All routes start and finish at Springfield Brewing Co. (305 S. Market Ave), the host of the 2017 Queen City Century. Riders will enjoy a post-ride after-party including a catered lunch--included in your registration fee.

Free parking is available in the parking garage across the street (NE corner) from Springfield Brewing Co. Please park in the nearby parking garage, not in Springfield Brewing Company's small parking lot.

The 2017 Queen City Century features a number of route options, from a 22-mile guided tour of Springfield's nationally recognized trail and bicycle route system, to sixteen of Springfield's flattest road miles, and 100 miles of the most scenic road routes in the Springfield area, with visits to Strafford, Fair Grove, Ebeneezer, and beautiful Lake McDaniel.

Or try the Flat Century--new for 2017.

You'll be well supported, with SAG Stops every 8-16 miles and roving SAG ready to help if you run into trouble.

Whatever your level of interest or fitness, you'll find a route you'll enjoy! Read on for more details . . .

New for 2017

Less traffic, fewer hills, more fun . . .

In developing our 2017 routes, we listened to our riders and what they wanted. The 2017 out-and-back metric Metric Century, 84-mile, and Century Routes are on lower-traffic roads with just a few less hills than the 2016 routes.

The 2017 out-and-back century, for example, has 3,800 feet of climbing--compared with 4475 in 2016. That's about 15% less climbing.

The 32-mile route is about as flat a route as the Springfield area offers--and the 50-mile route is pretty flat, too, with just a couple of moderate hills between the 32-mile turnaround point and the 50-mile turnaround point.

More discussion of the hills and relative difficulty and ease of the various routes here.

That's what most cyclists consider pretty easy, rolling hills

Flat Century Options

Want to ride one of the flattest possible Centuries in the area? Just ride the 50-mile route twice.

Want an even flatter century? Just ride the 32-mile route three times

These Flat Century options are an excellent choice for anyone working on their first Century--or if you are working to build your fitness level to be able to handle century rides with many thousands of feet of climbing and steep hills.

Both the Flat Century (2X50) and Even Flatter Century (3X32) rides will be fully supported all day long--because SAG Stops on the first section of the ride remain open until the last Century riders return late in the day. And you save more than 200 feet of climbing with the Flat Century, and even more than that with the Even Flatter Century. And more important, you avoid some of the longer and steeper climbs of the regular 100-mile route.

The 2X50 Flat Century has two pretty good (moderate) climbs on each 25-mile segment. The 3X32 Even Flatter Century is most rolling terrain without any seriously steep climbs. The regular century has a number of more difficult climbs.

More discussion of the Flat Century vs. Regular Century options here.

Scenic and historic features

You'll see some of the Springfield area's most scenic and beautiful roads.

The route meets two of Missouri's national bicycle routes--routes that MoBikeFed and its local and national partners work hard to maintain and improve.

We cross Bicycle Route 66 twice--once near the start as we following historic Route 66 for several blocks through the downtown area, and again when we meet the route in Strafford.

We ride on a piece of the historic TransAmerica Trail--the cross-country bicycle route that launched the Adventure Cycling Association and began the work to create a national bicycle touring route system in the U.S. in 1976. The TransAmerica Bicycle Trail is now officially designated in Missouri as U.S. Bicycle Route 76. We ride our section of USBR 76 on Old Mill Road in Fair Grove.

SAG Stops and support

The route features four rest stops where you can rest, relax, and enjoy snacks, drinks, and restrooms. It also includes two water stops, with water and limited snacks available. The routes make double-use of most SAG stops, so that we have SAG stops every 8-16 miles along the entire course.

Note that most stops are fully stocked SAGs with volunteers, plenty of food, water, Gatorade powder, and restrooms. A few stops--marked on your maps a "Water Stops"--are more basic with water, a few snacks on hand, and no restrooms available. Check your map for details.

We will have roving SAG drivers on the course at all times. If you have mechanical trouble or need a pick-up for any reason, just call.

Whether you enjoy a short flat, ride or long road ride on beautiful country roads, Queen City Century has it for you!

Many thanks to local riders who have spent many hours evaluating potential QCC routes and giving feedback and suggestions.