East Prairie gears up for Tour de Corn

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- As Southeast Missouri's corn crop continues to grow, organizers are preparing for the 10th annual Tour de Corn charity bike ride, which begins in East Prairie.

"This is a fun ride, opposed to a race," said organizer Silvey Barker. "It's just a ride that you do at your own leisure in your own time."

This year's ride will begin at 7:30 a.m. June 25. Four routes -- approximately 15, 30, 60 and 100 miles -- will again be offered to the riders. Barker noted that organizers were afraid they may have to slightly alter some of the routes due to flooding, but the water levels are down so the routes will be the same as they have been in previous years.

The Tour de Corn is a big draw for East Prairie. Last year, more than 800 riders from 14 states were registered.

"We have people that come here and have no family ties to the area," said Barker "They've heard about it, read about it, or been here and decided to come back."

A variety of things draw the riders to East Prairie year after year, Barker said.

"I really think it boils down to our hospitality, rest stops and the flat land," she said. "We have a committee that works together to make the plans and commits their time to volunteer, and that also makes this a success."

The rest stops are about 10 miles apart on each of the routes.

"And we go all out," Barker said. "We serve sweet corn, homemade cookies, peanut butter and crackers -- a wide variety of foods you normally don't get at these events."

Ed Cowan of Sikeston, Mo., he has ridden the Tour de Corn times.

"It's always fun at the start, with the number of people there," he said. "It's an interesting beginning, but you do have to be careful."

Cowan noted that while the group thins out as riders branch off on different routes and travel at different speeds, there are still plenty of others nearby to talk to.

"You meet people from different parts of the country," he said. "And they all have interesting stories to tell."

Cowan said he believes several participate not so much because of the ride -- although it is quite scenic -- but for the camaraderie of being around other riders.

Riders also have the opportunity to meet with others at the Main Street Party, which is from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. the day before the ride.

"A lot of people come in for the party so they can visit, sit around, and enjoy a small town and its hospitality," Barker said.

Registration for the ride is $25 per person and includes entries in a giveaway and for door prizes.

"Proceeds form this year's ride will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Association Research Foundation, the East Prairie Nutrition Center and other local charities," Barker said.

As the ride is now under a 5014C organization, the committee will be able to donate more of the proceeds than it could with an Internal Revenue Service cap last year.

To register, go to www.tourdecorn.com, email tourdecorn@yahoo.com or call the East Prairie Tourism office, 649-3057, extension 6. Online registration closes today.

Participants may also register from 6 to 8 p.m. June 25 at the Main Street Party or beginning at 6 a.m. the day of the ride at the Church of God Family Life Center.

T-shirts are available for this year's ride as well. They range in price from $16 to $19, depending on size.