Connecting great rivers south to MRT in Northern Mississippi

[Nitro]

Hi - does anyone have a good suggestion for routing across northern Mississippi from Tupelo MS to Clarksdale MS? Google maps suggestzs a route straight across. I am wondering if anyone has experience with riding conditions and traffic safety. Thanks!

[John Nettles]

First, welcome to the ACA Forums!

I can get you from Tupelo to Memphis.  Unless there is a reason you want to go to Tupelo, I would suggest a better route would be from Houston, MS to New Albany on a nice rail trail then NW to Memphis using the same route as above into Memphis. I and a couple of buddies rode these routes (except NATM) from Memphis to Atlanta a few years ago and enjoyed it.  Even my traffic-adverse buddy thought riding through Memphis was not bad. I have driven NATM but not ridden it.

All of these routes are part of my Southern Express Route which goes from El Reno, OK (connecting to Bicycle Route 66) to Charleston, SC.

Here are the routes: Houston to New Albany (NAHM-N): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44603149 New Albany to Collierville Jct (CJNA-N): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44603443
Collierville Jct to Memphis (MTCJ-W): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44603574
Tupelo to New Albany (NATM-N): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44603815
Southern Express Route Overall: https://ridewithgps.com/collections/54659?privacy_code=JIfuk4NUsRAmhUn1

If you prefer GPS data, which includes service info, I have that also. Just private message me for the info.

Tailwinds, John

[Nitro]

Hi John
Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I have been a follower and member of ACA for many years but this is the first time I've had a reason to post.  I greatly appreciate your detailed response.  Your information is a good start, especially the ride with GPS information.  I have been riding the Great River South Map route for the last week and it routed me through Tupelo. It then goes on to Natchez via the Natchez Trace Parkway and I am exploring alternatives. I will post anything I find out. Thanks again and best regards, Brian

[John Nettles]

If you use any of the routes, feel free to private message me with any updates or corrections so I can update the route if needed.  Hope you have a great tour! Tailwinds, John