End to End #10

7 nights/6 cycling days - Clinton to St. Charles

Clinton Total Distance 227 miles - Average Day 38 or 32 miles

A Self-Guided - Supported Cycling Tour

Experience it all! Ride the entire length of America’s longest rail-to-trail path. Tour includes 7 nights. Overnight stays in Clinton, Sedalia, Rocheport, Jefferson City, Hermann, Augusta, and St. Charles. Enjoy bluffs, winery towns, and two capitols (the original in St. Charles and the current one in Jefferson City).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This supported tour includes daily luggage transfer, specified shuttles, breakfast, all lodging in B&B or small inns Emergency Pick-up and Assistance and maps, directions and other information to make your cycling vacation fun and worry free.

 

Day 1
Travel Day: Shuttle from St. Charles to Clinton

Meet the shuttle van at St. Charles, MO near the eastern end of the Katy Trail (mile marker "MM" 39.5 - On day 7 this will be your tour end point - the trail from MM 0 to MM39.5 is not fully developed. Overnight parking is available for our cyclists. Bike rental is two blocks away. The St. Charles trailhead is a 20 minute drive or taxi ride from Lambert St. Louis International Airport and about 40 minutes west of downtown St. Louis. It is about 5 minutes from the I-70 Bridge over the Missouri River at St. Charles.  NOTE to our friends driving from west of Missouri --- Save a drive to St.Charles/St. Louis -- you can optionally park at the west end of the trail at Clinton and shuttle back from St. Charles on the last morning.

The shuttle provides door-to-door service for you and bikes directly to your Clinton lodging (3.5 - 4 hours)

Lodging: Modern Small Hotel at Clinton

Day 2
Cycling Day: 37 miles - Clinton to Sedalia

Today is your first cycling day. Leave luggage with your host. We will transfer it for you to this evening's destination and each day on your tour.

Ride from your hotel to the trailhead (MM 264.6). This is the western end of the Katy Trail. Today's destination is Sedalia, home of the Missouri State Fair (each August) and a place where legendary musician Scott Joplin worked and lived. Your lodging is 6 blocks from the Sedalia trailhead.

Lodging: Small Vintage Hotel at Sedalia

Day 3
Cycling Day: 49 (or 36) miles - Sedalia to Rocheport

Today is the longest section of your tour on the Katy Trail, 49 miles to Rocheport. The distance can be shortened on request to 36 miles with pickup and shuttle from Boonville (MM 191.8) to your lodging in the lovely village of Rocheport (MM 178.3). There is a small additional fee for this transportation. The only tunnel on the trail is just west of the Rocheport trailhead and the town has a winery, antique shops and several restaurant choices.

Lodging: B&B at Rocheport

Day 4
Cycling Day: 35 miles - Rocheport to N. Jefferson (35 miles)

Leaving Rocheport you cycle beneath towering limestone bluffs among the highest on the trail. The Missouri River can be seen frequently during the day. Your destination is N. Jefferson trailhead (MM 143.2) across the river from Jefferson City. The bridge to Jefferson City is very busy (3 lanes in each direction). A shuttle van will meet you for the short ride across the river to your evening lodging.

If you arrive in time we suggest you take a tour of our beautiful state Capitol. Of particular interest are the murals by Thomas Hart Benton in the House Lounge.

Lodging: B&B or small inn at Jefferson City

Day 5
Cycling Day: 42 (or 30) miles - N. Jefferson to McKittrick

Start your day with a shuttle back across the bridge to the N. Jefferson trailhead. Ride east to McKittrick (across the river from your evening lodging at Hermann). We can shorten today's distance to 30 miles by extending the morning shuttle twelve miles east on the trail to start your day's ride at the Tebbetts trailhead at MM 131.2 . There is a small additional fee for this transfer.

At McKittrick (MM 100.8) cross the Missouri River Bridge with its protected bike path into Hermann for your evening lodging. This bridge is bicycle friendly. The winery town of Herman has much to offer including antique shops and several wine tasting rooms and restaurants.

Lodging: B&B at Hermann or McKittrick

Day 6
Cycling Day: 35 miles - McKittrick to Augusta

Today's destination is Augusta, (MM 66.3) another small winery village. Augusta is on the same side of the river as the Katy Trail so you can ride right up to your evening lodging. There are several winery tasting rooms and a choice of restaurants.

Lodging: B&B at Augusta

Day 7
Cycling Day: 27 miles - Augusta to St. Charles

This is your final day of cycling. Leave the B&B in Augusta and ride east on the trail to St. Charles (MM 39.5) where you may have left your car or rented a bicycle. Your evening lodging will be a short ride from the trailhead on city streets. Restaurants and shops are plentiful in this downtown area particularly along Main Street a block from the Katy Trail. Visit Missouri's first capitol, explore boutique shops or drop into the nearby riverboat casino.

Lodging: B&B or small inn at St. Charles