Suggestions for a Boy Scout trail ride

We have a group of 50 scouts planning a weekend stay. We will be camping at New Franklin. As we will have varying skill levels, some will ride a mile and some will ride 50. Any suggestions on which direction (East or West) we should head for the best scenery? Any difference in terrain for 10-15 miles from New Franklin, ie. is one way harder versus the other?

Thanks

From New Franklin heading south you will have to cross the Missouri river after only a few miles and you can't ride across the bridge. So you will need to arrange for the boys and their bikes to be transported to the south side to continue on the trail. From there you won't see the river at all, only farmland and it starts out uphill.

For the level trail and scenery I recommend heading east toward Rocheport. Most of the 13 miles is very level and you'll see some farmland and buildings. At Rocheport the trailhead has several attractions right on the trail, a small park for picnics and many places to grab a lunch or refreshing drink. It also has a bike shop if any of the boys bikes need repair. Then, continuing from Rocheport towards the southeast you immediately see the most scenic part of the Katy Trail; the bluffs on one side and the river on the other. You can look at the maps of some of the other small (and I mean small) towns further toward Jefferson City if any of you and your Scouts are willing and able to forge ahead.

This sounds like a great idea to me. I'm sure most of the boys will have an experience that they will remember well the rest of their lives. Have fun, be careful.

Why can't you cross the bridge at Boonville anymore?? Arrange for transportation across the bridge.....south of New Franklin??? I've riden across the bridge many, many times. There used to be a very nice bike lane. What do you know that the rest of us don't Norm???

Unless there has been a major news event.....I think you are in error.

The best scenery is around Rocheport and east. Coming into Rocheport you will ride through the tunnel which your scouts will really enjoy. The town of Rocheport is really nice and you can eat or grab something to drink at the Bike shop right on the trail. Riding east you will be riding along the river with high bluffs on your left. There are benches all along the trail to stop and rest at. The trail is flat and easy to ride so your scouts will be able to ride farther than you might think. Be sure and stop and look at all the different things along the trail, like the Railroads munitions cave on the left side of the trail east of Rocheport. You'll have a great time, this is one of the best sections of the trail and one I would highly recommend to first time Katy Trial riders. Have fun!

Trek biker,

I stand corrected about the Boonville bridge not being passable by bike. I have never crossed it and had heard that it was not advisable to do so. However this website shows a very good photo of the bike lane and it looks very good.

Yes, The Boonville bridge is very passible. It has a very nice bike lane. I think you were confusing it with the now shut-down bridge at Hermann. The new bridge is open and it appears to have a nice bike lane, too. Has anyone ridden the new Hermann bridge yet?

The Boonevile bridge is easily crossed by bike, however, I strongly agree with Norm and Cliff, go east to Rocheport. It is by far the best part of the trail scenery wise.

re Hermann bridge--the bike lane is not open because of other construction equipment still in the area--but there is a nice shoulder area along the road to ride across anyway. We were told the bike lane will open Oct. 9th.