'CYCLING CITY' HEADS TOWARD CAPE

BURFORDVILLE -- After an 81 mile bicycle ride from Lake Wappapello to the Bollinger Mill, Jim Zink decided he was too close to home to spend another night in a tent.

Zink, who lives in Cape Girardeau, left some 300 other cyclists participating in the Cycle Across Missouri Parks '99 ride to spend the night in his own bed.

Bicyclists, ranging from 80 to 10 years of age, are scheduled to tour through downtown Cape Girardeau this morning starting at about 9 a.m.

The group travels one or two cyclists at a time, each at his or her own pace. From downtown, the riders will travel to Trail of Tears State Park where they will spend the evening.

Zink decided about 10 years ago that he needed to make a change. "I was a couch potato. I was fat. I needed some exercise," he said. He took up bicycling.

Since that time, he has ridden many organized overnight rides. "This is probably among the very best organized," he said. "They are very concerned about the welfare and comfort of riders."

On Thursday, bicyclists rode in to Burfordville throughout the afternoon and prepared to spend another night on the road.

Thursday's ride from Wappapello was the longest leg of the week-long trip. The tour began June 20 in Ste. Genevieve. It ends June 26 back in Ste. Genevieve, after touring 400 miles through Southeast Missouri.

A flash flood along the Whitewater River in Bollinger County flooded the campground and road into the Bollinger Mill and covered bridge, where the bikers were supposed to stay. Organizers relocated the campground to the Burfordville church parking lot and lawns.

"It's really a moving city that goes from place to place," said cyclist Joe Bergin of Baton Rouge, La., sitting in the shade of his bicycle trailer.

At the camp site, tents popped up across the lawn and the shower truck was busy. "Ah, the blessed shower truck," Bergin said. The portable shower facility parked on the lot has hot water and mirrors and sinks. "It's great," he said.

The 11th annual tour is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Gateway Council of Hostelling International. The two groups organize support for riders.

Two Ryder trucks carry gear like tents and extra clothing from one stop to the next. About every 15 miles along the route, stops are set up to provide water, fruit and other assistance to riders. Four or five support vehicles travel back and forth across the course throughout the day looking for riders in trouble. After 5 p.m., riders who haven't checked in are brought in for the night. Each evening, 300 bicyclists are fed dinner.

Karin Shoffner from Sunrise Beach and Margo Carroll of St. Louis met on the ride and became friends.

"I came to get a suntan," Carroll joked, while resting her feet after Thursday's ride.

"You sure got a funny tan," teased Shoffner, pointing out the tan lines where socks shielded her ankles.

Shoffner said organizers have done a great job of planning activities for riders who wanted more to do than just bicycling.

One evening, after a day of cycling, a group went canoeing. Another day, the group watched duck races at Sam A. Baker State Park.

"Yes, little yellow rubber ducks," Shoffner said. "The ducks had names and numbers and we rooted for the winners."

Today, Shoffner and Carroll planned to stop frequently in search of good food. "We'll be looking for pie by 9 a.m.," said Shoffner.

Throughout the week, cyclists have experienced almost every type of weather from blistering sun to driving rain.

"This is my first time," Carroll said. "In didn't know what to expect, but it's been great. Was it fun? Well it was more of a challenge."