Hundreds of bicyclists will cut through St. Charles County next month as they race toward a finish line 900 miles away.

The annual Race Across America has included St. Charles County on its 3,000-mile route for at least eight years, but this is the first year the local community has planned activities recognizing the event, said George Thomas, the race's director.

"We want to get to the point where towns know we are coming and are happy to have us," he said.

Some communities welcome the racers with festival-style activities, including fireworks displays, police escorts, swimming parties and barbecue tents, Thomas said. But in St. Charles County, the racers have passed virtually unnoticed.

Wentzville couple Steve and Kimberly Padilla are determined to change that. They own Wheel Sports Bicycle Shop on South Church Street in Wentzville, which just happens to lie on the Race Across America route.

Steve Padilla said he was unfamiliar with the race until last summer, when a customer sat in his parking lot and told him she was waiting to see the racers pass.

"I didn't know what she was talking about," Padilla said. "Then I saw two bikes and a chase vehicle go by. It seemed like every half hour, bikes were coming down the road."

Padilla enlisted other customers to stand along the road and cheer on the racers. Their applause seemed to make the cyclists push harder, he said. During the next four days, the Padillas kept their shop open 24 hours, providing free bike repairs for the racers.

This year, the Padillas have bigger plans. They are teaming with Wentzville Christian Church on Highway Z to open a hospitality center for the Race Across America cyclists. The church will provide lot space for racing teams to park their vehicles. Cyclists will be able to use the church's showers.

Kimberly Padilla said they are looking for volunteers to staff the center. They are also seeking donations of water and healthy food, such as fruit and granola.

Steve Padilla said he hoped publicity would increase the racers' safety, making motorists aware that hundreds of additional cyclists will be on the road during late June, many traveling at night.

The Padillas on May 11 asked the Wentzville Board of Aldermen to find additional ways for the city to support the race. Mayor Paul Lambi and other officials agreed that the city would help promote the event. They discussed using an electronic message board to welcome the racers.

The 30th annual Race Across America is scheduled to begin June 14 in Oceanside, Calif. Solo cyclists will launch first, followed by relay teams on June 18. The race concludes June 24-27 in Annapolis, Md. The route crosses 12 states and 88 counties.

Cyclists will enter St. Charles County from Washington in the southwest, proceeding northeast through Dutzow, New Melle and Wentzville, where they will turn east toward O'Fallon. They will continue north of Interstate 70, traveling east to St. Peters, then heading north on Highway C, east on Highway B, north on Highway H, east on Highway 94, and finally exiting the county through West Alton.

Thomas, based in the race's Colorado headquarters, said St. Charles County could expect about 1,000 people passing through during the race period. There are 340 racers, including soloists and relay team members. Each team or soloist has a crew of 5-15 people following in a van. Thomas said the race crews contribute to the local economy by purchasing food and gasoline, and staying in motels.

Though it is not mandatory, most racers use the event for charity fundraising, Thomas said. Last year, all the teams raised a combined $1 million for their charities, he said.