3 Great Bike Trips: Fueled By Great Food

MOUNTAIN GOAT TRAIL

Sewanee to Monteagle on the Cumberland Plateau

From 1856 to 1985, the Mountain Goat Railroad carried coal and passengers in Grundy and Franklin Counties of the Cumberland Plateau. Today, an almost 5-mile stretch of the old railroad between Sewanee and Monteagle (called Mountain Goat Trail) is paved and accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and canine friends. The trail begins in Downtown Sewanee; rent a bike from Woody’s Bicycles and get fueled up by grabbing a bite to eat at Shenanigans. Further down the Mountain Goat Trail, stop at Mooney’s in Monteagle for a snack, a souvenir, and a cool down (they offer an outdoor spray station for hot days!) before heading back.

Mountain Goat Trail mountaingoattrail.org
Woody’s Bicycles | 931-598-9793 90 Reeds Lane, Sewanee, TN
Shenanigans | 931-598-5774 12595 Sollace M Freeman Hwy, Sewanee, TN
Mooney’s Market and Emporium | 931-924-7400 1265 W Main Street, Monteagle, TN

SCENIC SMALL TOWNS

Downtown Franklin to Leiper’s Fork

There’s nothing like spending a bright Saturday morning in Downtown Franklin; add an electric bike ride via the scenic route to Leiper’s Fork for lunch, and you have a Saturday event that’s one for the scrapbooks (or Instagram, whatever’s your fancy). Rent an electric bike from Pedego in Downtown Franklin, and take TN-96 West to Boyd Mill Pike, then turn left onto TN-46 North. Grab a bite at Puckett’s before exploring the shops for antiques, art, and crafts. Head back to Downtown Franklin to return your bike, and stop in Frothy Monkey for a refreshing post-ride treat.

Pedego Franklin | 615-614-3814 104 East Main Street, Franklin, TN
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork 615-794-1308 | 4142 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN
Frothy Monkey Dwntn Franklin | 615-465-6279 125 5th Ave South, Franklin, TN

SHELBY BOTTOMS GREENWAY

Pinewood Social to the East Side and Back

Right over the Cumberland River, East Nashville’s Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park sprawls a beautiful 960-acres of forest, wetlands, fields and streams. The park offers 5 miles of paved trail for cyclists, runners, skaters, and walkers alike, with approximately 3 miles of river views. Rent your ride at the B-cycle Station near Pinewood Social. Take the Downtown Nashville Pedestrian Bridge over the Cumberland and take a right on South First Street, which turns into Davidson Street and leads straight to Shelby Bottoms. After you get your fill of nature and fresh air, ride back for snacks and drinks at Pinewood Social (like the veggie tempura and Scorpion Honey cocktail).

Nashville B-cycle @ The Trolley Barns 57 Peabody Street, Nashville, TN
Shelby Bottoms Greenway Main Trailhead 1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN
Pinewood Social | 615-751-8111 33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN