"The Mississippi River Blues Ride."

[Tstien]

Hi all.

The weather here in Ohio is turning to crap so it is time to start planning the first ride of spring. I was thinking of a theme ride. I will call the ride "The Mississippi River Blues Ride." Now that I have a working title, I can start planning the ride. By the name of the ride you can tell a couple of things, first it will be somewhere around the Mississippi River, second, not so obvious, it will also involve good old fashion American Blues music. I was thinking about starting in Chicago, I know it is not actually on the Mississippi but it is on one of it's tributary, ending in New Orleans, maybe with a stop in St. Louis and/or Memphis.

So, now that you know my goals, now here is where you all come in. I need to know good roads, between my locations, and where to get good blues music in Chicago and St. Louis. I go to New Orleans a lot so I do not need help there. I am thinking about a ten-day ride. I was planning to spend the weekends in Chicago and NOLA and mid week at St. Louis.

Tell me what you think or give me advise on my ride/locations/needs.

Thanks
Tony

[Kool shades]

Is this a solo trip, or are you looking for company?

[kyzrex]

borrow a copy of Peter Egan's book, "Leaning's".  He did this same ride and wrote about it for CW magazine.  It's reprinted in the book.

patrick

[traveler]

You also might want to include Memphis on your ride, as there's some good blues to be had there, as well as great bbq.

A few years ago I did something similar, but by car, as I was relocating to another jobsite. Blues museums, juke joints and southern food make for a fine adventure. Clarksdale, Ms. was one of the places I remember best.

Love the delta blues, acoustic, if you please.

[FJR1300]

Don't stop in Memphis.

[ST-DocLizard1]

You gotta make the Delta Blues museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Check out the intersection of the Blues Highways (61 & 49), then go downtown to Morgan Freeman's Restaurant. The restored bus depot is also interesting.

Doc

http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/

[deaconjones]

Don't stop in Memphis.

 

[county]

Helena has blues

And Hwy 20 South of Helena has a stretch where you can actually see the river from the road.  Something you don't get much of til Louiisana.

Morgan Freemen's restaurant in Clarksdale doesn't open til 5 PM and they look at you funny if you arrive all sweaty wearing gear.  (It's a linen napkin kinda place)

In Vicksburg, MS, you will need to tour the Battlefield, it's a car or riding tour.  Gives you a real sense of the Civil War and you can do it in a few minutes or a few hours, your choice.

Coming outta Memphis you'll take Hwy 61 but cut over to old Hwy 1 enroute to Helena.

Once you pass Memphis you are taking a "Delta Tour"  And if you haven't  spent any time in the rural South you will see where the Blues came from.

[R.Markus]

You gotta make the Delta Blues museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Check out the intersection of the Blues Highways (61 & 49), then go downtown to Morgan Freeman's Restaurant. The restored bus dept is also interesting.

Doc

http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/

Good advice.  



Don't miss these two places in that area also...

[sagerat]

Stop at a crossroads at midnight and sell your soul for mad riding skillz; hey, it supposedly worked for Robert Johnson's guitar playing.  

[JimWilliamson]

If you're looking to do a Chicago - St. Louis trek why not incorporate Historic Route 66? Starts in Chi and runs through St. Lou...

[Tyrroneous]

Motorycle-USA.com just published a report from a guy that toured the Mississippi Blues areas.  Maybe you can pick off a few points of interest from his report?

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=7202&Page=1

[jadziadax8]

I was thinking about starting in Chicago, I know it is not actually on the Mississippi but it is on one of it's tributary

That's not actually true.

However, to the topic at hand.  Yes, I know it's commercial now, but the House of Blues does have real blues bands playing every night.  Some other places are:

http://www.chicagobluesbar.com/

http://www.bluechicago.com/

Any one of the Southside's Red Line stops.

[Geoff]

I live in the Chicago area and play blues harmonica in a couple bands. The House of Blues is the last place I'd go for live blues. It's for tourists. Most Chicago blues fans prefer Buddy Guy's Legends, Blue Chicago, Kingston Mines, Rosa's Lounge, B.L.U.E.S. and the Harlem Avenue Lounge. If you schedule your trip between June 11-14, be sure to check out the Chicago Blues Festival. Every spring, the lakefront in Grant Park is packed with blues fans for this fest, which is the largest in the world.  Best part is it's free!  

When you leave Chicago, follow route 64 west to the Great River Road at Savanna, IL then ride south. The Great River Road is very scenic. It runs through 10 states and follows the Mississippi River. Check it our on Mapquest.

