Missouri Professional Cycling Series (MO PRO) Three-day Cycling Competition on May 10-12 Offers Activities for Kids, Families

The annual Missouri Professional Cycling Series (MO PRO) takes place May 10-12 featuring three days of competitive, professional cycling through three historic St. Louis neighborhoods. But there's more; MO PRO offers fun for the whole family, including daily neighborhood expos, a 5k walk/run, cycling races for kids, a cycling poster art show, and other outdoor activities. For more information about the race and other event activities, visit www.moprocycling.com.

Professional Races Free to Watch

MO PRO is a fun, social, outdoor experience for the whole family. Throughout the weekend event, families can gather along the designated race courses for a chance to see some of the world's top cyclists competing for glory and winnings, right in St. Louis.

Three professional cycling races are planned and free to view:

·        Midtown Grand Prix on Friday, May 10 in The Grand Center/Locust Business District

·        Tour de Grove on Saturday, May 11 in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood

·        Dutchtown Classic on Sunday, May 12th in South St. Louis

Kids Cycling Races

On Saturday, May 11, at 3:25 p.m. in The Grove and on Sunday, May 12, at 1:45 p.m. in Dutchtown. Kids will be subdivided into six age classes from Big Wheel to age 12, making for a fair and fun competition. The three top finishers in each category will receive a custom MO PRO stuffed bear from St. Louis’ own Build-a-Bear Workshop, and with built-in shortcuts to suit everyone, the kids’ race ensures that all riders cross the same finish line as the pros. Racing distance will be about 200+ meters. 

Registration takes place on race day for $5 per participant at the start of each race. The Tour De Grove kids' race starts on Manchester Ave. east of Kentucky St. and the Dutchtown kids' races start on Meramec St. east of Compton Ave. Participants are encouraged to register at least 30 minutes before the start of the race. Donations will also be accepted at the event to support the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club. Each registered child will receive an official MO PRO t-shirt, coupon for a desert at Fitz's Soda Bar and Grill, a MO PRO coloring poster designed by Rokitmul Design Studios, an official race number, awards and other goodies.  Riders will also get a t-shirt from Pedal the Cause, a locally based cancer-battling bicycle ride.  The kids’ cycling events are sponsored by Dutchtown’s Maude’s Market and St. Louis-favorite Fitz’s Rootbeer. Participants must bring their own cycles and helmets to participate.

5K Run/Walk

A 5K run/walk is open to participants of all ages and takes place Saturday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. just prior to the start of the Tour de Grove cycling events. There will be cash prizes and age-group awards at the finish line.

Participants can register online at www.moprocycling.com or at the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, 3229 Washington Ave., and pick up their racing packets Thursday, May 9 at the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, 4-8 p.m., or on race day between 8-8:59 a.m. 

Race-day registration takes place at Talmage and Manchester Avenues - next door to the Atomic Cowboy.  For a $5 donation to the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, each registrant will receive an event t-shirt, finisher ribbon, race number and other goodies.

5th Annual Blessing of the Bikes & Dutchtown Bike Tour

Participants are encouraged to bring their bikes, roller blades, skateboards, scooters and other non-motorized wheels to the St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3140 Meramec St., parking lot at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11 for an official "Blessing of the Bikes." Following the blessing, participants can visit Urban Eats Café  where they can pick up a Dutchtown Bike Tour Map and meet the tour guide, Jim Dauphin. Participants can choose from two routes designed by local historian and author NiNi Harris - a 3-mile or 15-mile tour past the Dutchtown neighborhood's historic buildings and pocket parks. At the end of their ride, cyclists can return to the Urban Eats Café for a happy hour and art show at the Urban Arts Collective.

Pedal the Grove with Trailnet

Registration for the Trailnet tour is 8:30-10 a.m. at Commerce Bank, 4070 Papin St. The cost is $8 for Trailnet members, $13 for non-members and $3 for children. Participants can choose between an 18-, 33- or 40-mile course. Participants will ride some of the most popular cycling routes between West St. Louis County and the Tour de Grove race location.  

Artcrank STL

ARTCRANK STL will feature hand-made, bike-inspired posters created by St. Louis area artists. Limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each. Admission is free.  the artwork will be on display at the Atomic Cowboy restaurant, 4140 Manchester Road.

About the Participating Neighborhoods

Midtown is located just east of Grand Center in the Locust Business District. This area is famous for its diverse, eclectic dining and entertainment, as well as serving as home to many of St. Louis’ landmark businesses. For more information, visit www.locustbusinessdistrict.com.

The Grove neighborhood, a Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, stretches five blocks along Manchester Avenue between Kingshighway and Vandeventer with Highway 40 serving as the border to the north. The Grove is the new-old neighborhood for eating, drinking, living, partying, primping, and shopping. For more information, visit www.inTheGroveSTL.com. 

The Dutchtown neighborhood can be found in South St. Louis City bordered by the Mississippi River and the Missouri Pacific Railroad.  This historic commercial and residential district features beautiful architecture, Cherokee St. Antique Row, and the Meramec Street commercial district. For more information, visit www.dt2stl.org.

The Missouri Professional Cycling Series is sponsored by Emerson Corporation, The Lawrence Group, AB/Inbev-Michelob Ultra, Edward Jones, The Moneta Group, The Grove CID and Big Shark Bicycle Company.