The Giro Della Montagna (“Tour of The Hill” in Italiano) is our showcase of the City of St. Louis. Giro bursts onto the scene with vibrant energy, swapping the serene forest green for the fiery allure of red brick. Its winding paths weave through the heart of iconic neighborhoods like St. Louis Hills, Carondelet, and the Central West End, offering a thrilling adventure for cyclists. This urban journey adds a dash of metropolitan flair to our roster, providing the ideal counterpart to our rustic escapades. Embark on the Giro and experience the pulse of the city like never before.
After the ride, stick around on The Hill to watch some exciting bike racing during The Gateway Cup brought to you by Big Shark Bicycle Company.
Schedule
6:30 am – Registration & check-in opens
7 am – 8 am – Open start window (details below)
10:30 am – Gateway Cup racing begins! (Giro Della Montagna Event Page)
Riders can start anytime between 7 and 8 a.m. but must leave before 8:00 a.m. The purpose of the 8:00 a.m. cutoff time is to help us manage SAG and Rest Stop support by knowing how many riders are out on the course. If we allow riders to start later than 8:00 a.m., we must keep rest stops open much later in the day, which strains our amazing volunteers who have given their time to keep you hydrated and fed. We appreciate your cooperation.
New for 2024!
We have partnered with our friends from the World Affairs Council STL to incorporate a community bike ride during the Giro Della Montagna!
Have you ever wondered how international community members have shaped the development of St. Louis into the vibrant city we know today? Join Trailnet and the World Affairs STL for a group bike tour of St. Louis neighborhoods and cultural history to learn more. This ride within a ride will feature presentations at several distinct locations, each with unique and noteworthy historical significance.
Route and content information will be emailed on or before 6/5/24.
Embark on a thrilling adventure in the Bottleneck Bridge Ride, proudly brought to you by Trailnet, the Festus Tourism Commission, the City of Festus, and the Jefferson County Growth Association. Affectionately known as “One Hill of a Ride,” this event promises a memorable journey through the heart of Jefferson County.
Begin your adventure amidst the lively atmosphere of Festus Main Street, where anticipation fills the air. With route options ranging from 17 to 67 miles, cyclists of all levels can explore the charming town centers and tranquil country roads that define the region. Along the way, discover rest stops at local wineries, restaurants, and historical landmarks like the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge.
For the younger riders, there are exciting Strider races, courtesy of Living Life on 2 Wheels, adding an extra dash of fun to the day. And after the ride, linger awhile to enjoy live music, delicious dining options, and unique shopping experiences.
Join us for a day of cycling, community, and celebration at the Bottleneck Bridge Ride—an event that promises unforgettable moments and the simple joy of exploring the great outdoors.
Registration includes:
Exclusive Bottleneck Bridge 2024 T-shirt
Complimentary Beer and Fitz’s Beverages
Well-stocked rest stations
Kaldi Coffee for morning fuel
SAG support
Post-ride street party with live entertainment
Vendor stations with giveaways and engagement
Entry to win a fun Festus raffle basket
Schedule
6:30 am – Registration opens
7:30 am – Staging for all routes begins
7:45 am – Registration closes
8 am – rolling group start led by a police escort. Once riders have been escorted into Crystal City, they may ride at their own pace. The group start is not optional and is required by the Cities of Festus and Crystal City.
11 am – live music starts and food vendors open up
12 pm – Kid’s race begins under the Trailnet arch at the start/finish line
🚲🍦 Get Ready to Pedal & Savor: Join Us for the Ultimate Ice Cream Bike Ride! 🍦🚲
Indulge Your Senses: This year, we’re pulling out all the stops to make your July ride a truly unforgettable experience. Picture this: cruising along the beautiful Madison County Trail system, surrounded by lush greenery and summer sunshine, fully stocked aid stations with smiling attendants, and plenty of fun back at the finish line.
🍨 Treats Galore: From creamy scoops of locally churned ice cream courtesy of Ice Caps Creamery to fizzy root beer floats generously provided by Fitz Root Beer, we’ve got all your cravings covered. And for those who prefer a different kind of chill, we will have you sorted with ice-cold beer.
👨👩👧👦 Fun for the Whole Family: Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, there’s something for everyone at I Scream for Ice Cream Ride. Choose from a variety of routes ranging from leisurely tours to longer treks, and bring the whole family along for a day of outdoor adventure.
