Just east of the confluence of the Missouri and Chariton rivers in Glasgow. The original all-steel railroad bridge was a triumph of engineering at the time. Photos by the author.
If the title of ?Great River Road National Scenic Byway Along the Mississippi River? evokes images of riding next to one of the mightiest waterways in America, well, it should. But at least in Missouri, it?s a bit of a misnomer. Great River Valley Road might be more accurate, and the highways there rank among the best I?ve ridden.
This levee protecting New Madrid was as close as I got to riding next to the Mississippi. Thankfully for the town?s sake, it held.
I crossed the Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa, and turned south onto U.S. Route 61, designated a Great River Road on signs and maps by lines radiating from a green circle. Soon, I was rumbling along gently rolling pavement among farm fields and pastureland that bore evidence of recent flooding. And while I mostly avoided rain, high water was a constant companion on this ride. Humans aren?t the only fishermen on Truman Reservoir. Birds continuously circle overhead, searching for prey. Once spotted, they dive-bomb their way to a tasty meal.
At Hannibal, Missouri Route 79 was my choice. And what a great run: twisty and tight with brief glimpses of the river all the way to the town of Louisiana. The route swings west at Clarksville while retaining the River Road label, but I wouldn?t see the Mississippi again until I rode into Saint Louis. Turni...