May is bike month and for those of you who are finally getting used to the weather (I can tell that I am not yet, as I thought I was going to die of heat stroke last weekend!), this weekend is the perfect weekend to get out and enjoy a bike ride or be a spectator at one of the coolest biking events St. Louis has to offer!

The Missouri Professional Bicycling Series (aka MO PRO) is hosting their 3-day competitive bicycling event this weekend, May 11-13th. A different race will take place each day in a different St. Louis neighborhood and will offer all sorts of festivities in addition to the races, including great handmade artwork featured by ARTCRANK St. Louis.

Friday, May 11th

The Races: The Loop de Loop Grand Prix in University City from 3:30pm to 10pm. You can watch the races  from one of the Michelob Ultra ringside party areas, head over to Fitz’s for their Turn 4 Viewing Party, or watch the racers cross the finish line at The Melting Pot or in Cicero’s beer garden.

ARTCRANK festivities: Kicks off the start of their weekend festivities at Atomic Cowboy at 5pm selling handmade, signed, bicycle themed posters by 30 local artists for $40 each. Additionally, they’ve teamed up with Widmer Brothers Brewing to sell custom ARTCRANK pint glasses for $5. All proceeds benefit BicycleWORKS to help support their program which gives inner city children the chance to earn a free bicycle. Also, everyone who buys one of these glasses gets a $1 pour at Atomic Cowboy.

Also, check out SpokedSTL’s Goldsprint fun races at The Handlebar from 8:30pm to 10pm.

Saturday, May 12

The featured race: The NCC Tour de Grove in The Grove from 9:40am to 5:30pm. This race is part of the prestigious USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar and the USA Crits Championship Series, which includes some of the fastest professional male and female cyclists in the United States. (There will also be a 5K starting at 9am)

Race Festivities:  I can’t even list all of the awesome festivities The Grove will be offering on Saturday: from Randy’s Recycled Cycles Pig Roast starting at 9am, live entertainment from The Gramophone’s DJs from 1-4pm and The Swamp Daddies from 7-10pm, skateboarding and bicycle skill exhibition contests starting at 7pm, post race party at Atmoic Cowboy starting at 9pm with special guest J Pow, and the London Calling dance party at The Gramophone starting at 10:30pm. These are honestly only a few of the festivities happening on Saturday. You must check out the Tour de Grove website to see about the drag races hosted by Big Shark, skateboard demos with No Coast Skateboards, free Yoga and great drink specials happening at various bars throughout The Grove.

 

Sunday, May 13

The Races: Dutchtown Classic Pro Cycling Series in South St. Louis from 9am to 6pm.

The festivities: There will  be a community bike ride for anyone to attend from 8:30-10am courtesy of MoBikeFed. Registration begins at 7:30am. Cost is $30 in advance or $35 day of and includes a 1 year MoBikeFed membership or renewal. Additionally, ARTCRANK will be at Atomic Cowboy from 5-9pm selling their handmade artwork and custom pint glasses.

There is also a South Grand Mother’s Day family bike ride event taking place from 9am-2pm. Ride around Tower Grove Park with the family, take a leisurely ride through historic neighborhoods and stop at the Compton Hill Water Tower, climb to the top and enjoy the best view in the city. Cost of ride is $8 except moms and children under 10 ride FREE.

Tips: If you’re coming to the Tour de Grove festivities as a spectator, make sure to bring lawn chairs, plenty of water, comfortable and cool clothing, and your cheering voice.

And don’t forget, May is Bike Month. If you have a bike and you enjoy getting prizes, check out that link.

 

Brought to you by Mills Properties

Photos courtesy of tourdegrove.com and artcrank.com