News Release 347

BICYCLISTS WILL "RIDE WEST" 
ON KATY TRAIL RIDE 2008 JUNE 16 THROUGH JUNE 20

Volume 36-347

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 12, 2008 -- On Monday, June 16, approximately 300 bicyclists will begin a 225-mile journey from St. Charles to Clinton on Katy Trail State Park. Hosting the five-day tour are the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri State Parks Foundation.

The Katy Trail, the nation's longest rail-trail project, will take bicyclists along the scenic Missouri River and through the historic towns that developed along the river and the railroad. The ride will also include an approximate three-mile ride into Hermann. Camping stops along the trail will be in the towns of Hermann, Hartsburg, Boonville and Sedalia. Bicyclists will end their trip in Clinton on June 20.

Ride participants range in age from 12 to 79 and hail from 28 states plus British Columbia and the United Kingdom. Friends and families of the riders can follow the ride's progress through daily photographs and highlights on the Department of Natural Resources' Web site at www.katytrailstatepark.com.

Attached is an itinerary of the event. For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Katy Trail State Park, visit the Web at www.katytrailstatepark.com. 

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/parkssearch.do.

 

 ITINERARY

 

Sunday, June 15   Riders' meeting at 7 p.m. at Frontier Park, St. Charles

Monday, June 16   Depart by 8 a.m. from St. Charles
Arrive between noon and 5 p.m. at Hermann at the City Park
Dinner at 6 p.m. at Stone Hill Winery Pavilion
Riders' meeting at 7 p.m.  
Hungry Five's performance at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 17  Depart by 8 a.m. from Hermann
Arrive between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Hartsburg
Dinner at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, Hartsburg
Riders' meeting at 7 p.m.
History of the Katy Trail slideshow at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18  Depart by 8 a.m. from Hartsburg
Arrive between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. the former Kemper Military Academy in Boonville
Dinner at 6 p.m. at Boonslick Heartland YMCA Johnston Field House                                          Riders' meeting at 7 p.m.
River Ridge String Band performs at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 19 Depart by 8 a.m. from Boonville
Arrive between  noon and 5 p.m. at Sedalia Liberty Park
Dinner at 6 p.m. at Liberty Park in the Convention Hall Gymnasium
Riders' meeting at 7 p.m.
Karaoke at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 20   Depart by 8 a.m. from Sedalia
Arrive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Benson Convention Center in Clinton.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The media is invited to visit with the riders at any of the towns along the way. For more information about the event at each stop, contact Connie Schmidt, the Department of Natural Resources' coordinator for the tour. Schmidt will be traveling with the group and will be available at each stop.