Day One on the Trace

April 24, 2019

After a year of dreaming and preparation, my bicycle touring dream became a reality! In preparation for this day I did a fully supported ride across North Carolina, which helped me see some of the demands of riding day after day. As great as that week was, it was only a step along my journey to travel self-supported by bicycle.

While visiting my sister and parents in Franklin, TN the week following Easter, I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to do a little shakedown overnight ride down the Natchez Trace. Wednesday, April 24, I loaded up my bike and headed out on what I hope is the first of many such trips.

Living in the flat lands in coastal North Carolina I knew I would face hills much more daunting that the few over-passes in my little home town. During the 7-mile ride from my sister's house to the start of the Natchez Trace gave me a small introduction to these hills, but nothing like what awaited me. But that 7-mile opening section gave me some good "real world" experience riding my loaded bike. After a short bit it became just another bike ride...just gotta keep those pedals turning.

Not long after getting on the Natchez Trace Parkway I was introduced to one of the themes of the trip..."Oh, look, another hill!" Right off the bat I found myself climbing a long hill. But my bike, a Fuji Touring bike, handled it great! (This was only the third time on the bike.) While hills were a constant reality, the beauty and quietness of the Trace prevail. As I made my way south I began looking for a place to pull over and eat lunch. When I finally found a place with picnic tables, and some shade as an added bonus, I could not have found a more beautiful spot. Sitting at that table next to a little creek fixing my peanut butter, jelly, banana, and honey tortilla "sandwiches" I couldn't help but think that THIS was why bicycle touring was so appealing to me!

After lunch I continued on down the Trace. The earlier coolness of the morning had given way to the heat of the day. As I neared my campsite I stopped by the water source closest to where I would be spending the night, only to discover that the water fountains were not working. But thanks to the generosity of a couple from Belgium I was able to refill two of my water bottles until I was able to locate another source of water...which I did, and it was much closer to where I was camping.

After setting up my tent and unloading my bike, I continued down the Trace for a few more miles...and a few more lovely hills...to Jackson Falls. This was one of the sites I really wanted to see, though at the time I was trying to talk myself out of riding the additional miles. Thankfully I did not listen to my little inner voice on this one. The falls were absolutely beautiful and provided an excellent exclamation point on a great day!

The ride back to my campsite was pretty uneventful. "Campsite" makes where I stayed sound bigger than it was. I was staying in one of the free bicycle only campsites that the National Park Service provides along the Trace. This one, at highway 50, is basically a couple of picnic tables, and a trash can, on the edge of the woods in a staging area for horse riders. But while it was a very minimal camping area...the bathrooms were about 1/2 mile away (so be sure to plan ahead!) the solitude was great. Except for the occasional car or truck passing by for the nearby farm, I had the place to myself. Relaxing and cooking dinner while the sun began to drop below the tree line brought my maiden voyage as a bicycle traveler to a close. Now for some much deeded/desired sleep!

Today's ride: 53 miles (85 km)
Total: 53 miles (85 km)

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