Natchez Trace 444

I first rode on the Natchez Trace Parkway during the 1994 Southern PAC Tour.  I rode a section of it again during both the 2000 and 2002 Race Across America.  I loved the Trace and often thought of directing an event that traveled the 444 mile length.  My opportunity came in 2014 when we met with the National Park Service and created The Natchez Trace 444.  No turns, no stop signs and no traffic lights while traveling the longest, narrowest National Park in the country.  You have 44 hours to complete the ride and qualify for the Race Across America.

​Sincerely,
George Thomas - 444 Founder and RAAM Hall of Fame Inductee.

Adam Heiser nears Rocky Springs during the 2017 Natchez Trace 444

Start Times & Totems

 "As well as promoting cycling safety along the Natchez Trace Parkway we also want to highlight the historical names, places and traditions throughout the Region.  As a fun way of doing this, we decided to assign identifier "totems" per The 508.  For 2019 we made a little change.  Rather than assigning someone an identifier when they registered, we will award the riders their totems at the finish for use in all future 444s.  They've got to earn them.
2022 Start Order

The Route

rules

I do not issue time penalties at The 444. Breaking rules have the severest of penalties in that if the Park receives complaints that we are impeding traffic/acting in unsafe manner/crew stopping on the road/nudity we will not be asked back. As we do not technically refer to The 444 as a "race", a time penalty is pretty meaningless. They make a number of big exceptions for our event:

- They allow us to time the event even though timed events in a National Park are not allowed.
- They allow us to have Time Stations.
-They allow us to have direct follow at night.
We've developed a great relationship with the Park that we want maintained!

1) The Park Superintendent and each of the Ranger Districts are once again allowing night time direct follow. This is a big exception that they are making for us so we need to be aware that we are not impeding traffic when following.
2) They ask that all bicycles have a flashing WHITE light in the front during the day and a steady white head light at night. At night you may have multiple red flashing lights - in fact we encourage it - on the rear of your bike but one MUST be steady to meet state law.
3) My rules - riders must wear reflective ankle bracelets and reflective vest/belt at night (Night hours are 6:30pm-6:30am).
4) My rules - crew must wear reflective vests at night
5) I need you to text me when you reach the Alabama/MS state line (Mile Marker 309). Only the first and last few riders need do this but it is extremely important that you do so. I'll let you know who you are from your Time Station reports. I will then call them after the first and again when the last rider passes this marker. The Rangers want to know when we arrive in their Districts and when we're through them. Again - I need you to do this from MM 309 (AL/MS State Line). I also need you to do the same when you reach Kosciusko, MS MM 160 and when you exit the Trace MM 0. This will be noted in your route sheets as well.
6) One of the rules we will be watching especially closely will be that support vehicles must stop 5 feet to the right of the white line. They've had complaints about support vehicles with other events along the Trace stopping in the road. A good marker for 5 feet is your wingspan - fingers touching the driver's side door and, with arms spread, fingers of the other hand are touching (virtually - you're not hunkered down in the road actually touching the road) the white line. Use caution as there are places it would be easy to get stuck and others where there's a decent sized ditch to the side. 
7) Don't Cheat...okay we'll go into a little more detail. ​
8) If you think what you're doing is cheating, it probably is...okay, more detail than that.
9) Obey traffic laws. i.e. when crew is doing leap frog support they must drive at speed of traffic or speed limit. There are no stop lights or stop signs on the route until you leave the Trace for the final couple of miles to the finish motel - but you aren't being through this part. Like RAAM you will have a certain number of minutes added to your time when you exit The Trace.  All riders will receive the same number of minutes for this final section.
10) When you pull of to the right of the road, you need to have 5 feet between the driver's side door and the pavement. Are we out with rulers measuring your proximity to the road - no. Think to yourself 'if I open the driver's door to get out is the door going to open into the lane with oncoming vehicles'. If so, then you're too close. Same when you're rider stops and you are taking care of him/her. You don't want to be standing in the road when you're out of the vehicle attending your cyclist.
11) Don't be visible to other humans when relieving yourself. Relief by back rub or stretching your legs is just fine. I'm talking about the other stuff. You're on seemingly deserted roads but there are campers, tourists and hikers along the route.
12) Bicycle - must have reflective tape on the front forks, four spots on each side of the front and rear wheel rims, along the rear triangle, on front and sides of the cranks. Also place reflective tape on the back of your cycling shoes rather than trying to get tape on the back of your pedals.
13) Support vehicle Accessories - "Caution Bikes Ahead" (or some variation of the same) must be clearly visible on the back of the vehicle. I have these available for a very reasonable cost.
14) Identifier Signage i.e. Your Last Name/Team Name must be on the driver's side door, hood and rear of the vehicle.
Use a glass/window marker for this!  We'll have them at the start area parking lot as well as the motel.  Have fun with it!
15) Slow Moving Vehicle triangle must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle when doing direct follow.  I have these available for a very reasonable price.
16) Roof mount amber flashers and hazard lights should be going at all times you are engaged in the event (on course supporting your rider - not when buying gas or shopping) to increase our visibility
17) You may do this event with a minimum of 1 crew person! A number of riders did that last year with great success.
18) 44 hour time limit.   Finishing within the time limit earns you an official finish as well as RAAM Qualification! Start times are assigned as the date draws nearer - they are based on your finish goals. Due to Covid mitigation protocol I'm spreading you out with at least 10 minute intervals between starters beginning with first rider off at 10:00AM and last rider at 3:30PM. There are a few larger time gaps throughout.
19) More Covid goodies - social distancing at our event is 15 feet - not 6 feet - within someone not in your pod.  Therefore, just keep your face covering over your mouth AND nose when you are within 15 feet of someone not on your crew or relay team.  This includes while at the start/finish motels and when purchasing gas/supplies along the route.  
19a) You may not ride next to another rider other than the brief time it takes you to pass.  I know this is hard because we want to wish the other riders well.  Just give a quick 'hello' when passing and move on.  If being overtaken you need to let the rider pass. 

Aid Station Arrival Times

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