West Tennessee Classic Loop

Brownsville, TN, US

Route Overview

37 mi.
1,349 ft.

For those craving an authentic West Tennessee cycling experience, look no further. This ride offers low-traffic rural roads and wide open farm fields, showcasing the state's agrarian charm.

Route Details

Potential Route Modifications: We mapped this loop clockwise to get the rougher pavement out of the way early (along with the Hwy 19 crossing), but it’s a good ride in either direction. Since it is almost entirely wide-open fields, consider which way the wind is blowing when deciding which direction to ride it.

You can also shorten the route in a couple of ways. Turning east on Fulton Road at Mile 16.4 and taking it to Patton Lane and then Key Corner Road makes the route 24 miles with 900 feet of climbing. Turning east onto Woodlawn Road at Mile 19.7 and taking it to Briarcreek Road and then Tibbs Road reduces the route by about three miles.

NOTE: While the Brownsville Loop boasts sweeping scenic vistas, we advise against riding with ultra-thin tires and high air pressure due to chipseal pavement. Opt for wider tires like 32mm slicks for a smoother journey. Additionally, prepare for sun exposure and bring ample hydration, as shade and water refill stations are scarce along the route. Plan accordingly, considering the forecasted temperature and wind direction for a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Getting Started:

You can start anywhere in downtown Brownsville, Tenn., but we mapped the route from the parking lot of the Food Giant, which has plenty of parking and is located next to Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, an amazing, super-sized art installation that is a must-see when visiting Brownsville.

From the Food Giant, head south on Monroe Avenue, which will feel more like a service driveway for the grocery store than an actual road, and then turn right onto Margin Street, followed by a left on McLemore Avenue and a right on Austin Street. This little zigzag through the neighborhood will end at Grand Avenue, where you’ll turn left. Grand may have a few cars, so be careful as you make the turn. A quarter mile later, you’ll turn left onto King Avenue, which will wind down to Hwy 19 less than a mile later (changing names to Shaw Chapel Road somewhere along this short stretch). Hwy 19 is a major four-lane highway, so you’ll want to be cautious as you cross it, using the middle turn lane as needed.

Continuing straight on Shaw Chapel Road on the other side of the highway, you will immediately be in an agrarian landscape that characterizes the rest of the ride. You’ll follow Shaw Chapel Road another six-and-a-half miles after crossing Hwy 19, but note that you’ll need to turn to the right around Mile 4 to stay on Shaw Chapel. Shaw Chapel eventually comes to an end at Hwy 79. Although it’s only two lanes, Hwy 79 may have some fast-moving traffic, so use caution as you make the little right/left jog across the highway onto Bond Ferry Road.

Bond Ferry runs due west almost two miles through cotton fields before you’ll take a sharp right onto Prospect Lane, followed by a left onto Guinn Bottom Road a quarter mile later. This begins a long stretch of pedaling north. Guinn Bottom starts off through farm fields like most of the ride up to this point, but half-a-mile later you’ll enter a wooded section that makes for a nice change of pace, if a bit short-lived. It’s also a nice break from the wind if you’ve been battling a breeze. About a mile after emerging from the woods back into farmland, Guinn Bottom ends at Outlaw Road, where you’ll turn right.

You’ll only be on Outlaw for half-a-mile before taking a left onto Macedonia Road. Macedonia will take you north for a mile-and-a-half before coming to Hwy 54. After going straight across Hwy 54, the road becomes Lebanon Road and continues north for another mile-and-a-half before ending at Fulton Road. A quick left/right jog onto Binford Road will have you heading north again for another two miles before coming to an end at Old Hwy 19, where you’ll turn left.

Old Hwy 19 will have a different feel to it than the previous roads you’ve been riding, as there are more roadside trees, and it may have faster moving traffic. You’ll be on Old Hwy 19 for almost five miles but be sure to veer left at Mile 20.8 to stay on it. This is an easy turn to miss, and the pavement after making this left turn is pretty rough. Rest assured though, that it’s the correct way to go, and you’ll be rewarded for the bumpy surface with a beautiful tree-covered road that is one of the most distinctive sections of the ride. Two-and-a-half miles after veering onto this section, Old Hwy 19 ends at Nunn Road, where you’ll turn right and run into Hwy 19 (the new version) a quarter mile later.

Hwy 19 is a major road with fast-moving traffic, but it’s only two lanes, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble making the short left/right jog onto Hwy 180/Forked Deer Road. Almost immediately after crossing Hwy 19, you’ll turn right off of Hwy 180 onto Tibbs Road and head east for the next six miles. Continue straight when you hit the stop sign about halfway through this stretch. Toward the end of this section, you’ll enjoy a nice extended downhill before turning right onto Winfield Lane and heading due south towards Brownsville.

Three-and-a-half miles after turning onto Winfield, you’ll come to a stop sign, where you’ll turn left onto Key Corner Road. Be careful as you make this turn, as the visibility to the right is limited by vegetation, a rise in the road, and a curve. About three miles after turning onto Key Corner, you will pass the Brownsville city limit sign, and the landscape will immediately change from agricultural to residential. After riding through farmland for most of the day, the contrast will be striking. You’ll even pick up a bike lane for a short stretch leading to a nice city park on your left.

After passing the park, Key Corner bends sharply to the left and comes to a stop sign at Grand Avenue. Turn right on Grand and follow it as it snakes through the neighborhood and comes to a stop sign at College Street. Turn left onto College and go straight at the stop sign for McLemore Avenue and then take the next right onto Monroe Avenue, which will take you a block down to Main Street and the Food Giant parking lot where you started.

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Important Reminders

Bike TN routes often include roads with car and truck traffic. Although the Bikeways are routed on low-traffic and low-speed roads whenever possible, most are designated for cyclists who are comfortable riding in some amount of traffic.

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