Katy Trail: Day 4-5-6
Day 4 - Boonville to Jefferson City (48 miles)
Our ride to Jefferson City, Missouri's capital, took us through rolling farmland and alongside the scenic Missouri River. The day started with a bit of a mechanical when Bill discovered his cleat was installed backwards the night before while doing a preventative maintenance (right preventative) —OMG! That definitely doesn't work. After a quick fix, we hit the trail, which was in great shape. Breakfast in the charming town of Rocheport was a nice break. Along the way, we encountered our first copperhead snake lounging right in the middle of the trail, so we gave him plenty of space. Riding into Jefferson City, we noticed some strange bird nests tucked beneath a bridge (later we learned that they were more than likely cliff swallows, constructed with mud pellets and design for safety of the colony), and to top off the day, we were treated to the quirky roadside attraction known as Boat Stonehenge.
Day 5 - Jefferson City to Hermann (45 miles)
After breakfast at the Jeff City Airport, which was a treat, we found the trail and headed for Hermann. Lunch at Holzhauser's Bar & Grill was like stepping back into the 70s. The moment you walked in, the smell of smoke clung to the wooden walls, not from years past, but because people were still smoking inside the restaurant. Everyone enjoyed their meals, savoring classic hearty dishes but not able to enjoy a cold beer (the beer would come later), but the lingering smoky air was a challenge no one could quite get used to. After crossing the Missouri River a couple more times and more farmland we finished our ride in the town of Herman. Tonight we were staying in an Air B&B. The house was a little quirky but everyone had their own rooms and was very comfortable. The town had some an old-world charm that was hard to ignore. Fortunate for us, just down the road, we discovered a wonderful beer garden where the fresh air and great brews made for a perfect place for dinner. On our way back we found live music and the Das Trinken Haus where yes you guessed more beer.
Day 6 - Hermann to St. Charles (65 miles)
After another early start, we found the trail and headed toward St. Charles. The scenery was filled with more farmland and more trailheads, each an opportunity to meet other riders as well as to enjoy a short break from pedaling. Over the course of five long days, we covered 320 miles — tough miles that felt rewarding every pedal of the way. It was an unforgettable ride, made even better by the company of great friends. Now, the big question: where to next year?
