From Memphis TN to Washington DC: who to meet?

[Bouke6708]

From 19 March till 16 June my wife and I are cycling from Memphis TN to Washington DC, visiting Civil War sites, listening to beautiful music, enjoying the US countryside and of course meeting nice people. Who can we meet?
This is roughly our scheme:
From Memphis at first going south, Vicksburg, Jackson, being there around 30 March. We will rent a car doing a week tour through Louisiana – New Orleans, Lafayette. Then we will be on our bikes again on the Natchez Trace, hoping to arrive in Nashville around 18 April. From there heading for Chattanooga (23 Apr) and then through eastern Tennessee (Athens, Sevierville, Johnson City), arriving in Damascus VA around 5 May, to Roanoke, taking the Blue Ridge Parkway, and from there via Appomattox to Petersburg (17 May). Then we will head north to Richmond and  Fredericksburg (22 May) and from there west to Shenandoah (Front Royal) and to Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg (3 June) and of course Gettysburg. Finally we will ride to Washington DC via Frederick. We hope to have a very pleasant 2000 miles ride by bike.
What strikes me is that obviously Civil War fanatics don’t bike and that bike fanatics don’t do a Civil War Tour....  Am I right?
Anyway, being back in June I will tell you my experiences. In the meantime we hope to meet nice people. And of course, any suggestions are very welcome!!

Bouke de Vos, Wageningen, the Netherlands

[FredHiltz]

What strikes me is that obviously Civil War fanatics don’t bike and that bike fanatics don’t do a Civil War Tour....  Am I right?

A few years ago, 14 of us did the northern part of this trip: Blue Ridge Parkway followed by the battlefields. Our leader was a general of the U.S. Army (retired) who had studied the Civil War for most of his life. Fascinating!

Bikes are a great way to see the battlefields. People in cars have to park and walk to the monuments, plaques, and overlooks. We can ride right up to them. The roads are smooth and quiet with very low speed limits. Many of the battlefields are scenic spots, a bonus.

Fred

[indyfabz]

The only way I have seen Gettysburg is by bike.  While the traffic in the town proper was a little congested, there was little traffic in the "park" itself on a Friday afternoon in October.

The BBC puts this on every year:

http://www.civilwarcentury.com/

[noshbygosh]

Well, you're a bit early, but after finishing up the Civil War Century, you might tempt yourselves with this dandy as you meander onto Frederick:

http://www.winthefight.org/granfondo/diabolical_double.htm

[humunuku]

If you pass thru Knoxville, TN - we have plenty of Civil war sites within a couple miles of downtown.  You also mentioned music...while your here, go to the WDVX "Blueplate Special" its a live radio show everyday at 12pm (free) and great folk/old time/bluegrass style music.

[Tourista829]

Petersburg is an interesting Civil War Site. Sounds like a great trip. We have family in the Memphis area. My girlfriend sends me a couple of slabs of ribs and fixings from Corkey's, for my birthday. (there are better ribs in Memphis but it is still great) You can never have a low enough gear for the mountains.