Rural Missouri Magazine features Tour of Missouri 2008
Submitted by MoBikeFed Admin on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 4:44pm
Rural Missouri Magazine has a great story about the Tour of Missouri, summarizing all the developments and what to expect this year:
It's great to see these organizations, which represent rural constituencies in Missouri, seeing the benefits of bicycling and bicycle tourism in Missouri--because bicycle tourism is a great way to ramp up the economies in rural areas while still maintaining that wonderful rural lifestyle that so much of Missouri enjoys.
The international cycling community, along with many Missourians who last year didn’t know the sport existed, will be focused on Missouri as the tour returns for the second time Sept. 8-14. The tour will bring 120 world-class cyclists — including those fresh from the Tour de France and the recent Olympic games — to the state. They will compete over seven stages covering 600 miles of tough terrain to crown the eventual champion.One of the great things about the Tour is how it involves people and communities from all around the state--cities large and small. Rural Missouri magazine is published by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, which is one of the sponsors of this year's Tour. The Missouri Farm Bureau is also a Tour sponsor.
Most of the route goes through small towns and along rural roads, including Platte City, Deepwater, Swedeborg, St. Thomas and Defiance. The tour features some of Missouri’s finest tourist destinations, from the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph to Branson’s music and the Lewis and Clark attractions at St. Charles.
Those who turned out for last year’s tour will see new attractions for the 2008 edition. Gone is Team Discovery, made famous by Lance Armstrong, which made its farewell tour in Missouri. In its place is up-and-coming Team Columbia, featuring Hincapie and other elite riders.
Another team coming to the event is Rock Racing, known as the “Bad Boys of Cycling” for their on- and off-bike antics. Rock Racing, sponsored by the Rock and Republic clothing line, shows up in outrageously decorated Cadillac Escalade SUVs.
“Without a doubt, this is a deeper field than last year,” said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of event organizer Medalist Sports. “We have three teams that played major roles at the Tour de France this year.
It's great to see these organizations, which represent rural constituencies in Missouri, seeing the benefits of bicycling and bicycle tourism in Missouri--because bicycle tourism is a great way to ramp up the economies in rural areas while still maintaining that wonderful rural lifestyle that so much of Missouri enjoys.
Tags:
- Tour of Missouri
- 2008
- about
- accommodation
- bicycle
- bicycling
- city
- clothing
- columbia
- community
- cycling
- lance armstrong
- lewis and clark
- missouri
- music
- racing
- roads
- rural
- sponsor
- sports
- story
- teams
- tour de france
- tourism
- Chris Aronhalt
- Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
- Lance Armstrong
- Midwestern United States
- Missouri
- Missouri
- Olympic games
- Platte City
- Pony Express Museum
- St. Joseph
- the Tour de France
- Tour of Missouri
« Previous story: 30 minute Tour of Missouri wrapup nightly on Fox Sports Network
» Next story: Tour of Missouri announces teams participating in 2008
Join MoBikeFed's Advocacy Network
MoBikeFed is a statewide group of people like you, working together for better bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri. When you join our advocacy network you receive occasional important advocacy alerts and bicycle, pedestrian, and trails news from around Missouri.
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Current topics...
Archives...
Want better bicycling and walking in Missouri?
We rely on the support of members like you. Please join, renew, or donate today.
- Home
- JOIN/DONATE
- News/Info
- Missouri Bicycling, Running, Trails
- Bicycle Skills and Safety
- Missouri Bike/Ped Law
- Clubs and Organizations
- Bike Shops
- Running Shops
- Bicycling, Running, Trails-related Businesses
- Ride, Run, Walk, Hike, Triathlon, and Events Calendars
- Bicycles on Amtrak
- Maps and Routes
- Trails and Trail Maps
- IBikeMO.org
- Planning a Missouri bicycle trip
- Gravel and Bikepacking Maps & Routes
- Bicycle & Touring Routes
- Advocacy
- Campaigns
- Our Legislative Platform
- Complete Streets
- Statewide Rock Island Trail
- Statewide Trail Vision - Quad State Trail
- Bicycle Friendly Missouri
- Walk Friendly Missouri
- Safe Routes to School
- MoDOT funding crisis
- High Priority Bike/Ped Project List
- Anti-harassment laws in cities & statewide
- Updating the basic bicycle law
- Our Vision for MoDOT
- Our Vision for MPOs/RPCs
- Our Vision for Cities & Counties
- Bicycle, pedestrian, trails plans across MO
- Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
- Vision Zero
- Missouri Trail Towns
- Store
- About