Semoball

21st annual Tour de Corn held in East Prairie

Tour de Corn participants ride along the 33-mile route along farm roads and country highways outside East Prairie, Mo., Saturday, June 25.
Christian Johnson/Delta Dunklin Democrat

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Nearly 900 cyclists gathered in East Prairie Saturday for the annual Tour de Corn charity bike ride and 48th annual Sweet Corn Festival. 

Without famed races like the Tour de France or Giro d’Italia, it’s easy for many to disregard cycling as a physical sport in this area. Southeast Missouri cyclists may not be traversing the Alpe d'Huez but it’s no question that riding 100 miles on a bike takes a great deal of physical and mental endurance. 

It’s not just about who takes home first place, though, according to committee member Emily Dahlbeck. She describes the Tour de Corn, especially the century ride, as “a serious ride who doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

Dahlbeck grew up in East Prairie and holds the same appreciation for the original inspirations for the ride: cycling, agriculture, and most of all, community. An event of this scale isn’t possible without the work of the entire community, and volunteers on race day come from all over, from neighboring towns like Charleston and Benton to all the way from Texas. 

“Yes, it brings people into town, and yes, there’s a revenue opportunity with it,” Dahlbeck says. “But, really it’s a point of pride to think that this is a small little town and there are riders from Massachusetts, South Carolina and California out there on our roads.”

Pictured center, Tour de Corn committee member Emily Dahlbeck, and other ride volunteers pose for a photo in East Prairie, Mo., Saturday, June 25.
Christian Johnson/Delta Dunklin Democrat

The Tour de Corn serves as an oasis for cyclists around the country to come ride with others who share the same passion. Starting in 2001 after local cyclist and farmer Mike Bryant approached city officials to sponsor a ride, the Tour de Corn has grown in attendance from 175 in 2002 to nearly 1,200 in 2019. 

The ride welcomes people of every age, race, body size and physical ability. The Tour de Corn is unique in that it offers a variety of routes including 15 miles, 33 miles, 64 miles and 100 miles. It’s common to see cycling veterans riding alongside young parents with children in tow along the way. 

Shaina Williams hails from Jackson, Mo., but she makes the drive down every year along with other members of the Chics Dig Bikes cycling club. This year, she rode 64 miles around the quiet highways and country roads of East Prairie. She says cycling provides an outlet for fitness, as well as a way to socialize with her friends who share the same hobby. 

Pictured right, Shaina Williams, and other members of the Chics Dig Bikes cycling club line up to ride the 64-mile route of the Tour de Corn in East Prairie, Mo., Saturday, June 25.
Christian Johnson/Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We love this event because it has great food, great people, and it’s a great atmosphere,” Williams said. “The community as a whole is amazing. We love it; they’re very welcoming and we look forward to coming back every year.”

The Tour de Corn offers SAG support and rest areas throughout each route well-stocked with Gatorade, carbs and, you guessed it: corn. Temperatures reached near 100 degrees on Saturday, and all rest areas were well-equipped to support a near-record number of attendees. 

The Tour de Corn serves as an introduction for many cyclists who may be attempting their first long ride. The flat landscape makes it much easier to complete a first century ride, especially for those traveling from more mountainous areas. 

The ride provides something for just about every cyclist, but at the heart of the event is charity. With proceeds from the Tour de Corn, the committee donates to a number of local charities and others like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The ride has also provided funding for a local scholarship in recent years. 

Chaffee, Mo., native Steve Loucks has been a cyclist on and off since childhood, but he decided to get serious about the sport after he retired.

“The main thing is to enjoy the ride,” Loucks said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: