Group rides are generally scheduled for mornings. Rides happen all year depending on the weather.

Starting points vary from ride to ride all around the St. Louis area. They are in St. Louis County, St. Louis City,  and all surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois.

With a few exceptions either way, group rides are between 20 and 50 miles in length.

Although there can be fewer or more, STLRC group rides typically have between 5 and 20 cyclists.

Group rides are often scheduled for special events that may arise throughout the year.

We make every effort to be safe and to keep everyone on our rides safe, but we all have to realize there is a possibility of a mishap when riding a bicycle. Since our rides are covered by insurance, it is the responsibility of each rider to make sure their name is marked on the sign-in sheet in case an accident must be reported.

Novice or experienced cyclists who are in sufficient physical condition to ride the specific ride they are attending. Contact the ride leader if you have concerns about the difficulty of the ride.

Cyclists who desire to meet other cyclists with similar cycling experiences.

Cyclists who prefer to ride low or moderate mileage routes at a leisurely or moderate pace.

Cyclists who are more experienced and physically fit and desire to ride routes with more miles, at a faster pace, and sometimes over more hilly terrain.

Be conservative. Choose a ride easier and shorter than you think you can ultimately handle.

You will not enjoy struggling to keep up with a ride that is too fast for you nor will the group enjoy waiting for you.

It is a good idea to contact the ride leader ahead of time on your first ride and to introduce yourself when signing in at the start of the ride.

Check this website shortly before the ride to make sure the start time has not been modified or it has not been canceled because of weather or another reason.

Unless otherwise stated in the information regarding the respective specific ride, all group rides are weather permitting.

A scheduled group ride may be canceled at the discretion of the ride leader, if it is raining, snowing or if there is a high prediction percentage at the start of the ride, if it’s too windy, if the temperature at the start of the ride is excessively cold, or if the anticipated temperature during the ride is excessive.

Cue sheets and navigation files are available with the ride listing on this website prior to the scheduled ride.

It is helpful to the ride leader if cyclists download and print a copy of the cue sheet to bring to the ride for their own use.

Each cyclist is expected to be self-sufficient and bring appropriate equipment for the ride.

Obviously, the most significant equipment item is a bicycle that is in good working order and is the proper fit for the cyclists.

• Class 2 E-Bikes (those with a throttle to power bike without the pedals) are not allowed on any STLRC cycling events.
• Front and rear flashing lights are recommended.
• Equipment to make minor adjustments and to change and inflate a flat tire.
• Personal safety equipment such as mirrors, proper highly visible clothing, rain gear, and gloves.
• Adequate water and snacks.
• A cycling odometer or GPS device. Turn-by-turn ride mileage is shown on the cue sheets so riders know when and where to turn.  (Cue sheets also may explain known hazards at specific mileage points such as fast traffic.)
• A printed ride cue sheet or downloaded navigation file off of the website.
• It’s nice to have a few bucks. Riders often purchase snacks or drinks at rest stops.
• A properly fitting comfortable helmet. (See helmet policy below)

Each cyclist should carry the following personal emergency identification information either on themselves or on their bicycle:

• Cyclist’s name, address, Emergency contact name & phone number
• Photo ID and Insurance card

The Helmet Policy requires that an ANSI or Snell approved helmet be worn by all participants on rides.

We are totally dependent on our members to help share the load by leading a ride. The more rides we have to choose from, the more opportunities for everyone. Go to the Plan a Ride page to see what YOU can do to be a ride leader.

Rides leave at the scheduled time listed on the ride description. Please arrive early enough to adjust your gear, suit up and receive ride information, if any, from the ride leader. End times are approximate. Rides are scheduled during the daylight hours.

The ride leader may cancel a ride because of rain, snow, wind, lightning or extreme temperatures. See the Weather Policy for more details. A ride leader is expected to show up for the scheduled ride unless it is canceled and posted as such on this website.

Bikes should be safe to operate and capable of completing the entire ride. Service your bike regularly.  Bike shops have the needed expertise to evaluate your bike’s condition.

Dogs or other pets are not allowed on club group rides. It is unsafe for the cyclists, other cyclists, and the pets.

Many ride descriptions are coded with numbers and letters defined in this table to reflect the difficulty of the ride.