Missouri
A Cycling Journey: The Katy Trail Across Missouri
Program No. 12693RJ
Bike America’s longest “rails-to-trails” project, the Katy Trail, learning about the MKT Railroad, Lewis and Clark and visiting the region’s historic sites and towns.
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8 days
7 nights
18 meals
7B 5L 6D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
St. Charles, Missouri
2
Transfer to Sedalia, National Churchill Museum
Sedalia , Missouri
3
Biking Begins, Cycle Sedalia to Boonville
Boonville, Missouri
4
Cycle Boonville to Jefferson City, State Capitol
Jefferson City, Missouri
5
Cycle Jefferson City to Hermann, Historic Stone Hill Winery
Hermann, Missouri
6
Cycle Hermann-Augusta, Shuttle Bus to Washington
Washington, MO
7
Cycle Augusta to St. Charles, Free Time
St. Charles, Missouri
8
Program Concludes
St. Charles, Missouri
At a Glance
Bike along the Missouri River and through dense forest, prairies, rolling farmland and wetlands as you cover up to 188 miles of the 240-mile Katy Trail, America's longest “rails-to-trails” project. A protected state park, the Katy Trail follows 240 miles of the former Missouri- Kansas- Texas (MKT) Railroad Corridor from St. Charles to Clinton. Enjoy expert-led educational sessions on the fascinating history that surrounds this storied trail.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Biking 26-51 miles daily on relatively flat, gravel terrain. Elevation of 500 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Bike along the scenic Katy Trail — often with the Missouri River on one side and bluffs on the other.
- Learn about MKT Railroad history, the Missouri River and the journey of Lewis and Clark.
- Take an expert-led trolley ride in Hermann to explore German heritage and wine production of this town along the trail.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or fewer. Participants must bring own helmet and may bring own bike or choose bike-rental option at added cost. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Suggested Reading List
(10 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
A Cycling Journey: The Katy Trail Across Missouri
Program Number: 12693
The Journals of Lewis and Clark
A classic condensed version of the Lewis and Clark journals, originally published in 1953 and long the standard.
St. Charles (Then and Now)
Settled in 1769, St. Charles is an example of historic preservation -- though by the 1960s many of the buildings had deteriorated. Prompted by the restorations of the first state capitol property and the efforts of dedicated citizens the area underwent a period of revitalization and restoration. Through photos, both old and new, readers will see the city of St. Charles as it was and is now. In June of 1970 the Main Street Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images of America: Missouri Wine Country
During the Civil War, Missouri was the largest producer of wine in the union and before Prohibition it ranked in second place. Today the area overlooking the Missouri River is officially recognized as the country’s first wine district. Using archival photos, this book uncovers the fascinating history of this region, including the influence of German settlers.
Missouri Off the Beaten Path
A fun series that introduces travelers (and locals!) to sites they’d want to see if they knew about them. The guide covers local dining, hidden attractions, unusual locales and quirky cultural tidbits.
Undaunted Courage, Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West
Ambrose recreates the high adventure and politics of late 18th-century America in this classic history, rich in details of Native American life, geography, flora and fauna.
The Cyclist's Anthology
This entertaining anthology presents short excerpts from Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, HG Wells, EM Forster, Dervla Murphy and many more. In all, 50 authors share their thoughts and insights into the wonderful pastime of cycling.
Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die
Santella showcases a wide variety of expertly selected places to bike, from the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia and the Indochina Trail in Vietnam to the urban jungle of New York City.
Weird Missouri
Part of an award-winning series, Weird Missouri introduces tourists to the off-the-beaten path destinations, including ghostly sites and peculiar roadside attractions, as well as local legends and crazy characters. Heavily illustrated.
The Lewis and Clark Journals
The definitive one-volume selection of the most significant, noteworthy and historic entries from the journals of Lewis and Clark, with helpful scholarly notes and annotations.
It's All About the Bike, The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels
A paean to craftsmanship and tradition. En route to building his dream bike (oh, what a brilliant quest!), Robert Penn explores the culture, science and history of the bicycle.
