Safely Riding Nashville to Cincinnati?

[Brett G]

Hello to you all from Australia. I just joined the Adventure Cycling Association and this is my first Forum interaction!
Now retired, but experienced in multi-day and multi-week rides, I'm planning a very long ride in April/May 2026 which requires a safe/quiet route north from Nashville to Cincinnati. (I will be exiting the Natchez Trace at Nashville and starting the OTET at Cincinnati.)

At the moment this is the only part of my proposed ride not predominantly on designated bike routes. I am currently thinking of following USBR23 north from Nashville to Tanner Ky, then some way north(ish) to Brandenburg Ky to join the Adv Cycling UGRR route. I'd then follow this UGRR route to an exit point at Glencoe Ky just south of Cincinnati. I'd then find a safe/quiet/short way to the start of the OTET.

What do you think? Is this a reasonable route plan? Do you suggest possibly better option route/s for Nashville to Cincinnati? My bike will be set up for gravel or road.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you might offer. I will try to address any queries within a day or two.

[John Nelson]

You could take the Natchez Trace back to Tishomingo, MS (or just not go all the way to Nashville in the first place), and then take the UGRR all the way from there to Milford, Ohio. The UGRR has a spur route from Milford to Cincinnati, and Milford is right on the OTET. You're going to love the OTET. And if you get to Dover, TN, you'll love riding through the Land Between the Lakes.

[Brett G]

Thanks very much for your quick response John. But I'm sort of locked into being in Nashville and (probably) Louisville for accommodation purposes. And I definitely want to finish the Natchez Trace before then going on to Cincinnati.

So I'm just hoping my proposed N to C plans (as noted above) are viewed as reasonable by my experienced USA mates. Please let me know.
Brett