High Bluffs #12
5 nights, 4 days of riding inn-to-inn (139 mi)
Average day: 35 mi
Best Start Day:
April-Sept: Wednesday-Saturday
October: Friday-Monday
Sorry – no start dates July 12 – August 4, 2008
This tour is the same as the Wineries #13 tour but with one extra day finishing at St. Charles. Explore the winery towns of Rocheport, Hermann and Augusta on four days of cycling. Overnight stays in Rocheport, Jefferson City, Hermann, Augusta and St. Charles.
Rocheport to St. Charles
Average cycling day 35 miles - total distance 139 - 5 nights/4cycling days
Day 1
Travel Day : Shuttle from St. Charles to Rocheport
Meet the shuttle van at St. Charles, MO near the eastern end of the Katy Trail (mile marker “MM” 39.5 – on day 5 this will be your tour end point – the trail from MM 0 to MM39.5 is not fully developed).
Overnight parking is available in St. Charles for our cyclists. Bike rental is available next to the trail. 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 minute from the I-70 Bridge over the Missouri River at St. Charles.
The shuttle will provide door-to-door service for you and bikes directly to your Rocheport lodging (2 hours).
The only tunnel on the trail is just west of Rocheport trailhead and the town has a winery, antique shops and several restaurant choices.
Lodging: Comfortable B&B at Rocheport
Day 2
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 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 3
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 down 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. The bridge is not very 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 4
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 5
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 5 to 10 blocks from the trailhead, a ride 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 at St. Charles