Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble

Rolla, MO, USA

BB
Big BAM
  • Email address verified
4 reviews
Aug 25 - 28, 2024
Group size: 1 - 300
Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble
Rolla, MO, USA

Big BAM
  • Email address verified
4 reviews

Aug 25 - 28, 2024
Group size: 1 - 300

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 Dinner
    The Rolla Chamber and our event sponsors will provide a compliementary "Kick-off" dinner
  • Camping
    The Rolla Lions Club is our sponsor, providing first-class camping along a beautiful lakeside in town.
  • Porkbelly Camp
    Our 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 Camp
    Grab 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 Stops
    Water and Snacks daily at water-stops spaced along the route
  • Full Sag Support
    Need 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 Support
    Through 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 Event
    We have secured shuttle transportation to/from the night's entertainment
  • Nightly Entertainment
    Big BAM brings a nightly after-ride "Hang-out" with a free drink and live music.
  • Event T-Shirt

What’s not included

  • Most Meals
    The "Kick-Off" dinner is included and breakfast on your first morning are included, but other meals are on your own
  • Hotel Rooms
    We 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

Camping Package

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 

$255
Deposit:$100
Hotel Option (and Local Rolla Residents)

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 

$155

Available options

St. Louis to Rolla Airport Shuttle
$200

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.

Concierge Tent Service - for One
$210

Our camping charter partner "Porkbelly Ventures" will set up a tent for you with sleeping pad, sheets and pillow.  

Concierge Tent Service for Two
$230

 Our camping charter partner "Porkbelly Ventures" will set up a tent for you with sleeping pads, sheets and pillows.   

Rental Bikes
$135

Rental Bikes can be seen at www.katybikerental.com


We are running Marin Gestalts gravel/road bikes and Marin Fairfax sport hybrids. 





eBike Rental
$180

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.

RV Electrical Hookup
$60
9 left

We have a limited number of RV sites with Electrical Hook-ups.

8/27 - 2-Man Canoe
$52

On the afternoon of 8/27, Lucky Clover will offer a shuttle service from camp to the Meramec River for a 5-mile float.

8/27 - Single Kayak
$40

 On the afternoon of 8/27, Lucky Clover will offer a shuttle service from camp to the Meramec River for a 5-mile float. 

8/27 - Tandem Kayak for 8/27
$80

 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

Daily Itinerary
DAY #0 - Congregate at Lion's Park

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

Your Organizer


BB
Big BAM
4 reviews
Bike Across Missouri aka "Big BAM" runs bicycling adventures on backroads and rail-trails in the state of Missouri. The presenting Sponsor is Missouri Life Magazine, which also brings to you the very best of Missouri.

Reviews

Good ride. Decent support and services.
By Julie T for Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble on Sep 07, 2024
Rolla Ramble was a fun adventure, just the right size group, and not having to move camp each night was the best part. The routes were challenging and fun. The roads had very little traffic and I like hills so that was a plus.
By Greg N for Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble on Sep 06, 2024
Rolla chamber of commerce workers and coordinator were excellent. Volunteers were friendly. The paid workers for Todd were very friendly also. Water stops were added due to high heat weather which was great necessarity.. Snacks on first day at Red Barn were great. The half way point at Flat Church was ok. Peanut butter and bread or crackers or fruit would have been nice. Just had cracker and peanut butter. Pickles available but unable to eat them because there wasn't a fork or tongs available. There weren't any restrooms available there either. Loop ride day 1 was challenging but the second half was easier and made the entire loop great. Day 2 ride challenging for entire loop but doable. Rest stop at Brewery was great and much needed. Could have had rest stop at Visitors Center in St James because it had bathrooms there. Bathrooms at Brewery were not open. Heat was a major factor so more water stops were needed and added later in ride for second half of ride. Day 3 out and back ride was challenging, a lot of elevation. Food at Cooks station was great. Sandwiches and fruit. Would have loved a diet coke there for caffeine and just nice cold drink. Water there was cold and plentiful. Thought the return ride would have harder because of all the hills but it was doable. Added water stop was needed and was added due to the heat. All the volunteers were great and friendly. 11,000 feet of ascent for the three days. This ride is not for a recreational rider. We stayed at a hotel and loved that perk because of the heat. Ride with GPS routes were not available, so my husband had to design our own from Strava. This should have been done by the tour. Every tour I have been on use Ride with GPS. Welcome dinner was great and would have loved to have the other nights catered too. Allowing for more socialization with our group. I would pay for that convenience, the bars were ok. Lions park was great and provided shade for the campers which they needed due to heat advisory that was in effect. I think people didn't attend because only one route per day and there was not a short route. Todd is very nice but lacks organization skills. He needed people telling him what we needed such as extra water stops. Would I do this ride again, maybe. Next year when my legs and brain forget I will see if I want to do it. I did like having my car and hotels available. Rolla is a very clean town and the backroads had minimal traffic and were mostly in good condition. Our car allowed us to have freedom to go to the Little Piney River and sit and play in the water go to store etc.
By Sharon K for Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble on Aug 30, 2024
This was a fun three day event, despite 95 degree days and high humidity. The event was well organized and the people running the program kept us busy with optional alternate off bike activities. I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the organizers and the volunteers. Great, friendly people. As for the ride routes, they were very good. Road surfaces for the most part were well surfaced, we were taken through some very scenic areas, and the planners did their best to keep us on roads that had very light vehicle traffic except for the portions of the ride that were in town. The tent camping area was set in a nice wooded area that provided amble shade with a nice view of a pond and grassy area, and it was far enough away from the street that noise was held to a minimum. The food truck that was available for lunch on one of the ride days, and for breakfast in camp, was great.
By Mark R for Bike Across Missouri - Rolla Ramble on Aug 30, 2024