It’s funny, after probably 15 rides on various Katy Trail spots through years, I’d never Googled “Prettiest stretch of the Katy Trail.” I do that, and find out that the city I’d always visited first, Rocheport, is the trail’s best spot anyway. Rocheport is the perfect little stop, with the best food and among the best accommodations. It was the first part of the trail to open. And there’s an amazing ride right along the Missouri, under the interstate, through a traintunnell … all the stuff you’d see in a commercial.
The best part of Rocheport is Meriwether Cafe and Bike Shop, which deserves its own post, coming later. Suffice to say I’d planned to have breakfast there pre-ride, and lunch there post-ride. It doesn’t disappoint. I have no idea how the young couple who bought Larry’s old bike shop has turned it into a world-class eatery, but miracles do happen. You can read a lot more about Brandon and Whitney Vair on the Meriwether website.
Today, I ride on the prettiest stretch of the trail, from Rocheport to McBain — an 18-mile round trip. By far my longest ride without a break. That takes about two hours. For the curious, I tend to average about 10 mph on the Katy (remember, it’s not a road). So my plan all along was a one-hour ride in the morning and another in the afternoon. That gets you to about 20 miles. But today, I wanted to make it to the next trialhead in one stretch. Katy trailheads are generally 10-15 miles apart, very well marked, and each one has some kind of services. There’s at least remarkably clean bathrooms and water. Many have delis or cafes, landmarks, and access to other things.
Along the trail, you’ll also find well-considered historical markets. On much of the ride, you’ll be following the path of the Lewis and Clark expedition’s first days. L&C Campsites are clearly marked, and always give me goosebumps. These soldiers were pulling boats upriver for 2,000 miles! They had supplies, but generally had to find and make their own food, clothes (a tailor was among the contingent) for two years. Here I am getting tired after biking for an hour or two. At any rate, I devour all these markers. Really, that’s why I stop to read them, not because I need a break.
McBain itself is a bit unremarkable, other than it’s the closest trailhead to Columbia, so it tends to be pretty busy. Riding on the trail you’ll run into big families, tours, runners. It’s impressive how busy it is.
In the pictures below, notice the bluffs. Missouri’s natural beauty is very underrated. It’s an oasis in the middle of the flatness that runs from Ohio to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
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After 18 miles, I needed a substantial break, but I still wasn’t done for the day. I made up that last little bit by taking a four-mile quickie (like a time-trial in the Tour de France, kind of ) on what’s called the MKT Trail. All along the Katy, towns have added access trails to residents can pedal their way directly to it from their homes. The MKT is Columbia’s version. It’s almost 10 miles long, and spills you onto the Katy south of town. I take a small section of that. Then I go eat a lot of pizza. I’m famished.
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