Rock Island + Katy Trail
Name: Rock Island + Katy Trail
Start: Kansas City, MO
Finish: Machens, MO
Distance: 294.55 miles
GPS: Strava Segment
Description: The Katy Trail is the longest and one of the most renowned rail trails in the United States, stretching 239 miles from its western terminus in Clinton, MO, to its eastern terminus in Machens, MO, just north of St. Louis. To create a true cross-state route between Missouri’s two major metro areas, Kansas City and St. Louis, the Katy Trail can be linked with the Rock Island Trail. Starting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, the Rock Island Trail connects to the eastern end of the Katy Trail for a total of 295 miles. A short loop around the stadium adds the final mileage to create a 300-mile route across Missouri.
This route has been completed in under 24 hours as part of a nonstop endurance challenge, but it is also well-suited for a multi-day bikepacking adventure. The Katy Trail itself is well-maintained, with clean amenities and welcoming communities along the way.
Note: The Rock Island Trail is not fully connected between Lee’s Summit and Pleasant Hill, requiring short stretches on local roads.
Suggested Stops
Unsupported:
Men:
Women:
Para:
Team: Collin Pierce and Don Wasinger 09/24/25, 21:48:23
Supported:
Men:
Team:
Para:
Name: Rock Island + Katy Trail
Start: Kansas City, MO
Finish: Machens, MO
Distance: 294.55 miles
GPS: Strava Segment
Description: The Katy Trail is the longest and one of the most renowned rail trails in the United States, stretching 239 miles from its western terminus in Clinton, MO, to its eastern terminus in Machens, MO, just north of St. Louis. To create a true cross-state route between Missouri’s two major metro areas, Kansas City and St. Louis, the Katy Trail can be linked with the Rock Island Trail. Starting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, the Rock Island Trail connects to the eastern end of the Katy Trail for a total of 295 miles. A short loop around the stadium adds the final mileage to create a 300-mile route across Missouri.
This route has been completed in under 24 hours as part of a nonstop endurance challenge, but it is also well-suited for a multi-day bikepacking adventure. The Katy Trail itself is well-maintained, with clean amenities and welcoming communities along the way.
Note: The Rock Island Trail is not fully connected between Lee’s Summit and Pleasant Hill, requiring short stretches on local roads.
Suggested Stops
- Medford, MO – Mile 46.6
- Katy Trail Connection – Mile 75.8
- Sedalia, MO – Mile 93.4
- McBaine, MO – Mile 154.5
- North Jefferson, MO – Mile 181
- Portland, MO – Mile 208.3
- Dutzow, MO – Mile 250.4
- Finish: Machens, MO – Mile 298
Unsupported:
Men:
Women:
Para:
Team: Collin Pierce and Don Wasinger 09/24/25, 21:48:23
Supported:
Men:
- Daniel Eisenberg, 07/02/2026 18:05:08
Team:
Para:
Note from the ride:
From Daniel Eisenberg: PJ Terry https://www.strava.com/activities/19168592403 and I started our FKT attempt at 3:37 PM on July 2nd. The car was reading 100 degrees as we parked a few miles away from the for PJ to be able to conveniently get back to his car after taking the Amtrak back from St. Louis. It seemed like a stiff head headwind for the first 10 miles which was actually quite welcomed in the heat. There were a few stop lights we had to wait for, but smooth sailing until mile 26.5 where the bridge was literally broken. We discussed ways to get around it and decided it was best to route around.
We ended up stopping at mile 45 the water spigot in Medford just to bathe ourselves in that cool delicious water.
Our next stop was mile 74 at the Casey’s in Windsor where we treated ourselves to energy drinks and reloaded all our carb mixes.
Unfortunately, our next stop was at mile 112 where PJ emptied his guts. We’re still not sure what it was but he couldn’t catch a break.
We hobbled along to mile 130 at Boonville where PJ finally convinced me that I should press on alone and he’d check in with me periodically as he got better.
So I continued solo - stopping at our pre-planned location of Rocheport at mile 145. The water spigot there allowed me to fill up my 2 liter USWE pack and 3 bottles and I was sure to mix in Formula 369 but not nearly as concentrated. Roughly 4 scoops per liter
This section was probably the worst I felt and all I could focus on was not hitting all the wildlife (armadillo, raccoons, opossum, deer/buck, etc) and making it to the gas station off the McKittrick stop in Hermann at mile 222. My stomach didn’t allow me to eat too much during those 70+ miles but I was happy to have grabbed my raspberry fig bars.
I arrived at 4:55am and had to wait 5 minutes for the gas station to open. The nicest lady was working that morning and we ended up chatting for literally 30 minutes about growing up in california, what her views are on Ai, and how she loves living in the country. She suggested I eat some 2 Twinkies, 2 Cinnabon, and one huge pickle. It was exactly what I needed to turn my stomach on again and I was able to refill my bottles once again with mostly water.
The rest of the ride I at at least 2 gels an hour and just washed it down with my lightly mixed carb mix.
I didn’t want to stop as I was now focused on setting a good time but more importantly, I didn’t want to spend any more time in the heat!
From Daniel Eisenberg: PJ Terry https://www.strava.com/activities/19168592403 and I started our FKT attempt at 3:37 PM on July 2nd. The car was reading 100 degrees as we parked a few miles away from the for PJ to be able to conveniently get back to his car after taking the Amtrak back from St. Louis. It seemed like a stiff head headwind for the first 10 miles which was actually quite welcomed in the heat. There were a few stop lights we had to wait for, but smooth sailing until mile 26.5 where the bridge was literally broken. We discussed ways to get around it and decided it was best to route around.
We ended up stopping at mile 45 the water spigot in Medford just to bathe ourselves in that cool delicious water.
Our next stop was mile 74 at the Casey’s in Windsor where we treated ourselves to energy drinks and reloaded all our carb mixes.
Unfortunately, our next stop was at mile 112 where PJ emptied his guts. We’re still not sure what it was but he couldn’t catch a break.
We hobbled along to mile 130 at Boonville where PJ finally convinced me that I should press on alone and he’d check in with me periodically as he got better.
So I continued solo - stopping at our pre-planned location of Rocheport at mile 145. The water spigot there allowed me to fill up my 2 liter USWE pack and 3 bottles and I was sure to mix in Formula 369 but not nearly as concentrated. Roughly 4 scoops per liter
This section was probably the worst I felt and all I could focus on was not hitting all the wildlife (armadillo, raccoons, opossum, deer/buck, etc) and making it to the gas station off the McKittrick stop in Hermann at mile 222. My stomach didn’t allow me to eat too much during those 70+ miles but I was happy to have grabbed my raspberry fig bars.
I arrived at 4:55am and had to wait 5 minutes for the gas station to open. The nicest lady was working that morning and we ended up chatting for literally 30 minutes about growing up in california, what her views are on Ai, and how she loves living in the country. She suggested I eat some 2 Twinkies, 2 Cinnabon, and one huge pickle. It was exactly what I needed to turn my stomach on again and I was able to refill my bottles once again with mostly water.
The rest of the ride I at at least 2 gels an hour and just washed it down with my lightly mixed carb mix.
I didn’t want to stop as I was now focused on setting a good time but more importantly, I didn’t want to spend any more time in the heat!