Missouri
#152
Full Member
Hi I am Edward 47yo Male I just joined the Forums. I live in Battlefield, Mo. I do not have a bike yet but am looking, here is my introduction post. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...904-New-Newbie Anyone in the area I can learn from my primary goal is health and fitness (weight Loss, control diabetes). looking for info on where to begin, where I can ride safely ect.
Welcome! I live in SW Springfield, and my rides take me through Battlefield pretty frequently. As you well know, we live in the middle of the Ozarks, which means a lot of rolling hills, many of them with comparatively short, but sometimes very steep, gradients. My trips through your town are primarily on the Old Wire Road (I come from Springfield via Weaver/FR178) then out west of town towards Farm Road 115 (talk about steep); I take 115 north, past Republic Road, then around the power plant. I frequently turn west (left) at FR164, and cross Highway 60 (West Sunshine St) and head towards Brookline, which is a little more flat than other areas; there are a few farm roads west of MM ( a little hillier), or you can head back east towards Springfield - you will pass through the city limits of Republic a couple of times - and there are more farm roads north of FR156 that are not too heavily traveled.
When you feel more comfortable riding around some of these roads, Farm Road 115 will take you all the way north of Chestnut Expressway - I frequently take this and wind around the industrial/shipping area next to I-44, and make my way over the interstate via Division to FR123, which I take north to the Frisco Highline Trail just north of Kearney St. Farm RD115 is a little more heavily traveled - speed limit is 45, but some locals think it's 55-60 - but it is a great way to go north and south most of the length of Springfield, and there are multiple opportunities to head back east towards town by way of other Farm Roads, most of which are not too heavily traveled.
If you are looking for some non-highway traveling, and have a way to transport your bike, the Greenway Trail which runs from National and Sunset to Battlefield Rd/FF is a nice option; I use a section of it between Nathaniel Green park on Scenic - heading west, where I take the bike path on Battlefield back east, or go north on a sidewalk that starts just west of Carver Middle School.
I would recommend looking at some of what I just described on Google Maps, and driving some of the routes just to make sure you feel safe.
I got back on the bike after a 20-year hiatus, and have gone from barely able to ride 5 miles to 50 miles in the past year and a half... best of luck in picking out your bike, and if you start to get into it like I have, you will find that appropriate clothing - bike shorts and jersey, shoes, gloves, etc. - will make a lot of difference in comfort and overall enjoyabitlity. Hope to see you around!
Last edited by travelerman; 09-01-12 at 09:02 AM.
#153
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Biking from St. Louis and south??
Hi everyone - my husband and I are planning a bicycle ride from Jefferson City, MO to Dexter, MO (one hour south of Cape Girardeau) - we are planning to take the Katy Trail to St. Charles but are undecided as to how to go once off the trail and then south. We would greatly appreciate any help you can give for us to have a safe, enjoyable trip from St. Louis to Dexter.
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
#154
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Posts: 108
Bikes: LHT, Giant Defy2, 83 Fuji Del Rey
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Hi everyone - my husband and I are planning a bicycle ride from Jefferson City, MO to Dexter, MO (one hour south of Cape Girardeau) - we are planning to take the Katy Trail to St. Charles but are undecided as to how to go once off the trail and then south. We would greatly appreciate any help you can give for us to have a safe, enjoyable trip from St. Louis to Dexter.
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Alternatively, take the Katy to the Page Extension bridge, go into St. Louis and work your way down from there.
I'm in Jeff City. If you are in the Mid-MO area, I'd be happy to get a map to you.
#155
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: West of St. Louis
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Have you considered the ACA Great Rivers trail down to Cape Girardeau? You could take the Katy to Dutzow, then pick up the ACA route. There's plenty of B&Bs in Dutzow/Washington, and many of them will take you across the bridge there, which is one of those old two-lane affairs that is not suitable for bikes. Dutzow is about 70 miles from the Jeff City North Trailhead, so it is doable in a day.
Alternatively, take the Katy to the Page Extension bridge, go into St. Louis and work your way down from there.
I'm in Jeff City. If you are in the Mid-MO area, I'd be happy to get a map to you.
Alternatively, take the Katy to the Page Extension bridge, go into St. Louis and work your way down from there.
I'm in Jeff City. If you are in the Mid-MO area, I'd be happy to get a map to you.
#156
Senior Lurker, mostly.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mid Missouri.
Posts: 242
Bikes: '02 Raleigh C40, '10 Fuji Touring, and a refurbished '82 (I think) Motobecane Grand Touring
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Welcome Gaylordsoapco! The ACA route maps is a good idea, another suggestion is the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). I just recently got the guide book to the MRT and it is a pretty thorough book.
Being from SEMO I have been looking at what it would take to ride down there, would like to do that sometime. I'm also near Jefferson City, and the Katy Trail is an excellent ride to the StL area, the planning is in the going south from there isn't it. Not sure I'm up for the hills between StL and the Benton area though. Another place to look at possible roads to travel is the Missouri Bicycle Federation/ MOBikeFed. Good luck with your research, I'm enterested in what you figure out.
There is lots of useful touring info in the "Touring" section of Bike Forums.
DW
Being from SEMO I have been looking at what it would take to ride down there, would like to do that sometime. I'm also near Jefferson City, and the Katy Trail is an excellent ride to the StL area, the planning is in the going south from there isn't it. Not sure I'm up for the hills between StL and the Benton area though. Another place to look at possible roads to travel is the Missouri Bicycle Federation/ MOBikeFed. Good luck with your research, I'm enterested in what you figure out.
There is lots of useful touring info in the "Touring" section of Bike Forums.
