Monthly Archives: February 2014

Driving The Natchez Trace Parkway – Destination For Coffee?

I Forgot My Coffee

On my way to Jackson Mississippi for some work experience I realized that I had left my mug of coffee in the microwave.  So I stopped about fifteen minutes south of Tupelo Mississippi at the Pontocola One Stop.  Interesting place to stop, building looks like it is on its last decade of which their are a lot of in Mississippi.

Regardless Of The Looks Of The Place

The coffee was decent and it was reasonably clean.  It is not however a destination coffee location for our Saturday morning coffee stops as their are no amenities such as chairs to sit in and so forth.  Other than munchy type stuff their is no food for the morning crowd, although the counter person said they had hamburgers and a few other items starting at 11:00AM.

In Closing

The Pontocola One Stop is located about 100 yards off of the Natchez Trace Parkway mp252IMG_5372 on Pontocola road, has beer, soda’s and a minimum of other items barely sufficiant to serve the local populace.  Coffee is good but the station across the street has more character.  At any rate I can not call for a drive destination coffee stop due to lack of facilities, which is unfortunate, not a bad place to visit all things considered.

Riding The Natchez Trace In Mississippi

Riding The Natchez Trace In Mississippi

I got out today even though it is cloudy and fairly cool today. I wanted to test out my new Nolan N90 helmet. It very comfortable on this ride which only lasted about an hour around a coffee stop about 15 miles south of the Natchez Trace Parkway HeadQuarters. I bought it fairly snug but it will loosen up as I can feel it getting better as I ride.

The Natchez Trace Parkway

The parkway is one of the best rides and covers 444 miles from Nashville Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. It is mostly a straight highway limited to 50 miles per hour with sweeping curves. The road itself is in excellent condition and commercial traffic is not allowed. You will see bicicles and hikers along the road so give them a wide clearance as the Rangers will enforce the law giving them half a lane clearance.

HeadQuarters And Office Complex

The picture included is at the head quarters of the parkway and in Tupelo, Mississippi. It is within 40 miles of being at the center of the parkway and there are a multitude of facilities available with in a mile of the office. There is tourist information available and rest room facilities. The Park has a map handout the identifies other locations along the park for overnight accommodations, food,and gas. You will need this as you can not see or pass through any towns or cities if you stay on the parkway, although you will be passing next to several.

Looking Forward to Longer Rides

I work out of the Tupelo area and will be travelling the full length from here going both north and south visiting the many wayside stops. I will cover the information and ride as i go. Right now the bike is running good and ready to go, just waiting for a little more break in the weather.

Cold Weather Ride

WE had a break in the cold weather here in Mississippi and I took the time to warm up the scoot. Actually was warm while in the sun but once you got into the shadows the cold returned instantly. Still it was a nice respite from the cold weather and I enjoyed a good warm lunch at the Country Store a few miles south and east of Tupelo, Mississippi. Lunch was great and I tanked up on coffee which was excellent. Everything worked well on the ole’

bike and I sure will like it when the weather actually changes and gets back to Mississippi weather, make that warmer weather.