Line Dancing on Two Wheels

Ah, Nashville. Music City USA, land of cowboy hats and boots (tourists only, please), honky-tonks, Whoo Girls, and pedal taverns! I’m kidding, of course, or at least in part.

As a 27-year resident, these have become the gimmicky hallmarks of a city that has fast become a darling destination for those all over. Nashville is charming and still has that small-ish town feel, but there is so much to do here. If you're traveling to Tennessee and need a motorcycle to rent in Nashville, you've come to the right place.

Weather

Nashville’s weather can best be described as bipolar. It is possible to experience three seasons in a week from March to May. June through September could be called swimming pool weather, not because it’s the best time to swim but because it’s so humid you need a snorkel; our summer rides are KSU no later than 6:30 a.m.

October to December can be a toss-up, but with a good thermal layer, you can ride most days. My wife and I had a nice Christmas Day ride at 65F just last year. January and February are going to be your toughest months here. Lots of rain, pretty cold, snow and ice aren’t unusual. Check the weather frequently, up to the day before you head this way, so you’re as prepared as possible. 

Roads

Nashville is one of those cities that requires a slog through traffic to get to the good stuff, but some iconic roads can be started downtown. Here are some of my favorite Nashville motorcycle routes.

Hwy 70 E: This highway runs over 2k miles from North Carolina to Arizona.Highway 70 around Nashville is a good alternative to the interstate to get to some of the better roads. Head east (bear with me) toward Lebanon. Once you’re there, follow signs for 70E (not 70N). This will take you to a great little town called Watertown. Stop and check it out. If you’re hungry, there’s great pizza downtown!

Next, head south on 267, right on 96, then left on 145, and enjoy this sweeping road for the next 4 miles. You’ll crest a hill and pass under a bridge. The next left takes you up to that bridge, and if you’re on a bike you absolutely have to stop and take photos—Instagram demands it! 

Continue on south to Woodbury, taking a left on 70S (yes, another 70!), then left on 53 in a mile. This will take you back to the 70 you were on before. Left takes you back to Nashville, or continue the fun by going right, connecting back up with 96—but north this time— and ride the hell out of this to the Center Hill Dam. At this point, you’ve earned another round of Insta photo taking!

Once you’re done applying your filters, come across the dam and take a right on 141. When you reach the 264 junction, you can take a right for a quick fuel stop. From there you can continue north to 70N, which will take you back to Nashville, or you can return to 141 and follow it back to Lebanon (my choice), and then link back up with 70 for the rest of the way back to the city lights.

Hwy 70 W: Heading west 70 is only entertaining through Pegram and Bell Town, but if you can last to 47 (just past White Bluff), then onto 49 N and you’ll have a hard time deciding between taking in the beauty around you or hitting the apex. Head back south on 251, then right on Pond Creek Road and grip down to the Loveless Cafe for lunch. You may notice as you’re turning toward Loveless, that The Natchez Trace will be in your rear view.

Hwy 100 W: Highway 100 is akin to 70 when you’re close to town, but unlike 70, 100 has only ever been a state route, and it is, by default, more fun. This road will take you most directly to the top of the Natchez Trace, but continue and the scenery improves. 

Try this loop: 100 to Linden, 13 S to 48 E, and in Hohenwald, get on 412 E and ride that into Columbia. Columbia is a gem of a town with a lovely town square. I recommend Puckett’s if you haven't eaten at this point. From here, continue on 412, eventually taking a left (north) on 431.

This will take you to Franklin, and if you’re a history buff there is no shortage of Civil War sites to take in (Carnton Plantation, The Lotz House, Battle of Franklin, and so on). To get back to town, pick 431 or 31; both get you there with ease.

The Trace: The Natchez Trace (aka ‘Old Natchez Trace’)  is easily the most well-known scenic route in the region. If you have a few days to kill, it’s well worth doing the full 444 miles down to Natchez, stopping frequently to take in the history of the Old Trace. If you’re keen to stay around Nashville, then I would suggest a much shorter loop.

Hop on at the Northern Terminus just past Loveless Cafe and choose your speed wisely. This is the curviest part of The Natchez Trace motorcycle experience, but it’s often peppered with cyclists and troopers. It’s a park as well, so the fines are steep, and the speed limit is a mere 40 mph (you’ve been forewarned)!

Be sure to stop for pics on the Trace Parkway Bridge (both above and below), and then exit TN 46 to Leiper’s Fork. In Leiper’s there’s the Original Puckett’s Grocery and Leiper’s Fork Distillery, a new distillery everyone raves about. You can then take 46 to 431 and back to Nashville or spend the rest of the day exploring the country roads around Franklin.

Food and Drink

Nashville is home to one of the best food scenes in the country. I’ve already mentioned Puckett’s, which is good for what most will think of as typical southern food. My personal favorite in Nashville is Rudie’s Seafood & Sausage. They’re the only place in landlocked Nashville you should trust with oysters.

Mitchell Delicatessen, down the road from there, is a fantastic breakfast option. In downtown Franklin, I’d highly recommend GRAYS on Main any day and any time.

For the best pub in the city head to McNamara’s Irish Pub; it’s likely you’ll find me there. Invite me out and I’ll buy the first round, that’s a promise. For the best local beer, head to any one of Tailgate Brewery. They have the best beer in the city, and the food will set you right. Jackalope Brewing is another great local brewery.

For your more upscale dining and drinks, try The Patterson House for pre-dinner cocktails, and then go all in for dinner and a show at House of Cards. This is by no means exhaustive, but I can and do stake my reputation on these places above. 

Shops

I wish I could tell you there are all these local, trendy, cool moto shops to go hang out at with other like-minded petrol heads, but alas there’s really not. If you are badly in need of gear, then holler at Sloan’s in Murfreesboro; they’ll do right by you (tell Matt Sloan I sent you).

The coffee shop Crema on Hermitage Avenue is a good spot for coffee and has dedicated motorcycle parking. Barista Parlor in Marathon Village is extra cool. The shops around there won’t disappoint you.

Motorcycle Events in Nashville

Compared to the West Coast or cities like Austin, Nashville’s moto culture is young. The largest moto event we have every year is the Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival now hosted at Loretta Lynn’s ranch each year in October. It’s four days of motorcycles (duh!), music, and a bunch of like-minded folks.

This event is growing every year, and I think will eventually rival many others in scope and size. This year will see more musical acts, stunts, and demo trucks than before. It’s a little more than an hour outside the city as the car drives, and more like two to two and half via the two-wheeled scenic route.

Ask me, and I’d say take 100 out of the city all the way to the introduction of 230 and then take that the rest of the way. It’s not technically difficult, but the curves are sweeping, and the roads are good. Out around Hurricane Mills, there is no shortage of curvy loops. If you plan to visit without your bike and need a motorcycle rental in Nashville, check out the great selection of motorcycles for rent on Twisted Road!