Farmington puts on pre-Tour of Missouri activities

By MARIDEE LAWSON
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 9:37 AM CDT

Downtown Farmington had a lot of community and family activities to get the spirit going before Wednesday’s Tour of Missouri start.

Tuesday evening’s activities included an open house at 4 at the Transamerican Trail Cycler’s Inn also known as Al’s Place. The cycler’s inn is named after Farmington resident Al Dziewa who passed away after a battle with cancer and was a longtime cyclist.

“My family is honored to remember Al in such a way. Hospitality and cycling were a big part of his life and we are honored that the city is remembering him in this way,” said Kathy Dziewa, Al’s wife.

Before the ribbon cutting was held Farmington Mayor Stuart “Mit” Landrum read a proclamation for Al’s Place and handed the plaque to his wife and children.

“It is an honor and a privilege to present this proclamation to the Dziewa family,” said Landrum.

Greg Beavers, city administrator said the idea of a bike hostel came about from a former resident and bicyclist Emily Vasquez. The name of “Al’s Place” was fitting for the project, he added.

Beavers said an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 bicyclists travel through Missouri each year and this hostel is the only one on the trail between Kansas and West Virginia.

“The hostel is something that was needed. It’s the only one of its kind from coast to coast. It was natural naming it after Al, it is a testimony to him with all the people who showed up. Al was a guy that anytime you talked to him he always made you feel good about yourself,” Landrum said.

Farmington Downtown Development Association President Sandy Sales presented Farmington Mayor Stuart “Mit” Landrum with a $6,000 check for furnishings in the hostel.

Following the ribbon cutting, Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan held their family bike ride for more than 200 riders. They had free hot dogs and sodas for those riding and also handed out balloons to kids, the Rotary Club gave away two girls and two boys bicycles and the Parkland Cyclists Club gave out free helmets and fitted those who didn’t have any.

Phil Brockland from Ozarks Federal said they were proud to be part of the events and were proud to sponsor the historic event. The Tour of Missouri is a great way to bring Farmington exposure.

The Tour of Missouri Stage 3 race was set to begin in Farmington this morning with a parade leaving the St. Francois County Courthouse at 11 and racing down Columbia to Ste. Genevieve, down Flemming St. to Walter St. and back down Ste. Genevieve to Carlton St., down Liberty and Black Knight Drive. From there they were to hit Highway 221 for a rolling start when they reach the US 67 overpass where the race actually begins.

According to the Tour of Missouri Web site Mark Cavendish won stage one and two of the race.

“I love it here....I really wanted to come back. I'm missing my home tour in Great Britain to come here, but it's fine because I really, really, really do like this race, I really like this place, and I'm sure I'll be back again," said Cavendish, Team Columbia-HTC.

Wednesday’s race is to conclude in Rolla after the bicyclists. 

 

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