Hi @Erin,

Sounds like fun! For that trip, as it was a 1-way trip for me (starting in Nashville, ending in New Orleans), I decided on using a bike box. I discarded my box in Nashville, and then got a new one from a bike shop in New Orleans.

I frequently use a bike bag if I plan on returning to my arrival point (or have some way of easily transporting it to my destination). Either way is pretty straightforward with airlines.

Unfortunately I don’t think there are any shuttles going from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. My suggestion would probably be to get a one way car/van rental. Car rentals are available in Natchez, but alternatively you could rent a car in Nashville and make Natchez your starting point instead.

You might have luck contacting some of the private tour guides on the Trace. Unfortunately I don’t know of any directly so your best bet will be Google for that aspect.

In doing some research on the Natchez Trace, I came across your article and it is so inspiring!

My husband and I live in Nelson BC and are looking for a 2026 spring bikepacking adventure and are thinking about this route. I have so many questions for you, but to start I am curious about your travel logistics to/from BC to the US.

How did you transport your bike via air travel – bike box or bike bag?
Do you know if there are any shuttles that transport people and bikes from the southern terminus of the Trace back to Nashville?

Hope to hear from you soon!

@Patrick, I live four miles from Meriweather Lewis monument in Hohenwald. To hot in August as temps will be in the 90’s most of the time. And then you must factor in the humidity which will put you around 100 F. Traffic will be minimal. Madness would be a fitting description I’d say for an August ride down the trace. Second to third week in October is optimal to me. There will be less humidity (perhaps) than during early spring time.

Hi Julie, rain gear is always a tough one and I think depends a lot on each individual’s physiology and comfort. I generally am pretty sweaty, so even breathable fabrics like GoreTex can be pretty useless if I’m wearing them while pedalling, I just end up soaking myself anyways. That being said, the only waterproof jackets I own are all breathable ones. For me it depends a lot on the amount of rain I expect to encounter, and the ambient temperatures. If the forecast is going to be cold and wet, I’ll bring a full set of rain gear: Goretex pants, rain jacket, shoe rain covers, helmet rain cover, neoprene gloves and maybe even neoprene socks. And for underlayers I’ll bring synthetic fleeces that I know keep me warm even when they’re wet: my MEC Rockwall fleeces have kept me super warm even when soaked (I’ve had several trips where I basically took off my t-shirt and my rain coat and just wore the fleece by itself, as that kept me the warmest).
If it is going to be warm and maybe not that wet (ie. shorts weather), I will forego the full arsenal and just bring a lightweight rain coat, neoprene gloves and rain covers. I find the biggest help is definitely keeping those extremeties warm, so I will rarely go on a trip without rain covers and full fingered gloves (an extra pair of neoprene ones if it looks like rain).

Ok, so that was long winded. I guess in summary:

• jacket: for me, fancy jackets don’t always provide that much value.
• pants: I’m often wearing shorts and my legs are waterproof, so I don’t normally take any.
• core: I make sure to have a fleece that will keep me warm when it’s wet.
• extremities: I care a lot about keeping my hands and feet warm (neoprene gloves if it’s wet, long fingered if it’s cold, and rain covers to keep wind and water out of the shoes).

PS. There’s one thing I have used for commuting but never so far for touring, which is a cycling rain cape. It basically is a poncho that covers your handlebars, and you, providing a lot of air underneath but keeping your legs dry. It can act a bit like a sail, however, making cycling a little less efficient, which is why it’s stayed home on my longer trips. However there are definitely people who swear by them!

Hi Eleanor! I do think a lock is probably something worth taking. Although the Trace feels remote, it does pass through some more built-up areas, and there are definitely towns near, but not on, the route. Especially since I was by myself, there were many times where I would have to leave my bike unattended, such as grocery shopping or walking the trails like you plan to do. Overall I think the rate of bike theft there is probably pretty low, so even something as simple as a cable lock would be enough of a deterrent in many cases, especially if you are taking precautions like hiding the bike in the woods when going for a hike. I forget exactly what lock I took, but it either would have been a cable lock or an ABUS lightweight chain lock, for flexibility in chaining to trees, picnic tables, or whatever was around.

Hi Rose, if you already find your hybrid bikes comfortable where you currently ride them, you should have no troubles on the Natchez Trace. It is well paved and well maintained. The areas around Jackson and Tupelo can be rather busy with traffic at times, but otherwise Mississippi should be quiet and enjoyable!