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The organizers of the popular "Ride the Rivers" bicycling event this weekend are wheeling an apology around to the Jewish community in St. Louis.

Trailnet, which hosts the 100-mile and 64-mile rides between St. Charles and Alton, issued on Tuesday the following statement:

"On behalf of Trailnet, I would like to humbly apologize to members of the Jewish faith for scheduling our annual Ride the Rivers Century on Yom Kippur, September 30, 2017.

"Choosing this date was a grave oversight in our planning. It was unintentional and we are truly sorry.

"As an organization, our goal is to make walking and biking better for everyone in the St. Louis community. Trailnet endeavors to foster a culture that celebrates and embraces diversity in all of its forms."

The statement was signed by Ralph Pfremmer, Trailnet's chief executive officer.

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is considered to be one of the two holiest days of the year in the Jewish faith, the other being Rosh Hashanah.

This year, Yom Kippur will be observed from before sunset Friday until after sunset on Saturday.

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