Major article on the bicycling scene in Springfield

Tim Weston [President of SpringBike] is convinced he has found the perfect seat from which to take in the Ozarks' beauty: His bicycle seat.

Weston has an unobstructed view of the arrival and departure of the days and seasons. He sees farmers tending to cattle on rolling pastures, as well as the sprouting of homes, roads, trails and other changes that come with a booming population. . . .

But before he became so proficient, Weston — like all cyclists — had to figure out where to ride, what equipment was needed and how to stay safe. If you're considering trying a day trip by bike, here's some tips from local riders.