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Reply to Best section for day rides, go east or west?

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herewer on 12/27/2005 8:29:47 PM:

Good evening,
I am planning a trip this summer from TX to WI and thought this would be a good way to break up the travel time and enjoy a trail ride.

If you only had a few days and ride for recreation only, what section of this trail would you recommend? And which direction? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

herewer

The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/28/2005 2:22:14 PM:

From where in Texas??? If it was me, planning from my home in Austin I would try to plan something that would take me to the western terminus of the KATY in Clinton, MO. go east and pick up the St. Louis Confluence Greenway, go to Illinois and then go East, or North from there. Go to Adventure Cycling website if you haven't already and peruse their maps that are some of the most "Bike Friendly" available with the only caveat being that one must join Adventure Cycling to get somewhat cheaper prices. Enjoy the Voyage......Mark of the Dalton Boys

herewer on 12/28/2005 3:54:07 PM:

Mark, What is the St. Louis Confluence Greeway? How is the ride in Illinois and how far east or north does it go?

I will check out the website you referred to and see what they have. Thank you.

savage24 from KC,MO on 12/29/2005 6:28:12 AM:

herewer, The way I read your post, you are driving to Wisconsin but want to stop and bicycle on your trip. You are NOT riding the bicycle from Texas to Wisconsin. Is this correct?

Depending on where you are in TX, I would take I-35 to Kansas City and I-70 accross MO stopping at Boonville or Rocheport. From Rocheport east is one of the most scenic sections of the trail.

Where are you going in Wisconsin? That state has some really nice trails. I spent four days riding the Sparta - Elroy and other trails a few years ago and can't wait to get back there!

The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/29/2005 7:56:10 AM:

Too easy - Traillink.com click on Missouri, click on the site that has "Confluence" in the trail title. This system goes from the "Arch" in St. Louis northward taking on other names but ending up at Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois. On the way you will bike across the Chain of Rocks Bridge which is about 1 mile long and is the longest Hike/Bike only bridge in the Continental U.S. and some claim in the world. These trails are either paved or comprised of "pug" which is crushed limestone and when dry is as hard as concrete. Missouri has a very active Cycling community unbeknownst to some, and their efforts are praiseworthy! Echoing another respondent I would also recommend the Elroy-Sparta Rail/Trail in Wisconsin as this is the "granddaddy" of all Rail/Trails in the U.S. This was the first. Regards Mark of the Dalton Boys

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 12/29/2005 10:24:01 AM:

Savage has the right idea...if you only have a few days of recreational riding to do. Booneville to Columbia is a good ride.....Booneville to Jefferson City....Rocheport to Jefferson City...etc. I would also recommend planning in a visit to the Les Bourgeois bistro in Rocheport for lunch and some time to enjoy the view over the trail, river, and river bottom land from the bluffs. The food and wine are very good and the beautiful view is free.

D. Small from Columbia, Mo on 12/29/2005 4:54:50 PM:

If you plan to travel the Boonville, Rocheport Area, traveling East through that area is very scenic. The bluffs in Rocheport are beautiful. Morning rides may be best going West however as it would be away from the sun. There's a little bookstore in Rocheport where they carry a guidebook to the Katy Trail - Pebble Publishing - they may have a website too for preordering. The guide is handy and has maps and loads of info. Enjoy your visit to Missouri! Lunch at the winery was a great suggestion if that's where you end up!

frank from festus on 12/29/2005 5:55:12 PM:

any day biking, i would suggest rocheport east. it is the most scenic of the trail i have ridden. the book store in rocheport, peeble publishing is hard to catch open. i have stopped off there at all hours of the week and weekend, never can catch them open, however, their website, pebblepublishing.com has a book on the katy tril that is well worth buying and reading. i truly enjoyed readin it. happy bikin.

David from Camdenton, MO on 1/27/2006 4:51:42 PM:

My experience of a morning ride east from Rocheport was that the sun was not a problem as the bluffs and then trees blocked the sun until it was high enough not to be a problem. This was in June. It might be different in spring or fall with a different sun angle.

If getting on at Rocheport, be sure to go a bit west of the trailhead to ride through the train tunnel.

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