Tour de Shawnee

[Bike Chick]

I would highly recommend this ride if you like hills, scenic fall colors, southern hospitality and homemade goodies! DH and I did the Tour de Shawnee yesterday and even though it threatened rain early, the skies cleared and a tough (15mph) south wind blew in some warm air. The temp was in the high 70's but was 60 degrees when the ride started. It was a bit brisk but we soon warmed up to a 20+ percent climb at mile 3!!! The ride went up the ridge from the Mississippi River bottoms, back down into the bottoms then back up and down again. We did the 62 mile ride (which was actually 66) and half of it was climbing and the other half flat. It was challenging.

The rest stops and support were superb! The first rest stop was along the Mississippi River with hot coffee and homemade muffins; homemade cookies at stop two and three; grilled hot dogs and homemade pickles and cake at stop four; and homemade chili and goodies at the end. One volunteer proudly displayed his quilt made from ride t-shirts at a rest stop. He asked where everyone was from when they arrived.

The leaves were a little past their peak but were still beautiful. The climbs were tough but the rewards were the views, riding through the bluffs, and awesome, curvy descents. The ride ended with a loop around Horseshoe Lake. The only bad comment I have is that a majority of the county roads were chip and seal. These, of course, were where the climbs were and made it much harder.

This was the second year they have done this ride and they have done a great job. I'm glad it's in my back yard and plan to do it again next year. Personally, I wouldn't drive more than a couple of hours to do it, but that's me. Two riders did travel from Chicago to do the century. I hope they weren't disappointed.