My road trip - Memphis, Tupelo and Nasvhille

[Helene2013]

Helene,
Sorry you encountered our heat! It can be brutal so we ride early in mornings. As for the Memphis bike trails - downtown can get a little sketchy if you are unfamiliar with areas; but, if you were to drive east to Shelby Farms, or the Wolf River Conservancy trails, there are safe places to park and you can ride lovely trails integrated with Shelby Farms (under reno). 2016 will bring a new revamped lake at Shelby Farms, and additional miles along both the Memphis Greenline trail and the Wolf River Conservancy trails into Germantown and Collierville. We hope to be able to complete 35-40 miles in a round trip on the trails.
AngelontheRoad

Ah... this is where we ended up (Shelby) and it is a mega construction project. It will be very beautiful once all is done, that's for sure. He took the time to explain to us which paths to take, which ones to avoid, and that we were right in not parking at the end of that bike path (many miles away from this park). We did walk the path a little bit and thought coming back before darkness set in but we were camping a bit far away and by the time we'd get our bikes, gear, etc it would have been dark too soon. But you can bet if we ever go in that area again we want to do that whole bike path. It will be beautiful.

In Memphis we opted for the backbeat tour for the fun of singing in the bus, etc. It was a crazy and fun tour. Worth the money. We had seen Memphis a few years ago but lots we had no time for so this time we took more time. Was a bit cut short with a mega storm but we were able to enjoy our stay. Since we are truly not familiar with Memphis and heard to stay away from some areas as it may be "tougher", it did not help visiting so we mostly stayed in the Graceland area. What can I say..we chicken out easily. hihi We were there for 3 nights (so 2 days) and 2 nights in Tupelo. Did not leave us a lot to do all we wanted but we're happy with what we saw and where we ate.

[cosc]

Helene so enjoyed reading your adventure tale to the South. I've never been to that part of the US, but would love the history, music and new routes to bike. So much to see and it is hard to schedule around the optimal seasons.

[Helene2013]

You definitively have to visit the that part of US. You will love it. All the people we met were truly nice to us, even those who looked "scarier". The cop we talked to in Nashville looked like a big teddy bear. But I would not like to be in conflict with him. He would have been able to hang me on a nail on the wall no sweat with his size. hihi

The music orgy is totally awesome in Nashville. One door to the next on Broadway (and around) is like a mini vegas with the lights, the loud stuff...but no fuzz or fancinest. We spent many nights going from bar to bar just to listen to bands. No cover charge, no need to drink (I don't drink).

Memphis Beale Street was so much fun. More into blues music but we had a blast dancing/singing (hey...we're good back vocals even if we are no Celine Dion. Who cared! haha).

A Natchez Trace ride (either by car or cycling) is something every one should have on their bucket list. We drove in motorhome from Tupelo to Nashville and saw so much beauty (wild life or nature). Every mile you had to look for something. Many scenic stops (which we did not as not easy with big rig and car in tow) but we did ride 100km then back from Nashville to spot the best cycling spot for me to return to.

Tupelo is small and we had enough of a day there to visit stuff on Elvis' first years and the history behind where he then lived and places he attended, etc.

But Nashville is my 2nd city I loved the most visiting. My first love remains Colorado. Which I am trying to figure if we go back next August/September for cycling. Just would need to find something not too steep/hilly as my knees would not do good on mega hills all the time. Loved Colorado Springs and maybe would try back to go to the Great Sand Dunes, etc...


Then there is also Minnesota as we have friends who want to see us again. ahhhh vacation...why does work always need to be in the way of fun. hihi

ahhhh so many places and things to do just in North America. I'll never have enough of this life so I'll have to come back into a better and improved me to do more. haha