DW
Last edited by DW99; 09-25-12 at 05:06 AM. Reason: Touring Section
#157
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Bikes: Specialized FSXC, & a few old Schwinn commuters
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Fall into Winter rides. Anyone near KC down?
I'm new to riding road as of this fall. Since August I've put on a few hundred miles and am disappointed it is cooling off. I'm looking for a few pointers to battle KC wind/weather and looking for someone to ride with. I enjoy riding fast, pushing limits, night rides, and mt bikes as well.
Also looking to fix up an old schwinn road. Open to ideas and will probably need some beta on how to turn this down tube shifter into a slick new ride. My thought is maybe stripping down to frame paint this winter and building from there.
The hope is to have a sweet ride for a few relay triathlons this spring, so I'm wanting to train through the winter and this fall. Any advice or takers?
Also looking to fix up an old schwinn road. Open to ideas and will probably need some beta on how to turn this down tube shifter into a slick new ride. My thought is maybe stripping down to frame paint this winter and building from there.
The hope is to have a sweet ride for a few relay triathlons this spring, so I'm wanting to train through the winter and this fall. Any advice or takers?
#158
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Liberty, Missouri
Posts: 3,132
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
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I'm new to riding road as of this fall. Since August I've put on a few hundred miles and am disappointed it is cooling off. I'm looking for a few pointers to battle KC wind/weather and looking for someone to ride with. I enjoy riding fast, pushing limits, night rides, and mt bikes as well.
Also looking to fix up an old schwinn road. Open to ideas and will probably need some beta on how to turn this down tube shifter into a slick new ride. My thought is maybe stripping down to frame paint this winter and building from there.
The hope is to have a sweet ride for a few relay triathlons this spring, so I'm wanting to train through the winter and this fall. Any advice or takers?
Also looking to fix up an old schwinn road. Open to ideas and will probably need some beta on how to turn this down tube shifter into a slick new ride. My thought is maybe stripping down to frame paint this winter and building from there.
The hope is to have a sweet ride for a few relay triathlons this spring, so I'm wanting to train through the winter and this fall. Any advice or takers?
Unless the work or family schedule gets in the way, I try to ride every day so if you're in the Northland, drop us a line.
#159
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Looking for a riding/training partner in South KC. I'm in the Red Bridge area and am just beginning my riding/training. I'd like to find someone that is interested in riding/training several times a week but is flexible.
I want to build up to a decent race this sprint/summer.
Thanks
I want to build up to a decent race this sprint/summer.
Thanks
#160
Senior Lurker, mostly.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mid Missouri.
Posts: 242
Bikes: '02 Raleigh C40, '10 Fuji Touring, and a refurbished '82 (I think) Motobecane Grand Touring
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Is anyone else considering the "Ride The Fault Line" tour?
Just thought I would see if anyone else here was planning to do this tour. I'm familiar with the area, should be a nice ride, not many hills, maybe none. I'm in the beginning stage of planning for it. Anyone else?
#161
Senior Member
Missouri KATY Trail Ride Registration starts March 1st
https://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride
The 13th annual Katy Trail Ride, June 17-21, allows bicyclists to experience Katy Trail State Park from Clinton to St. Charles. Missouri State Parks and Missouri State Parks Foundation invite you to join them on this scenic five-day ride on the nation's longest developed and most popular rail trail.
This year's ride covers approximately 253 miles of Katy Trail and features great food and many fun activities. Hot showers are available at each overnight stop, enhancing comfortable campsite settings. Participation is limited to 300 people so register early to ensure your place on this scenic ride. Registrations will be accepted until May 1 or until the 300 maximum limit is reached.
I just registered and it cost me $370 which included the ride, two meals a day, a shuttle bus from St. Charles to Clinton ($60), and a shuttle bus to a hotel on one day ($20). Not a bad deal.
https://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride
The 13th annual Katy Trail Ride, June 17-21, allows bicyclists to experience Katy Trail State Park from Clinton to St. Charles. Missouri State Parks and Missouri State Parks Foundation invite you to join them on this scenic five-day ride on the nation's longest developed and most popular rail trail.
This year's ride covers approximately 253 miles of Katy Trail and features great food and many fun activities. Hot showers are available at each overnight stop, enhancing comfortable campsite settings. Participation is limited to 300 people so register early to ensure your place on this scenic ride. Registrations will be accepted until May 1 or until the 300 maximum limit is reached.
I just registered and it cost me $370 which included the ride, two meals a day, a shuttle bus from St. Charles to Clinton ($60), and a shuttle bus to a hotel on one day ($20). Not a bad deal.
#162
Senior Lurker, mostly.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mid Missouri.
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Missouri KATY Trail Ride Registration starts March 1st
https://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride
The 13th annual Katy Trail Ride.
https://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride
The 13th annual Katy Trail Ride.
Good for you JerrySTL, that will be a fun ride, have always heard good things about it. The Katy is sort of my riding/touring playground. Have ridden all of it several times over, but have never been on the DNR ride, it always sounds like fun though. Man, talking about these rides makes the snow and sleet/freezing rain, that is going on outside right now, seem even worse, a bit of cabin fever I guess.
#163
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Liberty, Missouri
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Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
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#164
Senior Lurker, mostly.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mid Missouri.
Posts: 242
Bikes: '02 Raleigh C40, '10 Fuji Touring, and a refurbished '82 (I think) Motobecane Grand Touring
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AZORCH, you can do a Bing search or Google for " Ride The Fault Line " and find out all about it. To answer your question, it's a tour that takes in parts of SE Missouri, NE Arkansas, East Tennessee and Kentucky, June 22-29.
#165
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryville, IL
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I'm not in Missouri, but I lives 15 minutes from downtown on the east side. Try the MCT trail system over here. Fairly flat, but there are several loops.