Natchez Trace Parkway

It took a 630-mile bike ride on the historic Natchez Trace to hash out the finer points of a raging debate, but in my humble opinion, the scores have finally been tabulated.  In the battle of skin v. shorts, skin wins. At issue: the best way to apply Lantiseptic, the sticky cream with the intoxicating nursing home aroma that is used to prevent chafing on long rides. Two schools of thought have developed. Some believe that Lantiseptic should be applied to the short's chamois. They argue this...Read Full Story

(Our southwest trip started May 1. All of my posts were written as the trip went along but were not posted live until we returned. If you want to read all the posts related to the trip, click on "southwest" in the label section below). The Natchez Trace Parkway is loaded with history. It was originally an Indian trail, traveling through the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indian nations. It was used as a path home from Natchez where traders would sell their goods after sailing down the Mississippi...Read Full Story

Fellow Hoosier and Vice President, Thomas R. Marshall once said "What this country needs is a good five cent cigar!" Today I'll add to the list of what this country needs. One of the things this country needs today is for everyone to just slow down. It could fairly be said that we should be spending lots of money improving and even expanding The Interstate Highway System proposed and begun during the Eisenhower administration. It's a great system, probably one of the most complete national...Read Full Story

A big congrats to the Tar Heel team at this week's Natchez Trace 1000K. We had a 100 percent finish rate. Successful riders included: Lynn, who finished near the front on her first 1000K;  John P, also completing his first 1000K and who finished with a big smile around 5:30 this morning: and PBP anciens Paul S and Capn Ende. Full results are here . Our thanks to RBA Jeff Sammons, the Harpeth Bike Club and all the volunteers that made the event so special, from the pre-ride red carpet...Read Full Story

The Natchez Trace Parkway runs just over 400 miles between Nashville, TN and Natchez, MS.  It is a gentle, winding road chock full of beautiful scenery, rolling hills, trees, wildlife and more interesting and historic stopping points along the route than you can possibly imagine. The parkway follows an ancient trail that connected the southern portions of the Mississippi River, through Alabama, to central Tennessee. There are numerous ways to experience this amazing road: driving, hiking...Read Full Story