Riding in Nashville

[Tri Girl]

We'll be passing through Nashville and staying overnight on our way to NC at the end of July. I was wanting to get in a 20 mile ride early in the morning before we hit the road to NC, so I was wondering if there are any trails downtown-ish (or near I-40) that we could ride to get in some mileage on our way through town. I have been to this site: http://www.greenwaysfornashville.org/directions.htm
and although it shows many trails they are only 1-3 miles long. Is there a linking trail system through the city?

I can't seem to find any info on a decent lengthed bike trail system. I'd prefer to stay off the roads (being in an unfamiliar city and all) and would rather not ride in too urban of a setting where we're constantly crossing streets and stopping/starting.

Don't want to drive too far off I-40 and lengthen the trip any more than we have to.

Just wondering if there's a park or a large recreation area we can get in a decent ride before hitting the road.

Thanks for any insight!

[PamNY]

A couple of random ideas based on very incomplete knowledge:

Where will you be staying? Percy Warner Park is worth checking, as is Montgomery Bell State Park. I'm not sure if cycling is allowed on Percy Warner trails.

There are a lot of rural-turning-suburban areas in Wilson County which would not have much traffic. You would need someone local to suggest a route for you and give you an idea of road conditions. I didn't cycle there but I sure wanted to.

Hope you can plan something -- it's a beautiful part of the country.

[Tri Girl]

Thanks Pam!!!!
We don't have an idea of where we'll be staying. If I can find a great place to ride, we'll just find a hotel nearby. We rarely book hotels in advance when on road trips, usually just let it unfold as we go- but Nashville will be about 10 hours from home, so it's a good stopping point for the day.

Will check those out.

If anyone else has any ideas- PLEASE let me know. We'll still need to be Ironman training while on vacay, so we will need to be doing as much working out as we can do.

[jessmarimba]

I think Natchez Trace is supposed to be a scenic ride (haven't done it) - it's a road that's closed to commercial traffic, 45 mph for cars, and common for cyclists.

Also, maybe the Cumberland River Trail? It's rails-to-trails, but I believe it might be partially gravel.

[jessmarimba]

Oh, and I'll second the suggestion of Wilson County. I lived in Gallatin & Lebanon at one point and there are plenty of hotels right off of I-40 but the roads quickly become rural (particularly going south).

[PamNY]

Natchez Trace is wonderful, and if you cycle there I'm officially jealous. Probably a good choice because you can't possibly get lost, too.