Tour De Shawnee

Welcome to the Tour de Shawnee Presented by Olive Branch, Alexander County, Illinois Saturday, October 27, 2012 Great Routes! Horseshoe Lake Great Rest Stops! Shawnee National Forest Great Sponsors! The Ohio River Great People! The Mississippi River GREAT EVENT!!!The Best Little Ride in the Midwest! Home

Thank you for a funtastic 2011 event!

The Ride

TOUR: 15 Mile - 30 Mile - 45 Mile - 62 Mile and 100 Mile rides

LOCATION: Horseshoe Lake Community Center,

Olive Branch, Illinois

REGISTRATION: $25.00 before October 19

$30.00 after October 19

Children under 14 are free with adult registered

entry fee includes: Event bag, chance for attendance

prizes. Early registration includes commemorative

t shirt.

RIDING ROUTE: Thru beautiful Alexander County and

Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area

great photos and feedback of this years event on facebook

2011 rider feedback survey

Enewsletter sign up

The Routes 116

Riding Routes

15 Mile

TDS 15 mile map.pdf

Map My Ride

The Area

Alexander County Tourism

FACILITIES AND SERVICESLodgingDays Inn13201 Kessler Road(at I-57, Exit 1)Cairo, IL 62914(618) 734-0215Check in time is at 1:30.Mention the Tour de Shawnee and get a discount (Full-size bed=$48+tax; King bed=$53+tax; Two beds=$57+tax). Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool open until 9:00PM. Free HBO. Wireless internet. Complimentary continental breakfast.Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins & CampingGrand Chain Lodge495 Lighthouse LaneGrand Chain, IL 62941www.grandchainlodge.comRooms and cabins, and campsites, available. Rooms rent for $70 per night, plus tax; cabins (sleep up to six) rent for $120 per nightcontact Clint Green for reservations at 618-745-6226 or pcda_earthlink.net; campsites rent for $20 per nightcall Orland Cline for reservations at 618-697-7740.Davie School Inn300 Freeman StreetAnna, IL 62906618-833-2377www.davieschoolinn.comBeautiful historic renovation in Union County only 30 minutes north of the starting line in Olive Branch.Thebes Landing RV Park and Campground 200 Second StreetThebes IL 62990Overnight camping on the banks of the Mississippi River; 25 RV hookups/6 acres of unimproved tent camping/4 individual showers; concession stand open Tues-Sun; free boat ramp. For reservations call Neal Day 573-621-0078 or thebeslanding_yahoo.comHummingbird Hollow Bed & Breakfast31317 McDaniel School RoadTamms, IL 62988(618) 747-2316www.hummingbirdhollowbb.comPond, birding, secluded, queen beds, whirlpool tub, fireplace, full kitchen, hot breakfast delivered to your room, 2 suites, private baths, smoking outdoors. Rest in Peace CampgroundOn Grapevine Trail, 6 miles from Route 3 between McClure & Tamms(618) 747-9344Primitive sites as well as full hookups, along with a shower house and dump station. Surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. West Side Drive Campground at Horseshoe LakeOperated by Illinois Department of Natural Resources 618-776-5689Reservations may be made at www.reserveamerica.comCape Girardeau Visitors Bureauwww.visitcape.comRestaurantsKozy Korner (near Horseshoe Lake)State Highway Three NorthOlive Branch, IL 62969(618) 776-8396Hours: 4:30 am to 8:00 pmMabels Table2400 Lost Acres RoadOlive Branch, IL 62969(618) 776-5640Hours: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm M-Th; 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Fri-Sat; 6:00 am to 4:00 pm SunGradys Bar-ge200 Second StreetThebes IL 62990Bar and restaurant on a barge on the Mississippi RiverMacks3201 Sycamore StreetCairo, IL 62914(618) 734-9847Hours: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every dayChris Diner13973 State Hwy 37Cairo, IL 62914(618) 734-9880Hours: 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Sun-Thurs; 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Fri; closed SaturdayNu Diner Restaurant300 Washington AvenueCairo, Illinois 62914(618)734-2373Hours: 6:30 am to 7:30 pmShemwell's Barbeque1102 Washington AvenueCairo, IL 62914(618) 734-0165Hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.Ouidas TavernEast Side DriveHorseshoe Lake Drive(618) 776-8380Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm every dayBluffs Family Restaurant_ the Grand Chain Lodge495 Lighthouse LaneGrand Chain, IL 62941(618) 634-9866Hours: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Fri-Sat; 11:00 am to 4:00 pm SunGrocery StoresSuperValu Foods1908 Washington AvenueCairo, IL 62914(618) 734-0951Hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pmFoodtown Grocery26660 State Highway ThreeOlive Branch, IL 62969(618) 776-5935Hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pmButcher Block 2102 Russell AvenueTamms, IL 62988(618) 747-2333Hours: 5:00 am to 8:45 pmBike ShopsThere are no bike shops in Alexander County. Plan to arrive at the start of the bike ride with all the bike parts, tools, and cycling accessories you will need. Mechanical support services for Tour de Shawnee will be provided by area bike shops. HospitalTwo hospitals are located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.Medical support services for medical situations that require immediate attention will be