Great Rivers Greenway, the St. Louis area’s regional parks and trails district, has once again teamed up with Trailnet to offer a free, guided group bike ride every week in July to both new and experienced cyclists.

The two organizations began offering their “Try the Greenways” series of rides in May and will continue to do so every week through September 28 to give residents a chance to explore a different greenway every month in St. Louis City, St. Louis County or St. Charles County. The weekly ride in July will take place every Wednesday evening in South St. Louis City on the River des Peres Greenway, which lies within Great Rivers Greenway’s River Ring network.

Trailnet will lead the July ride, which will take cyclists on a 4.8-mile trip along the River des Peres Greenway, from Carondelet Park, near the intersection of South Grand Blvd. and Holly Hills Ave., to Fultz Field and back again. All are welcome to ride this same route every Wednesday throughout the month of July ( July 8, July 15, July 22 and July 29).

Registration for each ride begins at 5:30 p.m. in Carondelet Park, at the intersection of South Grand Blvd. and Holly Hills Ave. (near the YMCA), with rides departing at 6 p.m. There will be a brief “fix-a-flat” lesson offered between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. to show people how to fix a flat bike tire and discuss  what spare equipment is necessary to carry for spur-of-the-moment bike repairs.

The weekly rides held in May and June gave cyclists the opportunity to explore the Centennial Greenway in Clayton and the Dardenne Greenway in Cottleville. The remaining planned rides in August and September will give residents the opportunity to try the St. Vincent and Gravois Greenways.

“Our goal is to welcome everyone, whether they have years of experience or are new to bicycle riding on the greenways,” says Elizabeth Simons, Great Rivers Greenway Community Programs Manager. “Each ride will start with a bike safety and trail etiquette briefing and include fun facts about the greenway.”

For more information about the “Try the Greenways” rides, visit GreatRiversGreenway.org or call Trailnet at 314-436-1324.