The Ozarks

Celebrating Vacation Bicycling's 9th Year Anniversary!
2015
Imagine yourself starting your ride overlooking one of the most majestic lakes in the United States and then continuing your journey on the Ozarks Plateau as you travel through meadows and farmland with mountains in the background as you reach your final destination on day one of Eureka Springs, called "The Little Switzerland of America." The entire city of Eureka Springs is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been selected as one of America's Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservations. The streets wind around the town without a single 90 degree angle intersection. And that is only the first day of riding!
 
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Day 1, Saturday

Relax and slow down at the Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, a AAA Four Diamond hotel, offering everything one would expect from a 4-Diamond resort.  You will check-in during the day and then meet the other participants that evening for dinner and a quick get together at the Chateau Grill on the property.  After checking-in, enjoy all the hotel has to offer: including a 24 hour-indoor pool and hot-tub, tennis courts, water sports a full bar, and beautiful views of Table Rock Lake with 850 miles of pristine shoreline and 52,300 acres of crystal blue water. Also, the Chateau features a full-service marina with more aquatic activities than any resort in the Midwest. After dinner relax and get a good night's sleep before departing the next morning for Eureka Springs.

Lodging: 
Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa
Branson, Missouri
AAA Four Diamond Resort
(Spa, 24-hour swimming pool, 24-hour hot tub, 24-hour work-out center, small movie theater, tennis courts, hair dryer & Internet)
 
 
Dinner:
Chateau Grille - Wine Spectator Magazine's "Award of Excellence"
 
Entrée choices:
  • Coriander Scented Tomahawk Pork Chop - Circle B Ranch Berkshire Pork Chop, Green Tomato & Mint Jam, Broccolini from a locally sustainable farm in Seymour, Missouri
  • Whole Grain Mustard Barbeque Beef Short Ribs - Sweet Potato, Corn, Sautéed Spinach hash and Sarsaparilla Air
  • Slow Braised Lamb Shank - Forest Mushroom Asiago Risotto, Warm Haricot Vert and Bacon Salad, Lamb Jus
  • Zucchini & Butternut Squash Ravioli - Bell Pepper, Onion, Haricot Vert and Blistered Tomatoes, Lemon Pesto Cream Sauce

Day 2, Sunday

After eating breakfast, get on your bicycle and ride across the dam as you head toward one of the most unique towns in the United States: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The entire town is a designated historic area featuring Victorian architecture and stone buildings. Your biking journey takes you through the Ozarks, including lake views, forests and wide-open farm land. After arriving at the hotel in Eureka Springs, tour the town on foot or by trolley and in the evening pick your favorite place to eat dinner.

Bike Route: 32 miles riding from hotel, Chateau on the Lake to Oak Grove, Arkansas; or 54 miles riding from Hotel to Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Breakfast: 
Breakfast provided by hotel
 
Lodging:
Eureka Springs Best Western
-The nicest hotel in Eureka Springs and a half mile from downtown
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
(Swimming pool, hot-tub, fitness center, hair dryer and Internet)
    
 
  
Dinner:
On your own
 

Day 3, Monday

Wake-up, eat a hot breakfast and ride with the group around Eureka Springs on the "loop" or spend the day exploring the city. On the ride circle the northern part of the city with beautiful mountain views and travel over a one lane bridge. In town stop by the Basin Spring, also known as Great Healing Spring, which has been utilized throughout history by Native Americans and European settlers. Tour the town on your own in the afternoon. Visit the many shops and attractions throughout town including the homemade candy and ice cream shops then eat dinner with the group that evening in downtown Eureka Springs.

Bike route:  0 miles staying at the hotel and touring Eureka Springs all day (including taking the Eureka Springs Trolley); or 22 miles riding on the Eureka Springs Loop.

Breakfast: 
Provided by hotel
 
Lodging:
Eureka Springs Best Western
-The nicest and closest hotel in Eureka Springs, one-half mile from downtown.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
(Swimming pool, hot-tub, fitness center, hair dryer and Internet)
 
  
Dinner:
Local Flavor Cafe
 
Entrée choices:
  • Wild Caught Salmon - Grilled and served with a raspberry barbeque sauce
  • Grilled Portobello - Filled with wild rice, fresh spinach, feta, sundried tomato, caramelized onion, fresh basil and mint
  • Chicken Saverio - Sautéed chicken breast layered with goat cheese, olive tapenade and pine nuts; served on bed of arugula with a balsamic reduction
  • Seared Pork Tenderloin - Served with a bourbon mushroom cream sauce

  

 
Day 4, Tuesday
After another great breakfast, jump on your bike and ride to your hotel overlooking the Branson Landing and Lake Taneycomo. Enjoy the quiet, green and wide open spaces as you see forests and mountains in the background and riding over rivers making for a picturesque ride. Eventually ending up in the old downtown area of Branson, Missouri. The Hilton Promenade, a AAA Four Diamond resort, is situated in the heart of The Landings area with shops within steps of the hotel. Also, historic downtown Branson just across the street with free trolley service throughout the downtown area. In the evening eat with the group at White River Fish House situated on Lake Taneycomo. After dinner enjoy the free fountain show just outside the hotel in the center of the Landings.
 
Bike route: 33 miles, riding to Blue Eye, Missouri or 53 miles, riding to Branson, Missouri.
 

