Reply to Day Trip

My daughter from Germany & I want to plan a day trip hopefully to include the "best" part of the trail and perhaps a ride on Amtrak. Any ideas about where to start, how far to ride, where to catch the train (or should it just be a round-trip ride), etc? We will be unable to stay overnight on the trail unfortunately & hope to do this on 5/29 or 5/30. I live in KC (Overland Park). THX

I think almost everyone agrees that the prettiest part is East from Rocheport. It depends on how far you want to go, but you could cross the river and catch Amtrak in Jeff City. You would have to check times, though, and Amtrak won't take you back to Rocheport--you would end up in Sedalia. Besides, the bridge crossing at Jeff City isn't great unless you're a pretty confident cyclist. I guess I would recommend an out-and-back from Rocheport if you only have the one day. Also, consider Rocheport to Columbia instead of staying on the main trail--Columbia would be a good destination for lunch (or start in Columbia and go to Rocheport for lunch at Les Bourgeois, taking their trail up the bluff to the restaurant on the East side of town.

e t hit the nail on the head with rocheport then east being the prettiest part of the trail. i have ridden from columbia to rocheport and back. easy riddin and pretty also. you will need to check with amtrak on the towns they stop in. have fun and happy bikin.

ET and Frank - Thanks for your responses. Very helpful! We'll plan on the Columbia/Rocheport round-trip ride.
Since we'll start our ride in the morning would you suggest us riding from Columbia to Rocheport to avoid sun in the face or are there other factors we should consider? Just looking for it to be the best experience since we have limited opporutnity together. Thanks again!

Yes, if it's a sunny day, you would be better of riding west in the morning, because there are some not-very-shady stretches near McBaine. As for starting in Columbia, there are several trail heads, the two easiest to access and park being off of Stadium, at the MLK Memorial garden, or off of Forum. The official trail head is at Flat Branch Park, at 4th and Cherry downtown. When they finish the construction there, it's going to be great--they are nearly ready to pour the concrete for the 4 new underpasses that will mean no road crossings. From what I hear, though, it's not likely to be done until mid-June, so if you are riding before that, you will need to cross Providence, Stewart, Locust and Elm to get into the downtown area. The other good thing about starting in Columbia is that lunch at Les Bourgeois really is a treat. The restaurant is on a bluff with a gorgeus river view, and the food and wine are good. I recommend, unless you are keen mountain bikers, that you lock your bikes up at the rack at the bottom of their trail and walk up==it's steep and twisty, but really gorgeous. It was built entirely by hand (that is pickaxe, shovel and wheelbarrow) by a man who used to be the groundsman there. Don't just stop at the winery, though--be sure to ride on into Rocheport to see the MKT tunnel, and Rocheport itself, which is a cute little town with several interesting art and antique shops.