Reasons To Ride The Ozarks

Living in the Ozarks, I often overlook the reasons that people come here to ride. Sure there are more miles of twisty, decently maintained, mountain road than anywhere else in the Midwest and for many that, is reason enough.  Yesterday, I was out for a little jaunt around the area and it hit me as I was headed down highway 13 on the way to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  I topped a hill and the view in the morning mist blew me away.  From the top of that hill I could see for miles, the valley below and the rolling hills ahead as they grew to an impressive summit far in the distance.

For the rest of the 300+ miles I slowed down a little and took in the scenery, some of it is breathtaking.  I am still not in that group of riders that take the world in at 40 mph seeing and smelling everything, but I now

understand.  There were many times on this ride that my spedo dropped below 50, just taking in the view. 

Here's the route I took: (click the minus button on the map to see the whole route.)

View 8/13/13 Eureka, West Plains in a larger map

Route info:

Total Miles: ~306

Loop:

Starts in Sparta, Mo

Eureka Springs, Ar

Harrison, Ar

Mountain Home, Ar

West Plains, Mo

Ava, Mo

Ends in Sparta, Mo

Road Level: 3 All roads, Good, clean 2 lane in good repair.

Hazards:

Farm animals

Wildlife (especially turtles for some reason.)

Roadkill

Slow moving traffic.

This is an interesting route taking you from deep in the Ozark and Boston mountains to the rolling terrain of the West Plains area.  The entire route is good highway, though it's a route where those will small gas tanks will want to fill up at every opportunity, as some sections go many miles between gas stops. Be especially sure to fill up in West Plains, the next "always there" gas stop is in Ava about 60 miles away, but it's off the route. To get there you'll need to turn left on the town square where 14 meets 5 (Jefferson Street) instead of right and follow it out near the edge of town.  Otherwise the next sure gas stop is back in Sparta, 90 miles away.

Note: "Always There" gas stops are those that, I know, to be open from early in the morning till late at night.  There may be some other gas stations out there, that meet the criteria, that I miss.  If you find one please let me know.

The following pictures are from this route with the exception of the last three.

I don't remember where, exactly, but it's a section of Table Rock Lake.

These last two were take in Shadow Rock Park, Forsyth, Mo.