Bike race in Cape

When a bike race called Tour of Missouri, going from one side of the state to the other, was first announced a couple of years ago, a lot of Missourians -- especially those who don't ride bicycles -- scratched their heads. However, organizers of the race -- who received considerable support from Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau -- were undaunted. They were fairly certain the tour, patterned on the Tour de France, would be a success.

And it was. In both the inaugural year and again this year for the second race, thousands of participants were involved in one way or another. It is estimated the Tour of Missouri generated millions of new tourism dollars along with national and international spotlights on the state.

A group of local tourism officials and bike enthusiasts are putting together a plan to bring the Tour of Missouri to Cape Girardeau. Because the city is on the eastern edge of the state, it would be logical for the race to start or finish here. Money would have to be raised to cover the costs of being a host city for the tour, but supporters are sure it would be a good investment -- just as statewide organizers were certain of the race's success when it was first proposed.

It's an intriguing idea, and it could well be another way to draw attention to Cape Girardeau as a tourist destination. The organizing group has its work cut out, and we wish them well.