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Old North City Bicycle Tour

I've been asked by Jeff Jackson of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation to pass along this article about a bicycle tour of an interesting section of north St. Louis, so here it is:

St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation
to sponsor Old North City Bicycle Tour

By Bob Bailey

If you’re looking for something adventurous, inspiring, and cutting edge, look no further! Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2006, the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation is sponsoring an Old North City Bicycle Tour, in conjunction with the Old North City House Tour happening that day. Ride pleasurably and leisurely, as your tour guide leads you by largely forgotten and hidden architectural gems in Old North St. Louis.

Nearly all of these beautiful homes, churches, schools, and businesses were built in the 1800s in architectural styles not seen anywhere else in St. Louis. The scope and quality of architecture here rivals that of its better-known historic neighbors to the south, Soulard and Lafayette Square. Many St. Louisans are unaware of a renaissance underway in Old North City. This tour will give you the opportunity to relax and appreciate its unique history and beauty. We will include brief stops at some of the more historically worthy buildings, providing the rider with a bit of history and appreciation of the area’s character.

Tour participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot of the former Laclede Power building at the Riverfront Trail’s south end (corner of Leonor K. Sullivan and Biddle Streets). From there we will head west and north into Old North City. We will ride as far north as Hyde Park, where we will stop for a snack break. Total tour time is approximately two hours. This tour is free to Bike Fed members, but donations are appreciated. Non-members pay a suggested donation of $3. We hope you’ll join us.
Give or take a few detours, the tour will be within these perimeters: Carr Street is our southern boundary, 20th Street is our western boundary, Hyde Park is our northern boundary, and I-70 is our eastern boundary. Pre-registration for the Old North City Bike Tour would be greatly appreciated. To register, send an email stating your intent to participate to info@stlbikefed.org, or call 314-707-5001.

The Old North City House Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is $10 for that. Some may want to take the bike tour, have lunch downtown, and then go on the house tour – a great way to spend the day in the city of St. Louis!

For more insights about north St. Louis, read this account from the Urban Review blog.

Roger 0 comments 12:41 AM