Features: Three separate pace groups meet up for this ride: group A rides at 20+ mph, group B rides at 15-17 mph, group C rides at around 12 mph. A road bike is recommended. See Bike Surgeon FB page for announcements and updates.
Routes: 12 to 25 miles, depending on daylight
Terrain: Flat to rolling, some hills
Start location, bike shop sponsor, and ride leader:
Would you like to feel more comfortable riding your bicycle on city streets? Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint by commuting by bike? Trailnet can help build your confidence by teaching you practical skills that make biking easier.
We will offer monthly Bike Smart classes the 4th Tuesday of each month from April through September. The classes will take place in Ritz Park on South Grand from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The cost for each class is $10 and scholarships are available. For information, contact Cassie at cassie@trailnet.org or call at 314.436.1324 ext. 117
Help make sure that Congress doesn’t cut the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding in the next transportation bill. TAP helps local communities build sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more. TAP funding supports Safe Routes to School initiatives throughout St. Louis City and County.
Without TAP, hundreds of millions of dollars used to improve streets for walking and biking would evaporate. Some of these funds have been used to support youth programs like Trailnet’s “Steps in the Right Direction” at Froebel Literacy Academy to help make walking and biking a way of life in St. Louis.
Please follow the link below to ask Senators Roy Blunt and Senator Claire McCaskill to support bill S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act. Thank you for supporting legislation that will keep our youth walking and biking safely.
Properly fitted helmets are strongly recommended and are required by law in some of the communities in which we ride.
Bring at least one full water bottle or hydration pack.
Be sure that your bike is in safe working order. Trailers and trail-a-bikes for kids are welcome, but please, no training wheels.
Additional items that are helpful and easily stowed in a jersey pocket or seat bag are a spare tube, a set of tire levers, and a small pump or CO2 cartridge. Tire changing tools and a multi-tool that fits your bike come in handy and can get you back on the ride without waiting for a support vehicle.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Special clothing is not required but can make the ride experience more pleasant.
Padded shorts will alleviate pain in the rear and wicking garments will prevent overheating.
Wear or bring sunscreen.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO RIDERS?
Most BFC rides include a “no-drop” Group Ride on the short route that starts at 8:30 a.m. The Group Ride is for new riders or riders who would like to have an experienced leader.
Trailnet SAG (Support and Gear) vans cruise the routes until 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Vans are equipped with basic first aid, hydration, nutrition, and tools for minor repairs.
Phone 314.913.BIKE (2453) if you need assistance.
HOW DO I KNOW THE ROUTE FOR THE RIDE?
Route maps are not available until the day of the ride. Map preparation is time-intensive and our maps are created for an event experience.
Maps are available at ride registration and show route options, towns, attractions, and rest stops
In addition to the route map, pink arrows and dots on the pavement will direct you.
WHAT ARE THE ROUTES LIKE?
BFC rides are predominantly on roads; prepare to share with motorized traffic.
Most rides start on the short route and the longer routes branch out from there.
The longest route is designed for experienced riders and may have more hills or be routed on more heavily trafficked roads.
Terrain
Flat – very few small hills
Rolling – frequent small hills
Moderate – a mix of hills, with some steep climbs
Big – some hills over 150 feet
Very hilly – many hills over 150 feet
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A BFC RIDE?
Preregistration is available online at trailnet.org or you can register at the start location on the day of most BFC rides (exceptions are noted on the website). Online registration closes two days prior to the ride. Preregistration for the Ride the Rivers Century Ride is recommended.
Many rides have a “happy hour” at the sponsoring bike shop the week before the ride. This is an opportunity to preregister and learn about the ride. Check the website for listings.
Wrist bands will be distributed to all registered riders and will be checked throughout the ride at rest stops and by SAG drivers (riders without wristbands using the rest stop or seeking assistance during the ride will be charged $20).
Preregistered riders need to check in at the ride start to get their map and wrist band.
HOW MUCH DO BFC RIDES COST?
Online registration price for most rides is $8 for Trailnet members and $13 for nonmembers.
Day of ride price for most rides is $10 for Trailnet members and $15 for nonmembers.
Children under 10 riding with an adult are $3.
Season Pass
New for 2015: Season Pass for Trailnet members only!
Enjoy all of our BFC Rides* and Cultural Tours for one low price – only $220 for the season. No waiting in line, no need to register for individual events. For a supplement of $35 you can also be eligible for recognition as a Century Club Member.
Not a Trailnet Member? Click here to join so that you can take advantage of this great deal.
Register for the season pass here. Following checkout you will be automatically preregistered in all of the BFC Rides* and Cultural Tours. When you arrive at an event, just proceed to the Preregistered table to receive your map and wristband.**
Included BFC Rides
Included Cultural Tours
Bottom Out Bicycle Ride
Tweed Ride
Poker Flats Campfire (ride only)
The Art of Riding
Strawberry Festival and Berry Bike Ride
Tour de Museum
Great Pizza Bicycle Ride
People, Public Space and Progress
Route 66 Bicycle Ride
Jazz History Bike Tour
Cottleville Classic
Bicrobrews
Bridge Birthday Bash
Prohibition in St. Louis Bicycle Tour
Big Bottle Bicycle Ride
LGBTQ* History Tour
I Scream for Ice Cream
Open Studios Tour
Farrhadtour und Augustfest
Bike St. Louis City Tour
Fat Tire Campfire at Klondike
Giro della Montagna
Ride the Rivers Century
*Lucky’s Ride and the camping portion of Poker Flats are not included.
** Wristbands are issued for all BFC Rides.
Century Club
New for 2015 – become a member of the Century Club!
Complete five centuriesthroughout the season and earn a Century Club patch and recognition on Trailnet’s website. Eligible events include the Ride the Rivers Century, other BFC rides that include century options, or any of our partner fundraising events that include a century ride.
