Missouri's Katy trail is a well maintained fine gravel trail, well compacted in most places, so you could use a road bike, but slightly wider tires would be better. We're in our 60's and like to ride up to 25 miles/day, with a lunch break before returning to the car. We've found three such rides in mid MO with simple dining options within a few blocks of the trail. Before taking these trips, call ahead to verify that restaurants are open when you plan to bike. 1) park the car at Boonville trailhead, (where there is a nice museum) and ride to Pilot Grove, one way distance about 11.5 miles, where there is a small cafe (Katarina's) a few blocks Sw of trailhead, open typically until about 2PM. The ride is mostly a gentle grade uphill from Boonville, where you leave the MO River valley and enter the great plains; this is the steepest section of the Katy trail. It is a mostly shaded route, with nice forest canopy. 2) For a weekend trip, park the car in downtown Jefferson City near the river bridge. Bike across the river on the safe bike lane, down the spiral ramp and bike across the river valley to the North Jefferson trailhead, then head west to Claysville Store, a block off the trail, where you can get a nice family style meal or sandwiches. Open typically weekends only with limited hours, best to call ahead for reservation. One way distance about 12.5 miles. This section of trail has lots of open farmland with some canopy cover. 3) Park car at McBaine trailhead just off Highway K, about 14 miles SW of Columbia, head west. This segment passes through some of the best scenery the Katy has to offer in Missouri. After about 1.5 miles, at a highway crossing look west into the farmland, see the largest bur oak tree in MO. Go visit it, its a monster! Within a few miles you will be under some deep forest canopy, then pass under high bluffs right next to the trail, then enjoy a good stretch along the Missouri river with benches where you can stop and watch the river. Lunch at Meriwethers cafe in Rocheport right on the trail. Before returning to the car, ride around Rocheport, a cute town with B&B's, go an additional half mile west on the trail thru the only tunnel on the Katy Trail. Total distance is about 19 miles round trip. If you're a long distance rider, in 2020 there are a few problems on Missouri's Katy Trail- there's a bridge washed out a few miles west of Rocheport with a somewhat-marked detour on a highway, and east of Jefferson City there is a big rockslide blocking the trail- the trail is officially closed there but you can walk a bike through a path around it. Recumbants or trailers may be more difficult to get through. Check with the Missouri State Park website or bike stores in Jefferson City or Washington MO for more details.

I rode this all the time during college at Mizzou. It’s beautiful, well kept, and never gets old. Worked great for my hybrid bike, never had any trouble. The parts further from town are far less crowded with people and have the prettiest views in my opinion. Love how it connects with the Katy Trail at the end.