Day 1 began with the riders loading into vans, at 8am, to be moved to the start of the ride at the Natchez Trace sign at the northern most point of the trail. It was about 68 degrees with calm winds at the start of the ride. We took several group photos and riders slowly made their way onto the parkway. I was slow in starting because I had to pump up my tires and I am always leery using someone else’s pump. Julia and I did great at the start of the ride and I have to give her super, extra props because her front brake pad rubbed for twelve miles. That was not good for her because it definitely sapped her strength immensely. She was a trooper and kept going once we go the issued resolved at the first SAG stop (mile 12.4). After the first SAG stop we made another quick stop at a historical marker in memory of the War of 1812 soldiers that were buried along the old Natchez Trace. The second SAG stop of the day was at the Gordon House historical marker. I took an extra few minutes to phone a friend. John Gordon was a ferry operator in the early 1800’s. Further along the road I stopped at the Old Trace Tobacco Farm. Probably my favorite stop of the day was Fall Hollow because it reminded me of hiking the Appalachian Trail with Julia. The only things missing were a backpack and hiking poles. The day ended at the Lewis Meriwether historical site. It was 84 degrees outside and the winds was 3mph from the NE. I bicycled just a little over 55 miles today. I was asked not once, but twice, did I have everything off of my bike because it was being loaded on a storage trailer until the next morning. I looked at my hands: Garmin, front light, radar and phone. Yep, I have it all. Of course, I forgot about what was in my bike bag: my hotspot, my extra battery pack and my wallet . No worries as Julia bought me a couple glasses of wine with dinner. I truly enjoyed dinner tonight as there was no real lunch today as it was mostly snack food at the SAG stops. We spent the night in Linden, TN at the Commodore Hotel. To be fair, there were no real options for a restaurant in a small town today. All in all it was a great day!
Coasters from over the years in this picture with Bubba.
Julia and I at the start of the ride.
Bubba and I at the start of the ride Day 1.
The first SAG stop today was near Garrison Creek.
My friend Julia’s maiden name was Gordon, so this was an appropriate second SAG stop today. The Gordon House, is in the background of this picture (the brick building).
Baker Bluff Overlook.
A historical stop along the way. It honors the farming industry of Maury County, TN. This county was the home of the 11th president, James Polk.
There was even tobacco hanging in the historical building.
The Fall Hollow stop reminded me of hiking the Appalachian Trail with Julia.
It was a small, yet beautiful waterfall.
The site of Lewis Meriwether’s death and burial was the last stop (pick up point) for today’s ride. I didn’t get in early enough to visit the historical site.
Tiny hotel where we spent the night. The car out front belongs to the hotel.