Itinerary: American Iron Tour 2002

September  - October 2002   Please enquire for exact dates 
Note: 2002 Prices not yet available.  *Prices below are a guide, and were for our very successful 2001 Tour.  See our photo album of this tour.

Preliminary information for 2002 tour,  at 7 January 2002

A vibrant blend of live music, 2000 miles of Harley riding and an opportunity to see the sights and sounds of real town America.  Following the success of the inaugural tour in 2001 we are now well advanced for the 2002 event.  Starting in St Louis we travel through 8 states visiting Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis before arriving back in the home of Rock'N'Roll 2 weeks later.  The tours will be run during September and October, bookings will be strictly on a first come first served basis.  Dave Grist at H-C Travel will be handling all the bookings, contact him on 01256 770775  (+44 1256) for more information.

The following is a rough guide to the likely itinerary, it could change and is not to be taken as the exact description of the event at this stage.

Day 1.               St Louis

We meet you at the airport and transfer to our first nights hotel. The bikes are delivered and all the paperwork is dealt with.  Over a meal and some drinks we discuss the daily itineraries and the way the group riding will work.

Day 2.               St Louis - Springfield ( approx daily mileage 140 miles )

After a leisurely breakfast we ride through the suburbs of St Louis along old route 66 visiting Ted Drewes frozen custard store and the famous arch over the Mississippi.  The day's ride is largely along route 66 through Granite city, stopping at the Henry's emporium and the Ariston Cafe before arriving in Springfield in the late afternoon.  The evening will be spent downtown at a live music bar.  Approx daily mileage 140 miles.

Day 3.               Springfield - Evansville ( 250 miles )

Travelling south east we journey mostly through farming communities along routes 29 and 51, crossing the Ohio river before arriving in Evansville.  The evening's music will be downtown at the casino.  

Day 4.               Evansville - Nashville ( 250 miles )

Today we travel through the picturesque land between the lakes, an area little visited by foreign tourists.  After a picnic lunch we find some for the best twisty roads in the USA along route 49 to Nashville, the home of Country and Western.  The downtown music scene is diverse and there's something for everyone in the many clubs and bars.  

Day 5.  

Free day to take the City bus tour, visit the Grand old Oprey and to see and hear more great live music.

Day 6.               Nashville - Tupelo ( 250 miles )

Most of the day's mileage is spent riding the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 100 mile ride without passing through a town.  Lunch is taken as a picnic and in the afternoon a visit to the Alabama music Hall of Fame.  Next door to the Hall of Fame is one of the newest Harley Davidson shops in America. Just the place to stock up with your Hog gear.  We overnight in Tupelo, the town where Elvis was born. 

Day 7.               Tupelo - Meridian ( 175 miles )

We start with a visit to the house and museum dedicated to the early days of The King.  The rest of the day's ride is along more of the Natchez Trace Parkway, Highway 15 and 19 through the country areas of Louisville and Philadelphia before arriving at the overnight stop of Meridian.

Day 8.               Meridian - New Orleans ( 220 miles )

Leaving Meridian we head through some sparsely inhabited areas on our journey south.  Breaking the day up with regular stops to fuel up the bikes and the riders.  Most of the day's ride is spent on Highways 145, 18 and the rather bumpy 11 before picking up interstate 50/10 for the last few miles into New Orleans.  The hotel is on the edge of the French quarter within easy walking distance of the downtown music attractions, a cacophony of noise is guaranteed! 

Day 9.  

A free day to explore more of vibrant New Orleans.  A  Gator tour, a city bus ride or an evening's trip on a paddle streamer - the choice is yours.  And of course, there's live music a-plenty. 

Day 10.             New Orleans - Vicksburg ( 237 miles )

We leave St. Louis on the Interstate but very quickly pick up Bob Dylan's Highway 61.  We follow the mighty Mississippi north through Clarksdale, the birthplace of John Lee Hooker.  Stopping at the famous crossroads of 61/49 where the Blues Man is supposed to have sold his soul to the devil.  This is Cotton Land as is also the place where the first merchandised cotton picking machine was made and used.  Tonight we go to the Casino in Vicksburg where if you fancy you can have a flutter but is the place for some great live music.

Day 11.              Vicksburg - Memphis ( 230 miles )

We start the day with a visit to the Vicksburg State Park, the site of a famous battle during the American War of Independence.  Travelling north we journey along more of Highway 61 to our overnight stop in Memphis.  The evening being spent on Beale Street listening to more great music.

Day 12.

A free day, to visit Graceland, the Sun recording Studio, the Gibson guitar museum or the multitude of other attractions.  In the evening of course, there's more live music.

Day 13.             Memphis - Poplar Bluff (160 miles)

A leisurely day's ride to Poplar Bluff, travelling along mostly minor routes.

Day 14.             Poplar Bluff  - St Louis ( 160 miles )

An earlyish start as the last day's ride takes us through Missouri and some of the most picturesque scenery of the whole trip.  Stopping at a huge Harley dealership for your last minute souvenirs.  On arrival back in St. Louis the bikes are delivered back, and we prepare for the flight home.

Total mileage approx  1800.

2001 prices  :   Rider   * £1955   Pillion   * £565        What does this include? click here