Would like some suggestions for riding in SE Missouri

[bajakirch]

I'm working on ideas for a weekish-long trip for next summer. I'm in south central Wisconsin and want something that I can get to in a day of riding, ride for 3-5 days, then return in a day.

A few years ago I spent a long weekend at a V-Strom rally in Pilot Knob, MO, and vowed to return someday for more exploration. So that's what I'm leaning toward for 2025.

I'm looking for road & route suggestions from those who know or have ridden in the area.

I know this area has a great network of gravel forest roads, and I experienced a fair bit of that when I was last there. My Suzuki handled it fine, even though my gravel skills were (and still are) limited at best. For this upcoming trip, I'm looking to stick primarily to pavement, mainly because the F750GS I picked up this year still needs crash/tipover protection and I don't know that I'll be able to swing that before next summer.

I'm waffling between choosing a single 'home-base' with daily cloverleafs or making a loop that would result in a different hotel every night, so I'm open to either option.

Appreciation in advance for any help.

 

[lee]

19 and 21 are nice in SE Missouri. 160 between Doniphan and Alton is good.
A lot of the hard surface county roads are good.
The Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66 in Cuba is a nice place to stay. We have stayed there several times. The cheapest rooms are pretty small so we bump up one in price.
Shelly's a short walk away is a good breakfast place.

Visit The Original Wagon Wheel Motel on Historic Rte 66 Cuba, MO

With shady outdoor sitting areas, firepits, new decks and comfortable lawn furniture, Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, MO can't be beat!

www.wagonwheel66cuba.com

Wagon Wheel Motel · 901 E Washington Blvd, Cuba, MO 65453

âââââ · Motel

www.google.com

 

[pauls1150]

Hmmm, never had goo for breakfast....

 

[lee]

Caledonia. North of Pilot Knob is a good ice-cream stop

 

[lee]

Hmmm, never had goo for breakfast....

Fixed

 

[lee]

There's several nice natural springs in SE Mo.
Alley Mill Spring west of Eminence is one.

Alley Mill - Ozark National Scenic Riverways (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[pauls1150]

Darn, and I was hoping for some goatmeal, too...

 

[omega man]

Hmmm, never had goo for breakfast....

FYI, there are many spelwring errors with this new (Xenforo) package which seem to be instigated by the software itself.
OM

 

[pauls1150]

My keeboard has that problem without any software!

 

[lee]

160 between Doniphan and Alton is good.

A little south of Alton, just across the line into Arkansas is another spring, Mammoth Spring.

Mammoth Spring State Park | Arkansas State Parks

A National Natural Landmark, Mammoth Spring is one of the world’s largest springs with nine million gallons of water flowing hourly. It forms a 10-acre lake then runs southward as the Spring River, a famous Ozark trout and float stream. Remnants of a mill and hydroelectric plant are part of...

www.arkansasstateparks.com

There's a old hydro plant and train depot at the spring.

 

[bicyclenut]

Found a bunch of great roads in south Missouri/ north Arkansas when we were down there several years ago for the MOA Rally. We did some roads east of Branson and they were great, mostly in the Mark Twain National Forrest. If you have a Pro subscription to REVER or buy a Butler Map you will see there are a ton of rated motorcycle roads you could ride in SE MO. I'd probably find a central location down there and just do day rides out of that as you can see all the rated Butler roads in the attached image.

 

[PGlaves]

If I recall correctly there a very few bad roads in southern Missouri. Voni and I have made many trips through that area. We like the areas around Eminence a lot. Find the double-letter and single letter roads that follow the rafting rivers and enjoy. Don't be rearful if you happen to hear banjo music.

 

[lee]

If you have a Pro subscription to REVER or buy a Butler Map you will see there are a ton of rated motorcycle roads you could ride in SE MO

MOA members get 33% off a subscription or 15% off maps.

https://www.bmwmoa.org/page/memberdiscounts

If the link doesn't work, go to the MOA site, then Member discounts.

 

[bajakirch]

There's several nice natural springs in SE Mo.
Alley Mill Spring west of Eminence is one.

I agree...

 

[bajakirch]

We like the areas around Eminence a lot.

Thanks for the suggestion. I visited Eminence many years ago on a camping trip with my kids' Boy Scout troop, and remember how enjoyable the area roads were. In fact, I recall creating an equation: The number of Scouts that get car-sick is directly proportional to how much I want to ride that road on a motorcycle.

 

[PGlaves]

Thanks for the suggestion. I visited Eminence many years ago on a camping trip with my kids' Boy Scout troop, and remember how enjoyable the area roads were. In fact, I recall creating an equation: The number of Scouts that get car-sick is directly proportional to how much I want to ride that road on a motorcycle.

Truth to power!

 

[bluechip]

Lived in the Bunker, Mo area for a dozen years. The entire area is covered with good bike roads, both paved and gravel. Too many choices, too many curves, lots of fun...

 

[PGlaves]

My suggestion would be to choose one, or no more than two base-camps (so to speak, camp or motel) and to then plan day rides from the base. North one day, south the next, etc. We did this in Wyoming a couple of years ago and had a great time for a couple of week, all out of Ranchester. In South Missouri it will be wonderful. I would do southeast for a day or three and then south-central and/or southwest for a day or three.

 

[lee]

My suggestion would be to choose one, or no more than two base-camps

I agree. He's going to be in the area 3 to 5 day. If it was us we would only pick one or two base camps to ride from.

 

[barryg]

Some suggestions for SE Missouri.
Taum Sauk Mountain; hlghest point in Mo. near Ironton, Mo.. Cape Girardeau is a good city very picturesque on the banks of the Mississippi. Good local eateries and shops.