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.