Leo dropped us an email the other day...

Hi, we are first time visitors in the Southern States of the US. We are planning a trip from NYC to Miami, visiting the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pwy. On our way to Jackson/New Orleans we planned to stay in Tupelo overnight and driving down the NTP. We will be there mid-September. Will the leaves be changing colors then? Or is this too early? Do you have some tips which are a must cruising down the NTP? Thank you

-- Leo from the Netherlands

My answer below...

Pete asked a lot of good questions about what to expect when you're biking from one end of the Natchez Trace Parkway to the other.

Thanks to WeathermanTim for answering the wind & weather questions. Now, I'll try my hand at the rest...

I figure lots of long-distance cyclists will have the same questions about biking from end to end on the Trace, so I've decided to make it an article.

Got a question from a bicyclist today...

I'm from Indiana and have found a wealth of information about the parkway and bicycling it with schedules, campgrounds, etc. The one critical piece of information I am missing is where do you leave your car? I'd be leaving from the North end and traveling to Tupelo. Any suggestions?" -- Noah

Good question!

Got an e-mail from Ray D. today. He writes:

I'm stationed at Ft Campbell, KY and would like to know the best way to tour part of the Trace on a Saturday or Sunday drive. Looking at directions from Nashville and just touring the portions of the Natchez Trace within TN with maybe side stops for lunch and or dinner or just snacks. Thanks for any feedback."

Following are my recommendations for a daytrip along the Tennessee portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway...