Tour de Corn Scheduled in East Prairie - June 23

Exciting plans are being finalized for the 11th annual Tour de Corn bicycle ride on the 23rd of June in East Prairie Missouri.  The event has continued to grow each year and has become very popular with many area riders. 

The event is a fun bicycle ride for all ages and all levels of cyclists.  Tour de Corn is known as a flat, easy ride and offers multiple choices of distance.  So participants are able to pick from four routes: 15, 30, 65 and 100 miles.  All routes are on state highways, in rural agricultural areas. The terrain is a little more challenging with some rolling hills on the 100-mile route.

The 10 rest stops are of particular interest to the cyclist as volunteers shuck over 1,200 ears of sweet corn and bake over 70 dozen cookies to be ready for the event.  These all important rest stops are well-stocked to rejuvenate energy levels of the cyclist. 

The event is also fun for the non-riders as well.  Beginning on Friday night (June 22), the City of East Prairie welcomes visitors to the event opening Main Street Party.  The evening will include live entertainment, plenty of food choices, fun for the kids and so much more.

Registration is available online at http://www.tourdecorn.com/?page_id=141.  and is $25.00 for each rider.  This is a rain or shine 

The Tour de Corn began when a local cyclist, Mike Bryant, had the idea of starting a charity ride in East Prairie.  Mike approached the East Prairie Tourism organization in 2001 and with the help of a friends, interested citizens and a committee of local cyclists  gathered to form the Tour de Corn Committee. 

With 10 years of successful rides complete, the event has continued to grow from 175 riders in 2002 to over 800 in 2011!

The Tour de Corn is marked as a ride and not a race.  Participants are encouraged to ride at a rate appropriate to the individual cyclist training level.

You will also find a treat of a spaghetti lunch available after the ride at Family Life Center.  The meal will begin at 10:30 a.m until 2:30 p.m. 

Many ShowMe Times readers (and cyclist) will be involved with the Tour de Corn event.  Make plans to join them on the ride or just show up to watch this great event in East Prairie.