Greetings all,

I'm planning a move to Columbia Mo and wondered if anybody frequented these pages that knows about the riding. I currently only have a couple of mountain bikes (old GT commuter and IF Deluxe), but intend to replace my 20+ year old road bike shortly after the move. I've surfed some info, but would like actual people's info, if it's available.

As for the choice of Columbia. We want to move back to the Midwest (preferably Missouri) to a small-ish size city with good schools, prefer a university town (my wife went to Mizzou there). Yes, I know there are plenty of you out there who would say we're nuts (especially when I mention that we currently live in Albuquerque NM), but that's our preference.

Thanks,
Bob

I have lived here for around 13 years. I started riding 8 years ago and now I do only road riding. I started on the Katy and MKT trails. Both me and my wife ride. We do not belong to the Columbia bike club as we rather ride in smaller groups. If you are going to buy a new road bike I would suggest Walt's. Great people they have there. When are you coming back? Maybe we could meet up? As long as you obey the roads the drivers are usually alright. I have not had a problem.....yet.

Hi,

It'll be at least a year. Neither of us have employment lined up yet, and with a 1 year old it seems like there's always somewhere for the extra cash to go. I will be looking to hook up with some local riders. We might do a "recon" trip a little while before we move.

I will be checking out Walt's for sure when I'm ready to purchase the new bike. From their website, I saw that they carry LeMond, which is one of my favorite "off the shelf" bikes. I also might try to go to work for them. I currently work part-time at a LeMond dealer here, so I'm pretty familiar with those bikes.

Thanks,
Bob

went through a major remodel and now they are expanding. Seems like they would have done it all at the same time.
There is another shop in town owned by a former good racer, Tom Brinker, it is called Cyclextreme and is downtown. That might be a place to look for work also. They carry Giant, Trek, Specialized, and also sell Litespeeds. Tom is a nice guy. That is where I bought mine and the wife's first road bikes. If you are into triathalons there is also Tryathletics.
Good luck in the job hunt as Columbia has a real low unemployment rate so good jobs are hard to find.

Good luck and hope to see you soon.

... And now I'm longing for all those quiet highways you can take out of town. I wasn't into the riding so much back then so I didn't take advantage. But I used to go on drives all the time just exploring the region. I'm sure you could to the same on a bike. A 10 mile trip in one direction takes you into an utterly rural setting. I'm in Los Angeles now so, of course, the grass is greener ...

As a central missourian, unfortunately placed in the KC Mo area, I can attest for the riding in central missouri. For the most part, you will need to get used to shoulderless riding out in the sticks, but it is strategically located amid the missouri river valley, so you will get some freaky terrains. You wont get the stupid long climbs, you will have more than your share of steep climbs and incessant rollers, especially if you ride just west of town on a stretch of road the local racers call 'Nam, its THAT serious. There are some GOOD riders from there, and there is even some decent racing, but you are strategically located amidst St. Louis and Kansas City for racing action.

Dale Brigham, and xcmntgeek are both Columbia locals... and our boy on the streets, Doug Sloan could all speak to the pros and cons of central missouri riding.

As far as the mtn action, there are several decent rides... three creeks and fingerlakes come to mind, but you are also within a few hours of some phat rides at Landahl (KC area), Busiek (Springfield area), and the new trails at Binder Park in Jeff City, and the new stuff going in down at the Lake of the Ozarks.

But as far as the town. I cant freaking wait until we figure out a way to get back to Central Missouri. Columbia for a town in the middle of nowhere has a lot of vibe and culture. I go back as often as I can. Especially now, as there are TWO Tropical Liquors locations to choose from!!!

all the good mtb'ing just south at Council Bluffs, Berryman and the Trace Creek sections of the Ozark Trail.

But as to road riding, don't worry man, it's all good. Typical MO roads w/no shoulder and designated by letters instead of numbers. However, my experience out there over the course of two MS150's has been excellent. Great variety and low traffic.

Like FN said, lots of hard dudes come out of COMO.