https://www.reddit.com/r/columbiamo/comments/1ifzufz/nice_bike_riding_trials_for_recreational_rider/
created by Happy-Acanthaceae-14 on 02/02/2025 at 15:38 UTC
4 upvotes, 4 top-level comments (showing 4)
Finally getting my bike fixed up and looking at some trails to ride it on. What are some good bike trails around Columbia? I’d prefer your favorite trails on the north side but any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Comment by Tacticalneurosis at 02/02/2025 at 16:02 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Unless you’re really into mountain biking I’d avoid Rockbridge (which is way south) Capen (midway) and the Nature trail/Rhett’s run sections of Cosmo park. Bear Creek trail is on the north side and goes from Albert Oakland to Cosmo, with some additional loops around a wetland area. Only hard part is the Hill from Hell between markers 0.75 and 0.25 (Cosmo side), it’s both long and steep and has a curve towards the bottom. Hinkson Creek trail also starts on the north side and connects to Stephan’s Lake, Downtown, and Grindstone by bikeways, and it’s paved so it stays clear even when it’s sloppy like this. MKT trail starts in downtown and runs all the way to the Katy Trail, just be careful around market 8.5 -8.75 (the downtown side) because homeless people like to camp there. The defunct Hardy’s always has open parking and I’ve never been ticketed for leaving my car there. Grindstone is my personal favorite, the gravel trail connects to MKT and the paved side runs under 63.
Comment by CerebralAccountant at 02/02/2025 at 17:03 UTC*
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The city's bicycle map[1] is an awesome resource. Columbia's best bike trails are the linear creek trails: Bear Creek (north side), MKT (downtown and southwest), County House (southwest), Scott's Branch (southwest), Hinkson Creek (south + east), Grindstone Creek (southeast), and Hominy Creek (northeast). Most of the trails are gravel or dirt; a few (at least Grindstone, MKT downtown, some of Hominy?, some of Hinkson) are paved.
1: https://www.como.gov/public-works/street-division/traffic-management/nonmotorized-transportation/
If you want to ride within a single park, I can personally attest that Bonnie View Nature Area, Stephens Lake Park, and Twin Lakes Recreation Area are good. If you're willing to ride on a large highway shoulder, there's a nice five mile loop through Twin Lakes along the County House Trail, MKT, and Stadium Blvd. Parking is available at Twin Lakes, the Forum Nature Area, and the MLK Memorial.
On the north side, Cosmo Park, Garth Nature Area, and Albert Oakland Park could work too, but I'm only a little bit familiar with Cosmo.
Comment by ChewiesLament at 02/02/2025 at 16:48 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There's really just one trail for easy riding on the north side, Brear Creek Trail. Cosmo Park, as stated, has a mountain bike trail system.
Assuming you're not looking for mountain biking, your main options are the MKT and off shoot trails from it.
First, the MKT runs from the west side of the county where it connects to the Katie Trail approximately 4 miles from the Jay Dix access point which is located near the bottom of Scott Boulevard. That is the last access point for the MKT before it runs west, as mentioned, and if you want more solitude and nature, that's the way to go. If you're just starting, riding the MKT to the Katie and back (turning around at Hindman Junction or McBaine) is a good fun ride. Just a note, if you get a flat, you're potentially walking two miles to a pick up point unless you can fix it yourself or, and this isn't unusual, someone stops to offer help.
At Jay Dix, you can also go east into town and take that to the Forum Access or to the Battle Access point or all the way into town. You can turn around at Providence. The last easy to park at access point is Battle, however, which is off of Stadium. From the center of town to Jay Dix is about 4 miles, so again, you can turn around and ride back for an okay starter ride. This is all crushed gravel and generally easy to ride on.
Now off of the MKT, you can visit the Twin Lakes park, think of it like a spur you can follow into the park and that will then take you to County House Trail - but the trail doesn't loop, so you'd have to back track. This is generally true for any trail you take off of the MKT. Another popular off shoot is the Mizzou Athletic Trail, which you can follow all the way to the Grindstone trail on the east side of town that eventually goes under Highway 63. If you drive to the Grindstone access point, it's one of the few completely paved trails you can ride on.
Comment by Hippiemike420 at 02/02/2025 at 15:46 UTC
1 upvotes, 3 direct replies
There are good trials all over pick one and start peddling. Have a nice day