I had planned on doing the entire trail starting May 11. I set this up before the pandemic. I would like to still go but would like to know if it’s a good idea or not. I was worried mainly about there being places open for food in these small towns and also the depots and historic places. Does anyone know current situation?

Missouri is slowing opening back up. Whether that's a good idea, time will tell. Many of the small towns are closed up on Monday's and Tuesday's during the best of times. The pandemic may have caused some businesses to close for good.

If I were you, I'd probably delay the ride until things get better. I've planned on doing the entire trail in late June, but might wait until Fall.

We also currently have reservations for a tour of the complete trail in mid-June. We are now re-thinking that plan. It's a shame - we had booked this tour for last year and got flooded out. But, if it's not safe and the towns and facilities aren't open then, we'll try for the fall.

I am starting the trail on the 10th in pleasant Hill and working back home past Machens in Illinois I made my arrangements this last week. Many of the towns restaurants are closed. The hotels and b&bs I am staying at will provide breakfast and I plan to hit a couple stores and stations along the way. It will take a bit of planning ahead to make sure I have the food worked out but I do the trail a couple of times a year for the trail itself. I’m sure it will be quite for a lot of the rural sections. I would stick with your plan if the places you are staying are still open and maybe ask them for local advice.

We sadly just postponed our trip until next summer- We had planned to go the 9th to the 19th and since we have 13 people we thought it would be hard to change accommodations if some of the campgrounds we were planning on were closed- I also thought the local people might not appreciate a larger group like ours coming through- I think it might be okay for those who just have 2 people or so. We are sad but hope to come next year. I also really enjoy the interaction with local folks on a bike trip and thought people might not be open to that this year. We are bummed as we had planned the trip- but who would've guessed way back in the fall- you just never know.

Richard, tell me about your ride? What lodging do you recommend for 2, husband and wife? We may take 3 nights on the trail and stay in comfortable places. No camping!
thanks for your input

Russ,
I have done it East to West but prefer West to East. I have used shuttles to as transport to Clinton but am taking the train to Lee's Summit near Pleasant Hill for the Rock Island piece that I added. Generally speaking I like the Clinton to Sedalia section for the open prairie. From Rocheport to St Charles the trail runs alon the river so you get a great view. I usually bike 40 to 50 miles a day so I'm pretty much taking my time. I like staying in the B&Bs for the most part but stay in the local hotels as well. I like staying Sedalia, Rocheport, Jeff City before Victoria's on the River closed, Hermann, St Charles, and Augusta. There are a lot of wineries in those areas. The website is excellent for planning your trip and places to stay and eat. I like doing a ride in the fall as well if I can time it right.

I started my trip today. Started in Lee’s Summit and biked on roads to Pleasant Hill. I should have payed more attention to the road type since more than half the distance was gravel. It made for rough biking to Pleasant Hill. The access from the spur to the trail is very confusing because they skipped connecting the two and it’s not clear to get on the highway the exit on the trail in town. The day was wonderful with beautiful landscape. The are some marked spots with washouts from heavy rain but slowing down and watching for the rough spots was key. I stayed at the comfort inn in Lee’s Summit and Fitzgerald’s B&B in Windsor. I was pleased with the B&B. I got a whole floor with kitchen, laundry, front room, full bath and two beds for $60. They were very helpful and the place was very clean. Not so much for Comfort Inn. Restaurants were either closed, closed early or take out only due to Covid 19. The practices of masks and hygiene were all over the map as well but I’m from Illinois and both States are just know partially reopening so it makes sense there might be confusion. No bugs to speak of on the trail, lots of flowers blooming. It was a windy day and started off about 43 degrees so I had to dress in layers but by afternoon I think it was in the high 50s. My app said 60.3 miles for the day and it felt like it but was good. Heading to Clinton then back up to Sedalia tomorrow.

Sounds alot like our ride, we started in higginsvile and had around 50 miles of road before we got to the Rock island spur, can't remember where we got on but it was about 10 miles from Windsor, then we hit Clinton and overnighted in Windsor, short day and stayed in Sedalia to avoid rain a few days ago, next stop was boonville, and today we are in Hermann. The mornings are pretty chilly and lucky me I lost my puffy down jacket on trail sometime yesterday

I’ll keep an eye out for the jacket.

Hi all, I've only done sections of the trail, but this year I have been planning to bike from KC to STL, camping along the way, as soon as things open up in St Louis (my wife is going to meet me there for the weekend)

-Can you comment on the bathroom facilities along the trail? Are they all open and stocked with TP?

-Is restaurant take-out (and gas stations) basically the only meal purchase options? (Or are some restaurants open for dine-in?)

-Have you noticed any temporary "No Camping" signs put up in places (like public parks) that previously allowed camping?

Thanks for pioneering the trek for those coming after you this year :)

Just finished Pilot Grove to New Franklin, got a ride then rode Rocheport to McKittrick (5/10 to 5/12). All camping was open. Hostel at Tebbetts was open. Only restaurant open was in Rhineland. Did not see any other places (gas stations or B&B's) that were open.

Thanks, how about bathrooms along the trail, are those open?