We took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend by taking a long bike ride throughout the city before enjoying the Giro della Montagna bike races on The Hill. Besides being great exercise, biking is a great fun – you get to explore all the nooks and crannies of an area that you would normally miss if you were in a car.

If you prefer riding as part of a group, several organized rides are taking place next weekend that you will want to check out.

Civil War buffs in the family will love the History Bike Ride on Grant’s Trail. A park ranger will lead a 10-mile bike ride through time. You’ll start at Orlando Gardens Banquet Center and bike to Ulysses S. Grant’s home, White Haven. After an interpretive tour at White Haven, you’ll wrap up the ride with a gourmet lunch at The Lodge at Grant’s Trail. This event is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The cost is $25 a person. All ages are welcome to ride in this event, but helmets are required for 16 and under. Advance registration is required and can be made by calling 314-615-8481. For more information, visit the website.

Now that we’ve given you a tip for lunch, let’s talk about dessert. Mills Apple Farm in Marine, Ill., is the starting point for the Red, White and Blue Autumn Apple Pie Bike Tour. Your family can choose to ride a 14-, 27- or 40-mile route. Purchase a delicious apple pie at the Mills Bakery before the race and it will be ready when you return. Go ahead and indulge, you will have earned it! After the race (and every weekend in September and October) the farm will be open for wagon rides and apple picking. Other highlights include a children’s play area, three-story wire maze and glider slides. Stop by and pet the goats, donkey and chickens before you leave.

The Red, White and Blue Autumn Apple Pie Bike Tour happens from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under. Registration takes places on site from 8:30 to 10 a.m., or you can register online here. To order an apple pie in advance, please call 618-887-4732.

 By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting