On September 13, stage six of the 2008 Tour of Missouri will begin in Hermann and conclude 98 miles later in downtown St. Charles. If you're looking to catch some of the Tour's excitement, watching the stage kick off in Hermann will be hard to beat. Hermann sits in the heart of Missouri's beautiful wine country, and town planners are doing all they can to entice visitors to turn the Tour into a full-blown weekend getaway.
About Hermann
Hermann's a picturesque river town located 80 minutes west of St. Louis. The small town is best known for two things: its strong German heritage and its wineries. But visitors also come to Hermann to stay in Victorian inns, eat at small, family-run restaurants and tour its historic downtown.
When and Where to See the Race
Stage six kicks off near the main crossroads in downtown Hermann. While in town, the cyclists will also wind through residential streets and pass two of the town's most famous wineries.
Time:
Stage six begins at 12:30 p.m. Then, after leaving Hermann, riders are expected to pass through Washington, Missouri around 1:30 p.m. and finish in St. Charles around 3:00 p.m.
Location:
The start line is at the intersection of 4th Street and Market Street (in Hermann, Highway 19 and Highway 100 merge briefly to become Market Street). Market is the main North/South road through town.
The Route:
After the start, riders will head south on Market Street, turn right (west) on 6th Street and travel past Stone Hill Winery. They'll then travel south out of town, but eventually turn back north on Highway 100 to pass the original start line. From there, they'll turn east on 1st Street (Highway 100), ride past Hermannhof Winery and then head out of town toward New Haven.
Best Places to See the Action
Spectators who set up along Market Street will not only see all the drama of the start, but will also see the riders come by a second time, before they turn east on Highway 100 on their way out of town.
Both Stone Hill and Hermannhof Winery are directly on the race course and each will welcome visitors with activities, and of course sell food, wine and other refreshments. Both wineries will be crowded, but of the two, Stone Hill will probably offer a better view. Its large front field and parking lot rise high above the race course and should provide more spectators with a chance to see the action.
Events Before and After the Race
Hermann would love for spectators to arrive a day or two before the race, and they're planning activities throughout town, starting the night before stage six begins.
Street Fair – Friday, September 12
On Friday evening, visitors and locals alike will welcome the Tour with a street fair featuring live music, outdoor dining, craft booths and activities for kids. There will also be a climbing wall hosted by the Missouri National Guard and local shops will stay open late. The street fair will be centered at Schiller and 4th Street in Hermann's historic downtown district.
Kid's Bike Rodeo and Races, Saturday, September 13
Saturday morning, starting at 9:00 a.m., kids are invited to participate in a series of races and a "bike rodeo" sponsored by the Hermann Area District Hospital. The races will go on until 10:30 a.m., and will be held near the Tour's start line on Market Street.
Observe Green Living Expo, Saturday, September 13
Also along Market Street, organizations and businesses promoting green living will showcase their products, services and provide advice on everything from trimming your energy bills to using less gasoline. The Expo runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Staying in Town
Hermann is known both within Missouri and beyond as a great weekend destination. The town and surrounding area have dozens of small inns and bed & breakfasts that offer top-notch hospitality. For more information, visit Hermann's tourism website, or call its Welcome Center at 800-932-8687.
