Reply to Jefferson City layover

I am thinking of taking a day off while biking the Katy. Would Jefferson City be a good place to sight-see? I noticed there are a few hotels right downtown but there are more hotels out Rt. 54. I've been advised to take the Checker Cab from the north side of the river. Any comments?
Thanks

The museum in the Capital, and the building itself is a target as is the old penitentiary. I don't wish to ignite another storm, but riding across the bridge is not that bad. There are a couple of nice B&B's downtown that are worth checking out.

My girls (teen daughters) and I have stayed at the Ramada a couple of times - as they actually will come pick you up and you can take the bikes into your room.....but it is not that close to anything for sight seeing. I am thinking taxis might be an option.
I wouldn't want to try riding there from the trail head though.

Most of the posts mention the Best Value Inn, which is about 4-miles north of the trailhead on Hwy-54, or the motels downtown, like the DeVille, both which are slightly over 1-mile from the trailhead and close to the government and other sites.

Riders can take the trail 'spur' from the trailhead down to the Nutter/Airport road, and get onto Hwy-54/63 south there. Cross the bridge when the traffic looks do-able (there is a shoulder with small drainage grates on it), then turn east a block or two on Hwy-50, which is a short ways past the south side of the bridge. Also, one can take the streets east and south to H-50 to get away from the hwy traffic. See the maps associated with the Jefferson City map-point above. If you decide to stay, have a nice one.

I live in Jefferson City and bike the trail often. Just got back from a 4 day bike trip from Rocheport to St. Charles with my daughter. I would not recommend biking over the MO. River bridge in Jefferson City. Taking a cab is a good idea. I've met bikers at the Jefferson City trailhead waiting on rides from Briar Rose Inn, Cliff House B & B, Hotel DeVille (they did not wait long) - those are all great options. I've heard excellent feedback about all of them. See the museum at the capitol, open 8-5, 7 days a week. Go to Lincoln University and see the Soldiers Memorial Plaza - very moving. See the Lewis and Clark monument close to capitol - contact Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) about a docent for that one. CVB now has ipods with walking tours and a self directed historic architecture tour. Take a walk down East Capitol Ave. Eat at Prison Brews, O'Donohue's, Madison's, Hotel Deville, Das Stein Haus, Ecco Bar (great greasy spoon type place), go to Jefferson Landing, Elizabeth Rozier Museum, new art gallery at corner of Washington and Missouri Blvd., Oh my God, I almost forgot the most important thing you must do - have ice cream at Central Dairy. Call and get their hours, they may close at 5, but that is the most important thing for you to do in our capitol. Oh, and have pastries at Chez Monet. Her chocolate chip cookies are soooooooo good. Downtown is lovely. For crying out loud, spend a week here! Enjoy.

Taking the taxi would be your easiest option. Traffic speed along Rt 54 is at least 60MPH so you're not much better off than crossing the bridge into Jeff city.

If you are somewhat adventurous, then go with Arkie's recommendation. You can safely cross the bridge using the designated bike lane on the northbound traffic (going out of Jeff city). This means that you would be biking against N bound traffic on the bridge while heading into Jeff city. Although the bike lane doesn't have concrete barricade to separate bikers from normal traffic, it's at least 7 feet wide. See pictures of the lane from MO DNR 2009 ride (Pictures show bike traffic heading out of Jeff City in the early morning)

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2009ride/day3pics.htm

During the 2009 DNR ride (there were about 400 riders), we had the option of whether taking the shuttle or riding in. About 50% of riders rode in. I rode in alone since I was one of the last riders. It's very doable especially if you're a roadie. Below is the DNR riding direction to cross the bridge.

From the Jeff TH, take the City Spur Trail (one mile) which will dump you to Cedar City Dr. Turn right on Cedar City Dr to Hwy. W. Turn left and cross over Hwy. 63. Turn right, against traffic, onto the off ramp. Travel south on the northbound bridge, within the bicycle lane.