Anyone riding along the Katy Trail in the central part of the state has another reason to veer off trail and head across the river to downtown Jefferson City. Located just a stone’s throw from the Missouri River, the towering Capitol building, and the Governor’s Mansion, Red Wheel Bike Shop has been a cycling staple in the capital city since 2003.

Many central Missourians have come to rely on owners Nick and Jessica Smith’s knowledge and service to dive into cycling or to keep their trusty steeds rolling. Red Wheel specializes in selling Surly, Trek, and Salsa bikes and high-end bike racks from Küat, along with other parts and accessories to ensure customers can ride and race in comfort.

Red Wheel is more than just a place to buy bikes, though. It’s a vibrant community hub where cyclists of all levels come together. The shop hosts casual, organized weekly rides that are free and open to the public, making it easy to meet fellow enthusiasts. Depending on the week, these rides tackle the winding, rolling hills along the city roadways or the numerous mountain bike trails around the city. For gravel rides, the group pops across the river to hit the more famous Katy Trail State Park, located just three miles from the shop.

Red Wheel offers plenty of bikes, bike racks, cycling shorts, and t-shirts. (Kyle Wayne Stewart)

In addition to bike sales and services, Red Wheel offers rental bikes for locals looking to explore the miles of greenway trails around Jefferson City or to ride across the Missouri River to hop on the Katy Trail. Red Wheel also offers one-way shuttle services for cyclists wanting to ride from their choice trailhead along the Katy back to the Red Wheel shop.

If the bike shop wasn’t already reason enough to stop, the new Steam House, located next door, is sure to entice you. This charming coffee shop/bar, launched by Nick and Jessica in early 2024, dishes out bespoke espresso drinks, regional craft beers, top-shelf cocktails, and made-from-scratch pastries and baked goods. The intimate space only allows seating for a handful of people, but the spacious patio shared between the bike shop and coffee shop/bar provides plenty of room to spread out and decompress after a ride.

To add to the fun vibe, the Smiths introduced “Sunsets at the Steam House,” a regularly scheduled casual hang on the patio featuring live music performed by regional bands and local food trucks. Sunsets at the Steam House typically occur every other Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. throughout the warmer months of the year, though pop-up concerts and events are known to take place occasionally.

Check out their Facebook pages for updates and additional information on Red Wheel Bike Shop and the Steam House.

Author: Kyle Wayne Stewart is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: Red Wheel Bike Shop and the Steam House. (Kyle Wayne Stewart)