Review Date
October 21, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: f3rg ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I've ridden R.B. park in Columbia for years, and lately began riding Rhett's Run at Cosmo Park. If you've ridden R.B., you know it's not very technical--to the point of being boring at times. And if you've ridden Rhett's and seen how technical and twisty it is, and wondered why R.B. was laid out so badly in comparison, well Binder is the answer to, "What would R.B. be like if it was laid out like Rhett's?"

I started on the Green trail and followed that to the Blue. The full loop is something like 7 miles. This whole place is very well done! Every switchback is followed shortly by another, to the point you begin to wonder if it'll ever end... unfortunately, it does. It's an awesome ride, and probably the best trail system I've ever been on. I love all the log bridges and the fact they leave a lot of smaller fallen trees over the trail. I just wish I didn't have to do the Columbia-Jeff City drive to get to ride there.

I can't comment on the Red trail since I didn't ride it, but the Yellow trail was badly marked and annoyed me to no end. I ended up making a wrong turn and inadvertently headed right back to the parking lot after only a mile. I'm sure it'd be better if it was either marked better or if I rode with someone who already knows the trail.

Recommended Route:
Counter clockwise on the Green to the Blue. Always stick to the right and you'll make it back eventually.

Review Date
June 23, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: SPShocker91 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is my hometown track and I ride it alot... The markings arnt the best but Ive only got lost once so I guess thats not too bad and that was my first time riding it... You can get maps and you wont get lost This is generally a easy place to ride but it has some technicle sections.... This was the first track I ever rode and I had some problems at fisrt but now i can breeze threw all of the trails (except a fer alternatie roughts) This Trail is alot of fun for me now and was alot of fun when I started...I reccomend binder trails to anyone of any skill level

Recommended Route:
I prefer the Red trail.... It is alot of fun with a lot of ditches and just some un things to fire on I also like the green or blue trail (its not very well marked) but it has some jumps and a lot of cool bridges.... the red trail is entered over a log bridge from the main binder rode and to get to the green or blue you go threw a field to the inlet whitc you take a right off the main rode to find (there is a small sighen)

Review Date
January 4, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: g-wiz ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
So this is my hometrail, and thank god it is. I've ridden plenty around Missouri and I would say this ranks up there with the absolute best of them. It has just about anything for anyone. It is seperated into 4 different loops. The first one is the easiest. It then opens up into a feild and you begin the second loop. This loop has a couple nasty climbs filled with plenty of baby heads to make it interesting. There are a few downhills that are super fun and thats the biggest pay off. Once you enter the second feild on the other side of the lake you can take the trail down to the road, cross the road and ride a short loop called Rainbow. Now rainbow is a fun section with moderate climbing and a couple of great technical spots. If you ride it to the left you encounter a serious rock climb/turn. I have ridden this trail very hard for over a year now and still havent cleared it. Once finished with Rainbow you can ride down the road towards the campsite and begin Lakeside. Lakeside is definently the best part of the trail I think because it is the most technical. Lots of rocks and roots to make it interesting. If you havent riden Binder then you mos def need to. Call Nick at Red Wheel and ask him to gather a few of us up to go ride with you. I ride almost everyday and there's plenty of us who would be willing to go ride. Ride on....

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Rockbridge, Trail of Four Winds, Honeyrun

Review Date
September 4, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: thomasjmcnamara ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
One of the best trails in MO, without a doubt. Not terribly technical but you have a few options to make it as difficult as you wish. Very twisty and relentless if you're riding fast- it seems like you're always turning. Lots of stream crossings and new obstacles are popping up all the time. You can go fast XC or drop your seat down and go nuts in many places. I live in Columbia and this trail beats Rhett's and Rock Bridge, hands down. The climbing is not terribly difficult, considering the downhill payoff... Not all that aerobically challenging but the 'fun factor' is huge. Kudos to the guys who built and maintain this trail, I'd drive three times as far just to come down and ride!
- Love the 'downstairs part' of the loop near the south entrance......!!

Recommended Route:
It's a series of interconnected loops, so make sure you're not missing out on a lot of the good stuff...... take your time and explore.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Rock Bridge, Cosmo in Columbia. They're working on cutting some new trails in Sedalia at Bothwell Lodge.... could be fun by fall.

Review Date
August 20, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Hammer71 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
BLT is a great ride, the long uphill climbs are rewarded by the long twisting downhills, I want to thank whoever built and maintains this trail. Great job..cool ride

Recommended Route:
I think the best way in has to be to park at the shack and start across the road, counterclockwise seems to be a nice route. As long as you always rember to stay right you will be able to ride the one side of the park and I think that comes out to be around 10.5 miles

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Honey Run (Lake of the Ozarks), Four Winds ( PB-1, Lake), Bittersweet( Lake Ozark)