Note: Subject to ride-worthy weather. Please check the forum on Thursday afternoons for the latest updates.

We do one of 3 options.
1) All gravel and pavement. We do this when MTB trails are sloppy and the Katy is clear. The best tires for this are 700 x 35, low rolling resistance cross or tandem/touring tires.
2) Gravel, cut through Lost Valley on mostly doubletrack to the lower parking lot, back to gravel and pavement. We do this when the Lost Valley Trail is dry. The best tires are cross tires with a little tread, maybe some side knobs.
3) Lost Valley MTB: when there's snow or ice that would make road riding dangerous or stupid. regular MTB tires, of course.

Come join the fun! 6:30 PM start
The Mound in St. Charles off 94

Lights required, even commuters will do, and some guys had their lights die and were OK riding in the pack. Cross bikes and tires preferred, gears a good idea unless you are a 1x1 stud like Matt Grothoff

The ride:
It's 95% gravel trails and paved road. This is a winter maintenance ride, not a cross skilz ride. We take the Hamburg Trail to Lost Valley, drop down in on gravel MTB trails and take those fire road portions down to the old Lost Valley parking lot further down 94, cross the road to the Katy, take that past Matson Hill, then turn up Terry Road for some serious extended climbs. We end up on Duke and ride past Matson Hill MTB trail and come back to the Katy Trail. On the return we decide whether to come back through Lost Valley or just push up the hamburg Trail. Altogether you get around 2 hours of riding with a nice combo of spinning on the flats and climbing. Come and bring friends. It’s a no drop ride which means there are at least 5 spots where we wait up. Ideally the leaders will circle back, drop back behind the last rider, and work to the front again 2-3 times during the ride. That way everybody gets the workout they want or need.

Directions:
take 40 west through the Chesterfield flats, cross the Missouri River, go to 94, head south on 94, pass the high school, then look for a big white Quonset hut type highway maintenance supplies building. Shortly thereafter turn right into the Lindenwood interpretive site and wind your way back to the big parking lot. My cell is 314-800-5018.

Last year I waited till after cross season and Team Seagal's CXmas to start these rides, but I need a longer ride during the week. These rides most of the winter, combined with commuting during the week and a long hilly ride on Saturdays, kept the winter fat to a minimum.