Reply to Amtrak, Kirkwood Station

Planing to ride from the Courtyard Marriott, New Ballas Rd. in Creve Coeur to the Kirkwood Amtrak station and wanted to know if anyone has cycled that route. I've checked out the route on Google Maps, but would like to have some first-hand information from someone who has biked along that route. Also, is it feasible to ride from Katy Trail back to the Courtyard on the return trip when finishing the trail (West to East)? Thanks.

I don't know which route you chose, but I would recommend taking New Ballas directly south from your hotel. The first mile or two - before and after crossing Olive St - will have a lot of car traffic and I'm not sure what kind of shoulders you have to ride on. But once you get across Ladue Rd, and especially after crossing Clayton Rd, (at which point it will be just Ballas Road without the "New") you have a nice wide shoulder which is marked as bike lane. Stay on Ballas all the way until it splits off as Adams Rd. This is in the Sugar Creek area, which is scenic and has some cool houses to see if you like modern architecture. Stay on Adams all the way to Kirkwood Road. Right on Kirkwood Road for about 3 blocks, and you're at Amtrak. This is a mostly hilly route, but pleasant and bike-friendly. Since you're from Georgia, the hills probably will not seem like anything to you.

Riding back from trail to hotel can be done, but I really don't know what route to recommend, other than leaving the Katy Trail and crossing the river at the Page/364 bridge. But just about any route would include Olive St - be aware that Olive St carries a lot of car traffic. However, there is a bike lane painted on much of Olive west of 270. I've never ridden it so can't tell you much more.

Good luck and happy trails!

Ray, I appreciate your tips! The route you suggest is much simpler than those I'm finding on Google Maps and Mapquest, so I'll take your advice.