo Visitor Center to Colbert Ferry 62 miles Day 7 June 25 Colbert Ferry to Meriwether Lewis 59.3 miles Day 8 June 26 Meriwether Lewis to Nashville terminus 57.1 miles I'm not sure yet if we will use a sag wagon to carry most of the gear or if we'll carry it on bike. If you are interested in participating or have suggestions email me For more info on the Natchez Trace Parkway click here Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted June 15, 2005 Author Share Posted June 15, 2005 just a reminder the ride starts on june 19 i'll be leaving Natchez about 4PM Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 I might be able to make a day-trip to meet you along the Trace somewhere. Maybe Tupelo. However, I won't be able to make the start with you, as it's very hard for me to get away from work on weekends. Do you have a way to be reached on the road so I can find out where you are enroute? Jamie Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted June 16, 2005 Author Share Posted June 16, 2005 (edited) The Alabama Rambler has aggreed to drive Sag wagon. for any section from Tupelo to th Nashville and can drive you back to your car, if you would like to join me on any of those sections. I would like to note a few change to the schedule on day one i wil ride from the terminus to the state park and not ride both directions. in stead of camping at ratlif ferr i'll be staying at a motel in Rigland. and instead of staying at Tupelo visitor center i'll be in a motel in Tupelo. Edited June 16, 2005 by Beast of Traal Quote Link to comment
+TheAlabamaRambler Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 (edited) WooHoo! Rambler on a BikeQuest! No, before anyone cries "It's a miracle!" I'll be in my cachemobile, not on a bike! I will meet BofT at the Tupelo overnight and drive with him the rest of the trip. Anyone that wants to meet us and ride for a ways is welcome; at the end of your section (or endurance!) I will carry you back to your car. If you wish to camp I will carry your gear so you don't have to carry it on your bike, and I will have water, Gatorade-type-stuff, snack foods, etc. My cell phone is 205-914-6814, and I will be monitoring 146.52 simplex Ham radio, and FRS/GMRS Channel 2. I use APRS, so anyone interested will be able to track our progress (W4AGA) in real time on a website. Come ride! If you just want to ride the cool hours, say dawn to 9 a.m., that's okay, I can take you back from any point. See you there! Ed Edited June 16, 2005 by TheAlabamaRambler Quote Link to comment
+Beast of Traal Posted June 18, 2005 Author Share Posted June 18, 2005 If you wish to meet me along the way to say "Hi" you reach me on FRS 2 and my cell phone is (225) 610-2571 Quote Link to comment
+ClayJar Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Bike Quest 2005 -- Day One Photos Quote Link to comment
+ClayJar Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 (Note: This last picture is actually a 25-second exposure at ISO 100 of the camp well after sunset. It' has not been manipulated at all.) It was quite fun to tag along with BoT on the first day of Bike Quest 2005. It's not every day that I get to be a sports photographer, but I dare say that I *really* enjoyed the new "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM" lens I was shooting on my 20D. I think we got at least a few worthwhile frames out of it all. Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Dude! How much stuff is he carrying. Wow! I carried half that much to go to CA. Anyway, I had been hoping to meet BoT out in Tupelo or something, but it looks like I won't be able to make it. Darn... I'd really like to join him out there. Jamie Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 dadgum.. I just might make it out there. CJ, do you know if he'll really be in Tupelo on the 23rd like he says? That's not too far from here and I might be up for the trip. I couldn't stay, but I'd say hi. Does he have a cell or any contact? Jamie Quote Link to comment
+beckerbuns Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 dadgum.. I just might make it out there. CJ, do you know if he'll really be in Tupelo on the 23rd like he says? That's not too far from here and I might be up for the trip. I couldn't stay, but I'd say hi. Does he have a cell or any contact? Markwell Let us know if you hook up! Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 BB... I checked there, but it's the same itinerary as posted in this thread. I only know the general area of where he'll be... and even that isn't for sure. I know how things are on the road. You don't always follow your itinerary. I suppose I could just head out there and ride up and down the Trace until I spot him, but I'd rather give him a call and find out where he'll be. At this point, it doesn't look like I'll be able to make it. It's about 1.5 hour trip for me to get to the Trace anyway. Jamie Quote Link to comment
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