VTBR Report: Mike Baggio

NOTE: We are skipping the usual Friday News and Views for a Virtual Turkey Burn report. 

  Today's VTBR Report comes to us from an old friend and Trans Iowa volunteer, Mike Baggio. He lives in Tennessee now days and files the following report for your reading pleasure:

Mike Baggio: Greetings from Columbia, Tennessee! Got out for several rides over the holiday weekend. The weather was less than ideal but WAY better than the 10+ inches of snow y’all got in the Midwest. 

Flow-trail in Columbia, Tenessee

First ride was on the new, city-built trail system in town. It is a small but flowy and super fun trail. It has multiple jump lines and something for everyone. Parks and Rec has really done a great job! We have two city owned trails and a big system (Chickasaw Trace) that is owned by the county and maintained by our cycling club. I am an average mountain biker (at best) but am very fortunate to have so many good trails within 10 minutes of my house. 

Ridin' Pop's old Trek

 For my second ride, I took my Pop’s old Trek Antelope out for a cruise on the country roads near my house. My dad passed last month but it makes me smile to get out on his old bike and share a smile. Pop was not a cyclist but he rode that old Trek around his neighborhood for 30+ years. 

Nice titanium Salsa Cycles El Mariachi.

 Lastly, I took my trusty old el Mariachi out to pound some hills around the city of Columbia. It is a really great place with a lot of character. I love my new home town and the people that live here. The people at the city do a whole lot for the residents of Columbia. We have good food, music, and arts to share. 

 

Statue of Thurgood Marshall standing in Columbia, Tennessee 

I included a picture of the new Thurgood Marshall statue off the square. It looks great. Marshall successfully defended 25 people wrongly accused in the race riots of 1946. It was a sad time for Columbia. I am proud that my town took time to acknowledge the good and bad part of our local history. It has helped make it the great, diverse place that it is today. The last pic is of me making up the balance of my metric miles on my old spin bike. Looking forward to hear about everyone else’s ride reports!

Mike has been a participant in the Virtual Turkey Burn Ride challenge for a while now. His effort exemplifies the heart of the idea - To motivate people to move and do it in a way which is satisfying and fun. 

I also appreciate Mike's love for his new hometown and the history he shared with us. It's a part of the gravel riding scene as well which makes things even more interesting for everyone. 

NOTE: Saturday I will be making a big announcement concerning a ride in April of 2026. So, we will be taking a break from VTBR Reports for that special announcement. Sunday will see another Rear View review of April, May, and June from the blog this year. VTBR ride reports will commence again this coming Monday.

Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Get out and ride those bicycles!