Kansas City to ACA Lewis and Clark Route?

[rim2u505]

I need advice on the best way to cycle from the Amtrak station in Kansas City, MO to the Lewis and Clark route. On Google maps I see a lot of bridges over rivers, but I cannot figure out which if any has bike lanes or a sidewalk. I'll be headed towards Atchitson, KS the first day. Thanks!

[John Nettles]

If you have not already bought your ticket, one easy way to deal with traveling through larger cities is to ride early Sunday so you exit the city limits by 10:00am.  Hardly any traffic typically.

Google does show several bike lanes (you clicked on Bicycling in the Getting Around box below the search box, correct).  There is a bike path under the I-70 bridge and then it shows a "cycling friendly" road is Parallel Parkway on the NW side (KS side).  Go west to say 91st street and then north toward Levenworth and Atchison.  NOTE: I am not from KC area and am only using Google Maps for the about info.

Hope you have a good ride!  John

[rim2u505]

Thanks John! I appreciate the information. Google also has a disclaimer that they don't guarantee that the routes they determine are actually cyclist safe. I am coming in on a Saturday morning to avoid the major commute traffic, but with Amtrak trains on these western routes they get stuck behind freight trains and you can be hours behind schedule. Your insights and information are valuable, but I am still hoping for some "boots on the ground" type recon from some local Kansas City cyclist(s). Most of the time in the cities you have to cut through some parking lot that runs under a hotel, or make a sharp unmarked turn that can make a big difference when you are trying to connect the dots in new territory. Also, as you know, this time of the year there are often construction projects on the highways and streets, and the first things to get sacrificed are the bike lanes and sidewalks. Thanks again!

[Tandem Tom]

You might contact a local bike shop or cycling club.

[rim2u505]

That's on my to-do list too. Do you recommend any specific shops or clubs?

[Tandem Tom]

I live in NE Ohio so I am not familiar with any. When we rode cross country last year, east to west on the L&C, I just did web searches for clubs and shop in large urban areas. They were more knowledgeable than I or Google Maps about a good route.

[Greg in MO]

I live in KC.  Where on the L&C are you trying to go?  Platte City?