About this trip
Ride Historic Route-66 Paved Backroads along meandering trout streams and beaver ponds and past relics of yesteryear. Enjoy an optional 5-mile float down the Meramec River and explore the historic town of Cooks Station on the defunct Frisco Railway.
Our sponsors Visit-Rolla and Missouri Life team-up to bring you this "Loop-Style" ride. No need to move camp daily. Our venue sponsor "The Rolla Lions Club" is rolling out the red-carpet for this event as are our Beer and Wine Sponsors Public House Brewing and St. James Winery.
Camping not your thing? There are plenty of hotels right close to camp.
Nightly entertainment with live music included in your registration.
What’s included
- Kick-off DinnerThe Rolla Chamber and our event sponsors will provide a compliementary "Kick-off" dinner
- CampingThe Rolla Lions Club is our sponsor, providing first-class camping along a beautiful lakeside in town.
- Porkbelly CampOur Camping Charter "Porkbelly Ventures" provides: Hot Showers with fresh towel daily in their shower truck, hot coffee in the morning, charging station for laptops, cpap, cell phones etc...
- Hot Coffee in CampGrab a complimentary Coffee to get your day started. Breakfast in camp on Day #1 is included, there will be a breakfast food truck the other mornings
- Supported Water StopsWater and Snacks daily at water-stops spaced along the route
- Full Sag SupportNeed a "Bail-out"? Our Sag support vehicles are on the route and can take you back to camp or to the next water stop
- Mechanical SupportThrough are Ride Partner "Route-66 Bicycles" we have you covered for most mechanical issues. Sag vehicles can help with minor repairs on-route
- Shuttle to EventWe have secured shuttle transportation to/from the night's entertainment
- Nightly EntertainmentBig BAM brings a nightly after-ride "Hang-out" with a free drink and live music.
- Event T-Shirt
What’s not included
- Most MealsThe "Kick-Off" dinner is included and breakfast on your first morning are included, but other meals are on your own
- Hotel RoomsWe have a "Room Block" at the Comfort Suites (573) 368-4300 with Singles from $115 and Doubles from $143, but you are free to make your own hotel reservations at the place of your choice
Available Packages
The camping package includes:
- Event Kickoff Party
- Campsite for your own personal tent
- Shower Truck Access
- Hot Coffee and Continental Breakfast each morning
- Charging Stations
- Camp Security and Bike Corral
- Swag Bag with Event T-Shirt
- Full Sag Support each day
- Mechanical Support
- Shuttle into town each night
- Access to the After-Ride Parties with Live Music and free beverage
We have a "Room Block" at the Comfort Suites with Singles from $115 and Doubles from $143. Mention you are with "Big BAM" for the discount rate. (573) 368-4300.
You are also free to book at any other Rolla Hotel and then purchase the "Hotel" Option for the Rider Pass.
The Hotel Option includes:
- Event Kickoff Party
- Hot Coffee and Continental Breakfast each morning
- Swag Bag with Event T-Shirt
- Full Sag Support each day
- Mechanical Support
- Access to the After-Ride Parties with Live Music and free beverage
Available options
Our Shuttle vehicle will pick you up from the St. Louis Airport and shuttle you to Rolla at the start of your ride and back at the end.
Our camping charter partner "Porkbelly Ventures" will set up a tent for you with sleeping pad, sheets and pillow.
Our camping charter partner "Porkbelly Ventures" will set up a tent for you with sleeping pads, sheets and pillows.
Rental Bikes can be seen at www.katybikerental.com
We are running Marin Gestalts gravel/road bikes and Marin Fairfax sport hybrids.
We are running the Aventon Pace 500s. You can see them at: www.katybikerental.com
Once ordered, we will reach out to you for details.
We have a limited number of RV sites with Electrical Hook-ups.
On the afternoon of 8/27, Lucky Clover will offer a shuttle service from camp to the Meramec River for a 5-mile float.
On the afternoon of 8/27, Lucky Clover will offer a shuttle service from camp to the Meramec River for a 5-mile float.
On the afternoon of 8/27, Lucky Clover will offer a shuttle service from camp to the Meramec River for a 5-mile float.
