The threat of bad weather forced organizers to scale back plans a bit for the eighth annual Bottleneck Bridge Bicycle Ride through southern Jefferson County on Aug. 13, but it didn’t hurt participation, organizer Andy Held said.
He said the event had 435 riders from all around the county and beyond.
“It seems to grow every year, bringing in quite a few from out of town,” Held said.
The ride began at 8 a.m. at Main and South Adams streets with the national anthem under the American flag, which flew above the starting arches from a Festus firetruck.
Both mayors from the Twin Cities led the ride – Festus Mayor Sam Richards riding in his car and Crystal City Mayor Mike Osher completing the 42-mile bicycle ride.
The ride also included 13- and 34-mile-long routes.
A 67-mile route was supposed to be included, too, but the forecast called for storms around the time those bicycle riders would have returned, so it was canceled for safety reasons.
Held said the weather held out, and participants said they had a great time.
The Festus Tourism Commission was the event’s presenting sponsor, and the Jefferson County Growth Association and Trailnet helped organize the event.
As part of the event, Living Life on 2 Wheels and Pedal’n Pi, a bike and pizza shop in Crystal City, sponsored children’s bicycle races, which were split into four age categories, from toddlers to 12-year-olds.
The event would not have been possible without the 60-70 volunteers who helped with staging on Main Street and at the stops along the routes at landmarks and businesses, Held said.
He said the purpose of the ride is to publicize Jefferson County landmarks.