By completing one or more of your centuries on fundraising rides, you will earn a star on your patch and special recognition on the website.
It’s easy to “join” the club. For each ride, the online registration page includes a check box to participate in the century. If you are riding for one of our partner fundraising rides, let them know you are participating in Trailnet’s Century Club.
See the list of riders who are on their way to completing their 500 miles!
Also new this year for Trailnet members – a Season Pass for Trailnet’s BFC Rides and Cultural Tours. No need to register for individual rides, no waiting in line at the registration table. Click here for more information on this great deal.
Biking and Walking Makes Cents – February 24, 2015
Trailnet introduced their new business membership program at an event on Tuesday, February 24 at the Venture Cafe on the Cortex campus. This invitation-only event served as a great opportunity to share Trailnet’s 2015 plans, to launch Trailnet’s Business Membership Program, and to meet Trailnet’s new executive director, Ralph Pfremmer.
The attendees were board members, community partners, donors, and prospective business members who spent most of the evening networking and enjoying food and drinks. The room was abuzz with the latest in transportation news and Trailnet’s vision to make walking and biking a way of life in St. Louis.
As part of the event, Ralph Pfremmer and Jennifer Allen, Director of Strategic Initiatives, presented research on the economic impact protected bikeways and improved walking infrastructure can have on a community. They connected this data to the introduction of Trailnet’s Business Membership Program and how, in becoming a member, businesses can invest in Trailnet’s vision for better walking and biking infrastructure that supports a prosperous, healthy region.
Executive Director Ralph Pfremmer summed up the evening this way: “In a perfect world, collaboration is abundant, everyone is included, and transparency is the standard. The Trailnet business member understands that together we can foster a quality of life that supports a prosperous, healthy region.”
Confluence Business Advisors, Ron Tanner and Dave Fingerhut, partners
Collaborate with us
As we work to make walking and biking a way of life in our region, it is critical that we have the resources and support to bring about innovative and positive change in our community. Your business membership provides for us the support we need to be visionary and collaborative leaders for progress. Click here for business membership levels and benefits. For more information contact Kay Barnes, Director of Development – kbarnes@trailnet.org, 314.436.1324 x 104
Host a DIY Bike to Work Day Station at your workplace on National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 15. Join Trailnet in counting 500 cyclists throughout the STL area. We will help promote your station and your business!
How it works:
Recruit co-workers to run the station with you.
Decide what breakfast items you will provide. If your workplace’s budget allows, these items may be purchased, or donated by partner businesses.
Once you have an idea of who will run the station and what breakfast items will be provided, fill out the DIY Station form, found here. Trailnet will follow up with you to arrange for educational materials to be displayed at your station.
Make a plan to promote Bike to Work Day through your workplace’s employee newsletter, email, flyers in the breakroom, and social media (don’t forget, Trailnet will be promoting your station too, so someone from outside your workplace might stop by).
If your workplace doesn’t have one already, create a team on ShiftYourCommute.com. Co-workers can join your company’s team and log their car-free miles. On Bike to Work Day, everyone who logs their car-free commute is eligible to win prizes!
Provide support and encouragement for your co-workers leading up to Bike to Work Day. Some ideas include:
Route mapping – Provide links or maps in your company-wide newsletter or break room featuring bike-friendly routes. If you are a regular bike commuter, list your favorite streets, shortcuts, and parks to ride through.
Bike mentors – Pair novice cyclists with experienced bike commuters who can accompany them on their first ride to work.
Bike trains – Identify a handful of meeting locations to “pick up” fellow bike commuters on the way to work. Designate an experienced commuter to lead the group from each spot, ending at your workplace’s Bike to Work Day station.
On Bike to Work Day, make sure to track the number of people who visit your station (don’t forget to count yourself and any colleagues who help run the station), and send your final tally to molly@trailnet.org by Monday, May 18.
Thank your volunteers, pat yourselves on the back, and start thinking of ideas for next year. Share your successes through your company’s social media, employee newsletter, and partners. Share the experience with Trailnet and send any photos or quotes to molly@trailnet.org.
Trailnet’s St. Charles County Epic Mountain Bike Event – January 17, 2015
While the conditions for single track riding in Lost Valley and Klondike Park were too spongy, the Hamburg and Katy Trails utilizing the Great Rivers Greenway connector were almost ideal. For mid-January, the weather seemed more like spring. The day started out in the low 40s with bright sunshine. Our partner, Missouri Department of Conservation, hosted the start/finish at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area maintenance facility near Highway 94.
At 9:00 a.m., 60 cyclists were ready to roll and begin their 14-mile loop. With temperatures unseasonably warm, the frozen ground thawed and was slightly soggy. Though soggy, the two trails served as great routes for a pleasant ride. Cyclists returned smiling and slightly speckled with white limestone mud. After resting briefly and getting some nourishment, cyclists who made the loop in less than 2 hours jumped back on for another go-around.
While the cyclists were out, Trailnet’s new Executive Director, Ralph Pfremmer, prepared chili for the after-party. Ralph was also the day’s announcer, calling out some of the faster or muddier cyclists. By noon most of the cyclists had returned from one, two, or three laps of the course and were ready for chili with all the fixings.
They were also treated to cold beer from O’Fallon Brewery. St. Charles County Parks, another Epic partner, prepared handmade plaques from sections of local cedar trees for all cyclists– a cool reward for finishing a fun ride! By 2:00 p.m., temperatures were in the low 60s and cyclists ended the day with their fill of food and drink at the after-party.
The attendees were board members, community partners, donors, and prospective business members who spent most of the evening networking and enjoying food and drinks. The room was abuzz with the latest in transportation news and Trailnet’s vision to make walking and biking a way of life in St. Louis.