provided by paramedics and an ambulance stationed in Olive Branch by calling 911.Amtrak Train StationThe nearest Amtrak station is in Carbondale, Illinois, approximately 60 miles from Olive Branch.ParkingParking will be available near the Horseshoe Lake Community Center, Horseshoe Lake Fire Station and off the highway area near the Community Center.Outdoor AdventureRock SpringsOff Hwy 3 (W ½ mile of Thebes spur.)Once owned by the Missouri/Pacific Railroad, this scenic spot with natural springs is a favorite picnic place in the county.Horseshoe Lake Hiking/Biking TrailJust east of Illinois Route 3 in Alexander County, 7 miles north of Cairo, this 5.5 mile trail takes in the beauty of Horseshoe Lake. Horseshoe Lake Conservation AreaOff Route 3, 7 miles north of Cairo(618) 776-5689The 9,550-acre area includes a 2,400-acre shallow lake. The lake resembles a Louisiana bayou with wading herons and large stands of cypress, cottonwoods and tupelo gum trees. In addition to taking in the beauty of the natural features of the area, visitors enjoy picnicking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting as well as 5.5 miles of hiking/biking rails. Tamms Cache River AccessOff Highway 127 at Tamms, turn east on Pumphouse Road and go 1 block to parking lot.(618) 634-2231 (Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge headquarters)This site offers hunting, wildlife observation opportunities and seasonal canoeing and bank fishing along the Cache.Century Oak StablesPigeon Roost Road and Old Duff Road(618) 776-6093 songbird36_yahoo.comHorse rental. boarding, grooming and lessons. Three miles east of Route 3.Museums, Historic Sites & HomesThe Old Depot425 Front StreetTamms, Illinois 62988(618) 747 2353Built in the 1890s for the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, the uniquely designed Old Depot has been restored as a museum and city hall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A war memorial is located on the grounds. Open Mon. Fri. from 8 am to noon and from 1:00 4:00 pm. Free admission.Thebes CourthouseOff Route 3Thebes, Illinois 62990(618) 764-2658A hand-hewn stone courthouse built in 1845, the courthouse crowns a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Folklore indicates that Abraham Lincoln, riding circuit, practiced law here. Tours may be arranged with advance notice. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Free admission.Magnolia Manor2700 Washington AvenueCairo, Illinois 62914Built in 1869 by Charles Galigher, a friend of President Grant, the brick mansion boasts 14 rooms featuring Italianate architecture. Visitors admire the high ceilings and spacious rooms adorned in fine original furnishings designed for gracious living of the period. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Riverlore2723 Washington AvenueCairo, Illinois 62914Located across from Magnolia Manor, this elegant French Second Empire style home is a photographers delight. Riverlore was built in 1965 for Captain William Parker Halliday who was president of Cairos first bank. His earlier steamboat career prompted him to build a Captains Walk atop the third story. Beautiful gardens surround the home. Admission fee.Safford Memorial LibraryCairo Public Library1609 Washington AvenueCairo, Illinois 62914(618) 734-1840This working library of Queen Anne architecture houses a valuable collection of Civil War documents and a museum-quality collection of antiques and paintings donated by patrons. A few of the items displayed include a steamboat gambling table and a Tiffany grandfather clock. Open 10 am to 5 pm, Mon-Fri. Donations accepted.The Hewer StatueNinth and Washington (Halliday Park)This sculpture, commissioned by the Halliday family in memory of Captain W.P. Halliday, was executed by George Grey Bernard. Shown at the 1904 St. Louis, Mo., Worlds Fair before being placed at Cairo.Cairo Custom House Museum14th and WashingtonCairo, Illinois 62914(618) 734-9632Completed in 1872, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and established as a Civil War and local history museum in 1992. Housed in the Museum is the desk used by General U.S. Grant at his headquarters while stationed in Cairo for six months during the Civil War. A new Lewis & Clark exhibit is on display. Individual rooms on the second floor depict old businesses and an art gallery. Open week days 10 a.m. 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. noon, Sun. 1 p.m. 4 p.m. Group and weekend tours can be arranged with advance notice. Small admission fee.Mighty Rivers Worship Center10th and PoplarLocated across from the Hewer Statue, the Baptist Church was organized in 1880.Church of the Redeemer-Episcopal6th and WashingtonOrganized in 1840, the first church was replaced by the present building in 1888 at a cost of $30,899. The beautiful brown stone edifice boasts ornate stained glass windows and gold gilded cross. Tours may be arranged with advance notice. Free admissionSt. Patrick Catholic ChurchNinth and Washington Avenue(618) 734-2061The present church, build in 1894, is a stately Romanesque structure of Bedford stone. The oldest church in Cairo, it has three bells and numerous stained glass windows.

