Making it safe for men to go very fast on bikes

More than 120 of the world’s best bicycle racers hit the road in Missouri on Monday. In seven days they’ll race almost 600 miles.

A cooperative effort of the highway patrol, the state transportation department, local law enforcement, and race organizers will keep vehicles and bicyclists apart and give the racers smooth, clear roads.

The Second Tour of Missouri begins in St. Joseph on Monday, with a 90-mile pedal to Kansas City. Succeeding stages take the racers as far south as Branson, then back north to Jefferson City before the racers turn east and finish in St. Louis.

The state transportation department’s Sally Oxenhandler says last year’s experience helps anticipate this year’s event.

The department and law enforcement will maintain a series of rolling roadblocks ahead of and behind the racers to clear the road and to keep traffic from running up on them. Oxenhandler says department employees have checked the roads to make sure there are no construction problems…or dead animals that can mean disaster for people going 40 miles an hour or more. Last year’s winner averaged 33 miles an hour.

You can find the department’s race map and schedule by clicking on:

http://www.modot.mo.gov/tourofmissouri/index.htm