Likes To Bike from Kansas City on 7/9/2012 9:16:39 AM:
Not knowing how far you want to ride, or how many days you are riding, I'll just offer some general advice. The eastern part of the trail will follow the Missouri River and offer more shade (generally) than the western part of the trail. The trail west of Booneville will travel through farmland and there can be long stretches with few trees. But, also there are some stretches on the eastern side of the trail that will travel along farmland and trees will be a bit sparse. There is very nice shade and a cool tunnel in the Rocheport area. I think that the area from August to Defiance and Weldon Spring is also nicely shaded.