Great Natchez Ride

Had a great weekend with our Great Natchez Ride. Off and on for the past couple years, we've talked about doing an overnight bike ride to Natchez and back (~100 miles each way) on the Natchez Trace....but like many adventures, it's sometimes hard to get a critical mass together. But it really happened this weekend. We put this on the calendar a couple months ago, hoping to talk a crowd into joining in....but in the end, it was just me, Bobby, and Brandon. Alisha, Brandon's girlfriend was also going to ride, but a nagging foot injury turned her into a support person at the last minute.

We met at my house early Saturday morning....the riders, plus the support crew of Lori (my sister), Alisha (Brandon's girlfriend), and Julie (Bobby's girlfriend). We loaded up Bobby's Tahoe with the luggage and support gear and we were off!

The Natchez Trace is a gem for bicyclists. It's a 2-lane road, entirely through National Park, that stretches from Natchez, MS in the south to Nashville, TN in the north. The road surface is great and there is little traffic. On the stretch between here and Natchez, the road is gently rolling for the first 80 miles or so, then has bigger hills for the last 25 miles. All in all, there's about 2000 feet of elevation gain for the entire route.

Day #1

We had terrific weather....sunny, 70's to low 80's, little wind....perfect conditions for a long bike ride. We headed out from my house for the 3-mile ride to the Trace and the girls headed out in the SUV. We hopped on the Trace and headed south, each taking rotating 5-10 minute turns at the front.

The girls played leapfrog with us, stopping at each upcoming rest stop along the Trace. They'd be there, cheering and taking photos as we rode by.

We made 2 stops on the way to Natchez, first at Rocky Mount (~50 miles in) and then Mount Locust (~88 miles in)....bathroom break, stretching, snacks, etc. The biggest mishap on day #1 came at Mount Locust....but for the support vehicle, not the riders! The girls rode over a metal bolt which found its way into a rear tire, causing a flat. And, interestingly, we had a dickens of a time getting the tire changed. Eventually, a local US mailwoman had to change the tire. Go figure! We turned the girls loose to head for the hotel and be there when we arrived.

We stayed at the historic Eola hotel in downtown Natchez. It is Fall Pilgrimage season in Natchez, so our choice of accomodations was limited, but this worked out pretty well. The rooms were comfortable and had a balcony looking toward the Mississippi River.

I headed out for a short transition run along the River and then crashed at the room for a couple hours. Some of the others made their way to Biscuit and Blues for a snack and libation.

We ate at the Pearl Street Pasta Co., just across the street from the hotel. Good food, good company, and a TV to keep an eye on the Georgia/LSU and then Ole Miss games. Lori and I turned in early (I couldn't pass up the opportunity for 9 hours of sleep....I can't remember the last time). Others headed for the Mighty Martini or a local bar to watch more of the football.

Day #2

We were up early on day #2 to check on the weather forecast. It would be a windy, cooler, and wet day and we worried that rain would get the best of us. As it turned out, there were a couple periods of light rain, but the heavens didn't open up until we were back in Jackson.

For me, the ride was tough on day #2. The first 25 miles of the ride were pretty hilly....and the other guys were feeling too peppy for me. Every time we were headed uphill, I needed to crank out 300+W to keep up....and I knew early on that this was a recipe for failure later in the day. And I was right.

We stopped at Coles Creek (~20 miles in) for a bathroom break, then at Mount Locust (~60 miles in) for another break. I decided to take an hour break and ride in the car, meeting the guys at Battle of Raymond (~80 miles in) and ride to the finish. I felt stronger after the break and it wasn't quite the problem to keep up for the final 20 miles or so....despite the gusty headwind.

Brandon and I went for a short transition run from my house and then we enjoyed pizza from Soulshine. We had a great time this year and are looking forward to doing it again....perhaps spring, 2010. Julie texts tonight that she wants to get a bike. What could be better?

For me, the totals were:

Day #1

110.6 miles (106.3 miles steady on the Trace)

19.2 mph (19.8 mph on the Trace), avg. cadence 89, avg HR 131

power 148W, 173NP, TSS 360, 3061kJ

Day #2

76.2 miles (74.0 miles steady on the Trace)

17.2 mph, avg cadence 89, avg HR 123

power 147W, 169NP, TSS 262, 2620kJ

For me, this was the most-ever cycling over 2 days. And the short transition runs went well, too....providing some confidence for the upcoming IM Florida race.

Next up for me (and Brandon, with Lori and Alisha cheering again)....Ironman Florida on November 7th.