Professional bicyclists love a crowd.

They might look unapproachable with their alien helmets, shaved legs, flashy spandex shorts and jerseys, but they want to see and hear people cheering them up the hills, around the corners and into your hometown.

Residents from St. Joseph to Kansas City will have a chance to watch some of the best cyclists in the world compete today in the Tour of Missouri, which kicks off behind St. Joseph’s City Hall on Edmond Street at 12:30 p.m.

A couple of the professional riders who competed last year told the News-Press they were pleasantly surprised at the number of vocal supporters who greeted them along the 500-mile route over the seven-day event.

Tour riders this year will get a good look at St. Joseph when they leave Civic Center Park on Frederick Avenue before catching Noyes Boulevard and jumping onto the Parkway all the way to Benton High School. South Siders can root for the 120 professional racers as they leave the city limits on King Hill Avenue to Missouri

Route V.

Parking spots become scarce as the 15 teams from around the globe take a right on Missouri Route JJ and start the climb up the bluffs to DeKalb. But spectators who stake out a spot on the hills will have a first-hand look at how these pros master a climb that leaves recreational cyclists with burning legs and gasping for air.

Most of St. Joseph’s parades make their way down Frederick, so if you’re used to lining the route for a parade, you can do the same for the ride. Keep in mind that vehicles will be prohibited from the actual route.

Areas along the Parkway with parking lots include Bartlett Park and at Bode Ice Arena/Phil Welch Stadium.

A unique perspective for spectators who don’t mind walking is at the top of the “S” turns on the Parkway just before it winds past Benton High School. The racers generally ride in a large group referred to as the “peloton” (a French word used to describe the densely packed group of riders), so watching them negotiate those tight turns en masse could be interesting.

They’ll also be hitting speeds of 40-plus mph as they race down the last stretch of the Parkway toward Alabama Street.

Jimmy Myers can be reached

at jimmym@npgco.com.