I’ll be vacationing in the lake of the ozarks Missouri (Osage Beach) july 9-15 and was wanting to pack my road bike and ride with a group. Does anyone know who I can get into contact with? Thanks!
I would contact ST member…
Jim @ LOTO, MO
Welcome to the Lake of the Ozarks!
First, let me give you some links to local cycling groups’ Facebook pages where you can find out what they may be planning:
Phat Tire Hillbillies - They’re mostly mountain bikers, but many are also road cyclists who get together for rides.
Lake Area Bicyclists - A closed Facebook group, but much the same as above.
Dan and Nicole Dougan, the owners of the local bike shop, Oz Cycles, would be good to contact about local road rides. According to their Rides and Events page, they do a road ride on Thursday nights.
If none of that pans out, let me know when you get closer to leaving for the Lake. (jim AT gojim.tv) I can put out the word on my website to see if anyone is planning a ride. Or, I can give you some ideas if you want to venture out on your own. If you’re not familiar with the Lake area, there are some good places to ride, and some not so good. Fortunately, road cyclists are so far and few around here that motorists are more tolerant.
Finally, bring your hill-climbing shoes. You’re gonna need ‘em. Nothin’ but hills around here. 
Jim
Jim, do you have any garmin links you could share?
No Garmin links, but here are three routes posted by others on mapmyride.com that I’ve ridden and can speak to:
(1) The Porto Cima Ride. This is more or less the route that the local cyclists often get together to ride one night each week in the summer. It starts at the bike shop, Oz Cycles, goes over the toll bridge (no toll fee for bikes), then rides through the subdivisions around Shawnee Bend. The main thoroughfare (Highway MM) has a shoulder, and all the side roads have minimal traffic, so it’s very safe. The nice part about this ride are that you’re never too far away from where you started; you’re not committing yourself to being away for a full morning or afternoon like some other rides; and that it’s very central to the Lake area (no need to drive far to get to the start).
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/osage-beach-mo/lake-ozark-porta-cima-classic-club-ride-route-70034322
(2) The State Park Ride. Like hills? You’ll love this one. I don’t think there’s three feet of flat road on this ride. Very little traffic, since it’s all pretty much inside the state park, and all the roads are dead ends. I usually park at Lee C. Fine Airport, and ride from there. Do NOT ride on Highway 42 to get to this route! Highway 42 is dangerous. Local cyclists stay off 42–no shoulders, lots of traffic, and hills and curves that limit visibility.
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/osage-beach-mo/lake-ozark-state-park-road-ride-route-118579655
(3) The Amish Ride. A very popular ride among the locals, although you have to drive (10 miles or so) to Eldon to get started. My only warning is to be careful on Highway C. It’s a thoroughfare between the west side of the Lake and Jefferson City, so there’s some traffic to contend with, and there’s no shoulder. The best time to ride this route is Sunday morning. Chances are, you’ll come across some horse-drawn buggies. (The odds are even better you’ll have to dodge some horse dooty on some of the roads.) There are hills, but they diminish the farther away you get from Eldon. There really aren’t any convenience stores or services along the route, so go fully prepared.
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/eldon-mo/amish-ride-45-mile-route-101431619
There’s one more “route” to consider, if you’re out just to do a short ride, and willing to do some back-and-forth. Ever since the Highway 54 Expressway was completed, Osage Beach Parkway (also called “Business 54” on signs now being installed) between the Grand Glaize Bridge (to the east) and the Harley-Davidson dealership (to the west) is a virtual bike path since 95% of all the former traffic has moved over to the Expressway. Osage Beach Parkway is a five-lane road, so any traffic can easily go around you in the passing lane. If you want a little variety, you can go down some of the side roads (e.g. Nichols Road and the state park road) that connect to the Parkway. There’s very little traffic on those roads as well. The road through the state park has some tough hills. Since it’s a state park, there are deer all over the place, so don’t be flying down the hills at 50 mph. I limit my downhill speed, and keep an eye out for what might jump out of the woods an onto the roadway.
Mapmyride.com has lots of other routes posted (use zip code “65065” in their search bar), but I haven’t ridden most of them, and don’t want to send anyone out on something I can’t vouch for. Also, some of those routes listed are mountain bike rides in the state park.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks for the info
.