While there is no Missouri state law requiring bicycle helmets, many St. Louis municipalities including St. Louis County require cyclists under the age of 16 to wear a helmet. Trailnet recommends that all bicyclists wear a helmet while riding.
You don’t need any special gear or clothing to go for a bike ride. Jeans and a t-shirt, a dress and heels– you can get started in anything. Short trips can easily be reached in whatever you would wear normally.
Of course, you can’t control the weather. If it’s especially hot, you can either carry a small towel or a change of clothes to freshen up in no time once you reach your destination. In the fall and winter months, layering is key. Even though it’s cold, you can still work up a sweat, so strive for moisture-wicking fabrics like spandex or merino wool.
For longer, more strenuous rides a shirt made from performance fabric and padded shorts are a must. The shirt will wick the sweat and make your ride cooler. The shorts will prevent “saddle sores” and reduce chafing.
Properly fitted helmets are strongly recommended and are required by law in some of the communities in which we ride. Please bring at least one full water bottle or hydration pack. 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 SAG vehicle. However, you may take our rides without any special equipment; just be sure your bike is in safe working order. Trailers and trail-a-bikes for kids are welcome, but please, no training wheels.
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.
Maps are offered at ride registration and show route options, towns, attractions, and rest stops. Look for the pink arrows and dots on the pavement to show you which way to go. Maps are not available ahead of time. Map preparation is time-intensive and our maps are created for an event experience. ROUTES 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.
Preregistration is available online at trailnet.org or you can register at the starting location on the day of most BFC rides (exceptions are noted). Online registration closes two days prior to the ride. Preregistered riders need to check in at the ride start to get their map and wrist band. Advanced registration for the Ride the Rivers Century Ride is recommended.
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.
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. Visit participating bike shop sponsors for a free coupon good for $3 off the ride. Coupons are limited, available beginning March 10 and while supplies last.
Before most BFC rides there is a “no-drop” group ride on the short route that starts at 8:30 a.m.
If you've been watching Trailnet’s Facebook posts you have seen that we have set our 2014 Ride the Rivers Century date. In 2014 the ride will be almost a full month earlier than it was in 2013. The date is Sunday, September 21, 2014.
The location of the ride has also changed. Beautiful Pere Marquette Park is our new start location. For those of you who may be interested in staying in a hotel room or cabin at Pere Marquette we have some information for you.
We were told on January 31 that all of their available rooms are booked for Friday, September 19 and Sunday, September 21. Obviously, their rooms sell out fast and far in advance. We were told that they had 61 available rooms (including cabin rooms) for Saturday, September 20. The rate is $149 per night. They told us they will “absolutely” sell that date out, probably within the next week.
Click here to go to Pere Marquette’s website. Their phone number is 618.786.2331. Camping may be an alternative there if you’d like to discuss that with them.
Other hotel options in the Grafton area are the Rubel Hotel, 618.786.2315 and the Grafton Inn, 618.786.2222.
Hotel options in the Alton area are the Super 8 Alton, 618.465.8885; the Best Western Plus Parkway Hotel, 618.433.9900; the Holiday Inn Alton, 800.465.4329; and the Comfort Inn, 618.465.9999.
Click here to see the event on our Ride the Rivers Century Facebook page.
If you haven't “liked” that page yet, you may want to so that you'll receive updates about the ride as soon as we post them.
Our 2014 Calendar of Rides will be available at our Beans, Bikes & Brews party on March 8 and in our members' mailboxes around March 10.
Please contact Steve at steve@trailnet.org or 314.436.1324 x 138 if you have any questions at all.
We had about 1800 guests this year checking out the booths and gear of 95 vendors from 9 states. Fox 2 Now and KSDK were both on-site, covering the event. We awarded 24 attendance prizes including a $100 gift certificate from Bike Surgeon.
New this year were fashion shows, clinics, a Kids Corner and bounce house, a climbing wall, and shuttles to and from the closest MetroLink stop. All of these new additions were great successes. We rented the entire Gateway Center – 40,000 square feet – for the first time and are already planning on how to maximize the entire space again for the 2015 Bike Expo and Swap, next January 25.