Bicycle Augusta Missouri Region and enjoy Health and Fitness
There are so many wonderful places for daytrips along the Katy that are close to the St. Louis area, yet far enough away to bring you closer to nature. The Weldon Springs Conservation area just east of Defiance is shady and quiet with benches for resting along the trail every so often. You can cycle to Sugar Creek Winery or hang out at Dave and Jackie’s in Defiance for a cold one. Take the bike path into Klondike Park for a trip around the lake.
Originally a quarry to mine white quartz sandstone for the production of glass, Klondike Park has a small lake for catch and release fishing in the middle of white sands with bluffs surrounding the park. There are picnic areas, playgrounds and camping in the park. If you like to hike, there are several challenging hiking paths that take you through the woods and up the bluffs with mind-boggling views of the Missouri River Valley.
One of my favorite exercise routes is from Augusta to the Klondike cut-off, through the park to the entrance. I hop off my bike at the conference center and take the path up to the bluff. I gaze out over the river valley, imagining what it was like for Lewis and Clark. Sometimes, I will take the hiking path and add an hour hike to my 45-minute ride. The path through the park zigzags through switchbacks all the way down to the entrance again. A few miles west and you’ll be in Augusta.
The more adventurous may want to plan an overnight trip, perhaps St. Charles to Augusta and back the next day. This is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the inn-to-inn cycling adventure trips. The trip from the St. Charles trailhead to the Augusta trailhead is about 28 miles or 3-5 hours, depending on your speed and relaxation time in between.
If you don’t have bikes at your disposal, you can rent them at ‘Kickstand’ Bike Rental in Defiance, and head to Augusta for an overnight stay at the Lindenhof Bed and Breakfast. Reward yourself with a relaxing and soothing soak in the outdoor hot tub or sit by the stone fireplace with a glass of wine and some home-baked bread. You’ve earned it.
If you’re tastes lean to the more rugged and spirited side of life, bring your mountain bike and try out the trail at Klondike Park. Steep descents and narrow ledges are not for the faint-of-heart and the seasoned and hearty rider will not be disappointed. If you would like to try out the mountain biking experience in a less precarious but still challenging way, head to Matson Hill Park, located high up the hillsides of the Defiance area.
This park has paths cut through some of the most beautiful landscape in the area and a trip on a cool October day will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The lay of the land has plenty of heart-pumping ascents and descents but without the narrow drop offs of Klondike. Deer abound in this area, and I have never been disappointed while hiking through there. I feel as if I am the only one around who knows about this place. Someday I will ride it, rather than walk. Perhaps we’ll meet along the way.
Originally a quarry to mine white quartz sandstone for the production of glass, Klondike Park has a small lake for catch and release fishing in the middle of white sands with bluffs surrounding the park. There are picnic areas, playgrounds and camping in the park. If you like to hike, there are several challenging hiking paths that take you through the woods and up the bluffs with mind-boggling views of the Missouri River Valley.
day. This is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the inn-to-inn cycling adventure trips. The trip from the St. Charles trailhead to the Augusta trailhead is about 28 miles or 3-5 hours, depending on your speed and relaxation time in between.
