Topic: 2007 Tour de Stooges Bicycling Event

[BeAStooge]

Site member(s) "Tour de Stooges" will host the 10th Annual Tour de Stooges on May 5, 2007 in Lebanon IL, honoring nearby St. Louis native Joe Besser...

http://stooges.rogerkramercycling.org/

Come join us on Saturday, May 5, 2007, for the 10th edition of the Tour de Stooges bicycle tour at McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill. Registration for the 2007 event likely will open Jan 1.

The Tour de Stooges consists of five routes ranging from 13 to 63 miles — a ride intended for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Our routes are on lightly traveled rural roads in Southwestern Illinois and within easy driving distance of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

After the ride, enjoy the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet at McKendree College and all the slapstick comedy you can stand.

The 2006 Tour de Stooges had more than 500 riders from 15 states. The Tour de Stooges has been featured in Bicycling Magazine's Close to Home roundup of readers' favorite rides.

http://stooges.rogerkramercycling.org/HTML/stoogeride.htm

Tour de Stooges celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2007, and we still don't think we have to resort to a poke in the eye or a punch in the stomach to get you to ride in the Tour de Stooges on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill.

We are hoping to have plenty of extra surprises for you in 2007, and it's "not so haaaaard" to figure out what else is special about the 2007 edition of the Tour de Stooges. Comedian Joe Besser was born in St. Louis in 1907, so we are honoring him as well this year. Joe's stint with your favorite team was short, but he was the only one who wasn't born on the East Coast.

The cost of the tour not only includes a trip on beautiful flat to gently rolling country roads in St. Clair, Madison and Clinton counties in Illinois, but it includes a buffet brunch and all the slapstick comedy you can stand.

If you think it's far-fetched to combined cycling and slapstick comedy, then you're in for a big surprise. For example, a trio of stooges did their part to promote cycling by riding a bicycle built for three in their Oscar-nominated short "Men in Black" and in the films "Whoops, I'm an Indian" and "Three Sappy People."

Ride Scenic Country Roads

Day-of-ride registration takes place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. You can take off as soon as you finish registration. Once on the road, you have several options available:

The Joe Besser "Not So Hard" Route — 13 miles
The Curly Howard Shuffle — 19 miles
The Larry "Just" Fine Route — 30 miles
The Shemp Howard Shortcut — 42 miles
The Moe Howard Metric — 63 miles

Maps will be provided, and all roads will be marked. Rest stops stocked with food and water are available. SAG service provided by The Cyclery and our volunteers will be available until 3 p.m.

Food! Come and Get It!

On top of the food that will be served at the rest stops, you'll be able to feast on a brunch buffet served at Ames Hall at McKendree College. The buffet will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; we urge long-distance riders to start between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to make sure you're back in time.

For those of you on the longer routes, we also point out communities that have food available.

After the ride is done, you can enjoy some entertainment at Ames Hall!

Not Me! I Refuse!

We've heard that there's a few of you out there who don't like slapstick comedy. Don't worry, there's plenty to do in Lebanon after the ride. You can take a stroll through the McKendree campus or walk through Lebanon's neighborhoods to the historic downtown district and its antique shops. Lebanon's annual May Market also is held the same weekend as Tour de Stooges, so we encourage you to visit downtown Lebanon after the ride! We've even heard there's a few of you who don't like to bike. For $7, you can partake in the buffet and the entertainment.

What if it rains?

We know rain's always a possibility in early May, but the ride will go on rain or shine. You may consider bringing rain gear.

HELMETS ARE REQUIRED!

Registration information, and directions, are at the website links provided.

[TourdeStooges]

You still have until noon CDT on Friday, May 4, to sign up for the ride. If you can make it to Lebanon, which is just outside St. Louis, then I hope you'll be there!