I'm 50+ miles SE of Nashville on 70s. If you came out this way, I'd be glad to offer a room or a place to camp. I have locations on 70s before Woodbury and off 53, 6 miles South of Woodbury.
I've not done any touring, but when I do I won't be riding roads as busy as 70. I'm a way-back road connoisseur.
One (semi) famous rider (NoPayRay) advised to camp in back of small churches out in the country. We can come up with a route of known roads from Mboro at least to Sparta & could probably find several places to stay when you're here.
Just a note. 70 sucks. Get a Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer. We used the hard copy for years to make routes. It's a topo map with all but the newly made roads. That with Google Earth etal will get you a better ride. One of our members went to school in Cookeville so would know those roads.
Yeah, now that I have some support on the issue--that's exactly what I was thinking. 70 is loaded with traffic as far out as Watertown. The shoulders are gravel. It's a big 5 lanes once you get to Snows Hill just west of Smithville-and then back down to 2 all the way to Cookeville. But I'd go up the old road (Snow's Hill) instead. "Old" segments of 70 may be better, but I'd really be looking for smaller E/W roads. The Atlas/Gazetter thing is great, I've gotta find mine. And my latest Google Earth developed route was great.
the book-- http://www.maps.com/map.aspx?pid=837
Perhaps someone could meet you at the airport & shuttle out to the decent roads. Either start in Murfreesboro or get a send off from the club in Wilson County & leave from Mt Juliet or Lebanon..
is a high volume & not cycling attractive road. We met a cyclist from Johnson City on BRAT. See if Johnson City has a club (I think so) & hook up with the Knoxville club. We can get you to Crossville.