“The Missouri Heartland Tour”
C.A.M. (Cycle Across Missouri)
 Sunday through Friday, June 8-13

The HEARTLAND OF MISSOURI welcomes you . Cycle from William Woods College in Fulton to Hermann, Jefferson City, Columbia, Fayette and back to Fulton. Excitement, history, novelty, and adventure await bikers who register for C.A.M. (Cycle Across Missouri), “The Missouri Heartland Tour.”

Fulton, in the “Kingdom of Callaway,” became the county seat in 1825. Early residents from a southern culture established an agricultural economy. In 1884, the Missouri General Assembly voted to establish an “asylum for the insane” in Fulton (the first mental health facility west of the Missisippi). Later in 1851, the Assembly established a school for the deaf in Fulton. In 1940, the movie “King’s Row,” (based on a novel written by Fulton native Henry Bellamann) raised questions about the resemblance it had to individuals around the area. The cast included Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, and Ronald Reagan. (The actual suit worn by Ronald Reagan, is on display at the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.) The internationally known Winston Churchill Memorial and Library invites visitors to learn about his famous Iron Curtain speech at Westminster College. Other speakers who followed this trend setting speech include Margaret Thatcher, Harry S. Truman, Gerald R. Ford, Ronald W. Reagan, George W. Bush, and Mikhail Gorbachev. The Memorial building is a replica of a London church designed by the famous architect, Christopher Wren. The original church was destroyed in the bombing of London. Remaining parts were carefully shipped to Westminster College and combined with new parts according to the original architect’s blue prints. In the quadrangle at Westminster College, riders can view a sculpture made from a section of the Berlin Wall entitled “Break Through.” There are many museums and displays in Fulton including an Antique Car Museum and Genealogy research at the Historical Society. The Fulton Visitors Center features a display of “King’s Row” memorabilia.

Life-size depiction of Beetle Bailey as a college student with creator Mort Walker on the U. of Missouri campus. This statue is one of the many sites you can see on this tour.

On the way to Hermann, cyclists visit the Starkenberg Shrine nestled in the hills of Rhineland, named for its similarity to the Rhine River region in Germany. And you will love the new bridge into Hermann that allows plenty of room for bicyclists.

Hermann was a dream. Founded in 1836 this German settlement became a refuge for German heritage. Currently Hermann’s pride in its history is evident in the architectural restorations throughout the village and countryside. Visit the Deutschheim State Historic Site; see the Pommer-Gentner house, built in 1840, a sterling example of high-style German neoclassicism. Behind the house is a period garden and exhibit of 19th century tools. In town, enjoy the fruits of “The Chocolate Box,” “The Bakery” or visit the Oak Glenn Vineyards & Winery (2 miles east of Hermann). 

See awesome views as you cycle. Select challenging hills with minimal traffic or choose 15 miles of Katy Trail beyond Hermann and miss three big (but beautiful) hills. In Portland, MO, enjoy resting at the “Riverfront Bar/Grill.” In Tebbetts, stop at a small park or purchase ice cream in the local store.

Arriving in Jefferson City, the geographic center of the state, riders will pass the Missouri State Capitol and its world famous statues. (When first chosen for the state capital, the name proposed was “Missouriopolis.”) One may also view the Governor’s Mansion, the Riverfront Art Gallery, Lincoln University of Missouri, and the Missouri Veterinary Museum (the only museum in the United States devoted entirely to veterinary medicine). Cyclists spend the night at the local “Y” and eat breakfast at the “Roly Poly,” just across the street. 

Leaving Jefferson City on the way to Columbia, riders go through Holts Summit and experience real nostalgia at seeing the ooooold McDonald’s Hamburgers sign citing “over 100 Million sold” at a price of “15 cents”! Riding on through Callaway County, that’s the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant you see in the distance. To recover from the sight, buy a Bascom Robbins ice-cream cone as you enter your next overnight spot.

TWO NIGHTS IN COLUMBIA can mean a day of rest. Other options: a 37-mile ride to visit Rocheport and the Bourgeois Winery, using the Katy Trail or backroads; or you may even complete a Century Ride on your rest day! As you plan your own time in Columbia, you may want to see the bronze statue of Beetle Bailey on the campus of the University of Missouri. Also on UM campus, there is the Museum of Art & Archaeology. See the work of painters Thomas Hart Benton, John Steuart Curry , and Grant Wood. These artists created images that they hoped would ennoble the lives of the rural poor. At Stephens College, there is a beautiful Chapel designed by Eero Saarinen, the architect of the St. Louis arch. On Stadium Blvd. visitors may enjoy the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Garden. An excellent source of genealogical material may be found in the State Historical Society of Missouri. View the Suspended Globe, a bronze structure at the First National Bank in Columbia. Or enjoy a visit to Walt’s Bicycle Shop.

“Bessie” is one of the many cows you will see on this summer’s Missouri Heartland Tour.

On the fifth day of this Heartland Ride, we move toward Fayette, a friendly town of 2,800 people, including 800 university students (Central Methodist University with it’s unique Clock Tower). Having received a federal grant for streetscape improvements, there have been extensive downtown renovations. Stroll around the county courthouse square and visit Main Street shops, art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants. As an indication of their pride, citizens say, “Fayette proves that good things do come in small packages.” A side-trip from Fayette to visit the Boon’s Lick State Historical Site adds a round trip of 12 miles.

Leaving Fayette, cyclists will rest in the Harrisburg Park. Then after biking through Hallsville, cyclists complete the 6-day loop as they arrive in Fulton. Did you miss anything in Fulton the day this ride started? Spend time at the Heartland Museum and visit other sites if your schedule permits.

This ride is truly a “Missouri Heartland Tour.” You will see state and county capitals, farmland, small towns, and parks as you enjoy the camaraderie of other bikers. Cherish the memories.

Purchase your tickets online now by clicking HERE!

Click HERE to print out a paper brochure & registration.