Natchez Trace Eco run: Memorial Day Weekend 2014

[Superfuelgero]

****Edit*** Result posted on page three. Winner, DonkeyCRX at 106.18 mpg.

Memorial day weekend.

Not a formally organized event. I'm just planning on driving it, and am inviting others to join.

Date: 5/26/2013
Meeting place: Tupelo Auto museum.
Time: Meet 'around' 8am, fill up (2 click method) and leave by 9am.
Route: Down main street and down the trace to french camp.
Duration: 4.5 hours driving, plus a half hour break midway. It can be done in 3 driving over the speed limit.

Fill up #2, meet at the gas station within 5 hours. Use same pump, same direction, same method (2 click).

Elevation map of the route.


What is "the trace"? Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
Its good route that offers:
-Light traffic
-Scenic Route
-Low speeds
-Central location
-Lack of local police

[wheelbender6]

The Trace sounds a great location for an Eco Run. Very scenic and the speed limit is low enough that fuel efficiency speeds will have a very small impact on traffic flow.

[arcosine]

The part I rode my bicycle on was hilly, Id guess that would win an MPG challenge.

[justme1969]

It was on top of the page after opening the link.

[Superfuelgero]

Part of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (NOT the Parkway) near Tupelo, MS, has been closed until 2015 due to construction under Tupelo's Major Thoroughfare Construction Project. Parkway travelers may expect delays, but no detours are expected. More »

The trail is like a hiking path, the parkway is the main road. We should be good on the weekend, since construction is during the week.

[arcosine]

I rode my bike on the Natchez Trace parkway this last week from Tupelo, Mississippi, south. I think the hills there are not so big that you would have to break much to avoid over speeding while coasting down, though I did hit 50 mph on the bicycle.. Early Sunday morning there was absolutely no cars. Speed limit is posted at 50 mph.

[Superfuelgero]

Funny, I did just north of Tupelo northbound on Saturday. The hills there are larger, especially towards Nashville. EOC @ 50 was 80 by the end. I need to work on my driving, even at 50, I was only able to hit 65mpg (some Nashville traffic in there).

It was empty on that end too. In the 150 miles each way, saw an average of 10 cars.

The other good thing about this route is the short distances to the next rest area, where breaks, meals and checkpoints could be done with plenty of parking and facilities.

[arcosine]

Ha, you would have passed me if you drove south! I rode 150 miles, top speed 50 mph. Winter may be a good time for a meet up, any one interested meet up next December 27-28 with an eco-modder challenge?

[Superfuelgero]

Bump, going to do this memorial day weekend. Not a true organized event, mainly just inviting people to drive it with me. We can fill up and the same time and calculate mileage though.

Anyone who attends is welcome to my home afterwards or free some pizza and a beer.

Which day, section of the trace, and time is open.

[MetroMPG]

Title updated with date.