Bottleneck Bridge Ride organizers expect a record number of participants at this year’s annual bicycle ride across Jefferson County, providing just one example of the rising popularity of cycling in the area.
Throughout the year, cyclists can be seen pedaling around county roads, and various private and government groups are working on projects to promote the activity.
Bottleneck Bridge Ride
The ninth annual Bottleneck Bridge Ride will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, with an after-party at the end of the day’s rides.
The event includes a variety of routes, including about 13 miles (the family route), 34 miles, 41 miles and 67 miles, with stops at county wineries, restaurants and other spots of interest. All routes begin and end in the area around Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City, where live music and other activities will take place.
The fees to participate in the rides are: Family Ride, $35; 34-, 41- and 67-mile routes, $45.
Trailnet (a St. Louis-area group that advocates for better walking, riding and transit), the Festus Tourism Commission, the city of Festus and the Jefferson County Growth Association work together to put on the Bottleneck Bridge Ride. The event draws not only cyclists from near and far, but also their family members and friends who come to support them and enjoy activities related to the ride, said Andy Held, a Jefferson County Growth Association board member and event organizer.
“We’re anticipating over 500 cyclists to come into town,” Held said. “It seems to grow every year. Over 500 would be a new record.”
The 2023 event drew 439 riders.
“Last year, 83 percent of the riders came from outside of Jefferson County ZIP codes,” he said.
Ride participants like Joe Ferrara of Hillsboro say they appreciate the Bottleneck Bridge Ride.
“I’ve done it the last two years, so this is my third year,” Ferrara said. “The people who put this on do a very good job of making it an event that’s enjoyable and exciting for the riders. Hitting the wineries is one of the exciting parts. You get to meet new people, enjoy the countryside.
“Absolutely, I tell other people about it. I wear my Bottleneck Bridge Ride jersey proudly and encourage other people to do the ride.”
Denny Foster, an owner of the Main & Mill Brewing Co. restaurant and brewery in Festus, has supported the event over the years.
“I love that it brings a lot of new faces, not only to Main Street, but all over the county,” Foster said. “I really like seeing events like this that showcase the beautiful landscape of our area. I’ve been involved with it from the start. We’ve been a stop and a sponsor since year one.”
Ed Wagner, owner of Wild Sun Winery and Brewery in the Hillsboro area, said he, too, appreciates being a stop along the bike route.
“I think it’s a great way to showcase the beauty of Jefferson County,” Wagner said. “It does the same for the businesses.”
Held noted that the 2024 event will offer more for youngsters than in the past.
“This year, we’ll have a bigger focus on kids,” he said. “Living Life on 2 Wheels (a nonprofit group that promotes bike riding) will do a Kid’s Race. It’s a race up Main Street. There’s no cost. The young kids ride Strider bikes, which are balance bikes with no pedals (propelled by their feet). Think Fred Flintstone.
“Also, the Twin City Area Optimist Club will offer free helmets and fittings for kids without helmets.”
The Kids Bike Safety Rodeo and Helmet Clinic begins at 12:30 p.m. The Kids’ Race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Registration for the Bottleneck Bridge Ride begins at 6:30 a.m. For the all-start at 8 a.m., law enforcement blocks the Bailey Road-Truman Boulevard intersection in Crystal City to safely get all the riders through that often busy intersection.
“(For the start) Festus Mayor Sam Richards and Crystal City Mayor Mike Osher head up the bike riders from Festus to Crystal City in Richards’ car, a black Mustang,” Held said. “We’re just thrilled to have the support of the communities.”
He said the cyclists have plenty to see as they pedal the routes, adding that the longer the route, the more to see and enjoy along the way. Among the stops will be the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Goldman
Even when the ride is over, there’s still plenty of fun to be had, Held said.
“We’ll have live music 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street. On top of the music, there will be vendors. Pedal’n Pi (a bike and pizza shop in Crystal City) will be there.
“We’re promoting Main Street Festus. Even if you don’t ride, come enjoy the festivities.”
Katie Huck of the Twin City Area Optimist Club said her organization is happy to take part in the event by holding the Kids Bike Safety Rodeo and Helmet Clinic, which is free and will be set up on the city of Festus parking lots off South Second Street, behind Main & Mill Brewing Co. and Petit Paree restaurants.
Participants must have their own bicycles, she said.
“This is a first-time event for us,” Huck said. “It’s open to children ages 3 to 14. A parent or guardian needs to sign a consent form for the children. The helmets are donated by Helmets First (a nonprofit organization.)
“Registration is not required, but encouraged,” Huck said.
To register, go to runsignup.com/bottleneckbridgeride.
Information also is available on the Bottleneck Bridge Ride Facebook page.
Tuesday Night Rides
Held not only organizes the Bottleneck Bridge Ride, but also the informal Tuesday Night Ride group, made up of a number of people who complete informal bike rides around Jefferson County on Tuesdays.
“It’s more or less training for the Bottleneck Bridge Ride,” he said. “We start out at a different restaurant each week. The rides start at 5:30 p.m. and end about 7:30 p.m. We do it all year long, weather permitting.
“We’ve been in Arnold, De Soto, Hillsboro, Festus, Imperial, Barnhart. We’re always looking for new locations.”
Anyone with a bicycle who can get to the ride sites may participate.
“It’s just a community-led group. All are welcome,” Held said. “It’s a safe way for people to ride together.”
Ferrara and his wife, Linda, take part in the Tuesday Night Rides. Linda also participates in the Bottleneck Bridge Ride.
He said he incorporates the Tuesday Night Ride events into his weekly training.
“I’ve made many friends in the group,” Ferrara said. “It’s a very social group.”
For more information, go to facebook.com/Tuesnightride.
Living Life on 2 Wheels
Living Life on 2 Wheels continues to work on establishing a biking and hiking facility on a large piece of property south of Festus that organization founders Chris and Rene Creed purchased, according to the organization’s website.
The Creeds also own Pedal’n Pi. The Plattin Peaks Trails project is underway on the 650-acres of the property off Plattin Road, according to the website.
Among its other efforts, Living Life on 2 Wheels provides bikes to schools so students may learn how to ride.
For more information or to donate to Living Life on 2 Wheels, visit livinglifeon2wheels.com.
Walk Bike Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Public Works Department is currently working to develop a biking and walking master plan. It is seeking public feedback until the end of this month and will present its plan in October and then send it to the County Council for approval in February 2025.
Read more about the master plan here:
Those interested in shaping Jefferson County’s future walking and biking projects have until the end of August to add their input.