Al's Place Bike Hostel

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.

TransAmerica Trail

The TransAmerica Trail is a bicycle route which was created in 1976 and comes through Farmington. It was established as part of America’s Bicentennial celebration. The TransAmerica Trail starts in Astoria, Oregon, and ends in Yorktown, Virginia. There are about 1,000 to 1,200 cyclists that come through Farmington annually, so the city decided to make a place for them to stay. There are 3 rooms with 14 bunks. There are some smaller rooms for people traveling alone or as couples. There are plans to get a computer so riders can have access to the Internet. There is a washer and dryer to wash dirty clothes. Riders can bring their own food and put it in the pantry and the refrigerator. The city asks them to pay about $20 for their stay. The Downtown Development Association bought the couches, TV, tables, the refrigerator, washer and dryer. Bedding was donated by a local hospital.