BIKERS SET SIGHTS ON 200-MILE RIDE DOWN THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

When Tom Miller settles into the seat of his 21-speed Cannondale Mountain Bicycle, it's generally for more than just a ride around the block.

During his six years as an avid bicycle fan, Miller has logged more than 20,000 miles on two-wheelers, including several "century" treks, including 117 mile from start to finish of Death Valley in California.

Recently, he has biked two segments of the Natchez Trace Parkway through the states of Tennessee and Mississippi.

This weekend, he hopes to use his athletic abilities to add a "double century" ride to his list of accomplishments as he tackles the final segment of the Natchez Trace.

Miller, Cape Girardeau, and Larry Cleair, Chaffee, hope to finish a project that they started more than a month ago near Nashville, Tenn.

"We want to cover the final 160 miles of the Trace," said Miller, "Last weekend, we covered 150 miles."

The Natchez Trace, now a two-lane highway, once served as a wilderness trail from the Mississippi River at Natchez, Miss., through the low hills into the valley of the Tennessee River, then northward to a point near Nashville, Tenn., a distance of about 430 miles.

As early as 1733, maps showed the Indian path or trail. By 1810, the Trace was an important wilderness road. The modern parkway of today is filled with historic mileposts, including the Meriwether Lewis campground. Lewis -- of Lewis & Clark fame -- died of gunshot wounds in an inn near Nashville, in 1809, under mysterious circumstances.

"There are a lot of historic markers along the route," said Miller. "But, with our tight schedule we haven't had a chance to study them."

Miller, Cleair and Miller's 17-year-old son, Matthew, hope to cover the final segment of the Trace into Natchez today.

"We have about 160 to 170 miles to go," said Miller. "We'll start this final segment at French Camp, located about halfway between Tupelo and Jackson, Miss. We'll go into the area Friday, and get a 7 a.m. start Saturday."

Miller and Cleair would like to go for a "double Century" Saturday.

"We'd have to double back some to complete a 200-mile ride," he said. "But, that's our goal, weather permitting."

Miller is a physical education and math teacher at Schultz School in Cape Girardeau.

Cleair is a math teacher and coach at Chaffee.

Bike riding is a fairly new sport for Miller, who has long been an advocate of physical fitness.

"I've been lifting weights since college days," said Miller. "I started riding a bicycle about six years ago."

Miller, who has also climbed one of the highest mountains, likes hiking, mountain climbing, lifting weights and bike riding.

"I've been hiking and climbing mountains 10 or 11 years," he said.

One of his mountain-climbing feats includes the climbing of Mt. Whitney in California, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.

Snow-capped Mount Whitney, rises 14,495 feet and is located in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada Range of California.

Accompanying Miller on the Mount Whitney climb was Miller's wife Joyce, who will accompany the riders on the bicycle ride. She will drive the support-vehicle, which contains spare tires, tubes, tools to work on the bikes, food and water. Also accompanying the group is Christy Wren.

"Hopefully we won't encounter any difficulties on the trail," said Miller, "But, we want to be prepared."

Miller and Cleair started their ride along the Natchez Trail in mid-April.

"We rode 115 miles on the first segment," said Miller. "Last weekend, we rode 152 miles."

Miller rides a 21-speed, Cannondale Mountain Bike. Cleair has a 21-speed Paramount Mountain Bike.

"The trail now is a two-lane highway," said Miller. "I wasn't familiar with it until recently, when some friends told me about it. Joyce and I drove the distance of the trail to look it over."

"Basically, I've grown to like biking," said Miller. "Over the past six years I have probably ridden 20,000 miles."

Miller and his wife often ride for recreation.

"It's a great feeling being on a bike in a quiet atmosphere," said Miller. "The only thing I dread is the wind. If you're bucking a wind, it can really beat you down, both mentally and physically."

Bikes of today, however, make it easier, noted Miller. "They're a lot different from the old hard-pedaling vehicles I used to ride to grade school," said Miller. "Today's bikes are `geared' to special uses."

They include special lightweight bicycles built for speed and easy handling, most with gear systems that provide easier pedaling for riders, and the more sturdy mountain bike.

"The mountain bikes are slower, but sturdier," said Miller.

Biking is more popular today than ever, with more than 80 million people riding two-wheelers.

"I don't belong to a bicycle club, but there are a lot of clubs out there," said Miller. "Some promote long-distance rides, others promote shorter, more frequent rides."

The Millers have some big outdoor plans this summer.

Joyce Miller is planning a trip to the Far East -- Japan -- where she hopes to climb Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan at 12,388 feet.

"I'll be in Tokyo," she said. "Mount Fuji is only about 60 miles west of there on the Island of Honshu."

Mrs. Miller has climbed two higher mountains in the U.S. -- Whitney in California, and Long's Peak, highest mountain in Colorado, over 14,000 feet."

Meanwhile, Miller and Matthew will head west.

"We're going to the Grand Canyon area," said Miller. "We'll hike to the bottom of the canyon." That trek is old hat to Miller, but it will be a new experience for Matthew.