My sister and I — both 50-something women — recently had the great adventure of riding our bicycles on the Mississippi River Trail from Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico.

We rode 1,887 miles through 10 states. In all that riding, we found the drivers in Mississippi to be the most courteous of any we encountered. The MRT is an officially designated route for cyclists, but many drivers are probably not aware of it, and some of the roads are quite iffy for bike safety.

Often we were on two-lane roads with no shoulder, going over hills and around curves. The drivers in Mississippi consistently waited until it was safe to pass us, rather than just roaring around us. Also, they always gave us plenty of room when they passed.

I cannot begin to tell you what a difference that makes. In other states there were times when we were riding terrified, not knowing when we might need to head for the ditch or get run over. My hat is off to Mississippi and the wonderful folks there.

I hope the state will continue to improve the MRT route so that it is truly safe for cyclists. I will certainly be telling my many cycle touring friends that Mississippi is a great place to ride.

Paula Pahl

Highlands Ranch, Colo.