2022 KATY & Rock Island Trails Across Missouri Tour

July 12 - 20

• Description
• Itinerary
• Phone Reservations
• Bikes

• On this 9-day, easy riding, 330-mile adventure we will discover the blissful riding from the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri to Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri. We will cycle across the “show-me” state of Missouri along the Rock Island Trail (known as the Rock Island spur of the KATY trail) and the well-known KATY Trail. Heading north from Windsor, the trailhead for the Rock Island trail, we ride along a slight upward grade to the Missouri River where we will parallel the river for the remainder of our journey to St. Louis. 

  
  

  During our cycling route we will visit the towns of Kansas City, Windsor, Sedalia, Booneville, Jefferson City (the state capital), Washington, Hermann, St. Charles and St. Louis.

  This tour has been created to support Stroke Across America – a 4,400-mile ride across America to raise awareness about stroke, aphasia and the need to support the emotional journey in recovery. We are asking all participants to contribute to the campaign. Learn more...

  The tour itinerary is offered to support Stroke Across America – a 4400-mile journey across America led by stroke survivor Debra Meyerson and her husband Steve Zuckerman. They are riding to raise awareness about stroke, aphasia and the need to more fully support the emotional journey in recovery from traumas like stroke. Each participant on this tour is asked to contribute at least $250 to the Stroke Onward Stroke Across America campaign. You can make your donation here, or by going to: https://strokeonward.org/donate. If you join our tour we will share your contact information with Stroke Onward, and they will share more information about Stroke Across America and ways you can get more involved if you would like. (Sharing participant information is contrary to our standard policy, but we are doing so as this tour was designed in support of their work.)

   

  What to Expect:

  This is a fully supported tour with indoor hotel accommodations, meals in local establishments, on-route SAG, and luggage transportation. The weather will be hot and the scenery spectacular. We will traverse smooth pavement, bike paths and low traffic paved roads. Daily mileages range from 45-70 miles. Temperatures will range from the high 60s at night to the 90s during the day. Thunderstorms are possible, be prepared. Humidity will be high.

  Highlights:

  • Rock Island and KATY rail trails
  • Chain of Rocks Bridge on Historic Route 66
  • Gateway Arch National Park 

  What’s Included:

  • Welcome reception and orientation
  • 8 nights in hotels
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Full van and baggage support
    
  • 2 BIKEternity trip leaders
  • Daily route directions via GPX files for your GPS or phone app

   

  Not Included

  • Insurance of any kind
    
  • Guide gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Bike Rentals (if available, BIKEternity will facilitate)
  • Personal Bicycle Shipments (BIKEternity will facilitate)
  • Transportation from Kansas City and St. Louis airports(shuttle services available)
  • We blocked an additional room night in St. Louis after the trip. Let us know if you desire to use the extra night at your cost.

   

  Bicycle Rental and Shipping Information

  You may bring your own bike to this tour or you can rent a bicycle if it is available. Learn more about bikes on this tour HERE.
  

  Airport Information

  Start: Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Kansas City, Missouri

  End: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL),  St. Louis, Missouri

• Day 1: Arrival, Meet-up in Lee's Summit (Kansas City, MO)

  Arrive on your own at our starting location in Lee's Summit, Missouri by 3pm the start of your adventure. We will meet you at our host hotel in Lee's Summit near the trailhead for your tour. We meet near the hotel for a bike fitting and orientation in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner included.

  Day 2: Lee's Summit to Windsor

  Miles: 55 miles · Elevation: +2,119’ / -2,059'
  Terrain: Paved road and crushed gravel trail.

  After breakfast, we begin our ride today with a short ride along surface roads before we pickup the Rock Island Trail. We'll be riding this crushed gravel trail, known as the Rock Island Spur of the KATY Trail all the way to Windsor, MO; a trailhead for the KATY Trail. We pass through small towns and farmland along the way. All meals included.

  Day 3: Windsor to Boonville

  Miles: 48 miles · Elevation: +1,896' / -1,842'
  Terrain: Crushed gravel trail

  We will be on the crushed gravel KATY Trail, a 237 mile rails-to-trails conversion across the state of Missouri. Today we continue to ride in rural Missouri farmland as we make our way through small towns all the while aiming for the Missouri River and our overnight in Boonville. All meals included.

  Day 4: Boonville to Jefferson City

  Miles: 62 miles · Elevation: +2,088’ / -2,431’
  Terrain: Crushed gravel trail and paved road.
  

  More than half of the KATY Trail follows the Lewis and Clark Expedition route with towering bluffs along the Missouri River. Today is our first day of riding along the Missouri. Our destination is Jefferson City, the capital of the state of Missouri. All meals included.

  Day 5: Rest day in Jefferson City

  After breakfast, you are on your own today in the capital. Your guides will have some sightseeing suggestions if you desire. We will gather together this evening for our traditional route meeting and a time to share our explorations for the day. Breakfast and dinner included.

  Day 6: Jefferson City to Hermann

  Miles: 50 miles · Elevation: +778’ / -818’
  Terrain: Crushed gravel trail and paved road.

  We continue along the KATY trail today. Perhaps you will find an eagle soaring overhead along the bluffs. In any case, you are in for another blissful day of riding as we head to what is regarded as the most beautiful town in Missouri; Hermann. A picturesque, German influenced town along the river. Take an evening stroll to take in the special beauty of Hermann. All meals included.

  Day 7: Hermann to Augusta

  Miles: 51 miles · Elevation: +1,295’ / -1,340’
  Terrain: Crushed gravel trail and paved road.

  Throughout our journey we see replica train depots that once dotted the landscape when the KATY trail was an active rail line. As we pedal along the trail today, we approach St. Louis and the trail will become a bit more travelled but no less beautiful. Our overnight in historic Augusta, MO has a self-guided walking tour of the town center along Walnut Street. All meals included.

  Day 8: Augusta to St. Louis

  Miles: 55 miles · Elevation: +1,882’ / -1,964’
  Terrain: Crushed gravel trail, bike path and paved road.

  Today is our last riding day together. We will continue along the KATY trail toward St. Charles where we pickup the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) working our way across the northern portion of St. Louis. We encounter the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge on historic Route 66. We will not cross the bridge, but head south along the Mississippi River on a bike trail into the heart of St. Louis and the end of our journey at the Gateway Arch National Park. We will have a celebratory, end of tour dinner together. All meals included.

  Day 9: Pack-up, Farewell, Departure

  In the morning after breakfast you will be own your home to begin your journey home or to your next destination. Shuttle services are available to bring you to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. We will assist in getting your bike on its journey home.

  We have blocked rooms for a 2nd night in St. Louis if you desire to stay longer. The cost is not included in the tour fee. Let us know if you would like to extend your stay.

• Call 860-428-9301 to reserve this trip over the phone

  Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM Mountain Standard Time