Hey, Eaglewalker! I'm orginally from N. Mississippi, and my momma now lives in Memphis (Cordova). Get a road bike. I went thru the whole gamut--hybrid to road to better road. I've ridden in Memphis--took my bike with me--and you'll want a road bike. There's quite an active cycling club in Memphis --The Memphis Hightailers. They have a web site--memphishightailers.com. When I was visiting last spring, I contacted one of their members, and she graciously invited me to go on one of their rides. Well, it poured and was windy that day so I didn't brave the elements. Anyway I bet if you contact them, they'll be glad to give you lots of info. Good luck--Memphis has the absolute worst drivers I've ever been around anywhere! They just go--regardless of red lights or right of way or anything!!!!