Monday, July 13, 2009

A Solution For Peter Kinder and the Tour of Missouri

The Tour of Missouri is less than two months away, and it's unclear as of now whether Governor Jay Nixon will release funds that were set aside to stage the bicycle race. I think it's time for Kinder to offer the stage to Lance Armstrong specifically his message to raise awareness of cancer. I think the combination of the state of Missouri with its prestigious universities like Washington University and St. Louis University, both doing tremendous work in cancer research, it may be time to leverage their research to bring Lance Armstrong to Missouri.

It could be a win/win situation for both the state and the Tour of Missouri and Lance Armstrong. If the race was to offer an additional method to promote Armstrong's Livestrong charity with a cancer awareness program, it may be the right combination to get Armstrong to race in Missouri. There is little doubt that if Armstrong races, Missouri will see crowds lined up to watch the legend race on Missouri roads.

My thought is if the state was to work with Armstrong to promote cancer research through its Universities and promote Armstrong's work while offering a place where representatives from Livestrong can have access to the fans and the community, it may be enough to win the opportunity to have one of cyclists greatest race and increase the economic impact for Missouri. I have seen Armstrong do a similar thing as a retired cyclist in Iowa during RAGBRAI. Lance came back to cycling to give him a bigger stage to encourage cancer's victims and help find a cure. Livestrong is a fine organization, and I believe Missouri can work with Livestrong to find the cure in Missouri's universities. It really could be a win/win situation. Lance wants a stage to raise awarness. Let Missouri be one of his stages for seven days and more.
Posted by Bungalow Bill
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3 comments:

  2. If Peter Kinder could successfully negotiate a place in the Tour of Missouri for Lance to come and race while raising cancer awareness, you know Governor Nixon would go out of his way to find a photo op with the world's greatest cyclist. Nixon would hog the coverage from Kinder, even though it's Kinder's office who has been responsible for the success of the Tour of Missouri.

    The story behind the Tour's conception is amazing. I feel I planted a seed many years ago indirectly. A Springfield businessman proposed the idea to Governor Matt Blunt. Blunt was open to the idea and has Kinder's office research it.

    Obviously, I didn't plant the main seed; however, Governor Blunt and I grew up together in Strafford. I spent one summer mowing laws to by my first real bike, a Raleigh Olympian. I got all my friends on bikes that summer in junior high, and I encouraged them to ride long distances with me. I actually talked Matt into riding Springbike's Dogwood Century (1984 or 85?) with me when we were in seventh grade. It is a 62 mile ride with some serious climbs in the Sparta, Clever, and Bradleyville area of Missouri. His parents said it was okay, and on the morning of the ride, Roy Blunt dropped Matt off at my house. Before we left, Mr. Blunt decided he wanted a little more information. When my dad figured out where it was, he managed to talk Mr. Blunt out of letting Matt go. Of course, my dad didn't think I could handle the hills either. He was wrong though. The next year I rode the course without any problems. I have ridden those roads many times since. Maybe, just maybe I planted a seed way back in the day.

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  3. I love your stories. Makes me nostalgic for the days when life was much simpler and happier.

    My son (the autistic teenager) loves to ride. He, my oldest son (the Limbaugh baby), and a bunch of friends rode 34 miles one day, and I guess Noah had to lead the pack the whole time. It's an experience he still talks about. Who knows? Maybe Lance will have competition one day.

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