I’ll be down in the busy, speedboat happy, cold drink headquarters of the midwest this weekend. I was wondering if anyone has actually been on a bicycle down there. I was hoping to get in 60 - 70. I figure I will need to leave at the crack of dawn to beat the traffic. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
-JTG
Right around the lake is not so good due to traffic. I did the old Ultramax race the two years it was at Lake of the Ozarks and can you say hills? I’d think once you get out south or to the north and west (Amish country) it might be OK. There was a bike shop in town, but I forget the name of it. Maybe shoot Mark (race director) an email and see if he has any old bike course maps. mark@ultramaxtri.com
clm
Slowtwitch’s own Dave G resides at the Lake (and is a really nice guy). I know this is his busy season, but I’m sure he could at least recommend a good route if not hook up with you, if you shoot him a PM.
Steve
I live at the Lake. The number of road cyclists in the area is pretty small, but sometimes that works to our advantage–motorists don’t see many of us on the roads slowing down traffic, so they’re pretty patient with us. I’ve had very, very few problems, although I’m more selective than most about the routes I ride, and the time of day I ride them. There are some roads–Highway 54 in Osage Beach, for example–that should be avoided entirely because there’s simply too much traffic.
Go into the local bike shop, Ozark Outdoors & Cyclery (www.ozoutdoorsandcyclery.com), and ask Tim for copies of local road-riding routes. Ask him about the road route that starts in Montreal.
You can also read a little more about routes at a website I maintain at http://www.hawkislandestates.com/Road_cycling_routes.htm
Gosh. Someone coming down to the Lake, not to go to Party Cove, but to ride a bike. I guess there’s a first time for everything. 
Be careful.
Jim
Go into the local bike shop, Ozark Outdoors & Cyclery (www.ozoutdoorsandcyclery.com), and ask Tim for copies of local road-riding routes. Ask him about the road route that starts in Montreal. <<
Yeah Tim! Super nice guy and very helpful the two years I was there.
clm
Thanks for the advice. I’ll try again tomorrow to see if anyone else knows any info.
JTG
Jim G, right? What in the world are you doing here? Isn’t there someone riding through town with RAAM that need their photo taken? I saw Erics handiwork in the paper, he has a good eye 
Sorry I missed all of that this weekend; I had to drive 5 women for ‘girls weekend’ for 17 hours on Saturday until ~ 2:30 Sunday morning and it was like 4:am by the time I wnet to sleep. Excuses, excuses.
I just pm’d the origional poster about my rides on HH and MM; are you up for joining on Sunday perhaps? I have guests coming this weekend but can sneak out for a little while. The o.p. said ~55-60 miles, I don’t think I could swing that at any reasonable pace but will give it a shot. I’ve only been doing Wed night road rides, no others on my own; work is too darned busy but I guess I have the winter for long workouts. Hows your training going?
I’ll be there this weekend, I might be in.
Yeah, Dave, that’s me. I’ve been a lurker on ST for 4-1/2 years, hoping never to have to join and become an official STer. But, when someone needs help about where to ride at the Lake, I felt a need to swallow my pride, join the forum and provide an answer.
You know what they say about excuses. Anyway, we had a great time at the time station. However, the most rewarding part was being able to help the crew of the cyclist who crashed Monday morning. She was released from the hospital at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. I met and talked to her a few hours after the accident on Monday and after she was released. She is simply remarkable. She plans to do RAAM solo next year, and wants to win the women’s division. We’re going to roll out the red carpet for her at the time station next year.
Training for IMMOO is now in full swing. As for Sunday morning, I have no idea what I’m doing tomorrow, much less five days away. You guys are too fast for me, anyway.
I took a bunch of nutritional stuff (including tons of Red Bull) and coolers over to the shop today that the RAAM crew didn’t want to haul to the East Coast. Tim will give you a good deal on it, and will give the money to charity.
Hauling five women around for 17 hours? Man, that alone deserves some kind of finisher’s medal.
I couldn’t figure out why there was $1000 worth of Red Bull at the shop but I had three during my two hour shift this afternoon. That stuff is like crack its so addictive but I’m too cheap to buy it. What happened with the person who crashed? Hit or just fell? Let me guess, a weekender in a h2 in Osage Beach. Tomorrow you should do the Wed night road ride; 5:45 at the shop. Keep an eye peeled here to see what develops for Sunday or I’ll keep you posted. I’m beat, have to get some sleep. See ya tomorrow night
Her support crew was right behind her when the accident happened. She was descending a hill (around 30 mph, she told me) on Highway 54 between the Niangua bridge and Highway 5/54 intersection. They said her front wheel suddenly wobbled–due either to hitting a rock or a crack in the pavement–and, as she ran off the edge of the pavement, she was thrown completely end-over-end while still clipped in. She first hit the ground with her upper back, then continued to tumble again, landing the next time on her right side, thus causing the broken collarbone and ribs. All in all, she was pretty lucky, and told me that she was so thankful that she can still walk. It could have been much, much worse. I’ll bet she’ll be back on the bike in less than a month.
Wow, thanks for the help. And I thought all that happened at the lake was drinking. It seems as though the rides are mainly out backs along the lake roads. I was looking at the map and wondering if there are any routes away from the lake into some of the smaller surronding towns. I am in for a ride if people get one together. I’m bringing my tri bike so please drop a line here if one gets going.
JTG
Theres some drinking too; not me but rumor has it there are places to drink if thats your thing. Open invite to anyone who will be at the lake this weekend, Friday night, 7:pm, my place. We’re taking the boat to Jolly Rogers (on the Gravois) for dinner and whatever. Anyone who’s up for a road ride let me know and I’ll most likely be there. I reserve the right to ditch if my visitors for the weekend want to go out to breakfast or something.
If you’re looking for town to town rides stop in and see Tim at OO&C on the strip right across from McDonalds, yum McDonalds. Did I just say that out loud?
One ride I really enjoy is to park on the strip, do an out and back of MM (toll bridge rd) its pretty flat and fast 4 miles each way, then do the roads off MM which are a bit hillier and twistier but much more scenic, then do the MM out and back again. If you’re really spunky you can do it more than once or just do the MM section repeatedly. In training for IM Florida last year I used to do anywhere from 6 to 10 out and backs on MM as it is the flatest road around.
Is earlier or later better for you all? 7:am? 9:am? Noon!!!
Work is away from the computer so call me and we can coordinate something. (573) 434-6864
Jim, you’ll be there, right? I haven’t rode more than 90 minutes in 2007 so you’ll kick my ass. I’ll tell Tim to send out and email to everyone once we hammer out a time and hopefully a few locals will show up as well.