Due to the previous two years’ mild (and wetter) Februarys, we’ve switched the Road and MTB months. We’ll kick 2012 off in the woods. Every weekend in January, enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of riding dirt track in the winter. As they say, there is no bad weather, just bad gear. So get ready to gear up for riding in whatever temperature the weekend brings – hat, gloves, shoe covers, winter riding pants, jacket and layers! You might want to bring along hand and/or feet warmers, too. As always, a helmet, water, spare tube to fit your tire size and CO2 or a pump are required. We will be on the trails for about 1 hour as a group, but it is easy enough to shorten or lengthen your ride.
Dates:
Saturday 1/7: SIUE / MEET AT TRAILHEAD AT POAG ROAD AND UNIVERSITY BOTH WEEKS (The lot can become pretty full. There is additional parking if you turn to the left, before the hedgerow. A left at the hedgerow leads to more parking by a small shelter. And there are porta-potties located behind the shelter.)
Sunday 1/8: Castlewood / MEET AT THE FIRST PARKING LOT ON THE LEFT BOTH WEEKS
Saturday 1/14: Cliff Cave / MEET BEHIND OAKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, 5950 TELEGRAPH ROAD 63129 BOTH WEEKS
Sunday 1/15: Lost Valley / MEET AT THE MOUND PARKING LOT BOTH WEEKS
Saturday 1/21: SIUE
Sunday 1/22: Castlewood
Saturday 1/28: Cliff Cave
Sunday 1/29: Lost Valley
Location info:
Castlewood: West County (Ballwin) St. Louis (Directions) Download Map
Cliff Cave: South County St. Louis (Directions) Download Map
Lost Valley: St. Charles (Directions) Download Map
SIUE: Edwardsville, Illinois (Directions) Download Map
Time:
Be ready to clip in and roll out by 8:00 a.m. Please start gathering by 7:30 to get your bike and equipment ready. We don’t want to ride too much later in case of thaw which could cause the trails to get sloppy.
The rides will be lead by various experienced mountain bikers who are familiar with the trails.
Anyone can ride along both days. If we will find a natural break in pace of the group, we will split into two different groups with ride leaders in both. These are “no drop” rides but our goal is to keep the groups together on the ride.
Cancellation Policy: There will only be a cancellation if there is threat of destroying the trails due to weather. Otherwise we ride! Cancellations will be posted on the forum by the ride leader by 6:00 a.m. of each day.
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December 15, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Is this coed, or women only?
December 15, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Thanks for the question, Paul. This is currently a women only event, but having a men’s series in the future is something we’re looking in to. We’ve done a couple of co-ed events (most recently our CX clinic), but we’re keeping this one for the ladies. Maybe next year?
December 22, 2011 at 5:16 am
I’ve never ridden trails before. I have a MTB, but am not an experienced rider, would you recommend beginners for this ride?
December 22, 2011 at 9:20 am
Hi Shelly! As long as you have experience riding a bike you should be fine. All the trails involved in this series are suitable for all levels. The leaders and co-leaders and other experienced riders in the group will work with you and answer any of your questions. The whole point of this series is to get out and ride and have fun and learn. I hope you sign up and give it a try. See you in January…
January 2, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Hello! This will be my first year riding in cold weather. I’m starting to get some cold weather gear but can you give any advice as to what to wear? I have arm/leg warmers, wool socks, and shoe covers but I’m afraid I will still be cold! Thanks!
January 5, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Hi Jen,
so glad you are taking the cold weather riding plunge! layering is the first and foremost rule. many of us like to wear a wool shirt against our skin, then a poly-type shirt or jersey then a winter riding jacket. depending on the temps you might wear a fourth layer. hand warmer packs are also nice to have to put in your gloves or in your sports bra. keeping the hands and feet warm is paramount. good, heavy, winter riding gloves for the hands. and when the temps are low, put a plastic bag over your toes over the wool socks to keep the wind from getting to your toes through the vents in your shoes. the first weekend should be warmer than usual, so ask some of the women you ride with the first weekend what their tricks are.
see you on the trails!