72_nova

I am a college student at SEMO. I am from st. louis. I am kinda new to riding but love it!! anyone from around where I am at?

weo

I'm in Kirkwood and usually ride around town, but go to Castlewood and Chubb every now and then.

bransom

I'm in O'Fallon (MO) and usually ride Castlewood or Lost Valley, or on the road around here. Welcome!

72_nova

what and where is castlewood?

chalkdusty

I'm in the Farmington area. There is a nice paved 11 mile loop at St. Joe State Park.

bransom

Castlewood is a state park in ... Ballwin? Ellisville? Somebody can probably jump in and tell us exactly which suburb that is. Anyway, it's just east of Chesterfield and south of Manchester Road.

It's a great state park with several mtn trails that range from really easy paths through the woods, along the river, to some pretty technical single track. Of the mtn biking areas around here, Castlewood is my favorite because you get such a range in a single place. You can go and hammer or you can do just a leisurely ride through the woods, or anything in-between.

If you're interested, I'll send directions. (I'll have to look at a map as I know how to drive there but don't remember all the street names.)

weo

Its in Ballwin. I like it because its a great park, although it can get a little crowded on weekends. Only 10 minutes from the house is a major plus too.

Punch Drunk

Native son chiming in.

Anybody ever ride the Katy Trail? Too crowded? I'm thinking of giving it a go in the fall.

chalkdusty

Punch Drunk,

I've been on a small portion of the trial near St. Charles. Didn't seem too crowded when I was there. Just spotted several snakes on the trail and I'm kinda like Indiana Jones with the snakes -- "Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?!" Surface is crushed limestone, well packed, but very dusty. I took my Diamondback hybrid and left my Lemond road at home. Friend riding with me had a rebuilt citone with skinny tires and did fine on the surface.

chalkdusty

bransom

I've done chunks of the Katy Trail, mostly on the eastern end nearer St. Charles, but never the whole thing. It never seems very crowded, even on busy weekends.

Wildwood 

I'm a west StL county roadie. My son goes to the local MTB races. Yesterday he did a race on west part of Chubb Trail.

Any good road rides in Cape Girardeau area?

chalkdusty

Wildwood,

Check this link for a good ride in Cape https://www.tourdecape.com/

chalkdusty

72_nova

thanks! I didn't know about that!

chalkdusty

You're welcome, 72_nova.

I plan on driving down to Cape for that ride. Might even be able to talk my son into coming along. He attends UMR and it will depend on his schedule. Perhaps we'll see you there!

chalkdusty

Redhed 

I am in Union, MO off of Hwy. 44, lived in Florissant, Hazelwood, Creve Couer, Chesterfield, Villa Ridge (near Washington), and for a short time in Madison, IL. In no particular order. I did ride the Katy starting at Dutzow, going either direction, until I got my first road bike. The other day I tried to ride the MB and it was weird, I am going to have to get Frogs for the MB before I go back to Katy. The toe baskets just are not working for me anymore. Otherwise I ride on Hwy. 50, 47 & 100, all near Union & Washington.

chalkdusty

Just remembered that Tour de Homecomers is coming up shortly. https://www.showme.net/recreation/TourdeHomecomers/

I've never done this ride, but others that I know have and thought it was a nice ride.

chalkdusty

khan

This is an old thread but, Redhead. I run a ride out of Rockwoods Reservation out Hwy T to V to 47 to Washington and back on old 100 to T. Great area to ride. Lots of hills!

Redhed 

Is that a group ride? How many miles approx? Sorry, I am late to reply, but I have been really busy.

khan

Not to hijack the thread but, I lead a Saturday morning ride group and have several very hilly rides out of Rockwoods Reservation throughout the season. Send me your email (I'll make sure to have my email accessible on this forum) and I'll put you on the list.

Redhed 

PM Sent....Thanks!