riding the Mississioppi

**marni** · 05-10-2012, 03:48 PM

The Natchez trace is a gorgeous road. Smooth as silk paving, tall trees on either side, very little traffic, really lovely except for the soul sucking 1-3% incline which looks flat which runs the whole 64 miles of what we rode yesterday with the exceptions of a few nice and unexpected downhills. I kept wanting to get off the bike and see if my tires were flat! And those trees, tall and beautiful as they are , channel the gentlest breeze so nicely into a headwind.

In spite of milder temperatures, and cloud cover for most of the morning, it was a challenging ride because after we got off of the Trace, the next 20 miles were constant rollers of 4-6% . After our last SAG spot and the "historic cross roads country store" for which read a small building with lots of beer, pool tables, comfort version Harley Davidsons and a full front porch full of good old guys (and one or two gals) sitting and sipping and talking. I would have loved a beer, but at 20 miles still to go, opted for wisdom and treated myself to ice water instead. The youngest of our riders, an ash pale blonde, very scandanavian looking, and incredibly youthful looking from Wisconsin rode up and the good old boys were all lining up to get their picture taken with her.

Loathe to leave but hot, sunburned, saddle sore and tired, we were ready to hit the hotel which is probably why the last 20 miles seemed worse the first 64.

It's the breaks and the people and incidents like this that make this sort of long ride fun.

Below is a photo of some of the ladies riding the trace. I will try more photos later.

**Tri Girl** · 05-10-2012, 04:29 PM

Looks beautiful (even if looks are deceiving and you're battling a frustrating false flat).

Keep these reports coming. I'm loving hearing about your adventure!!!

**tulip** · 05-10-2012, 07:20 PM

In April I rode the Natchez Trace from Tupelo to Natchez, and then the Mississippi River Trail to Vicksburg. I know that store well!!

I preferred the non-Trace riding better. The MRT route goes through amazingly beautiful country. I found the Trace a bit boring after a few days, but still it was a nice ride.

We saw very few other cyclists. I guess April is a bit early for the big cycling season.

**hebe** · 05-11-2012, 12:40 AM

I'm enjoying reading your updates. That slow steady incline would bug me too. I hope you got to enjoy a beer at the hotel!

**marni** · 05-11-2012, 03:03 PM

Todays ride was through the flat, treeless Mississippi delta. Fortunately it was a bit cooler than it has been, and we had cloud cover which helped. The only excitement in the whole 60 miles was the town of Belzoni at mile 42, and the fact that Indianola, where we are staying, is the home of BB King and the self proclaimed "cross roads of the Delta blues."

65 miles today, 60 tomorrow, 92 the day after and then we are in Memphis and get a day off.

from left to right. Why Belzoni was a highlight of the day, why Belzoni was a wide spot in the road, tonight's dinner, Salmon Nicoise, mixed white bean salad, melon and carrot cake.