Pedal To The Metal

There are plenty of days I would rather park myself on the couch with an Xbox controller and play "Lego Star Wars" all afternoon.

But besides getting “True Jedi Status”, there is not a whole lot of productivity going on. Being a woman who just so happens to be a mom, I’m good at multi-tasking. I also want to set a good example for my boys, so when it comes to exercise, it’s fun to gather up the whole family to do an activity together. Fitness and family time—who doesn’t love it?

Two little angry people who should be slack-jawed zombies after a long winter indoors—which is why it is not only important, but vital to get them out into the fresh air. Spring has finally arrived, and while your kids may greet the sunshine with hisses and shielded eyes, they’ll come around.

Bike rides are one of my favorite things to do with my kids. It’s an activity where everyone can keep up and I feel like I’ve actually done something when we’re finished. According to bikediva.net, you can burn between 500 and 900 calories an hour biking depending on your weight and the intensity of your workout.

There are plenty of bike paths and trails to explore in our area. Margo “Dirt Gypsy” Carroll has written a book in the “Show Me Missouri” series about Cycling in St Louis.  Along with bike tips and pre-ride checklists, she lists the type of terrain, the distance of the route, how much pedal time you may have to do, as well as fun or historical things to see along the way.

Some of the ones listed for our area:

St. Peters Bike Paths: The bike trails start by the ball fields at the and . The bike path is 10 miles long and is great for kids, particularly the trail loop in Laurel Park.

Lost Valley Mountain Bike Trail: This eight-mile loop is located in the Weldon Spring Conservation Area in St. Charles County. You will enjoy pedaling past Little Femme Osage Creek and 2 spring-fed lakes.

Katy Trail from St. Charles to Marthasville: If you take the trail the whole way, it’s 38.2 miles, but you can always turn around at any point you like. The start of this trip is at Frontier Park in St. Charles. The Katy Trail is the country’s longest rail to trail conversion and there are many services along the way including water and rest areas.

All three of these bike trails are family friendly. “Cycling St Louis” lists trails by region, fifty trails in all—a great book if you’re looking to venture out for a little exercise in a new area.

But a ride around your neighborhood will do the trick too.