Blues, Blue Ridge & BBQ – Guided Motorcycle Tour

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to New Orleans, Louisiana. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel, allocated by EagleRider, where you spend the first night of your adventure.

Welcome to New Orleans, where your adventure begins in one of America’s most vibrant and soulful cities. Riders settle in, meet the group, and enjoy the energy of the French Quarter, Cajun food, and live music echoing from every corner. It’s the perfect place to shake off travel fatigue, get acquainted with your fellow riders, and gear up for the unforgettable roads ahead.

Today you pick up your bike from the New Orleans EagleRider depot. Your first day in the saddle takes you out of New Orleans and along scenic backroads toward Louisiana’s capital city. The ride offers winding riverside stretches, bayou views, and moss-draped oaks that make Southern Louisiana feel timeless. Baton Rouge welcomes you with warm hospitality, great food, and the unmistakable rhythm of the Deep South.

Today you cruise north toward Natchez, riding through small historic towns and lush countryside. Rolling into Natchez feels like stepping back in time, this Mississippi River gem is known for antebellum mansions, sunset views over the water, and classic Southern charm. A relaxed evening here sets the tone for the scenic Mississippi Delta miles ahead.

Today you continue to immerse yourself in the history of the Mississippi Blues. There are tonnes of Blue Trail Markers to hit today, as well as some incredibly preserved Juke Joints, such as Po’ Mokeys in Marigold. You’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. There is a stop at the ‘Crossroads’ where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Your evening includes cold drinks and live blues.

Today is all about exploring Memphis. Music lovers around the world know Beale Street, a national historic landmark which showcases the impact Memphis has had on 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 is just a short ride from Clarkesville so you will have plenty of time to explore this amazing city.

Leaving the big city behind, you ride southeast toward Florence, Alabama — a beautiful route blending scenic farmland, gentle curves, and classic Southern roads. Florence sits along the Tennessee River and offers a quieter change of pace, perfect for unwinding after days rich with music and nightlife.

Today you head north into the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee for a beautiful day riding along the winding and historic Natchez Trace Parkway. You’ll also make a stop st the Jack Daniels distillery for lunch and a guided tour of this famous site. Tonight you arrive in the Country Music Capital of the World – Nashville.

The Capital of Country Music throws its doors open to you today to explore. You have a free day to seek out some of its museums and icons such as the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.

Today you head towards the Appalachians and the Tail of the Dragon. Because you are staying in the nearby town of Townsend tonight, you’ll be able to ride up the 318 curves in 11 miles to Deals Gap and then turn around and come back down. Make sure that none of the fairings on your bike get nailed to the Tree of Shame! The last few miles of this day will stay with you forever.

This is your free day to explore as far and as wide as you would like. Out the back door is the Great Smokey Mountains National Park where twisty roads dominate. You could also head back and do some more laps of the Tail of the Dragon, explore the Native American history in the town of Cherokee or just enjoy a leisurely day by the river. Tonight you will enjoy a riverside BBQ.

You continue along the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoying more of its high-elevation overlooks, tunnels, and beautifully engineered scenic riding. Eventually, the route descends toward eastern Kentucky and winds into Pikeville, a town surrounded by rugged Appalachian scenery and rich mountain culture.

Ride north through Kentucky’s rolling hills, coal country, and wide-open landscapes as you head toward Louisville. The roads become smoother and more sweeping as you transition into bourbon country. Louisville welcomes you with a lively downtown, great dining, and the unmistakable character of Kentucky hospitality.

Today’s ride brings you across the Ohio River and into the heartland of the Midwest. The scenery shifts to farmland, open country highways, and relaxed cruising miles. By afternoon, you roll into Champaign — a friendly Midwest college town, perfect for a mellow evening after a solid day on the road.

Your final riding day takes you north across Illinois toward the iconic skyline of Chicago. The closer you get, the more excitement builds — the last miles bring you into one of America’s great cities. Chicago offers world-class food, architecture, and a perfect setting to celebrate the completion of an incredible motorcycle journey.

Depending on your flight time, you may have a couple of hours for some final sightseeing in Chicago, or may even want to add some extra nights to your stay. If not, make your own way to the airport and check in for your flight back to the UK.