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Bike the Katy Trail Across Missouri's Rhineland

Program Number: 2221RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/2/2012 - 9/7/2012;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Price starting at: $824.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Bike the Katy Trail, America's longest “rails-to-trails” project, through Missouri's heartland. A protected state park, the Katy Trail follows 240 miles of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad Corridor from St. Charles to Clinton. Meet local historians and government representatives and learn about the flora and fauna along the route, MKT Railroad history, the Missouri River and the journey of Lewis and Clark.




Highlights

• Bike along the scenic Katy Trail — often with the Missouri River on one side and bluffs on the other — along with a pacesetter, sweep rider and sag wagon.
• Discover Tavern Cave, visited by Lewis and Clark, the land of the Osage Indians, the colorful German town of Hermann and historic St. Charles.
• Enjoy dinner at two wineries and discuss the Missouri wine industry, founded by German immigrants in the 1800’s.



Activity Particulars

Bicycling 25-30 miles per day at a speed of 7-8 mph on a dedicated bike trail. Generally flat terrain. Standard 21-speed bicycles provided; bring your own helmet.



Itinerary Summary

Arrivals Columbia, MO, 2 nights; Jefferson City, 1 night; Hermann, 1 night; St. Charles, 2 nights.



Coordinated by St. Charles Community College.




Columbia (Missouri)

Artsy and eclectic describe Columbia's downtown, known as The District. It's the cultural epicenter of this sophisticated university town, where you can rediscover Lewis and Clark's journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase and learn about John William "Blind" Boone, one of Missouri's three famous ragtime composers and piano players.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels, centrally located in cities on the Katy Trail.
Meals and Lodgings
   Quality Inn
  Columbia, MO 2 nights
   Days Inn of Jefferson City
  Jefferson City, MO 1 night
   Harbor Haus Inn & Suites
  Hermann, MO 1 night
   Country Inn & Suites
  St. Charles, MO 1 night
 Quality Inn
Type: Hotel
  Description: Located close to major interstate and minutes from downtown. Beautiful atrium.
  Contact info: 1612 N. Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65202 USA
phone: 573-449-2491
web: www.qualityinn.com
  Room amenities: In room coffee makers, hairdryers, irons & ironing boards,
  Facility amenities: Indoor pool & spa with beautiful atrium. Interior corridors.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Check in time: 4:00 PM

 Days Inn of Jefferson City
Type: Hotel
  Description: Located close to downtown Jefferson City & State Capital.
  Contact info: 2100 Jefferson St.
Jefferson City, MO 65109 USA
phone: 573-761-3600
  Room amenities: Free cable with HBO, hairdryers, data ports, coffee makers, iron and ironing board.
  Facility amenities: Indoor pool and spa, cable TV, high speed internet.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Harbor Haus Inn & Suites
Type: Inn
  Description: Located very close to the heart of Hermann, Missouri.
  Contact info: 2nd and Market (Hwy 19)
Hermann, MO 65041 USA
phone: 573-486-2222
web: harborhaus.net
  Room amenities: Free cable & HBO
  Facility amenities: Very quaint Inn with individual houses. Many antiques.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Country Inn & Suites
Type: Motel
  Description: Situated on Main Street in the heart of historic St. Charles, Missouri, the hotel provides convenient access to restaurants, boutiques, the Ameristar Casino, and the Missouri River. Enjoy warm country style décor, a pool, fitness center, business center, and high-speed internet.
  Contact info: 1190 South Main Street
St. Charles, MO 63301 USA
phone: 636-724-5555
web: www.countryinns.com/hotels/mostchar
  Room amenities: Spacious guest rooms, featuring cable TV, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a data port, hair dryer, large work space with desk, iron/ironing board, in-room coffee maker and many more convenient amenities.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: Approximately $74 Call hotel for details.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Meet at Country Inn & Suites, St. Charles, Missouri at 12:30 p.m. on first day. We will size bikes, load trailer, and shuttle to first night hotel in Columbia. You will be staying at Quality Inn that night.
  End of Program:
St. Charles, Missouri around 11 a.m. after morning activities. You will be staying at Country Inn & Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Emergency/contact information form will be mailed to participant approximately 5 weeks prior to program. Form to be returned to St. Charles Community College prior to arrival.
  Parking availability:
Safe, Secure parking available at hotel in St. Charles. We will eventually spend the final night at the hotel.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Columbia, MO
  Nearest city or town:  Columbia, Missouri
  Nearest highway: Interstate 70
  Nearest airport:  St. Louis, Missouri
  From End of Program
  Location:  St. Charles, MO
  Nearest city or town:  St Charles, Missouri
  Nearest highway: Interstate 70
  Nearest airport:  St Louis, Missouri
Travel Details
 

St Louis

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Go-Best Express
phone: 314-222-5300

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$17.00 per person
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Less than 1 hour 
 

Distance:

 

Less than 20 miles
   

Transportation from the airport: Go-Best Express Airport Shuttle Transportation: Round-trip cost approximately $32. Counters are inside next to exit 12. Shared van service to downtown hotels. To make online reservations go to www.gobestexpress.com. Metro Link: You may purchase your fare from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) located at any MetroLink station. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes during the day.
 
