Touring - Touring the Ozarks, is it safe for a touring cyclists?

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Barrettscv
10-24-12, 12:11 PM
I'm considering touring in the northern Ozarks, mostly in Missouri between St. Louis and Branson. Has anyone traveled the area? I'm mostly concerned about unsafe motorists on two lane roads.

pdlamb
10-24-12, 12:45 PM
The TransAm crosses the Ozarks in the south of the state, probably crossing your route. There were a couple of real jerks on those roads when I crossed, making it my least favorite state on the trip. Other than those two, it was no worse than cycling anywhere else.
jamawani
10-24-12, 02:33 PM
I think I hear "Dueling Banjos".

TulsaJohn
10-24-12, 02:48 PM
Just ride the bike in your icon and you will fit right in. ;) I would stick to the low traffic roads (see the MO Bike Federation maps, they are great) as much as possible. You probably get an above amount of agressive drivers but the riding would be overall the same with the same type of roads and site lines (or lack thereof) as most other places.
staehpj1
10-24-12, 03:11 PM
The TransAm crosses the Ozarks in the south of the state, probably crossing your route. There were a couple of real jerks on those roads when I crossed, making it my least favorite state on the trip. Other than those two, it was no worse than cycling anywhere else.

I too rode across the state on the TA, again that is a different part of the state, but... I didn't find it much different than anywhere else. I don't recall any memorably bad drivers there.
Barrettscv
10-25-12, 06:21 AM
Just ride the bike in your icon and you will fit right in. ;) I would stick to the low traffic roads (see the MO Bike Federation maps, they are great) as much as possible. You probably get an above amount of agressive drivers but the riding would be overall the same with the same type of roads and site lines (or lack thereof) as most other places.

Thanks for the recommendation. With the RAAM, Trans Am and the Katy trail crossing the state, Missouri should see enough cycling traffic.

I just don't want to have one of these days;


http://vimeo.com/41705989
Yumadons
10-25-12, 07:20 AM
We just finished riding from Oregon to South Carolina. Went across Missouri on the Katy, then Mississippi River Trail down to the Dorena-Hickman ferry into Kentucky. It was beautiful, nice people, cycle friendly, prices were right, NO mean drivers, making MO my favorite state. Things can be so much better when you stay out of the Ozarks :)
vins0010
10-25-12, 08:17 AM
Fly or pin a decent sized (but still smallish) US flag from your gear.
robow
10-25-12, 08:43 AM
Fly a US flag from your gear.

And hang a picture of Loretta Lynn on your rear pannier and you're in great shape, oh wait, better save that one until you're in Kentucky. She's their darling!
Yumadons
10-25-12, 09:01 AM
I did have this. Nobody was mean to me all the way across, plenty of approving waves and honks :)

http://bicyclelife.topicwise.com/doc/page/pic/?pic_id=1420231
megalowmatt
10-25-12, 09:42 AM
Thanks for the recommendation. With the RAAM, Trans Am and the Katy trail crossing the state, Missouri should see enough cycling traffic.

I just don't want to have one of these days;...

That video is hilarious.
Singlespeed92
10-25-12, 01:07 PM
I think I hear "Dueling Banjos".

Ride away...ride away FAST :twitchy: