Cathy from Churchill from Churchill, PA on 1/11/2023 12:34:59 AM:
I live in Churchill, PA now (outside of Pittsburgh), but used to live in Jefferson City, MO. I biked the Katy trail often. I think your plan to bike in late summer (after Labor Day) is good. Plan early, avoid Oktober Fest weekend (as another poster noted). The weather in September and early October is usually good for biking in Central MO. If you plan early and book your accommodations you should not have a problem. However, having said that, a few years ago rooms in the area around Columbia, MO tended to be booked up if MU was playing at home. So keep that in mind.
As for biking in the spring, late May would be my preference. That way you can avoid any last frost situations. I tried biking the Katy in April one time. It was like biking on wet cement due to freezing and thawing. By late May that should be done.