    

Breakfast: 
Breakfast provided by hotel
 
Lodging: 
Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing
AAA Four Diamond Hotel
Branson, Missouri
(Swimming pool, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness center, hair dryer & Internet)
  
 
Dinner:
White River Fish House - voted "Best Overall Restaurant in Branson"
 
Entrée choices:
  • Uncle Buck's Top Sirloin Steak - USDA Choice hand-cut sirloin grilled to order. Topped with Uncle Buck's whiskey butter
  • Ozarks Trout Almandine - Featuring the Fish House's signature almond crust with a dollop of creamy almond butter
  • Campfire Fresh Chicken - A slow-roasted half chicken infused with lemon and rosemary
  • Pan-Seared Shrimp and Scallops - Blackened shrimp and sea scallops atop a lobster cream sauce nestled in angel hair pasta with mushrooms and roasted red peppers

Day 5, Wednesday
After choosing your favorite place to eat breakfast, then join the group for a bike ride exploring the area east of Branson, traveling through small (very small) towns and getting a feel for the small town life. Or take the day and explore all the tourist attractions that have made Branson ranked number 3 on The Top-10 Destination list and is names as the "Live Entertainment Capital of the World" with 50 theaters.  Your hotel is located close to all the tourist attractions, but also far enough away that your bike is the perfect way to see all the attractions. Branson is also known for its long and sometimes never ending traffic jams, but you will be able to easily whisk by on your bike. (Also, the main road to all the attractions is currently (in spring of 2014) being repaved, which will make the ride even nicer.) In the evening eat at your favorite restaurant and catch a show, or take a short stroll along the river walk adjacent to the hotel.
 
Bike route: 0 miles staying at the hotel, exploring Branson all day; or 36 miles, riding from hotel on the Branson loop.

      

Breakfast: 
On your own
 
Lodging: 
Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing
AAA Four Diamond Hotel
Branson, Missouri
(Swimming pool, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness center, hair dryer & Internet)
 
Dinner:
On your own
 
Day 6, Thursday
After breakfast join the group for a ride back to the starting hotel.  We made the ride short, so you can enjoy the views on your journey back to the starting hotel. Enjoy overlooks, including a view of our beginning and final destination hotel sitting high above the city and lake. After arriving back at the starting hotel, enjoy the hotel amenities or explore the nearby dam. In the evening join the group at Dobyns Dining Room, a fine-dining, 100%-student-run restaurant that is adjacent to the College of the Ozarks, which The Wall Street Journal nicknamed, Hard Work U, because tuition is free but all students are required to work while in school.  After dinner enjoy the tranquil and quiet setting of the hotel overlooking the Ozarks.
 
Bike route: 12 miles, riding from Branson Hilton to the starting hotel, Chateau on the Lake

Breakfast: 
On your own
 
Lodging: 
Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa
Branson, Missouri
AAA Four Diamond Resort
(Spa, 24-hour swimming pool, 24-hour hot tub, 24-hour work-out center, small movie theater, tennis courts, hair dryer & Internet)
  
Dinner:
Dobyns Dining Room - Fine dining includes all work done by students and products grown on campus.
 
Entrée choices:
  • Pork Pomodoro - Medallions of campus-raised port, basted with pesto, garden fresh tomatoes and garlic. Served on Edward Mill polenta
  • Summer Chicken - Grilled chicken breast with strawberry summer salsa and grilled peaches, drizzled with Greek yogurt, served with creamy Polenta
  • Home-Style Pot Roast - Pot roast slowly roasted, served with mashed potatoes, garden vegetables and rich brown gravy
  • Chicken Fajita Salad - Seared chicken breast, onions and peppers sautéed with crisp greens, diced tomatoes, guacamole, black beans and corn on grilled Southwest flatbread with salsa ranch dressing
  • Pasta Primavera - Fresh house-made Angel hair pasta with roasted garlic, olive oil, spinach and seasonal fresh vegetables.

Day 7, Friday

Say goodbye to friends and start your journey home.


Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.

Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. We have designed the routes to include as little traffic as possible, but there are some traffic areas that cannot be avoided. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the hotel. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast.

Arriving by automobile:
Drive to the Chateau on the Lake, 415 North State Highway 265, Branson, MO 65616, leaving your car at the hotel parking lot for free.

Arriving by Plane:
You can fly directly into the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) and rent a car; or the Branson Airport (BKG) and take the Gray Line Shuttle, 800-237-4466 or bransongrayline.com
.

Deposit:
$200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.  

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What's included:
  • Hotel lodging
  • Ride packets including maps & cue sheets (directions)
  • Fully sagged including ride leaders, luggage transport, van transportation and rider assistance.
  • Breakfast with the group most mornings (see above)
  • Dinner with the group most nights (see above)
  • An evening completely free while staying in Eureka Springs & Branson, to give you time to fully explore each city.
  • Fun and Enjoyment

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Bicycles:
  • Most participants bring their own bicycles.
  • To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. Your bike can be sent to the start hotel: Chateau on the Lake, 415 North State Highway 265, Branson, MO 65616; To ship your bike and have it assembled for you, please contact Downhill bikes, 417-335-4455 or downhillbikes.biz.
  • To rent a road or hybrid bike please contact Downhill bikes, 417-335-4455 or downhillbikes.biz.
Weather in April in the The Ozarks area: 
  • Average High 69°F

 

 

 

 
 
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