BikeMO Routes
ROUTE CHANGES
Due to I-70 detours onto 40hwy and rider safety, we will be combining the road and trail options at the beginning of the ride this year.
The route out and back from Rocheport to Boonville will be on the Katy Trial. At Boonville, riders have the option to stay on the trail for the trail ride or leave the trail and hit the road route for the rest of the ride. The Katy Trail is crushed limestone, it is very rideable with a road bike in most cases; we recommend at least 25mm tires, but we have ridden it (but don't necessarily recommend) as narrow as 19mm tires on it.
3 Route Options
BikeMO has three different ride options. Each ride provides a choice of ride lengths. The main ride leaves from Rocheport, Missouri (the first 15 miles on the trail) and passes through Boonville and Blackwater on the way to Arrow Rock, Missouri. Most roads are low-traffic state-lettered routes. The route is an out-and-back route which means riders will return via the same route. Whichever route you choose, please plan to have your ride finished between 4pm and 5pm.
Main Route
Hybrid Paved and Trail RouteThe Main Route takes riders on the Katy Trail for about 14 miles between Rocheport and Boonville. Once in Boonville, the route leaves the trail and is entirely paved until you hit the trail in Boonville on the way back for the final 14 miles of the ride (the last mile is actually back on the road up to the winery). The Main Route also goes through Black Water and Arrow Rock via paved roads. This is our main route option for 2023. Riders will be on the trail for the first ~15 and last ~ 15 miles of the ride. Once riders reach the Boonville SAG stop, they can ride the road route from Boonville to Arrow Rock then return to Boonville to jump onto the trail to return to the winery.
Katy Trail
All Trail RouteThis beautiful trail ride is an excellent choice for all riders, but it is especially appealing for families or those who are timid about riding on the roads. There is very limited SAG support for trail riders because the trail is only accessible from a limited number of locations. Please make sure you are self-supported with plenty of tubes, air, water, food, etc. We can’t access the trail with SAG vehicles. A SAG stop will be available along the trail at the Boonville trailhead. Riders can also leave the trail for about a .5-mile ride to the Boonville Gas Station Rest Stop and return to the trail for an extra SAG stop option. The distance between Rocheport and Boonville via the trail is about 14 miles. If you choose to ride to Boonville and visit the SAG stop, it will be approximately 28 miles round-trip. If you choose to ride to Pilot Grove, the round-trip distance is about 53 miles. You can also turn around at any point on the trail to create your own ride length. Please ensure that your distance is within your ability and you don’t push yourself past your limits. The ride includes a small section of road between the winery and the Rocheport trailhead.
Pavement Only
All Paved RouteFor those who would like to only ride on the pavement. You can check in at registration either the night before the ride at the host hotel or the morning of the ride at Les Bourgeois Winery. If you only want to ride the roads, drive to the Boonville Tourism Department (our 30-mile SAG stop), park there if there is room, or park across the block at the casino. The riders leaving from the Winery should arrive in Boonville around 9am or so. You can time your arrival to be ready to jump in with the main groups or leave upon your arrival to Boonville and get a head start if you prefer. You can ride the route from Boonville to Arrow Rock and Back for about 60 miles. Once you are done with your ride, it is a quick 15-mile drive back to the winery to join the rest of the riders for the after-party. For directions to the Boonville Tourism Department for the paved start, please use the Boonville Tourism Department address - 100 East Spring Street, Boonville, MO 65233. Parking is limited, but plenty of parking should be at the casino across the block.
Route Maps
Get the routes using the RideWithGPS app
- Install RideWithGPS app (Android, iPhone)
- Visit the BikeMO Event Page (easiest with your mobile device)
- On the Event Page click "RSVP"
- In the app find the event page & all event routes under "More/My Events"
- "Download for Offline" any routes you want to ride (This step is very important as you might not have cell service on route)
- Visit the EVENT PAGE
- Click on the route you would like to view
- Click on "Go To Route"
- Find the "MORE" drop-down menu
- You can choose to: export file, print maps and cue sheets, open in route planner, and copy to routes
Route Description
Rocheport
Ride Start/FinishBoth the Main Route and Katy Trail Ride begin and end at Les Bourgeois Vineyards. Les Bourgeois is a short 10-minute drive from Columbia on I-70. The vineyard sits atop the bluff which runs along the Missouri River. The property has magnificent views from the top of the cliffs, which drop 250 feet to the river valley. The Katy Trail is directly below the property and a trail links the Winery A-Frame and patio/seating area to the Katy Trail.
