Five easy bike routes for beginners.
A great way to see the finer details of the city is from a bicycle.
photo by @bear8s
While our roads may leave •a little• room for improvement, Columbia’s cycling paths are clean, safe + expand all the time. In fact, Columbia earned a Bike Friendly City status this year from the League of American Bicyclists.
But how navigable is Cola for the average rider? We asked the team from local nonprofit Cola Town Bike Collective for the 5 best rides for beginners around town. Much to my relief, their favorite routes are the flat ones. It’s too humid in Cola for hills, y’all.
Here are the routes, ranked from casual to challenging for a novice rider. ⬇️
🚲 The Canal Walk | 📈 beginner | 🛣 5.2 mi | 🚵 mixed use path | 🚻 water fountains, bathrooms + parking at both ends of the trail
Deets: The trails at Riverfront Park are completely flat, but be weary of heavy traffic (pedestrians + bikers) on weeknights.
🎤 “Sunset over the dam can be quite romantic. There are lots of spots to picnic along the way, too.” –Timothy Landholt, Vice President
🚲 Timmerman Trail | 📈 beginner | 🛣 5.3 mi | 🚵 mixed use path | 🚻 facilities at Cayce Tennis + Fitness Center (1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce)
Deets: This trail is on the other side of the river; quieter + winds more than the straighter paths at Riverfront Park.
🎤 “This area by the river is rich with history. Humans populated the land around the park 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.” –Scott Nuelken, President, Chair
🚲 Rosewood/Shandon | 📈 beginner | 🛣 4.8 mi | 🚵 neighborhood roads
Deets: These two neighborhoods are on the east side of town – running near the Gills Creek watershed – with calm roads shaded by Oak + Dogwood trees.
🎤 “These neighborhoods, to me, are the heart and soul of Columbia. They’re great communities. I feel welcome as a cyclist.” –David King, Treasurer, Co-Chair
🚲 West Columbia | 📈 beginner | 🛣 4.5 mi | 🚵 mostly neighborhood roads
Deets: This route may be best served with Sunday brunch. Pro tip: Start at the West Cola Amphitheater and ride up past 116 + Cafe Strudel. We won’t judge you if you stop for a mid-ride breakfast sandwich (or mimosa). 🥂
🎤 ”I love to ride Jessie’s Way bike lane (on Blossom Street Bridge) after a big rain when the water’s high. It makes me feel lucky to live here.” –Timothy Landholt, Vice President
🚲 Downtown/UofSC | 📈 intermediate | 🛣 5.6 mi | 🚵 urban riding
Deets: This path starts + ends at the State House’s North Lawn – first taking you down to the Vista Greenway, continuing through Finlay Park and the NoMa neighborhood; then to UofSC before landing back at the State House. There’s a slight grade climbing Greene St. from Laurens to campus, so pace yourself to enjoy the view of University Hill. Pro tip: Since the route gets hilly in Elmwood + at UofSC, hit up Indah Coffee or The War Mouth in Cottontown in-between for hydration (and motivation).
🎤 “We recommend this ride on Saturday morning, followed by a wrap from Mimie’s Delect-A-Bowls at Soda City on Main Street.” –Scott Nuelken, President, Chair
Have a good addition to what you see? Tell us your favorite beginner’s route via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Don’t have a bike (or the funds for one)? Downtown Columbia could be getting a bike share program as early as this fall, as part of the 2015 Walk Bike Columbia master plan.
Want to get your *very own* bike? Need a repair? Stop in and say hey 👋 to Cola Town Bike Collective at 1823 Superior St. on Sundays from 1-6 p.m. And check their website in the coming weeks for more advanced routes for all you seasoned cyclists (I’m looking at you, sandwich delivery guy).
Catch you on the trails.
– Beth
