Cape BMW motorcycle parade breaks Guinness record for size

More than 200 BMW motorcycles rode through Cape Girardeau on Saturday to break a Guinness world record for the largest bike parade. The event was organized by Grass Roots BMW Motorcycles of Cape Girardeau in conjunction with owners of BMW motorcycles and the city of Cape Girardeau. The standing record was set in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, in 2004, when 128 BMW motorcycle riders took to the streets.

Grass Roots owner Herb Anderson and his wife, Reno, hosted the event as part of their business's open house festivities, which also included a lecture and the unveiling of the new 2010 BMW S1000 RR by BMW motorcycle racer Nate Kern and a performance by the local Beatles cover-band Mason, Montgomery and Moore.

Guinness World Records requires a lot of paperwork to prove the record has been broken. Grass Roots was required to apply for the record, and the application had to be approved. Documented evidence will be presented to Guinness World Records that includes video and witness accounts.

"We believe we have enough to blow the record out of the water," Herb Anderson said as he addressed the eager crowd. "A great big thank you to the Cape Girardeau Police Department."

Mayor Jay Knudtson, who was there to support the local biker community, said, "We are biker friendly here in Cape Girardeau."

Riders came from all over the United States to participate. Former Cape Girardeau police chief Steve Strong and his wife, Karen, participated in the parade. He helped to set up the police presence required to pull off the huge event.

"It would be a great feat to bring this record to the United States, not to mention Cape Girardeau. This will be good for Cape," Strong said.

BMWs of all types were involved in the parade. There were two-wheeled bikes, three-wheeled trikes and motorcycles with sidecars carrying children who waved to the crowd. The riders lined up on the parking lot across the street from the store at 28 S. Spanish St. and left via one lane so that volunteers could count the participants as they proceeded. The parade got underway just after 1:30 p.m. and concluded about 10 minutes later. A police escort was provided as the group took to the streets of Cape Girardeau.

Their route was short, just a little over four miles via Morgan Oak Street, Fountain Street and Shawnee Parkway, West End Boulevard and then to Southern Expressway where they looped back to the Grass Roots parking lot. Upon their return, all riders were required to pass in front of Grass Roots to make the event official.

The event was a success with 241 riders participating. Reno Anderson shouted the final count to the crowd as the parade came to an end. The new record awaits verification by Guinness.

Pertinent address:

28 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO