Looking for Route Recommendations for April

[Srobocop]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I'm looking for route recommendations for April. I want to go for minimally 2 weeks, and up to a Month. I prefer average Temps no higher than 75, and 60s are perfect with lows down into the 30s being fine for over night. I like historical aspects, but I do like wilderness/and old smaller towns/cities. I do love experiencing local foods, but have no problem packing/cooking my own foods either. Nothing with any Crazy mountains, so would like to stay out of the Rockies or Appalachian areas. Not looking to do much more than 30-40 miles a day. Want to take my time and make it more about the adventure/exploring than the destination. I'd prefer campground or stealth camping, with maybe some warm showers or small motels mixed in (every week or so).

Right now my fall back plan is to do St. Louis riding along the Great Rivers Trail North, and then connecting on the Northern Tier to stay along the Mississippi up towards Minneapois, but cutting NW at some point to ride back to my home in the UP. But Would love ideas for going and experiencing something elsewhere. I have a bunch of skymiles so plane travel isn't an issue.

Also, My bike is a Long Haul Trucker if that makes any difference, and gravel roads are okay by me too.

Any recommendations appreciated. Thank you in advance! 

[JHamelman]

Your fall back trip plan sounds great. However, this April might not be the time to do it. Lots of flooding occurring or likely to occur in the region. You might want to follow this thread:

https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=15563.0

Jennifer

[Pat Lamb]

April would be a great month to ride the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The azaleas and dogwoods should be blooming, the weather averages meet your preferences (not saying the weather will cooperate, though!), and there's no steep climbs except perhaps the Tennessee River bridge.

Connections might be a challenge in Natchez, but Nashville (the northern terminus) has motels, an airport, and taxis/Lyft/etc.

[shirlee]

Second for Natchez Trace, but expect it to be storming almost every night. I'm planning Texas Hill County this April. Lemme know if you decide on that one!

[Srobocop]

Wow, I've never heard of the Natchez Trace Parkway! It looks perfect! Thank you for the recommendations!

[Srobocop]

Two Questions for everyone. RIght now I have 700x25 tires on my bike. Do you think those will be good for this route? I also have 700x41's i could put on if they might be better? (gravel roads, shoulders, etc?) 2nd Question: Do you think this route is better done North to South, or South heading North?

[Pat Lamb]

It depends on how much you're loaded with.  700Cx25 will be fine for the NTP pavement; it's pretty well paved, although there may be some short gravel stretches going to campsites.  If your bike can handle 28s or 32s, those might be better for a bike with a load of, say, 30-40 pounds.

Which way?  Going north, you'll have a few days to get in shape before you get to the "hilly" part.  If you time it right, you'll also get to surf the dogwood and azalea blooms, maybe for the entire week. Go south and you'll have a better chance of hitting the blooms for at least 2-3 days.  Finally, the weather: if a cold front is coming, you'll want to be blown north; if it's come through, you want to be heading south.  (It'll switch overnight!)

[shirlee]

Oh and the redbuds - outstanding! A gorgeous ride.

[erniegrillo]

The Pacific Coast,  Washington, Oregon, California may meet your requirements

[Smudgy]

Another vote for Natchez Trace.