Horseshoe Lake Chamber of Commerce

Left click on paragraph above to enlarge

Area information TDS.doc

Our Partners

Rest Stop Sponsors

Anderson Cemetery - Greyhound Pets of America

Ft. Defiance Park - Frances Lee and Friends

Horseshoe Lake - Tabatha Smith

Mounds - SIDEZ

Olive Branch - Horseshoe Lake CC

Tamms Depot - Goodbread's Lost Acres

Thebes - Thebes Historical Society

Egyptian High School- The Student Council

Our Partners

Title Partner

Wood & Huston Bank

Silver Level

American Commerical Lines,Beussink, Hey, Roe & Stroder,

Natural Health Organic Foods,

Semostore.com

Bronze Level

Britton's Wrecker Service,Capaha Bank,City of Cairo, First State Bank of Olmsted,

Ford Groves, Grand Rivers Community Bank,

Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Oil Dri, Oppenheimer Funds,

River Bend Rice, Rogan's Country Pharmacy, Unimum, White & Borgognoni Architects,

Donors

Big Shark - St.Louis, Bode Drugs, Bunny Bread, Cape Bike and Fitness, Cairo Baptist Church, CycleWerx,, Foodtown,

Happry Helpers Pantry, Harrah's,Horseshoe Lake Chamber of Commerce, One Moore Productions, Ouidas Horseshoe Tavern,

Rob Brunk Design, Stop n Shop, SIU Press, S.M.A.R.T., Triple E BBQ, Unimum, Venegoni Distributing, Von Jokab Brewery,Velo Girardeau Bike Club , Village of Tamms

About Us

Founding Partners

Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone (SIDEZ) serves Pulaski, Alexander and Johnson Counties.The empowerment zone was created to offer communities opportunities for growth and revitalization according to four key principles.1. Economic Opportunity2. Sustainable Community Development3. Community-based Partnerships4. Strategic Vision for ChangeThe SIDEZ portion of the Tour de Shawnee proceeds will first be applied to the endowment of the Willard Murrie Scholarship fund set aside for a Shawnee Community College student that demonstrates an interest in community development. Amy Cox, Executive Director618-745-6307
Alexander County Tourism The purpose for which the corporation is organized are to raise awareness of the history, historical sites, the recreational areas and the scenic beauty of the whole of Alexander county and surrounding areas, and to promote tourism business to assist with the economic development of the County and Surrounding areas.Evelyn CaldwellExecutive Director An Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation

Have questions?

Call us at 866.407.1450

or email us below

FUNDRAISING: Monies generated will support the development of regional tourism and bicycling in Alexander County and the establishment of the Willard Murrie Scholarship at Shawnee Community College

The Buzz

Feedback

It was FANTASTIC! I couldn't believe how well the entire event was considering it was the first year. Some of the roads were just a bit rough but otherwise, routes great, rest stops great, people great, the entire event, FANTASTIC. Excellent fee and such a nice bag full of goodies. You need to include the bowl of chili and soup available at the end of the ride. on your website. Talk about the best chili I have ever had. That alone was worth the entry fee. Thanks again for such a wonderful event. Please extend my thank you to all of the volunteers. They bent over backwards to make our day. I ride over 7, 000 miles a year and this is an event I would like to attend again and again. I have already told many cycling friends not to miss this next year.
I've been attending organized rides since the late 70's. This ride is very well done. It's really a treat to have so many rest stops.enjoyable event, worth the travel from stlWell done guys. Routes marked very good, rest stops well supplied and very friendly staff.My biking buddy and I agreed that it was about the best 1-day tour we've been on, and we've been on a bunch. The no.1 plus was the quality and people of the rest stops. We really liked the personal touch of genuinely fine area folks manning the stops and offering their homemade goodies to us....from their cookies to zuccini bread to pickled green tomatoes! Beats by far the usual store cookies and banana chunks!

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