Grab a bike trail map of Columbia, there are a ton (almost 100 miles) of paved trails through the area. I ride them to work fairly often and they are well maintained (my exorbitant Howard County tax dollars at work). Great way to get from one end of town to another.

Agreed about not being able to just wing it in the area though if you aren't local, and even then it gets dicey. The whole 'planned community' idea goes so far as to drastically limit signage and it gets ugly.

Anyone looking for a barely out of shape riding buddy? I need to put some more miles on the bike this year, only put a little over 500 last year.