Holiday Overview
This ride is all about immersing yourself in the history and spirit of the Blues that surrounds you in the Deep South. From the Country Music capital of Nashville, you’ll ride roads that sing the history of America. Nightclubs, juke joints, speakeasies, and honky-tonks abound, and the mouth-watering BBQ and bourbon will satisfy the biggest of appetites. You’ll explore the sites where famous musicians were inspired to delve deep into their souls – Memphis, Natchez, and the Devil’s Crossroads. Riding in New Orleans and strolling down Bourbon Street just might be the most magic thing your soul has ever done as well!!
Blues - Blue Ridge - BBQ Motorcycle Tour includes:
- Return flights from the UK
- 7 nights accommodation
- Motorcycle Rental
- Helmet & armoured riding jacket
- Tour Guide
Day 1 - New Orleans
Take the flight from the UK to New Orleans, or let us and the team at EagleRider know if you want to arrive a day or two early to kick around New Orleans a bit before meeting up with your Tour Guides and fellow travellers at an Orientation Meeting. The hotel is in the heart of the French Quarter where New Orleans retains much of its French colonial influence. This unique American city is famous around the world for its culture, cuisine, and music but go easy in the Big Easy, as we’ve got some ridin’ to do tomorrow.
Day 2 - New Orleans Plantation Ride 100 miles.
Today we pick up our bikes from our Eaglerider location in New Orleans and ride out to spend the day exploring one of the Antebellum Plantations and gardens, soaking in the landscape and cultural history of this special region. Tonight, will be all about our Welcome Dinner and celebrating the beginning of our amazing experiences together.
Day 3 - New Orleans to Natchez 195 Miles
We’ll begin our ride today by rolling out of New Orleans by way of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, at 28 miles it is the longest bridge over water in the world! From there we spend the day riding the backroads of Mississippi, experiencing our first towns along the Blues Trail we’ll be following for a few days. Tonight, we get to explore the great blues town of Natchez, on the banks of the Mississippi.
Day 4 - Natchez to Clarkesdale 215 Miles
Today we continue to immerse ourselves in the history of the Mississippi blues. There are tons of Blues Trail Markers to hit today, as well as some incredibly preserved “Juke Joints” such as Po’ Monkeys in Marigold. We’ll explore parts of the Natchez Trace and ride through plantations of cotton. The food, well, that goes without saying. It’s a menu of soul food, BBQ, and sweet tea. Before arriving at our hotel, we’ll take a stop at the “Crossroads” where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Tonight, it’s cold drinks and live blues!
Day 5 - Clarkesdale to Memphis 80 Miles
Today is all about exploring Memphis! Music lovers around the world know Beale Street, a national historical landmark which showcases the impact Memphis has had on the Blues and Jazz. Legends such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie, and most notably B.B. King, all helped develop the style known as Memphis Blues. One of the city’s most important Rock and Roll icons is Sun Studio, which discovered the talents of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison. It’s just a short ride from Clarksdale so we’ll have plenty of time to explore this amazing city.
Day 6 - Memphis to Muscle Shoals 160 Miles
From Memphis we’ll head out of Tennessee and into Alabama where we’ll have time to explore the famous city of Muscle Shoals. Since the 1960s, the city has been known for music – developing the "Muscle Shoals Sound", as local recording studios (including FAME Studios in the late 1950s and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969) produced hit records that shaped the history of popular music. Tonight, we’ll spend along the shores of the mighty Tennessee River in this lively music and arts district.
Day 7 - Muscle Shoals to Nashville 200 Miles
Today we head North into the southern Appalachian foothills of Tennessee for a beautiful day of riding along the winding and historic Natchez Trace Parkway. We’ll also make a stop at the Jack Daniels Distillery for lunch and a guided tour of this famous site! We’ll head out for the amazing city of Nashville where we'll return our bikes. Tonight, we will celebrate the miles we’ve ridden and the friends we made as we party together for our final Farewell Dinner!
Day 8 - Nashville
Today the tour concludes in Nashville, head back to the airport for your homeward flight.
Image Gallery
On the road
New Orleans
Memphis
Jack Daniels
Clarkesdale Crossroads
New Orleans
Natchez
Memphis
Plantation House
New Orleans