Ready to roll: Second annual Cotton Ramble will offer bicyclists three routes through Scott County

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Last year's Cotton Ramble was the first time Tom Hedrick had ever ridden in an organized bicycle ride.

"And I had so much fun, I decided to do it again," he said.

As of Wednesday, 98 people had signed up to participate in the second annual Cotton Ramble, planned for Oct. 9.

"That is ahead of where we were at this time last year," said Jiggs Moore, who is on the committee organizing the ride.

In all, 140 people rode the Cotton Ramble last year, and Kris Greene, another committee member, noted about one-third of those registered the day of the race.

Hedrick recalled he heard about the event when Ed and Jackie Cowan, two of the committee members who spearheaded the idea, presented it to a civic group he is in.

"I got really excited," said Hedrick. "I really thought it would be a fun and great idea, and it was."

Hedrick rode the 13-mile route last year, and plans to again this year.

"The best part was going down the ridge -- and the worst part is coming up the ridge," he laughed. "And the rest of it is really nice. Unless it's windy, there are no issues at all."

Patti Kenser of Sikeston will also return to the course this year. But she'll move up from the 13-mile course to the 25-mile route.

"I just ride for pleasure and exercise mostly," she said. "But I really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun."

Kenser said she also enjoyed the setup of the race, as well as local participation. "There were a lot of people waving as we rode by," she said.

Due to demand, a 51-mile route will be offered this year.

So far, 18 people have signed up for that route. "And that number should grow," said committee member Allen Meeks.

However, the 26-mile route is the most popular so far.

No matter what course a rider chooses, it will be scenic and fairly flat said Meeks, a bicyclist who also plans to ride in this year's event.

"There are a lot of cotton fields along the routes," he said. "And they are all mostly flat and not too challenging, but the 51-mile route does get into some rolling hills."

Rest stops are set up on each of the routes. Committee member Stephanie Palmer said that there are plenty of volunteers to man those, but a few people are still needed to monitor the intersections.

Committee members say they expect the ride to be bigger this year due to more people knowing about it. Additionally, they hope the weather turns out better than it did for last year's race.

"I bet a lot of people didn't ride last year because of the weather," said Greene, recalling the windy conditions and temperatures in the mid-40s.

In addition to those from Southeast Missouri, riders have registered from as far away as Little Rock, Ark., Lawrence, Kan., Kentucky, Tennessee and St. Louis, according to Moore.

Although the Cotton Ramble is aimed at bike riders, the ride and surrounding events should offer fun for the family. Two cotton gins -- located along the longer routes -- will be open, which riders and others can stop and tour.

"This can be a real educational experience for children," said Palmer. "They'll get to see how the gin runs."

Last year, the crop was late so gins were open for tours but not in operation, but Moore said the cotton appears to be on schedule for this year's Ramble.

Committee member Zac Black pointed out that children are encouraged to ride along with their registered parents.

"We really want this to be a family atmosphere," he said.

That's exactly what it is for Alan Peterson, his wife Christy and their 11-year-old son Sam. The Petersons, who live in Bartlett, Tenn., but grew up in East Prairie, will return to the course this year as well.

"Cycling is a good exercise and its good to get the family out to ride together and enjoy being outside," said Peterson.

The Peterson family enjoyed the Sikeston ride.

"It's a nice little course. It's fairly flat, and a really good course for people who are just starting to ride and learning how to ride," said Peterson. "And we like the rest stops and other things that are available to the riders."

For those who don't want to ride, however, the Historic Midtown Development Group is also planning a Cotton Festival in Legion Square the day of the Ramble.

"We'll have food and craft vendors, games for children and more," said Brandon Kuehn, executive director. "This will give families who are bringing a bike rider but not actually riding something to do."

The festival is planned for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., said Kuehn.

The HMDG is also the sponsor of the ride, and all proceeds will benefit the organization. Last year, about $1,000 was donated, and committee members expect that number to be higher this year, as they won't incur start-up costs.

Riders can continue to register up to the day of the race, and same-day registration will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Oct. 9 at the Depot. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for those 14 and under, which includes a free T-shirt. Non-riders may also purchase T-shirts.

For more information, as well as the entry form, go to www.cottonramble.com.