So I’ve been in southern Missouri Ozark country now for about 3 months. I believe that’s enough time to become an expert on the roads around here and give a report for fellow cyclists.

We live 1 mile north of road N which is a paved road with a speed limit of 55 and no shoulder.

This is looking to the west. To the east is a slight hill that is supposed to have a 35 MPH speed limit. I’ve almost been hit here while driving in my Jeep. A motorcyclist was killed here in 2014.

While I’m not afraid to ride on a road like this, I have promised Kristin that I would stay off of the road except to cross. In various places around the county we have signs like this.

I also don’t ride here. I’ve only seen water up to the 1 foot level so far.

So, since the closest paved road that I can ride on is a 6 mile car drive, I am left to ride on gravel roads made up of crushed limestone and flint. Here are some examples.

For the picture on the right, the grade going down is 14.4 percent and then rising up 13.6 percent with a river at the bottom that also floods. This road has washed out several times in our time here. It’s also the road we take to Whetstone Ranch.

So far, I’ve experienced 12 flats on both of my bikes. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the tires are tubed or tubeless. Usually they occur at the bottom of a hill complete with some standing water and mosquitoes. A pleasant place to repair a tire. Last week, I experienced 2 flats 10 feet apart and had the privilege of walking 3&1/2 miles home. I’ve been working on a house that is only 3 miles from our house so I refuse to drive such a short distance. I had my bike trailer with me in order to carry some tools home and wanted to get in some extra miles. It was only 95 that day with a heat index of 103 and 92% humidity. A most pleasant day to walk home pushing a bike with a trailer attached and loaded with tools. It all helps get me in shape and keep me young.

I continue to explore the best routes and the countryside. It is a most beautiful place if one can stand the obvious and not so obvious hindrances. Here are some of the sights on my 34 mile round trip ride to church.

So here are the last pictures I want to share. This is our 1/3 mile driveway. It is it’s own adventure. Interesting enough, I have not had a flat on this goat trail.

 

Thanks for perusing,

 

Gary