Rode St. Charles to Sedalia 5/4-5/6

I just rode from St. Charles to Sedalia this week, taking the train back to St. Louis Saturday morning. I camped out at Mokane, right at the trail head on 5/4, rode through the rain on 5/5 and stayed at the Comfort Inn in Boonville to recover that night, and then camped at the Sedalia Fairgrounds 5/6.

It was a great trip. My only advice is to be careful crossing the bridge immediately west of Providence. Someone had smashed a beer bottle on this bridge, and caused me a flat front tire--which I had to change in the rain! I tried to push some of the broken glass to the sides of the bridge, but I didn't get all of the tiny shards before I decided to keep riding. Be careful!

-John

I'm planning a trip the week of Mem Day and some of our fellow bikers are bailing. We were going to use a sag van along the route, but with 3 people riding now, that seems silly. Can you give me more info about taking the train? Where did you pick it up? Is there a website I could look at? I'm new to this site and apologize if it's listed here, but any information about getting a ride back for 3 adults/1 toddler from Sedalia back to St Charles would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Sandy,

Amtrak has a station in Sedalia, and they usually have a morning and an evening train heading to St. Louis. I would suggest using the Amtrak website to get the current schedules and phone number for reservations. Have a credit/debit card with you to pay on the train if you have to. With three bikes, you may want to book in advance to make sure there is space for them. They just stuck my bike in the dining car in a wheelchair space--which suggests to me that you can't count on space for three bikes being perpetually available. However, I get the sense that most people ride the trail from West to East to avoid headwind and the slight incline, so you might benefit from not having too much company riding West to East on Amtrak. Memorial Day weekend is apt to be busier though. My ticket cost $51 (Sedalia to St. Louis) including a $10 surcharge for the bike.

I think a nice trip would be to start in St. Charles, push West to Sedalia or further, and then double back to pick up the train in Sedalia. There is abundant, comfortable camping space at the Sedalia Fairgrounds.

I parked my car in St. Charles, but Amtrak only stops in Kirkwood and St. Louis city, so my wife had to shuttle me out to get my car. You might have to pay a taxi $20-$30 to go get your car(s) after you arrive back in Kirkwood or St. Louis, but that's the worst of it.