June trip

We stayed in Hermann last year for a couple nights and rode the Katy Trail for the first time and loved it. So we're coming back this year, riding a couple days, visiting the kid in St. Louis for a couple days, then riding the Illinois Tunnel Trail for a day.

As far as the Katy Trail, better to go east-west or west-east? I am looking at a place to stay in Rocheport and then one in Marthasville. Since we will only spend 2 days on the trail, I wanted it to be scenic. Last year we rode McKittrick to Peers and back the first day, then Rhineland to Steedman and back the next day. Suggestions would be appreciated.

The other hurdle we face is food, as we eat a plant-strong diet (i.e. vegan) and so kitchen facilities are important. Eating out is challenging, so we usually just fend for ourselves from the grocery store. If anyone knows of restaurants along the trail that have options besides an iceberg lettuce salad with a carrot and cherry tomato, we will be forever in your debt! :-)

McKittrick Mercantile will be the food oasis you are looking for. They will be happy to see you.

In 2009 my daughter and I biked from Rochebport to St.Charles with my husband as support in the car. In Rocheport we stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest. Another trip we stayed at the School House B & B. Both are great. The Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest is selfserve breakfast, it's stocked with all you need. The School House B & B has a fantastic breakfast. The owners went out of their way to help us with a tire problem. They are great. I would expect that if you biked to where you can park your bike and hike up the bluff to Les Bouchois Winery, which is not far from Rocheport on the Katy, you should get a quality meal. Check their menu on-line. In Marthasville we stayed at the Little House. We loved it, you have the whole house. Again it is self serve breakfast. You have access to the kitchen. Perhaps you could ask the owner if you'd have access to pots to prepare your evening meal. If you could find a place on the route with a grocery store where you could buy some fresh vegetables, you could fix your own evening meal. I think it's Washington where the bridge over the river is not bike friendly (that's an understatement). So don't plan on biking to Washington. Now, if you stayed at the Rendleman B & B at Bluffton, Doug Rendleman will prepare a great evening meal for you. My daughter was a vegetarian at the time and he did a great job of preparing food she could eat. His B & B is not a high end hoity toity place, but spending an evening with Doug is priceless. And again, you get an evening meal and breakfast. Have a great trip.

The Tunnel Hill Trail is quite diverse, from the cypress-tupelo swamp on the southern end to the forest north of Vienna and Tunnel Hill. Breeden trestle is the longest of many and has some good views over the tree tops.

When we went there a few years back, we cut south of Hermann to St. Genevieve and rode the MODOT ferry across the Mississippi and on to Vienna.

Meat eaters here, so can't offer any Vegan advice.

Boonville is a decent alternative to staying in Rocheport. The Hotel Frederick is an early 1900's hotel that has been nicely renovated and is affordable with often a discount for Katy riders. Glen's Cafe is a nice place to eat and is in the hotel. It's a short (12 mile or so) drive from there to Rocheport.

You might check out Abigails for vegan food in Rocheport. It's a bit upscale in dining choice. The General Store is good for sandwich type food. Both are downtown Rocheport....similar to the old downtown in Omaha, as you will see. The ride along the bluffs east of Rocheport is one of the most scenic along the trail....tunnel/ammunitions bunker/petroglyphs/stately bluffs/river/etc.

Les Bourgeois winery is on top of the bluff northeast of Rocheport. Their bistro is a good dining choice which may offer vegan fare. It and the A-frame have great view of the Missouri River valley from the bluff top.

Hi Michele,
Thank you Hank, yes the McKittrick Farmers Mercantile is now carrying organic and natural snacks, with vegan options as well as prepared food in the kitchen. If you come by during the week call, we're probably still around and will open the door for you, =have a nice trip.

This is Maggie at the Concord Hill Bed and Breakfast in Marthasville, at the Peers stop on the Katy Trail. We are very accommodating with any special diets including Vegan and Gluten free. We also serve dinner if booked in advance. Check us out!

Thank you everyone for your very detailed descriptions of the trail, sights, lodging and food! We will make note of everything, and are looking forward to our trip. Now, if the weather would just cooperate!