best segments

My college roommates (from almost 40 years ago) are considering riding the Katy Trail for
three to five days, probably riding 50-80 miles a day, exploring the area as we go along. We'd
like to get some idea of the "best" areas, according to the opinions of others. We've already
ridden along the C&O Canal in West Virginia and Maryland (from Paw Paw to Harper's Ferry),
along the Raritan and Delaware Canal, in Joshua Tree National Park, and on Cape Cod. So
we've seen some good spots; we're just missing the Midwest! Any suggestions, friends?

80 miles a day in 3 days and you've seen it all with 2 days to spare.

Plan to spend a day in Jefferson City. Depending on when you come, you could book a spot on one of the tours of the old Prison (MSP). Go to www.missouripentours.com for more info. Tour the State Capitol. The most important thing to see in the Capitol is the Thomas Hart Benton Mural. The Capitol is open M-F, 8-5, ask about the mural at the information desk, or take one of the free tours, offered hourly I think. Ride your bike to Lincoln University and see the Soldiers Memorial Plaza. Have dinner on the east side at O'Dohohue's Steak and Seafood House, then go to our micro brewery, Prison Brews, and play Bocci Ball, if it's the season for it. If you're here on a weekend finish your night at The Mission for live music and dancing.

Since the entire trail is about 264 miles, the pace you are considering will cover it in about 3 days, as the previous poster pointed out. You sound like experienced bikers. Stop and smell the roses in the Showme state. Check out the wineries on the eastern part of the trail (Augusta, and that area). Rocheport and Hartsburg are 2 great little towns. Enjoy the bluffs and the river views between Rocheport and Hartsburg, and from Mokane to Portland, and on to Rhineland. Get Brett Dufur's book on the Katy Trail, if you haven't already, read up on things ahead of time, and have a great time.

We seem to migrate to a few sections of the Katy over and over.

Sedalia to Boonvile is scenic and the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia and the Frederick Inn in Boonville are both historic and worthy of a nights stay.

Rocheport to McBaine has some very majestic limestone bluffs and nice river views. Some nice B&B's in Rocheport and eateries too. The bistro at the winery on top of the bluff has a good view as well as food and wine.

Hartsburg to Defiance is mostly all a good ride. The Hermann area is worth a stop.....good wine country here of course with community names like Rhineland and Portland. The tour of the Stonehill winery is a nice side trip. Some fantastic B&B's in Hermann also.

The Augusta area and east to Defiance is a good ride. East of Defiance is not one of our favorites. Historic St. Charles though, has some nice places to stay and eat to wind down after a day out.

I've done the entire trail, and my two favorite sections are from Sedalia to Boonesville, and from Rocheport to Hartsburg. I think the only section I would not bother doing again is from Defiance to St. Charles, but this is a short section of the trail. A person might as well ride it just to say you've covered the whole trail.