St. Louis Turtles/Turbos

Turtle Logo Turbo Logo
A bicycling group in the metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri area offering both moderate and more challenging group rides.

Turtles/Turbos are affiliated with the
Gateway Council of Hostelling International

Mission

To start and keep the wheels rolling for those who feel insecure with other cycling groups.

To support people who would like to expand their riding experiences.

To provide camaraderie among bicycle riding enthusiasts.

A Typical Ride

Assembling for a Ride

About 20 riders gathered near Edwardsville, Illinois on August 22, 2006 to ride the trails of Madison County at 9:00 AM. Madison County has some very nice trails which emmanate from Edwardsville in several directions. Turtles and Turbos started on one of the legs of the trail system. To get from one trail to the other, we rode on Illinois farm roads.

Turtles and Turbos Dining

We rode about 22 miles on the trails and farm roads until we ended up at the Sunrise Diner in downtown Edwardsville. The Turtles actually got there first, but Turbos came into the resturant just a little later and joined the Turtles.

After lunch, Turtles and Turbos rode 4 more miles back to the starting location.


Why ride with the Turtles?

  • To have fun and find friendship
  • To ride low mileage routes with mostly flat terrain
  • To enjoy having rest stops every 5 miles or so.
  • To learn helpful hints for beginners - "Rules of the Road"
  • To have help in changing a flat.
    (Do bring your own tubes/tools.)
  • To know you will not be left behind.
  • To enjoy delicious lunches during or after ride. (Bring money)

Who rides with the Turtles?

  • New retirees who now have time to ride.
  • New riders (inexperienced)
  • Riders who prefer to ride 10-25 miles
  • Riders recovering from injuries/illness
  • Fast riders now slowing down

Who rides with the Turbos?

  • More experienced and fit riders who want a similar but more challenging experience than they would have with the Turtles.
  • People who want to ride farther, ride faster, ride more difficult terrain, and still enjoy the camaraderie of other bikers
  • Riders who prefer to ride 35-40 miles
  • Riders who do not want to stop every 5 miles for rest.

If you would like to participate in rides like ours, we welcome you to join us.

Featured Rides

Very easy rides for April 2008.
If you are looking for a good way to ease into spring or if you want to ride, but are hesitant to try a long distance, these rides are for you.

April 6, Sun. Easy Ride. Meet at 1:15 p.m., leave at 1:30 for a 13-mile ride on flat, paved, low traffic roads. Park at the Lincoln Shields Recreational Area. (From MO Hwy 367, exit at the Fisca Station, before the Clark Bridge; turn left at the first opportunity after exit and follow the road under the bridge to the Recreational area, turn right. Map. Cancel in hard rain or below 40 degrees. Leader: Billie Teneau, 314-291-7860.

April 13, Sun. Easy Afternoon Cycling. Bike 9 miles (round trip) or hike 5 miles (round trip) to the Confluence of the Missouri & the Mississippi Rivers. Meet at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Visitors center at 1:15, depart at 1:30. (Take 270 to Riverview Rd. exit; go north about 3 miles on Missouri Bottoms Rd. to Visitors Center.) Map. Bike the paved bike path and/or hike a through-the-woods path along the Missouri River. Both routes lead to the Confluence. Bring water and an extra bike tube. Cancel in rain or below 40 degrees. Leader: Billie Teneau, 314-291-7860.

April 17, Thur. Principia College Tour and Bike Ride. Meet at Clifton Terrace (5 miles north of Alton on the River Road) Map. 8:45, depart 9:00 a.m. We will bike to Elsah, IL and start the Principia College tour at 10:30. We will eat in the Principia College cafeteria. After lunch, riders may ride on to Grafton or return to Clifton Terrace. Leaders: Billie Teneau, 314-291-7860 and Judy Meyer, Cell: 503-3261

April 20, Sun. Easy Ride, Beginners welcome. Meet at 1:15 P.M., leave 1:30 for a 9 mile out and 9 mile back flat, low traffic ride. Meet at the St. Charles Soccer Field on Mueller Rd. (Take Hwy 370 to Hwy. 95 exit, north on 94 to light, left on Little Hills and continue west on Mueller to Soccer Field. Map. Cancel in hard rain or below 40 F. Leader: Billie Teneau, 314-291-7860.



Some of What's Happening

Sept 22 - 6:00 HI-GC Dog Prairie Century St. Paul MO
http://www.bikeride.com/calendar/event.asp?id=2456

Oct 6 - 6:30 HI-GC Sandy Creek Challenge Century Hillsboro MO
http://www.bikeride.com/calendar/event.asp?id=2457