Overall Route Rating
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4 out of 5 Rider Rating 4
2 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By mchance (808 McR Points) on Nov 24, 2020

Rider Reviews

mchance
808 McR Points
January 18, 2021
A great ride when you want to ride a fun route,…
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DJDehne
29 McR Points
June 24, 2021
This is a nice ride.
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Written Directions

The route starts at the intersection of US 67 Business and MO Hwy 8 in Desloge/Park Hills. Head west on Hwy 8, and continue for 53 miles (just past Steelville). Turn left to continue on Hwy 8 for another 17.3 miles to the end of Hwy 8 at I-44 in St. James.

Scenery

The route travels through a combination of fields, hills and valleys, forests and highway cut-throughs. The center section between Potosi and Steelville travels through the Mark Twain National Forest, following Lost Creek for much of that section.

Drive Enjoyment

The first third of the route between Desloge/Park Hills and Potosi is very open and flowing, built and maintained to almost US Highway standards, with a 60 MPH speed limit for most of the section. Between Potosi and Steelville, the route becomes more like a typical Missouri numbered highway, with almost no shoulders, and more hills and turns, following the ridges and creek valleys in the Mark Twain National Forest. Between Steelville and St. James, the route becomes even more twisty and hilly, with a lot of 30-35 MPH turns in combinations. Pavement is well maintained asphalt or concrete for the entire length.

Tourism Opportunities

Desloge/Park Hills is in the middle of Missouri mining country, and is just north of St. Joe State Park. The middle of the section between Potosi and Steelville is the Berryman campground for the Mark Twain National Forest, and the YMCA's Trout Lodge/Camp Lakewood is just outside Potosi. There are numerous small shops and restaurants in Potosi (the county seat of Washington County), Steelville (county seat of Crawford County) and St. James. St. James is also in the center of several wineries, including the renowned St. James Winery, as well as Meramec Spring Park, a privately operated park open to the public.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

While MO Hwy 8 is an easy ride from a technical standpoint, that's part of what makes it enjoyable. Hence the "Lazy 8" moniker - a nice ride for a lazy day.
 

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mchance
January 18, 2021
808 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
A great ride when you want to ride a fun route, but don't want anything super technical.
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DJDehne
June 24, 2021
29 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
This is a nice ride.
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