Have you ever heard of the Dragon's Tail on U.S. 129? You know, the road that made Deal's Gap such a hot spot for motorcyclists? Riders from every part of the planet travel there just to negotiate 318 curves packed into 11 miles of real estate. I rode it myself both ways and I'm here to tell you that the enjoyment derived from the Dragon pales in comparison to that which you'll receive from riding the backroads of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas.
Hang on tight-some of the most awesome motorcycle roads in the country are found in the Ozark and Boston Mountains. First, I had to get there, and as always, with as little time spent on the super slab as possible. I wheeled onto Interstate 270 south in Maryland Heights, Missouri and assumed my position in the center lane. Okay, the speed limit is 60 mph and these people are running 80-plus, just rockin and a rollin on their way to get their eight hours in. Wow, did you see that guy?! He pulled out right in front of me just to get to the exit lane. Couldn't he have gone behind me? Especially if he's getting off the highway anyway... I truly believe that instead of a driving test we should take an I.Q. test. Man, if your temperature is higher than your I.Q., you're on the bus!
The traffic reminds me of a herd of cattle, and being a Western movie buff, I could see myself as a driver on a trusty steed, pushing those steers down the trail. In every herd there's one doggie that doesn't stick with the crowd, striking out on his own down the lonesome trail. I'm like that maverick, with over 37 years of striking out on my own lonesome trail, only on a bike.
Twenty miles south of the starting line on I-270, I struck out on my own, leaving the crowd behind. It was U.S. 21 south that ushered me away from the crowd and, eventually, onto two lane pavement. Judging by the characteristics that make up a great country road, Highway 21 is unremarkable because of its more contemporary design. It's wide 'nuff to support tractor trailer traffic and has shoulders they park on. Don't get me wrong boys and girls, it's a nice bike ride down to the turn off-you just won't be thrilled.
I pit-stopped in Potosi, Missouri for fuel and a bottle of tea, and suggest you do the same if you're running this route. It's a ways to the next stop. I met Jim Maxwell while we were putting some octane in our scooters. Jim was on a new Harley Ultra Classic, while I'm riding an Ultra-fine Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (1500)! Jim was going my way and decided to chase me down Route 21 and west on Route 32 for about 10 klicks.
Route 32 has a little more personality, which shows itself after only a few miles. The first few minutes offer a taste of what's to come farther down the road. There are spots on this stretch of pavement that rise to carry you over a slight hill. Then the road dips quickly and climbs again as it banks left around a curve, dropping down another hill and then climbing for another bank around a right curve. The lane straightens out for several heartbeats then repeats the whole series again, only in a different sequence. You having fun yet?
We're riding through the Clark National Forest with pine trees walling us in on either side of the hardtop, funneling us west where Route 32 will spew us out onto Route 19 south at Salem, Missouri. So far it's just been a little bit of foreplay, but on Route 19 we will begin our love affair with the roads of the Ozark and Boston Mountains.