News-- The biggest multisport news to ever hit the metro area was released yesterday when Ironman North America announced its newest world championship qualifier event. The Gateway Ironman will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2006 in St Louis. This will be an adjunct to the enormously popular riverfront Independence Day celebration taking place that same weekend, making for a rowdy and festive scene. The 2.4 mile Mississippi River swim will be followed a 112 mile bike ride out Interstate 70 to Wentzville and return to downtown along Highway 40. The course will be open to vehicle traffic, so riders should exercise caution. Upon their return, triathletes will then head out for the 26.2 mile marathon on a scenic urban route that will take them through the rust-ic industrial north riverfront, past quaint sections of north city, along Grand Avenue to a point in south city and back to the finish line under the Arch. Post race celebration will include bar-b-que pork steaks, toasted raviolis, plenty of Bud Light, and of course Ted Drewes frozen custard.... SBR would like to welcome its newest site sponsor, Sam's Club. This fine membership based retailer carries everything for your multisport activities, from a wide variety of US made bicycles to a vast selection of food products (some minimum quantities may be quite large).... There will be a weekly meeting held by Exercisers Anonymous on Tuesday evenings. This is an opportunity for individuals to address compulsive workout disorder in a professional environment. Group meets at happy hour in the Hooters on Manchester Road.... Congratulations to local athletes who completed the Deca-Ironman out in California and its 24 mile swim 1120 mile bike and 262 mile run. Nice work to R. U. Nuttes who finished in 1 week 3 days 6 hours 10 minutes and to Seymore Spotz who managed it in 1 week 6 days 5 hours 55 minutes....

Weekend Long Ride-- SBR is sponsoring a 550 mile ride Saturday, April 9. The two-day out and back to KC will provide plenty of mileage for anyone looking to go long....

They Said It-- "Why should I interrupt my beer drinking to train? It's still really just mind over matter when the gun goes off." - Question posed by Willie Dye from his hospital bed after collapsing at the one mile mark of the St Louis Spirits Marathon....

Training Days-- SBR will host a training day at 8am on Saturday, May 14 at the Times Beach recreation area. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to train at this legendary venue. To mark the occasion, all participants will receive a free soil sample to proudly display in their homes or add to their gardens. Participants please note: All athletes will be required to sign a liability waiver.

The Weekend-- April has arrived and with it some of the area's finest events....

Friday 1 - Tourism Cyclist Warehouse Sale- Choose from a fine selection of Huffy, Panasonic, and Univega Triathlon bikes at near-wholesale prices. Stock up on schroeder valved tubes, buy one get ten free. Special close-out pricing on new toe clips for your pedals. Free water bottle with every $1000 spent. All sales final. Cash only....

Saturday 2 - The Bio Hazard 10k starts just before sunrise the old Weldon Springs chemical testing facility. All runners will receive a special glow in the dark bracelet filled with ground water taken from the property....

Sunday 3 - The Babler Park Marathon begins at 8am near the Edmond Babler Statue. This challenging course will give runners all they can handle as it sends them around the park and up the infamous Babbling Beast eight times.... Little Minnow Bicycle Company will host an Intermediate Bike Repair Clinic to help students fix what they messed up on their bikes at home after attending the Basic Repair Clinic....