As others have suggested, visit Clarksdale Mississippi. This is the birthplace and world capital of the blues. It's also location of the famous Crossroads intersection of Highway 61 and 49. Check out the Ground Zero Blues Club, which is co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman.  

This is a good site to scope blues festivals:  http://www.bluesfestivalguide.com/index.shtml
 

[sleazy rider]

Ground Zero is outstanding MS blues music.  That's the place in R. Markus' last picture.  I was just there two weekends ago and actually stayed in the apartments above for two nights.  Holy crap, that places ROCKS!  Their food is also excellent.  The apartments are available thru the Cotton Club.  

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com/apartment.php

The prices are pretty good and the apartments are very clean.  I'll be back for a second visit with the wife next time.

______

I second county's recommendation on  Vicksburg.  It's a sobering experience.  Take the 16 miles driving tour of the grounds and reflect on our inhumanity to each other.  

______

While you're down that way, catch a piece of the Natchez Trace parkway.  

[Orson]

I enjoyed Beale Street.

While it may not be as authentic anymore, it's a good place to hear some good music and have a meal.

[Tstien]

Thanks for all the input! Keep it coming. I try to set up the ride to be in Chicago for the blues festival.

Tony

[motoguy128]

You can always follow the Illinois river to the Mississippi.  So Chicago to Peoria, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Memphis, Greenville, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge and Finally New Orleans.


A "real" river run starts at least in St. Paul and more authentically at Brainerd or Grand Rapids, MN.

[2Pokey]

I did the ride south last month. NE Ohio to Nashville, down the Natchez Trace, up the delta though Clarksdale and Memphis.
The Delta Blues Museum has a flyer of all the blues joints in the area. Also check out to see if you could be in Memphis for bike night. It makes finding a secure place to park real easy.

[Capirex]

The House of Blues is the last place I'd go for live blues. It's for tourists. Most Chicago blues fans prefer Buddy Guy's Legends, Blue Chicago, Kingston Mines, Rosa's Lounge, B.L.U.E.S. and the Harlem Avenue Lounge.  

+1000 on Buddy Guy's, the Mines and Rosa's.  Ill throw in Lee's Unleaded Blues as well.

If you schedule your trip between June 11-14, be sure to check out the Chicago Blues Festival.

Not sure of the dates but they just announced today that because of '09 budget shortfalls, both Blues and Jazz fest will be shortened by a full day.  
The Taste will run its full course.  

[cbartz]

www.stlouisblues.com

[cbartz]

http://stlouis.metromix.com/ is pretty good for events in St Louis

http://www.stlblues.net/ Just found this site with a quick google search.  Sorry I don't know of any particular blues music related points of interest in St Louis.

[FJR1300]

 

Maybe I spent to much time in the bad parts of town, but I never really cared for the area.  Might just be me, but Memphis seems to have a high crime rate based on the population.

[traveler]

My last experience with Memphis was in the late '90s, but if I stayed near downtown and Beale St., where there is an abundance of music and food/drink, I never felt uneasy. That's their tourist mecca and the leos are visible.

St.Louis is about the same, but stay away from East St.Louis.

[2Pokey]

Maybe I spent to much time in the bad parts of town, but I never really cared for the area.  Might just be me, but Memphis seems to have a high crime rate based on the population.

I also felt unsecure in Memphis. Not on Beale street or downtown, but south of town where I stayed. Maybe it was because of the fences and barbed wire that surrounded everthing including the motels. Or it could have been the 3 car alarms that went off, or the fight between what looked like a dozen people or the 12 year-old(?) girl that knocked on my door wanting to know if I wanted someone to "party" with. All at my motel, All in one night. Was it worth it. Ever had ribs at Rendevous or pulled pork at Corkys ? Oh Yeah its worth it.

[protondecay123]

I second the Blue Chicago suggestion. Went there many times for the year I lived in the area and they always had great music and good fun!

If you decide to do Beale Street in Memphis stay at the Holiday Inn across the street from the Peabody. You can see the ducks if inclined and it's a safe walk from Beale Street.

IMHO YMMV

[traveler]

Why not the Peabody? I always stayed there and really enjoyed it. Ducks be cool.

[2Pokey]

Why not the Peabody? I always stayed there and really enjoyed it. Ducks be cool.

Peabody lists rates starting at $200+ per night!! That is more than my entire lodging bill for my eight day trip.
But Ducks are cool.

[traveler]

I must have been getting the "frequent guest" rate.

It's been a few years, but I don't remember spending that much.

But then, I had money to spend back then.