After leaving Les Bourgeois riders have a short trip along the road into town. The road tilts downwards into Rocheport. A quaint community along the Missouri River, the Katy Trail runs right through town. Rocheport boasts some great bed and breakfasts. Lewis and Clark visited the area in 1804. All riders will take the trail from Rocheport, towards Boonville. The trailhead is located near the bottom of the hill, in town.
Boonville
30-Mile Route Turn-Around/SAG and PAVEMENT ONLY RIDE Start/FinishAfter jumping on the Katy Trail in Rocheport, riders will head west toward Boonville, Missouri. The trail leads riders into an absolutely flat river valley. Miles of flat terrain will greet the riders as they ride through this lush farmland. Once riders reach the Missouri River bridge leading them into the heart of Boonville, the trail meanders through the streets of downtown Boonville past many great shops and restaurants. The history of the town radiates from the beautiful architecture of some of the town’s mid-19th-century buildings. An eclectic mix of styles from Queen Anne and Victorian style homes to the Katy Depot, the only surviving Spanish Mission style depot along the Katy Trail, can be viewed along the route.
Riders will stop at the Boonville Visitors Center located on 1st Street between Morgan and Spring Streets. The visitors' center marks the split of the trail ride and main routes. Riders doing the main route will head out of Boonville on the paved roads toward Arrow Rock. The trail riders can turn back towards the finish or continue on the trail for their chosen distance.
The SAG stop at the Visitors Center provides restrooms, water, food, and shade. Riders can snack, rehydrate, and rest before continuing or heading back. This location will also serve as our trail riders' only on-trail SAG stop. There are two locations for restrooms. Trail riders and road riders are asked to use the restrooms at the Katy Trail Head across the street from the visitors center. There is a very small gravel parking lot that will have to be crossed to get to those restrooms, so road riders may use the visitor center restroom but please use the trail restroom unless you absolutely can’t cross the parking lot.
Hwy 135 SAG Stop
40-Mile Turn-AroundThe SAG stop is located between Boonville and Blackwater just south of the I-70 overpass at 135Hwy. This SAG also serves as a 40-mile turn-around point for the Main Route. Trail Riders can also choose to exit the trail and take the roads (follow paint and/or signage) to this SAG Stop. You will be on trafficked roads for 1/2 to 1 mile. Please watch for traffic.
Blackwater
65-Mile Turn-Around/SAG StopAfter leaving Boonville, riders will continue their westward journey toward Blackwater, MO. The route will take riders through rolling farmland. The route will turn north and bring riders into the heart of historic Blackwater, MO. Riders can check out the local sights as they refuel and rest before continuing. The SAG Stop is located at the Blackwater Depot. It is the last building on the right as you head out of town towards Arrow Rock. It is located immediately before the railroad tracks at the end of town, just past the Iron Horse Hotel. Those riding the 65-mile route will head back the way they came and those riders who are tackling the 90-mile route will head north toward Arrow Rock along scenic country roads.
Arrow Rock
90-Mile Turn-Around/SAG StopRiders who choose to ride the 90-mile route will find themselves in Arrow Rock, Missouri. The entire village of Arrow Rock has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Riders will find themselves stepping (or riding) back in time when they enter this unique village. Historic homes, shops, and other buildings serve as the centerpiece of this Missouri jewel. Upon arriving in Arrow Rock, riders may want to spend a few minutes rolling through the streets to check out the village’s many historical features and the Visitor Center. Lewis & Clark visited the area and noted the bluff where the village was later built.
Badger's Hideaway will provide the SAG Stop in Arrow Rock! Riders can stop at the ice cream shop to refuel before they head back out on the route to return to Columbia. Riders will return via the same route they took on the way out.
As a special treat, The Badger's Hideaway is providing a special BikeMO flavor for the event. All riders who ride to Arrow Rock will receive a free scoop of their favorite flavor of ice cream.
SAG
Support and GearSeveral SAG stops will be available for riders to pick up snacks and water on the main route, and Trail Riders will have access to two SAG stops. SAG vehicles will also be available to assist riders along the Main Route. For riders who choose to take the Katy Trail option, please note that roving SAG assistance is not always available. Aside from trailheads, there is limited access to the trail, so please make sure you can ride self-supported with spare tubes, air, and a cell phone in case of an emergency. You will likely need to get to the nearest road or trailhead for SAG Drivers to get to you.
National Bicycle Routes
BikeMO routes feature portions of two of the six national bicycle routes that cross Missouri–the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Route and the American Discovery Trail. Helping to promote and improve these routes is part of MoBikeFed’s mission. Find out more about these national routes here.