Barrettscv 

Now to make the most of it!

I decided to relocate during 2013, and finally moved to Edwardsville, Illinois this month. The move helps me accomplish four goals: Reduced overnight business travel, a more moderate cost-of-living than Chicago, a milder climate for an outdoor lifestyle, and an improved & safer cycling infrastructure.

This county has a great cycling infrastructure: https://www.mcttrails.org/map.aspx ...and the 240 mile long KATY Trail starts a short distance from here.

One important resource I had in Chicago was a good quality set of friends to ride with. Most of my riding is moderately long, 30 to 75 miles, and finding cyclist who like longer rides at a moderate pace is not easy.

Any suggestions on finding the not-to-fast and not-to-slow riding partners in a city where you are the stranger?

chasm54

I might start by signing up with these guys.

JetAgeHobo

Lived in O Fallon for a year, where I started back riding after a ton of years. Loved the MTC trails. Did the same thing after I moved to California, first lived in the Santa Barbara area, wound up riding a lot in the Santa Ynez valley, moved to that area after a year so I didn't have to haul the bike up there every weekend. I wonder how many other people relocate on purpose for better biking trails.

Also check out the group at Bike Surgeon, they do group rides also. Belleville has the Belleville area Bicycling and Eating Society (B.A.B.E.S) Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society (BABES) » Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society

Happy trails.

Barrettscv 

Yes, I'm planning on stopping there today. I should be able to find a happy medium among these rides.


Now that sounds like my group, and a general description of my life! Thanks!

Any suggestions or observations on living in this area?

Rick@OCRR

I had the same problem when I moved from the St. Louis area to Southern California in '95 (by the way I knew Steve Parks from The Cyclery in Edwardsville and Hal from Bicycle World Belleville!). They knew me as Rick from Clayton Cycle (wholesale distributor) back in the day.

When I moved to SoCal I began riding with different clubs to find one I liked. After trying BCI, Los Angeles Wheelmen and Orange County Wheelmen I found I had better rides and enjoyed the folks that rode with OCRR the best. So that's where I hung my metaphorical helmet.

Several years along the line (wow, almost 20!) I now do lots of LA Wheelmen and Orange County Wheelmen rides in addtion to the OCRR rides. Funny how that all works out! I still have several friends at BCI too, though I haven't done any of their rides for awhile.

When I lived in St.Louis I rode with St. Louis Cycling Club, but that was a racing club (mostly) back then and probably still is, so not recommeded for you. St.L.CC is an very old club though; dates from 1887, back when they rode high-wheelers!

Link to STLCC facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StLouisCyclingClub

Rick / OCRR

JetAgeHobo

In general we like Edwardsville a lot, one of the nicer towns in the area, more laid back. Glen Carbon also, nice small town feel. As you go farther south on 159 you get more strip malls, etc. Fairview Heights basically an older area, but over to O Fallon things get really suburban strip mall. Some older neighborhoods but nothing special. Belleville is an old German town, the old downtown is still vibrant.

And of course one of the favorite after ride stops is Peel Pizza. Maybe not Chicago deep dish but definitely better than Imo's, which you have to try at least once to get a taste of St. Louis Style pizza.

Rides up the Great River Road are fun too, runs along the Mississippi, nice in fall.

Grew up in South St. Louis, (you'll hear the name Dogtown) moved to Socal, Asia, East Tennesee, back to STL, now in Solvang, CA. of all the places like Solvang, and East TN best.

JerrySTL

JAH, We may well know each other. I've been riding with the B.A.B.E.S for a couple of decades. I don't know if you heard, but Roger Carlson died unexpectedly. He started the B.A.B.E.S, Tour de Stooges, and was one of the founders of the original Tour de Donut.

I'd also recommend the St. Louis Recreational Cyclists (AKA Turbos and Turtles). They mostly are retirees and shift workers who ride on weekdays. Their average ride is around 30 to 50 miles. There's not much on their ride schedule, but once the weather gets better, they have about 4 rides a week. St. Louis Recreational Cyclists

I'm heading down to Collinsville at around noon today to get in about 30-40 miles on the MTC trails.

OldsCOOL

I live in a bike friendly area, as well. Our town of 3500 has a road going on the lakeshore where in the summer it is quite busy with cyclists and walkers. You find a friendly attitude everywhere you ride. Enjoy your new area!

Barrettscv 

I was fortunate to have a superb cycling weekend in Madison county. I met up with @JerrySTL and we completed two rides for a total of 58 miles. The weather was above 50f both days.

We covered a significant part of the local bike path system. The quality is superb, high quality pavement and freedom from vehicle traffic is a great experience. The path is mostly covered in a canopy of trees as you ride along watershed and parkland.

My thanks to Jerry. I don't think Ill be joining a group ride just yet. Ill wait until I've ridden a thousand miles YTD and lost a few LBS.

flyfisherbob

Welcome to the area. I have a friend that rides Saturday mornings from the Cyclery, and they ride FAST; at least the group he rides with. I ride with a group that has riders on both sides of the river. We always welcome new riders to the group, and try to mix up the ride locations to get as many involved as possible. This includes your neck of the woods and South of you starting at Columbia, IL. where I will be having my second annual "ride my age" ride this April. We also have regular rides on the Katy, usually riding out to Augusta, MO for lunch and hydration; rides in the West St. Louis hills; and on the roads North of St. Charles, which is pretty close to you as well. You are always welcome to join in. Drop me a message if you want to be included on the email list.

Retro Grouch 

Do you ever ride with a 38 year old fellow from St Peters named "Paul"? That's my son.

JerrySTL

Are you with the Columbia Cycle Club or St. Louis Recreational Cyclists? Know Wayne Marsh by chance?

It sure was a good weekend to ride in the St. Louis area with the temps up about 15 degrees above normal.

Barrettscv 

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the welcome. PM sent, I look forward to meeting you.

Michael

John E

Sounds like a great move.