Department of Public Safety

 

Trailnet's 2014 calendar of 22 Bicycle Fun Club rides, nine community rides, and 10 free weekly rides released

 

Trailnet's Bicycle Fun Club program (commonly referred to as BFC) is a popular and well-known program that serves Trailnet's mission and the entire St. Louis metropolitan community by fostering healthy, active, and vibrant communities and promoting, encouraging, and enabling recreational cycling throughout the bi-state region. 

Trailnet attracted nearly 7,200 cyclists last yearto its unique, large-scale BFC rides that feature urban and rural starting locations on both sides of the Mississippi River. The bi-state cycling community regards Trailnet's BFC rides as the most organized and interesting cycling events in the region. 

Riders of all skill levels and all types of safe, working bikes are welcome on BFC rides. "Support and Gear" vans (SAG wagons) cruise the routes. Cold water, mechanical assistance, and pick-up service ensures support for riders. Cyclists are given the choice of at least three routes of varying distances. Group rides, for new or inexperienced riders or those who prefer to ride in a group, are planned for the short route on most rides. Maps are provided to each rider, detailing each route, and include towns and attractions along the way. Roads are marked with paint to guide cyclists.  Properly fitted helmets are strongly recommended and are required in some of the communities in which we ride. 

The 2014 BFC season, which begins in mid-April and runs through early December, features 22 rides. Standard ride fees are: on-line – $8 for Trailnet members, $13 for non-member adults, and $3 for children under 10 when accompanied by an adult; day of ride – $10 for Trailnet members, $15 for non-member adults, and $3 for children under 10 when accompanied by an adult. Riders can preregister for all BFC rides at Trailnet.org.  

In 2014, Trailnet's BFC program once again features a number of 'classic' rides, fresh twists, and expert execution that keeps cyclists coming back ride after ride, year after year. 

The season includes the popular Ride the Rivers Century Ride – one of the best 100-mile rides in the Midwest. This year we have added a metric century (62 miles) route. This ride is exceptionally scenic and takes in two states, six counties, five trails, three rivers, two bridges, two ferries, and one arch. Registration includes Century socks or patch, a filling lunch, SAG support, and food and beverages at all rest stops. Afterwards there is a party with food, drink, and music. 

BFC partners and sponsors include: Alpine Shop, Big Shark Bicycle Company, The Bike Center, Bike Factory, Bike Stop Café, Bike Surgeon, The Cakery, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Columbia Bicycle Center, The Cyclery and Fitness Center, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the Great Rivers Greenway District, The Hub Bicycle Company, Maplewood Bicycle, Metro East Parks & Recreation District, Missouri American Water, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Parks, Momentum Cycles, Morgan Street Brewery, PT's Bicycle Shop/Mobile Repair, Partners for Progress, Schnucks-Driscoll's, South Grand Community Improvement District, South Side Cyclery, Square One Brewery & Distillery, St. Charles County Parks, Team Revolution, Trek Bicycle Stores of St. Louis, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and U.S. Department of Energy.

 

* * * *

 

Trailnet's Community Rides focus on encouraging and enabling people to get outside and get active. The emphasis is on fun, safety, appreciation of our communities, and spreading the love of bicycling. These family friendly rides are open to cyclists of all ages and abilities and all types of safe, working bikes are welcome. Properly fitted helmets are strongly recommended and are required in some of the communities in which we ride. 

Trailnet attracts cyclists of all skill levels to its wide variety of community rides that are shorter and more relaxed than its BFC rides. With both urban and suburban starting locations throughout our area, cyclists always find diverse, convenient, interesting rides to take solo or with friends or family. 

Trailnet community rides are group rides, so participants don't have to worry about being separated from the group or being left without support if they have a mechanical problem. 

Trailnet's community rides are community-centric. They focus on the environment, architecture, public art, revitalizing neighborhoods, small businesses, and local lore of some of our city's most fascinating neighborhoods. They are often interpreted by one of Trailnet's knowledgeable ride leaders and always highlight what makes our region such a remarkable place to live.  

The 2014 community ride season begins in April, runs through the end of September, and features nine rides. Standard ride fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Preregistration for some community rides is available at Trailnet.org.  

2014 Trailnet community rides and events partners and sponsors include: 4 Hands Brewing Company, Big Shark Bicycle Company, Brown Shoe, City of St. Louis, Companion Bakehouse, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Downtown Bicycle Station, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Friends of Father Dickson, GirlTrek, W.W. Grainger, Inc., the Great Rivers Greenway District, InveSTL, Kaldi's on Demun, Keysor Elementary School, Metro Transit, Mike's Bikes, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters, Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri History Museum, Nebula Coworking, Oak Bend County Library, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, Regional Arts Commission, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Earth Day, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Swim Bike Run, The Barn Restaurant, Urban Shark, Washington University in St. Louis, Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop, and World Chess Hall of Fame. 

Trailnet also offers ten free weekly rides on Saturday mornings and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, some running through late October. Starting locations for these rides are in south county, west county, mid-county, and metro east.  

Sponsors of the 2014 free weekly ride season include: Alpine Shop, The Bike Factory, Bike Surgeon, The Cyclery and Fitness Center, The Hub Bicycle Company, Recycled Cycles, and Trek Bicycle Stores of St. Louis. 

Additional 2014 bike season sponsors include:  the American Diabetes Association/Tour de Cure Ride, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Cycle for Life, Lift for Life Academy/Uber Asphalt, the National MS Society/Bike MS Ride, Pedal the Cause, and St. Luke's Hospital/Tour de Wellness.  

The details on all Trailnet 2014 rides can be found on our free calendar of rides. Check your local bike shop for a calendar, or for more information visit Trailnet at www.trailnet.org.

 For more information, contact Josie McDonald at (314) 436-1324 ext. 111.

# # #