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40ish Mile Roundtrip
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Brad from Louisville, KY on 6/23/2020 8:32:05 AM:
My wife and I are spending a long weekend in St. Louis soon, and would like to do a day ride on the Katy Trail. Probably 30-40 miles roundtrip, starting in St. Charles or one of the trailheads east of St. Charles.

What would be the best/most scenic stretch? I'm looking at St. Charles to Matson, Greens Bottom to Augusta, or Weldon Spring to Marthasville? All of those are roughly 40 miles roundtrip.

We'd prefer not to spend hours in the car before starting the ride, so I'd want to avoid starting much east of Weldon Spring unless its really worth it.

Thanks!
 
Carl spahn from Kansas City on 6/23/2020 9:19:33 AM:
Of the three you mention I would say start at Weldon Springs and go west. The other two choices you're not " out in the country" for good parts of them or they are not that scenic.
Of course for the most scenic part of the trail you would start in Rocheport and head downstream, but that would be about a 2 hr drive on I-70 to get there.
 
Carl spahn from Kansas City on 6/23/2020 9:19:33 AM:
Of the three you mention I would say start at Weldon Springs and go west. The other two choices you're not " out in the country" for good parts of them or they are not that scenic.
Of course for the most scenic part of the trail you would start in Rocheport and head downstream, but that would be about a 2 hr drive on I-70 to get there.
 
Brad from Louisville, KY on 6/23/2020 12:45:29 PM:
Thanks, Carl. Appreciate the guidance.
 
Dave from Kirkwood on 6/23/2020 2:28:55 PM:
I agree with Carl given your three options. You could also start at the wastewater treatment plant off Research Park Circle from I-64 west of the MO River, where a Busch Greenway trail leads down to the Katy at mile 52. You could also start in Chesterfield and cycle across the MO River on I-64 bridge (with bike lane on west side). These other options let you bike under the nice bluffs in the Weldon Springs area, although they are harder to see now that leaves are out.


 
k on 6/23/2020 8:39:26 PM:
If you end up with Augusta on your itinerary, I can recommend Kate's Coffee House, Centennial Farms (if they're open by the time you arrive - check their website or FB page), and Augusta Brewing as pleasant places to pause or rest - once you put your hill-climbing legs to work! If you're into wine, plenty more destinations abound there as well. All in all, it's a pretty place for nature views and small-town architecture and history.
 
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