
Ride the Rivers is a road cycling race on October 3, 2026 in St. Louis, MO, with an entry fee of $85.
From the Organizer
Ride the Rivers is BACK and better than ever!
We’re launching from a beautiful new home base: Spanish Lake Park, one of North St. Louis County’s most historic and scenic parks. This year’s refreshed routes take riders along the St. Louis Riverfront Trail, across the Mississippi via the McKinley Bridge, and into Illinois for scenic miles on the Madison County Transit trail system. Along the way, riders can expect river views, smooth trail connections, wide-open Metro East riding, and plenty of real food at every rest stop. After your ride, enjoy a celebratory lunch, ice-cold Perennial Artisan Ales, and Fitz’s soda and root beer in the shade of the Spanish Lake pavilions. You earned it!
Century Ride:
This year’s Century route offers a fresh take on Ride the Rivers, sending riders along the beautiful St. Louis Riverfront Trail, across the Mississippi via the McKinley Bridge, and into Illinois for a memorable day on the Madison County Transit trail system. With closures affecting the I-370 and Chain of Rocks bridges, and no Grafton ferry crossing available this year, the route focuses on Mississippi River views, smooth trail connections, and wide-open Metro East riding. Riders can look forward to a scenic, well-supported century ride with riverfront energy, Illinois trail miles, and a classic long-distance adventure.
Metric Century:
This year’s Metric Century highlights some of the best riding on both sides of the river, beginning similarly to our Century ride, with scenic miles along the St. Louis Riverfront Trail before crossing the Mississippi via the McKinley Bridge. This redesigned route avoids north county bridge closures while connecting riders to the beautiful Madison County Transit trail system. Instead of the Grafton ferry or Chain of Rocks connection, riders will enjoy Mississippi River views, relaxed trail miles, and a memorable, well-supported ride through the Metro East.
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
74°
Typical Low
53°
Chance of Rain
22%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Alton - Melvin Price L&D, 6 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
293,109
as of 2023
City Elevation
471 ft
Nearest Airport
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 9 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Ride the Rivers, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
22
Days to train
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From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
Road cycling rewards pacing judgment and consistent time on your bike more than raw power. If you already ride regularly and can comfortably ride a few miles, you have a good starting base for most beginner-friendly events.
Built around sustained effort on a bike, exploring cities on the open road. Beginner distances create a great entry point into endurance sports.
Coming Up
Ride the Rivers
Oct 3, 2026