Annual cycling event takes path to new heights

jhall

Even Jan Gerard sounds a little surprised when she talks about the growth of Tour de Cape.

Saturday's fourth annual event grew to 387 riders -- that's up from 250 last year and 103 in 2000. The noncompetitive event featured rides of up to 100 miles through Cape Girardeau and Scott counties and this year drew entries from Florida, Texas, Michigan and Virginia. About one-fourth of the field was from Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"At this rate, we're expecting about 600 riders next year," said Gerard, who coordinates the event.

The reason, Gerard said, is a growing reputation among cyclists. The event is listed each year in Bicycling Magazine, so it gets national attention. It has long stretches on rural highways, so it mixes a scenic view with wide roads. And it's held in October, so temperatures tend to be cooler.

"We get great feedback from riders," said Gerard, a former cyclist. "This was the best year we've ever had because of a lot of different things."

The ride raised about $5,000 last year for The Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, a program that uses horses to help provide therapy for children with disabilities. This year's final dollar figure isn't in yet, but Gerard said the donation could be about the same as last year or slightly more. Because of more riders this year, the cost to hold the event also grew.

The route offered rides of 100, 62, 30 or 15 miles. It began in downtown Cape Girardeau and took riders north to Trail of Tears State Park and back downtown. The longer rides included routes to Gordonville and Chaffee.

"People look forward to a 100-mile ride in the fall," Gerard said. "In the spring, cyclists haven't ridden much and they're just getting out. You can't just jump on a bike in the spring and go 100 miles, so it helps to have that in the fall."

Because of the varied distances, the field included a mix of cyclists with competitive backgrounds and recreational backgrounds.

"I'm amazed at how many riders we have in their 60s and 70s," Gerard said. "We had a Boy Scout troop that was working on a cycling badge, and they came up as a group. We have adults who attach special carts to pull their children along. There was just such a wide range of people."

What's ahead

One of the region's few 10K runs is Nov. 8 in Cairo, Ill. The annual Cairo Levee Race, which includes a 5K (3.1 miles) and a 10K (6.2 miles), features a scenic route mostly along the Mississippi River on the lower and upper levee roads. The running surface is mostly gravel.

The event benefits Community Health & Emergency Services Inc., so contact them at (618) 734-4400, extension 160.

Jamie Hall is the sports editor of the Southeast Missourian. Send your community sports news to jhall@semissourian.com.