Tour De Florissant 2025

     I am thinking back to the early days of attending bicycle races in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I am not sure how the races alternate between Tour de Florissant and The Benton Park Classic. However, I do have memories of both races over the last 40 years. I have ridden both courses which have been the fourth day of racing for the last 20 years. I can tell you from experience that the long hill of the Tour de Florissant is a monstruous hill after the first 30 minutes of racing. I rode to get my classification (CATEGORY License) before I was 40. There are two courses both have the long hill of North Jefferson Street. I almost got off my bicycle and walked because of this hill when I rode in the race 20 years ago. However, this year's course did not have the uphill start/finish. Last year I told a young lady maybe 10 years old. "Just get up this hill and it's all downhill after this part." She yelled back as past me. "You don't know what over the hill." It was her third lap of the 25-minute race. 

​     The course of the at Tour de Florissant is challenging and "Riding Your Race" strategy is key on a course of this nature. I say, "Riding Your Race" and it means the manner or strategy used to win the lap cash lap prize or the race itself. A marathon runner has his or her kick, and stride to use throughout the race; Bicyclers have the same tactics. Some people challenge on the hill and other pedal during the downhill using the "Big Sprocket." In a pedal during the downhill using the "Big Sprocket." In a Criterium you don't have five-mile straightaways to use long easy strokes to challenge the peloton or the "Break Away Leader." Having the strength and stamina to pull the "Break Away Rider" in is knowing how to "Ride Your Race." At the Tour de Florissant I heard riders    discussing attacking on the North Jefferson hill, riding at speeds of 30 miles an hour or so. "What?!" "Up Hill?! "That's Crazy!" Here's the description of the course - "the course has been shifted to a flat finish in front of Historic City Hall, one mild climb, 6 turns." I think it's a 30 percent grade and a little over three city blocks long, my guess is a half mile of uphill climb. 

     The races were all fast pace and exciting. The races ended with dead heat sprints or the clear break away arms out and up hands free in victory. It made for one of the best endings to the Gateway Cup maybe ever. The four days of racing was worth every minute of every day. The Tour de Florissant capped off the series of races with the show of competitiveness that didn't disappoint anyone. Thank you, American Criterium Cup, Big Shark Bicycle Company, Bommarito Audi West County and St. Louis, Missouri USA for the great four days of holiday racing.     

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By Darren Dwayne Frazier

Photographs by Highland Productions LLC

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