Driving Directions
  Kansas City, MO. Country Inn & Suites, St. Charles Missouri From the West (on I-70 E) Depart ramp for I-70 East At exit 229, take ramp right and follow signs for Fifth St. Turn left onto S. 5th St. Turn right onto Riverbluff Dr. Turn left onto S. Main St. Arrive at 1190 S. Main St.
  St. Louis Missouri -Country Inn & Suites, St. Charles Missouri From the East (on I-70 W) Depart I-70 West At exit 229B, take ramp right and follow signs for Fifth St. Bear right onto S. 5th St. Immediately turn right onto Riverbluff Dr. Turn left onto S. Main St. Arrive at 1190 S. Main St.
Equipment Requirements: Must bring own biking helmet. Helmets are required.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Meeting Location
(Sunday, September 2)
   
 Arrive To: We will meet at 12:30 pm in St. Charles at the Country Inn & Suites and shuttle to Columbia, Missouri. Bikes will be adjusted and sized in St. Charles and all gear loaded on the trailer. We will arrive in Columbia around 3:30 pm.
 Afternoon: 3:30 - 4:30 Welcome Wine and Cheese Reception in Atrium at the Quality Inn.
 Dinner: Dinner 5:30 pm. followed by orientation to the program.
 Evening: Special Speaker from the Department of Natural Resources presenting on the History of the Katy Trail
   
Accommodations: Quality Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Local Restaurant
(Monday, September 3)
   
 Breakfast: Hot breakfast buffet at the hotel 6:30 am - 8:00 am.
 Morning: We will depart from a trailhead near the hotel and ride approxately 10 - 15 miles before lunch. Frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at a scenic point along the trail. It may be picnic style or at a local cafe.
 Afternoon: We will ride the remaining distance for the day with frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through. You will have a short time to relax before a late dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at a local restaurant and will conclude around 8 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Quality Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:
(Tuesday, September 4)
   
 Breakfast: Hot breakfast buffet at hotel between 6:30 am - 8:00 am.
 Morning: We will depart from a trailhead near the hotel. We will ride approx. 10 miles before lunch. Frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at a scenic point along the trail. It may be picnic style or at a local cafe.
 Afternoon: We will ride the remaining distance for the day with frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through. Educational tour of the State Capitol if time allows. You will have time to relax before a late evening dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at Summit Lake Winery, located just outside of the city. Great view of Jeffferson City. Wine tasting available. Dinner to conclude around 8:30 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Days Inn of Jefferson City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:
(Wednesday, September 5)
   
 Breakfast: Continental breakfast at your leasure between 6:30 - 8:00am.
 Morning: We will depart from a trailhead near the hotel. We will ride approx. 10-15 miles before lunch. Frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at a scenic point along the trail. It may be picnic style or at a local cafe.
 Afternoon: We will ride the remaining distance for the day with frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail and the small towns we pass through. You will have time to relax before leaving for the winery. We will be touring one of the top wineries in the United States. Opportunity for tasting some award winning Missouri Wines.
 Dinner: Dinner at one of the top wineries in the United States. Information on the German founders provided. Dinner will be German cuisine and conclude around 8 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Harbor Haus Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:
(Thursday, September 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the main house around 8:00.
 Morning: Shuttle to Augusta. Lecture on German Migration to the area. Frequent stops along the trail for water breaks, and educational information relatings to the trail.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at a scenic point along the trail. It may be picnic style or at a local cafe.
 Afternoon: After lunch we will begin the final section of the trail and you will have the opportunity to ride at your own pace the final 15 miles to St. Charles. Sag Wagon will be along the trail for water breaks. Explore St. Charles upon arrival.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant and final program
   
Accommodations: Country Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:
(Friday, September 7)
   
 Depart From: Depart program after morning activities by 11:00 am.
 Breakfast: Continental breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: After breakfast we will visit the Missouri first State Capitol in Historic Downtown St Charles. Will return to the hotel by 11:00 am for departure. Those leaving by airline can relax and take a cab at their leisure to the airport. Safe travels home.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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