Itinerary
THE CAMP
Lion's Club Park will be our home for 3 nights. Our campsite is in the back of the park along the lake and near electrical hook-ups for RVs. Porkbelly Ventures will be supplying the Shower Trailer, Chairs and Canopies, Charging Station for Cell Phones, CPAP Machines, Laptops and eBikes. They will also provide camp security while you are out on your ride.
Link to the Park Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YYqcDBfbpv2GdmBUA
REGISTRATION CHECK-IN
Check-in will be in camp at the Registration tent starting at 2pm.
DINNER INCLUDED
Our hosts Visit-MO, the Rolla Chamber and the Lions Club will host a complimentary "Kick-off" dinner for all registered riders.
KICK-OFF PARTY - 5-8
We start with introductions and a quick orientation session. Dinner is provided and all riders get a free drink. The Lion's club will have a cash-bar and Live music from 6-8pm.
MUSIC ACT
Southern Strings - Bluegrass from 6-8pm.
Check them out on YouTube: Southern Strings - Back Up and Push (youtube.com)
DAY #1 - Monday 8/26 - Hellbender Loop Ride - 64.1 Miles
THE RIDE
The Hellbender Loop is a holdover from the old "Tour of the Ozarks" and brings a lot of climbs combined with beautiful scenery.
Strava Link: ROLLA RAMBLE HELLBENDER LOOP | 64.1 mi Cycling Route on Strava
We leave camp and head down old Route-66 to the town of Doolittle Missouri where the Rolla Chamber will host a water-stop at the "Red-Shed" before you head south to the historic railroad town of Newburg; site of a massive railyard from a begone era.
We then loop down through Mill Creek Nature Preserve beside meandering trophy trout streams and beaver ponds.
From there we have another water-stop in Flat Missouri, which like it's namesake is the only flat spot on the ride.
WATER-STOPS
Red-Shed in Doolittle
FLAT Missouri Church
FOOD ENROUTE
Newburg - Blues Too - Serving Breakfast until 10am
Newburg - Perry's Poolhall opens at 1pm - Cold Brews
Red-Shed in Doolittle - We are working on getting a food truck
AFTER-RIDE PARTY
Public House Brewing in Rolla will host our "After-Ride" Hangout. Shuttle Service provided by USA Tours will run from the campground to the venue starting at 4pm and will continue until 8:30pm. All riders get a free drink with their drink token. Live music from 6-8pm
MUSIC ACT
TBD - We will update our Facebook site and this schedule when we sign an act for the event.
DAY #2 - Tuesday 8/27 - St. James Loop - 44 Miles
THE RIDE
The St. James Loop is a 44-mile loop ride through Rural Missouri Farm Country.
Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3192930899922825686
We leave camp and head north through downtown. Over the highway and then through Missouri Farm Country to "The Gardens" at Public House Brewing and St. James Winery which is our "Official Lunch Stop". The loop cuts back south and then west back into camp.
WATER-STOPS
The Garden at Public House Brewing & St. James Winery in St. James
FOOD ENROUTE
The Garden at Public House Brewing & St. James Winery in St. James
OPTIONAL FLOAT TRIP
Lucky Clover is our official float outfitter and will provide transportation from camp to their launch point for a 5 mile float on the Meramec river. Lucky Clover has a full line of Canoes and Kayaks. Afterwards they will bring you back to camp.
AFTER-RIDE PARTY
The city of Rolla will be hosting a "Block Party" downtown with vendors and music starting at 4pm. Shuttles will run from the campground from 4pm until 8:30pm with music running until 8pm. Our Beer & Wine sponsors: Public House Brewing and St. James Winery will be there, and all riders get a free drink with their drink token.
MUSIC ACT
TBD - We will update our Facebook site and this schedule when we sign an act for the event.
DAY #3 - Wednesday 8/28 - Cooks Station Out & Back - 55 Miles
THE RIDE
The Cook's Station ride is an "Out-and-Back" from the camp down to Historic Cook's Station, an early stop on the defunct Frisco Railway at the headwaters of the Meramec River. A local philanthropist is breathing new life into the community, capitalizing upon an up-tick in agrotourism.
Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3191092762061802110
WATER-STOP
Cook's Station
FOOD ENROUTE
We are working on a food truck for Cook's Station