Sullivan, Missouri to Rolla, Missouri

A forty plus mile day today. The weather was kind. Low clouds all day kept things cool. What little wind there was, was at my back. And the route was mostly on I-44 service/frontage roads, so the grades and traffic were tolerable. Stopping for a second breakfast at Shelley’s Route 66 Cafe in Cuba, Missouri to load up on more coffee and food didn’t hurt either.

A couple things I noticed today that make this summer’s biking adventure different from my previous two.

First, there are a lot of motorcyclists riding Route 66. Groups of them. All on big comfortable Harleys or Honda Goldwings. Some towing those little motorcycle trailers. All outfitted with rear cargo compartments/panniers and other places to store baggage. Maybe they’re getting a jump start on a Memorial Day weekend riding adventure. I don’t know. All I know is when those cycles overtake and pass me on a two-lane highway, it startles the bejesus out of me. First, I usually don’t hear them coming. And second, unlike cars or trucks which usually swing way wide to give me room when they overtake and pass, motorcycles seldom do. Car and trucks usually always move at least partway into the opposite lane or, if there is oncoming traffic, slow down and wait for that opposite lane to clear and then move partway into it. Motorcyclists don’t do any of that. Mostly they just ride on the left tire line of the road and pass me. Which from their perspective is probably more than enough room. But from mine, it would be nice if they just swung a bit wider and maybe use some of that empty pavement in the opposite lane.

And second, the road noise from the interstate traffic just drones on and on. It’s one of the few things I didn’t figure on when I planned this trip. I mean, I knew I was going to be riding next to the interstates. But the road noise from the interstate traffic is relentless. And it disturbs the zen of my bike riding. Occasionally, the road I’m riding might meander away from the interstate, and when it does, the silence is noticeable, the tranquility refreshing. But, so far, those miles of blessed silence have been few and far between.

That’s why I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s ride. Shortly after leaving Rolla tomorrow morning, the US 66 bike route departs the I-44 corridor in favor of some lesser traveled county and farm roads. I’m hoping those roads don’t have a lot of traffic. Aside from a couple pretty good climbs, the route looks to take me through Ozark forests so the ride should be enjoyable.

Not sure where I’m going to end my ride tomorrow. Maybe 45 miles down the route at a campground along the Gasconade River south of Hazelgreen, Missouri. Or maybe at a motel in St. Robert, barely 30 miles away. It all depends on the tomorrow’s terrain. And on Friday’s weather forecast. Right now, it looks as if Friday’s weather will be light to moderate rain all day with some afternoon thunderstorms in the vicinity. If the forecast doesn’t change by tomorrow afternoon, I’ll need to decide if and where I want to ride out Friday’s weather – in a tent, or in a motel room. I’m going to play that one by ear and figure it out once I get into St. Robert.