🛍️ Stay, play, and shop! You won’t want to miss the awesome sidewalk sale at the Cyclery and Fitness Center. From top-of-the-line bikes to must-have gear, they’ve got everything you need to take your ride to the next level. 🚴♀️ Trailnet merch will be sold at event-only pricing and local food trucks will be on site, so bring extra cash or a card. Trust us – the fun doesn’t stop when the riding ends!
Mark Your Calendar: We’ll see you at I Scream for Ice Cream – where every mile leads to delicious treats and unforgettable memories! 🚴♀️🍦
Here’s the Scoop (Schedule)
6:15 am – Registration opens
7:30 am – Staging begins for 51 Mile Ride
7:40 am – Registration closes
7:45 am – 51 Mile Start*
8:00 am – 35 Mile Start*
8:15 am – 23 Mile Start*
8:30 am – 10 Mile Start*
*Rolling group start led by a police escort. Once riders have been escorted onto the MCT Trail, they may ride at their own pace. The group start is not optional and is required by the City of Edwardsville.
Exciting event extras!
Stay the weekend in downtown Edwardsville! Urban Collective Boutique Hotel has offered a 15% discount to folks registered for the I Scream for Ice Cream Classic. Nestled in the heart of the city, this boutique hotel features eight distinct suites, each with its own unique ambiance, colors, themes, styles, and décor. Discount code will be sent in your confirmation email. Book before rooms sell out!
The Chain of Rocks Bridge is turning another year older, and what better way to celebrate than with a Birthday Bash Bike Ride!
That’s right, the BBB Classic is back for 2024 and better than ever! Come out on Saturday, May 18th, to commemorate the 95th Birthday of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and enjoy a part of St. Louis history. We have routes planned for folks of all comfort levels, fun festivities with food and libations, and, of course, there will be cake!
The Bridge Birthday Bash is your chance to enjoy unique routes on relaxed back roads, greenways, and the Madison County Trails. This ride is perfect if you’re new to biking or just got back into it. We have everything from a three-mile family fun roll to a 55-miler for those who want to pay it forward and earn themselves an extra slice of cake.
Saturday’s Schedule:
Check-in and late registration begins at 7:30 am. Look for the blue Trailnet tents.
The ride will have an open start window from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Be sure to have the latest route updates downloaded for directions.
8:45 am: Staging for family (3.7 mile) route.
9 am: Family Route begins, led by Trailnet Staff
10 am: Post-ride festivities begin.
Family yard games, beverages, and cake will be available and included in the registration cost. Food trucks will be on-site with additional meal options available for purchase.
Special Engagement!
As part of our May National Bike Month programming, we are proud to offer you a chance to see a screening of Bike Vessel; a moving documentary about a filmmaker and his father’s incredible journey to health. Tickets are free and will be offered as an add-on during registration.
The eleventh annual Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge is a gravel ride where participants can tackle as many as five challenging scenic loops on the roads surrounding picturesque Hermann, Mo. This event is for any experience level, including beginners. Riders can take on as little as one loop or as many as all five. It is completely up to you!
Day One features three different loops with a total of 102.36 miles in distance and 6883 feet of climbing.
Day Two features two different loops with a total of 99.14 miles in distance and 4902 feet of climbing.
If you complete all five loops in the allotted time, you will have tackled over 11.7k feet of climbing over 200+ miles of riding, and you will be entered into the Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge Elite Club.
Get ready for a bone-chilling adventure on October 19th with our Community Ride departing from South Side Cyclery. Led by Amanda Clark from the Missouri Historical Society, we’ll explore the haunted history of former cemeteries in the South City area. Don’t miss this ride—it’s sure to send shivers down your spine!
About Trailnet Community Rides
Trailnet Community Rides, presented by the Missouri Historical Society, are guided, slow-paced, group bike rides that explore the history and culture of the St. Louis Community.
Community Rides generally last around 3 hours. There are no staffed rest stops on these rides, and we cannot guarantee access to restrooms or water. Please plan accordingly.
Community Rides registration is capped at 75 participants. A smaller group allows us to manage riders on open city streets safely; ensures our docents/guides can effectively deliver information; and guarantees that local stops (museums, churches, businesses, etc…) won’t be overwhelmed when we roll up.
Q&A with Bill and Carla Sauerwein, owners of Pedego St. Louis
Conducted by Trailnet Marketing & Communications Coordinator Justin Seaton
Justin: Hi Bill! I understand you and Carla have long histories as bike/walk advocates. Tell me about how you got involved in this world.
