4th Annual 50+ Ride (Natchez Trace Area)
 

As you know, the poll for a location was very closely split with the "Memphis Natchez Trace" barely winning and locations in New England and San Diego following close behind. It only leads me to think there should be interest in three regional get togethers. I originally mentioned Memphis (which admittedly was a point on the map to me) and many people chimed in with the Memphis Trace, sooooo. Here we are, the Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles long from Natchez Ms to Nashville. The Natchez Trace State Park is 120 miles from Memphis and 97 miles from Nashville. That's a whole lot of area to look at and not a lot of metro area actually on the route, the entire parkway is a designated bike route so I thought groups should start at each end and meet somewhere in the middle for a party. Ok, I'm kidding.
I did contact Jeff near Nashville, he lives .6 miles from the Parkway, rides the parkway on his daily commute, has several routes mapped out in the area ranging from 20-100 miles and also owns some land with a cabin, camping area and plenty of parking (to paraphrase the immortal "We got that going for us!").
At Jeff's suggestion I also contacted the Harpeth bicycling club in Nashville. They not only have a weekly ride mapped out using the Trace, they hold an annual event in the area. Here is what he said:

"Our club will host the annual Harpeth River Ride on June 2, 2012. Don't know if you're familiar with this event, so here's the rundown: Next year will be our 17th for hosting the Harpeth River Ride (HRR); it starts and ends at the Nissan Headquarters in Franklin, TN; offers routes of 25, 44, 62 and 100 miles; last year we had 1500 riders, including Lance Armstrong and 2 other members of Team RadioShack. Would love to have your group join us."
http://harpethriverride.com/

That's what I got so far. Suggestions? Comments?

Marc

That sounds like a wonderful opportunity!!

Lots of variety, pretty country, and I would guess that early June will not be terribly hot??

Good work.

Great job; that sounds like an ideal venue, and I would seriously have to consider driving > 1000 miles to participate, but not impossible. I will keep a lookout for New England possibilities though. It's still seems early for organized rides to be announced yet around here.

The location is great. I think you will draw people who live within a day’s drive of Nashville. That includes most of the Great Lake states and the South.

If additional events are held in New England and on the west coast, participation in each event should be healthy.

I'm concerned about joining an event that draws 1500 riders. The benefits include SAG support, but I'd rather take a calmer ride in May.

That sounds great, but I have definite plans to ride BRAG that week.

The ride we took in Ann Arbor (One Helliva Ride) was comparable in size and was a bunch of fun. The more the merrier!

Marc

nice job Marc.

Was checking to see how many bikers were at the OHR just for kicks. and on the Ann Arbor bike club site it said 1825.Its a blast.







































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R

The Harpeth River Ride sounds like a good choice:thumb:

Wake up "your boys" and see what they think.

Marc

I kind of feel the same way about the big group rides... also it CAN be very hot in that area by early June. One possibility is to move to late May.... or the 50+ group could gather up down in Franklin just before June 2 to ride for a couple of days and those wanting to could stay for the Harpeth River Ride. I would be moteling myself and don't care if camping is available... I would thus suggest a possible "headquarters" motel in the Franklin area.

The mean temperature in Tennessee,for what it's worth, is 73.44 degrees in June. Of course ,being the lower midwest, the daily weather is a crap shoot no matter how you look at it. There will be several looking at hotels, we just need to start talking and looking at options in the area. Since you know you'll be looking, can you check out the area for some options?This is the 17th year the event has been held, they must have learned to handle the volume of people. I rode in two organized rides of comparable size last year and they were both lots of fun, once people spread out on the road you end up riding in groups of comparable speed and ability.
I intend to make a looonng weekend of the trip and will be down a few days early,but if we schedule it earlier we will exclude anywhose jobs or family revolve around the school year.
We just have to keep kickin' the idea around 'til we have something to work with.

Marc

I could maybe make that, if it doesn't conflict with Bike Virginia.

Us boys will probably tag along with mom. Not sure about John yet. I bowl with his tomorrow evening and I'll see what he thinks. He is alergic to hills you know. Complains the whole time, but rides right up them.

I don't know about the hills yet. I didn't really get brave enough to research the profile,but how challenging can it be? 1500 people a year are having fun there.

Marc

I am riding the Natchez Trace next week from Nashville to Natchez. Will know a lot more after that trip.

I have no horse (or bike, as the case may be) in this race since I'm not attending, but if it helps here are some Memphis weather stats from Apr 1 to Jun 30 of last year (on the Weather Underground website, if the masked URL concerns you) : http://tinyurl.com/3ccc8wx. The attachment below is a crop of one chart from that page.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=223560

Memphis???
 

There have been a couple of posts that refer to Memphis. Please note that Memphis is nowhere near the Natchez Trace. The Trace is within a 60 minute bike ride of me, but Memphis is brutal 3 hour drive in the truck. The hills are definitely there, but the Trace is "relatively" considered rolling. But please plan on coming, this is beautiful country and the Franklin Tn area is a great area to bike. A postcard around every corner.

:thumb: A full report please! (And take some pics of Memphis as you pass through! :))

Good one Billydonn! Love that Iowa Humor!!

From my recollections, Beverly, rtool, John and I have each ridden two of the three Annual Rides. I feel a challenge coming on. :D

Over seven months of lead time to plan Jim.

Marc

* schedule time off from work: four driving days, ride day, 2-3 days to hang out
* train with winter commuting, then intensify in mid March (10 weeks until June 2)
* ask Family permission to go away for one week (they probably would not want to go)
* arrange accommodations
* pre-ride bike check at LBS
* rent car if necessary
* map driving route (~1100 miles)
* pack

Oh, good! It's all set.

Marc

Jim,I thought you had everything you needed in that huge bag on the back of your bike.