Tour Da’ Delta Delivers New Cycling Event for Riders

Zoie Clift, Travel Writer
Arkansas Tourism

HELENA-WEST HELENA – The first annual Tour Da’ Delta will take place in historic Helena-West Helena on October 27.

The tour will bring a new sporting event to eastern Arkansas and aims to provide and introduce a genuine Delta experience to cyclists.

"Our event is a change in scenery for a lot of riders," said Michael Green, organizer of the event. "Crowley's Ridge has a lot to offer for the ones who do train here, and also (has) the endless flats to go as hard and long as you like."

All cyclists begin and end their ride at Mississippi River State Park. Riders can choose from 30-, 62- and 100-mile routes. All three take riders across the Mississippi River for a spin around Moon Lake before re-entering the state for more pedaling through the flat Delta. Those on the 100-mile loop will experience a change in terrain as they cross the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge three times.

At the end of the ride, refreshments will be provided in the gardens of a historic Victorian home located right behind the finish line.

The event is in honor of Tom (Chip) Kinnebrew, an avid cyclist and promoter of cycling in eastern Arkansas who tragically died on Brasstown Bald Mountain this past April during the Tour De Georgia. The Tour Da’ Delta was a dream of Kinnebrew’s as a means of stimulating interest in bicycling in the region. Before he passed away, he laid out a detailed outline for the Tour, which is now the blueprint for this event.

Helena is 60 miles south of Memphis and 25 miles from Tunica, MS. The event starts at 8 a.m. and registration is available online. On-site registration is also available and has been set at $40. Registration is also available the day of the race starting at 7 a.m. at Mississippi River State Park, which is just over the levee from the Phillips County Courthouse.