MISSOURI BICYCLE FEDERATION NEWS
special mid-month Tour of Missouri edition

• Tour of Missouri 2007 wrap-up: 600,000 spectators in 6 days

• Tour of Missouri screensaver & computer wallpaper available

• "Thank you" letter to MoBikeFed members & supporters from Lt. Governor Peter Kinder

TOUR OF MISSOURI 2007 WRAP-UP: 600,000 SPECTATORS IN 6 DAYS

By now you probably know that last week's Tour of Missouri was a huge success, exceeding all expectations. This week, the front-page story in Ingram's Magazine, a respected business-oriented magazine in the Kansas City area, is "Missouri Wins: 600,000 spectators enjoy the
inaugural 6-day, 600 mile Tour of Missouri".

Reports are that Stage 6 of the Tour in St. Louis brought out 55,000-65,000 spectators--putting it on par with the Rams and Cardinals games held that same afternoon, which together attracted 110,000 spectators.

Other news outlets have reported that the tour has well exceeded the goal of $20 million in economic impact.

As Statewide Volunteer Coordinator for the Tour, I had an inside view of the workings of the Tour--and I can say that it was a very well-run event that surpassed my expectations in every way. The crowds were nothing short of enormous.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are now committing to bringing the Tour of Missouri back for 2 more years, with the goal of making it an ongoing annual event.

You may know that Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has taken the lead in organizing and promoting the Tour. He has been traveling the state for the past 18 months or so, talking to numerous groups about the Tour of Missouri and the health, fitness, and economic development opportunities that go along with it.

Along the way, Kinder has turned into one of the biggest supporters of bicycling, health, and fitness in Missouri. Gov. Kinder sends a special message to MoBikeFed members and supporters (see below).

TOUR OF MISSOURI SCREENSAVER & COMPUTER WALLPAPER AVAILABLE

Tour of Missouri 2007 screensaver & computer wallpaper, with high-quality photos of each of the 6 stages, is now online:
http://mobikefed.org/tourofmissouri/wallpaper
 

LETTER TO MOBIKEFED MEMBERS & SUPPORTERS FROM LT. GOVERNOR PETER KINDER
 

Dear Missouri Bicycle Federation member or supporter:

Thank you so much for helping us make the inaugural Tour of Missouri a first-class international event. Whether you mentioned the race to all your friends, followed all six days of the event, or just attended a single stage, the Tour of Missouri would not have been as successful without your help.

I traveled along with the Tour for all six stages, and I heard the same sentiments everywhere in the state:
 

• "What an awesome event!"

• "Please bring this back next year."

• "I'm so glad this came through my town/our state."

• "I won't have the chance to attend the Tour de France, and the Tour of Missouri was just as good."

• "Everyone was so nice."
   

Your organization played an integral part in the success of the Tour of Missouri. I look forward to working with the Missouri Bicycle Federation to promote cycling safety and education over the next year.

I know you are excited for the second Tour of Missouri next year. We will strive to make the 2008 race another phenomenal success. Thanks again for all your help.

Sincerely,

PETER KINDER
Lieutenant Governor
peter.kinder@ltgov.mo.gov


Join/renew your MoBikeFed membership by September 28th and get a FREE LED blinky light:
http://MoBikeFed.org/join