by:  Reine Knobbe

Spring is here and the riding season is in full swing!  The topic came up at lunch last week of what our favorite rides are.  Thought I’d share them with you all.  If you get the opportunity to run one or all of these, let us know if you liked the routes.

First route is from our tech, Rick.  This is one of his favorite all day rides.  So make sure you have a full tank of gas before setting out!  From wherever you are at, head to Hwy 19 south, follow Hwy 19 south to Hwy 32 in Salm, MO.  Turn left heading east on Hwy 32, travel east until you come into the little town of Biby, MO.  Stop and enjoy breakfast or lunch at Bixby Country Store (2569 Hwy 32, Bixby, phone 573-626-4868) where you can eat in the restaurant or dine in a rail car or caboose.  Bridget, the owner, is a wonderful lady who will treat you like family.

After filling up your stomach and fueling up your tank, head east on 32.  You will then turn left on Hwy DD, toward Council Bluff Lake.  Definitely stop and take in the views of the lake and campgrounds.  Then head north on DD, when ending at Hwy C, merge right then turn left on Hwy P.  Take caution with the twisties and follow north to Potosi, MO.  When you come into town at Hwy B, turn left and follow B through town.  Merge right heading north onto 185.  Take 185 which is full of hills and turns and beautiful scenic views.  Stay on 185 north until you come to Hwy 100 in Washington, MO.  Then find your way home from there.  Enjoy!

Second route is from Frankie in the parts department.  This is a shorter ride, but a great way to clear your head!  He heads south on Hwy W just off of Hwy 61 south of Troy.  Take W to Foristell over Hwy 70, jog right then left onto Hwy T.  Follow T to TT, Frankie’s favorite back roads.  Take TT to Dutzow and make a right on Hwy 47.  Stop in Twin Gables (101 MO 47, Marthasville) for food and drinks.  Continue Hwy 47 north to Hawk Point and then Troy and then on home.

Hmmm, I’m trying to think of a ride that you may not have gone on, but it is hard because there are so many fantastic local roads to ride on!  So this one from me, Reine.  Since the other two took you south, how about north east?  From Troy take Hwy 47 east then left onto Hwy W.  Take Hwy W north all the way to Clarksville.  Left onto 79 into Louisiana.  Stop and top off your tank if you haven’t done so already.  Right onto Hwy 54 and go east to Atlas, IL.  Go right onto Hwy 96 east.  Keep an eye out to stay on Hwy 96 as it makes a left (don’t go to Hamburg).  Take Hwy 96 to Kampsville.  Make a right onto Hwy 100 south.  Stop in Hardin at the Illinois Riverdock Restaurant (501 S Park St, Hardin, IL).  Skip a heavy lunch and go straight for the pie!  When you leave, go right the way you road in and then go right over the bridge to continue on Hwy 100 south to Grafton, IL.  Stop at your favorite local bar for a drink.  We tend to head over to the Loading Dock, but there are multiple places to choose from.  Head south to Alton, IL.  Cross over the bridge back into MO.  We like to pick up Hwy 94 on the right.  It’s not too far up the road after going over the bridge.  Hwy 94 runs through the bottom lands through Orchard Farm and Boschertown.  Head home from there!  Just one way to run it.  You could take one of the river fairies back also.  

I can’t wait to ride!  I’m definitely going to Bixby Country Store this year.  See you on the open road!  Blessings, peace out, Reine