dwatkins

Hello from Dustin Watkins.

I'm 22 and just moved to Branson, MO from Springfield after graduating from Missouri State. Not as many cyclists here as I'd like, but it's cool. I'm in the Clydesdale category, about 227 working toward 205 from 240 a month ago. My ride is a 2006 Cannondale R1000 Caad 8 I bought a couple years ago. I also have a 2003 GT XCR 3000 full suspension mountain bike that is in bad shape but rideable. I'm selling a 2003 YZ250F (dirt bike) for money to buy a 29'er hardtail (Cannondale Caffiene F3). I have the ambition and the fitness to start road racing next year (possibly this year) but don't know where to plug myself in.

East Hill

Hi Dustin, the term Clydesdales actually originated in the road racing world! I do believe a few of our Clydes here race, so you might as well start by asking in the C/A forum.

Good job on the weight loss!

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

USAZorro

Welcome to Bike Forums Dustin,

I saw Branson, and felt compelled to reply. We're heading there in early July... not because we're huge fans of Country culture, but because we're scouting out sites for our future empty nest (50 miles or so to the north-east). I will be bringing at least one road bike with me on the journey, and I hope my wife will permit me a few riding opportunities while there. We were there very briefly two summers ago, and I know first-hand how bad traffic can be there, and I'd definitely be interested in either finding a group to ride with, or some suggestions for ride routes that would not expose me to large volumes of hurrying tourists.

Cheers,

Z

dwatkins

When was the last time you came to Branson?
I work for the Chamber of Commerce promoting tourism, and it has changed tremendously over the past few years. The traffic has been greatly improved, the country music shows still exist, but are complimented by a variety of other types of shows and nightlife. Like I said, I really can't wait to get the cycling community growing, which some are already doing, so get in touch when you come out here again and you can join us for a ride!

Dustin

cyberpep

Welcome Dustin

Branson was one of my wife's and mine best vacations. We stayed at a time share at Palace Veiw by Spinnaker, very nice place and close to the strip. We started the week doing 1 show a day and ended up our last couple of days doing 3 shows a day. We will at some point come back but it is a 1800 km trip one way. Next time I should either bring a bike or rent one as I would like to take a ride out around Table Rock Dam, very beautiful area.
You must love climbing hills on that Cannondale, some of the hills were hard enough to go up in a car.

USAZorro

Dustin,

We were last there from July 2-5 in 2006. I imagine that was likely one of the busiest weeks of the year. We stayed at the Wyndham Meadows, and came into town for groceries, and I wanted to get to the AAA office for some area maps while my wife and her relatives went into the supermarket. I was walking at about the same rate that traffic was moving, but didn't count on having to cross a couple major roads to get there, and walked back. We heard, and saw signs that traffic plans were catching up to the growth, but there was still congestion.

Anyhow, I suspect that a couple miles outside of town, there are some very nice, uncrowded places to go for a ride. I just don't know about them yet. We'll be there July 5-12. Our primary mission is to scout potential places to settle - primarily looking in Douglas, Ozark, Wright, Texas, Oregon, Shannon and Howell counties to get a feel for the communities. That will take up about half our time, but the rest will be hanging out and relaxing (and for me, doing some riding).

John

Brian

If you see my ex out there, tell her I said