Bill: Both Carla and I have been cyclists all of our lives. Carla is a pediatric RN and for years ran the St. Louis SAFE KIDS Coalition. She led education and advocacy to prevent childhood injury, including supplying and promoting bike helmets and car seats. I served as Mayor of the City of Oakland form 1997 – 2001 and with the idea of providing safe streets and walkways for residents, constructed almost all of the sidewalks you see in the city of Oakland and redesigned many of the streets. As Mayor, our city-wide capitol improvements plan was nominated for a state-wide landscape architect design award.
J: How did you first become involved with Trailnet? Tell me about your partnership with us over the years.
B: I suppose my first connection to Trailnet came when I attempted to acquire a small strip of abandoned railroad property within the City of Oakland in order to construct a park. In that process, I met Ted Curtis, then the Director of Trailnet, who introduced me to Trailnet and its mission. Trailnet ended up completing the northern leg of the Grant’s Trail with the property and the City constructed a park around the trail. Our store is adjacent to the park. Thereafter, Carla and I became supporters of Trailnet, participating in Trailnet rides and learning about the many projects undertaken by Trailnet.
More recently, as we met the dedicated staff of Trailnet—Cindy, Corrine, Kevin and others—and witnessed firsthand their hard work and dedication, we knew that Trailnet was an important organization to support. We share its mission…. and over the years we have helped raise funds so that they can continue to make streets and trails safer and available to all.
J: When/How did you open Pedego St. Louis, and how has your business connected you to the St. Louis cycling community?
B: We opened Pedego St. Louis in June, 2019 by rehabilitating an old, run-down building adjacent to Grant’s Trail in Oakland. From our location, we meet and talk to cyclists and trail users every day. We have greatly expanded the cycling community by putting people back on bikes that had for one reason or another gotten away from cycling. We have gently introduced the St Louis cycling community to electric bikes which are now widely used for commuting, leisure riding, trail riding and for the all around enjoyment of bicycling.
J: Speak briefly about the E-Bike that you are contributing to Trailnet’s upcoming raffle (winner to be announced at the 2023 Paving the Way Soiree)
B: The bike we have donated to Trailnet this year is a Pedego Avenue. Since this model was introduced a year ago, it has become the number one selling Pedego Electric bike. The Avenue utilizes a “hybrid style” frame that is familiar to everyone and is a great bike for riding and commuting on streets and paved trails. It is quality-designed, lightweight and balanced. Like all Pedego Electric Bikes, it comes with a 5 year warranty that includes the electrical components. Everyone loves this bike.
Try the Boschert Greenway with us! Family-friendly, slow, and social, all ages and abilities are welcome on this ride. Our “Try the Greenways” series of rides are intended to introduce local Great Rivers Greenways trails to folks who don’t know about or use them.
The Boschert Greenway is in St. Charles County and links the Missouri River and Katy Trail, goes through Historic Downtown St. Charles, through Fox Hill Park, and up to New Town, a planned community within the city of St. Charles. You can also connect to St. Louis County and the Missouri Greenway: Earth City Levee via a new protected walking and biking path on the 370 Discovery Bridge.
FREE. No registration is required.
Email Trailnet Bicycle Educator Sarah at sarah.heyman@trailnet.org with questions.
Bike Maintenance Class | University City Public Library
Bike Maintenance Class | University City Public Library – Join us for a basic bike maintenance course! We’ll cover: how to fix a flat, brake adjustments, shifting adjustments, fitting a bicycle, and any related topics that come up in questions from participants. We will be specifically working from the League of American Bicyclists’ Smart Cycling curriculum. The clinic will take place at University City Public Library. It will last no longer than 2 hours. With questions or to reserve your spot email sarah.heyman@trailnet.org
The Giro Della Montagna (“Tour of The Hill” in Italiano) is our showcase of the City of St. Louis. Giro is less forest green and more red brick, featuring unique, bike-friendly routes through neighborhoods like St. Louis Hills, Carondolet, and the Central West End. The Giro is the perfect complement to our rural rides but with more big-city charm.
Riders will be allowed to start anytime after 6:30 am check-in but must leave before 8:00 am. If we allow riders to start later than 8:00 am, we have to keep rest stops open much later in the day which puts a strain on our amazing volunteers who have given their time to keep you hydrated and fed. They appreciate your cooperation and so do we.
