BICYCLE RACE THROUGH RIVER STATES PLANNED

An 11-day, 800-mile-plus American Derby Bicycle Race from St. Louis to New Orleans, with overnight stops at Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Ill. and Paducah, Ky., will be held early in the first year of the new century.

The race, which was discussed more than a year go, was originally scheduled for spring of 1999.

"We're looking at the spring of 2000," said Ray Bryant, project manager for the 11-segment race. "We still have a few loose ends."

The race, which is expected to attract more than 100 national and international bicycle racers, is being sponsored by the Mississippi River Cycling Association headquartered in Memphis, Tenn.

The race is devised with circuit race and road race segments to provide sanctioned races for points toward international rankings.

Although dates are not firm, the race along the Mississippi River through seven states is expected to be scheduled in late April or early May 2000.

Hopefully, said Bryant, some host communities will tie in some community event with the racing schedule.

At Memphis, racers will participate in one of the circuit races in May to tie in with the annual Memphis in May festival.

Proceeds from the racing extravaganza will be used to support the Mississippi River Trail, a designated bicycle route along roads and highways near the river.

Most states involved already have pledged funds to help support the race for a three-year period.

"We want to make it an annual event," said Bryant. The association board hopes to make the race a self-sustaining annual event.

Details with communities along the route will be coordinated with area tourism bureaus.

As planned, the race will consist of 11 segments, with three of the segments in the immediate area of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.

Day and race one will be held in the St. Louis area.

On day two, racers will follow country roads and highways to Cape Girardeau where they will spend the night. The third leg will wind up at Carbondale for the night, with day four featuring another countryside run from Herrin, Ill., to Paducah.

From Paducah, cyclists will be transported to Memphis for a circuit race in the city. Then the race will go on through the South -- to Little Rock, Ark., Vicksburg, Jackson and Natchez, Miss., and Baton Rouge, La., where time trails will determine starting positions for the final race leg to New Orleans.