Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
The Hill Country of Central Texas may be bicycle touring's best-kept secret and perhaps the last frontier of adventure cycling in the U.S. Visualize a vast network of 2-lane farm-to-market country roads traversing a vast undulating expanse dissected by deep green valleys, steep hills, rushing creeks, and rugged limestone cliffs, and no more than a scattering of small villages, and you then can begin to appreciate the absolute allure of the Hill Country as a bicycle touring opportunity. Notwithstanding its proximity to the major population centers of San Antonio and Austin, the Hill Country is astonishingly rural and unpopulated — a nostalgic reminder of a past era. It is an area that retains its rich cultural heritage and identity. Fredericksburg and Boerne are characteristic of the early German immigrants who settled and homesteaded in the Hill Country in the 1840's. The Hill Country is also cattle country and the region's many historic ranches are reminders that we are in Texas. And, lest we forget, the Hill Country is Texas Bluebonnet Country and these hills in the spring are ablaze in an array of bluebonnet blooms. Not coincidentally, we've planned a spring visit to the Hill Country, and a new fall departure as well. Our program assembles in Gruene, just outside of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe River and we'll ride through the Guadalupe River Valley early morning of Day 1. By mid-morning, expect to be jolted out of our early reverie as our route begins to undulate in earnest. The climb to Devil's Backbone is a poignant reminder that we are, after all, in Hill Country. Country-style hospitality awaits our arrival in Blanco, where we'll spend our first night. We'll ride south from Blanco along the Blanco River on Day 2. Count on a fair number of Texas-sized "rollers" that we'll likely chat about over dinner in Boerne that evening. It's on to Fredericksburg the following morning, but not before a visit to Luckenbach of Willie and Waylon fame. Fredericksburg is a fascinating town, richly endowed by its German cultural legacy, with an abundance of intriguing museums, craft shops, restored early settlements structures, and, of course, its biergartens. We'll spend our next two nights at the Sunday House in Fredericksburg. Day 4 includes several tantalizing options. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, offers an outstanding hiking opportunity. Another option suggests a leisurely day of exploration of the wonders of Fredericksburg, including some quality pool time at our lodge. We are, though, cyclists to the core in the midst of an extraordinary bicycle tour, and an irresistible option on this day is the not-to-be-missed Willow City Loop that is a true Hill Country classic. In the course of this ride, we'll visit Enchanted Rock Park and climb this remarkable granite batholith. Our adventure continues on Day 5 as we ride to Kerrville, where we'll spend our final evening at the Inn of the Hills Resort. An early arrival in Kerrville on this relatively short day presents the excellent optional opportunity to ride out and see what Stonehenge II is all about. We had to choose between two alternatives for
our final day — a pleasant, but relatively
uneventful return ride to New Braunfels to complete our loop, or one
final "rock & roller" ride, including lung-buster Eagles Nest, with its
magnificent panoramic Hill Country vista, through Medina and Center
Point. Guess which one we chose? We'll end our ride at Center Point and
van shuttle back to San Antonio, where our Hill Country adventure
concludes.
Total Mileage — 326
Texas /
Kentucky /
Michigan /
Wisconsin /South
Dakota / Missouri /
Top
Kentucky's historical and cultural heritage is rich and diverse. Its character and tradition to a great extent is southern, but at the same time exhibits the fierce, rugged mood of the western frontier. It is the home of Daniel Boone and Henry Clay, and the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, born one year apart and within 140 miles of one another. Not surprisingly though, it never seceded from the Union, Kentucky, given its geographical position, was a pivotal battleground during the Civil War. Many key battles were fought on its soil; its sons fought for both sides. We've chosen the Bluegrass region of north central Kentucky as the focus for our Kentucky bicycling adventure. The rolling pastoral countryside, the grand, historic horse farms, the deep historical and cultural legacy, and the region's excellent cycling roads are the ingredients for an extraordinary and rewarding cycling experience. We'll assemble in Lexington, the heart of Bluegrass Country, and ride from the city on Day 1 to beautiful Bourbon County, home to some of the world's greatest thoroughbred horse farms — the breeding grounds for racehorses like Man O'War, Secretariat and Riva Ridge. As we ride from Lexington, we'll visit the historic Keeneland Race Course, have breakfast with the trainers and jockeys at the Track Kitchen and likely catch a few thoroughbreds during early morning workouts. We'll ride from Keeneland's back gate along the quiet roads lined with the magnificent Kentucky horse farms (estates!) for which this region is so well-known. We're headed for a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park, a great portrayal of Kentucky's thoroughbred culture. We'll spend the evening in Winchester and enjoy a great dinner at Hall's on the Kentucky River. Early morning of Day 2, we'll ride south to Fort Boonesborough State Park, site of the fort constructed by Daniel Boone on the banks of the Kentucky River in 1775. We'll continue south to the fascinating town of Berea, where we'll spend our second night in the historic Boone's Tavern Inn. Regarded as the arts and crafts capital of Kentucky, Berea boasts over 150 antique shops and more than 40 crafts workshops. From Berea, we'll ride to the west to Danville, the original capital of the Kentucky District of Virginia and a major trading center on the Wilderness Road that extended westward from Cumberland Gap. We'll continue west for a visit to Perryville Battlefield State Historical Park, site of a major Civil War battle in 1862. We'll tour the battlefield and then ride on to Harrodsburg, founded in 1774 as Kentucky's first permanent settlement. We'll visit the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill north of Harrodsburg for dinner and spend the evening in the grand, historic Beaumont Inn. On Day 4, we'll ride to Bardstown and a visit to My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Bardstown also is home to four noted bourbon distilleries and is the repository for the legend of "good old Kentucky bourbon." More of the beautiful Bluegrass Country unfolds as we ride east through Lawrenceburg across the beautiful Kentucky River to Versailles on Day 5. We'll spend our final night in the elegant, historic Montgomery Inn in Versailles prior to our return to Lexington.
Total Mileage — 310
Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
The beautiful rolling hills and windswept dunes of Leelanau, the expansive wooded shoreline of Torch Lake, miles and miles of magnificent beaches along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, charming Charlevoix and historic Mackinac Island—this is a hint of the excitement of our Leelanau/Mackinac Explorer. Set in the northwestern corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, we’ll focus initially on the Leelanau Peninsula, acclaimed as the “cherry capital of the world.” We’ll assemble in Traverse City and ride the quiet country roads on the Peninsula to the shore of Lake Michigan. Mid-day of Day 1, we’ll enter the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and ride the wild, challenging Pierce Stocking Scenic Road up, over and around the dunes. We’re headed for Leland and a night in the luxurious Leland Lodge. We’ll ride to land’s end at the northern tip of the peninsula early morning of Day 2 and visit the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Leelanau State Park. We’ll continue along Grand Traverse Bay, through Northport and Suttons Bay, as we return to Traverse City and an evening at the historic Park Place Hotel. Count on ingesting a few calories before leaving Northport, however, because our route just happens to roll past the front door of what we believe to be one of the world’s great bakeries. We’ll trace the eastern shore of Torch Lake on our way to Charlevoix on Day 3, and spend this evening at the Weathervane Inn, with views of both Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. Day 4 is a delight! We’ll ride from Charlevoix to Petoskey and then trace the Lake Michigan coast through Harbor Springs to tiny Cross Village on what has been labeled as “Michigan’s most scenic road.” Along the way, plan on another of those deadly visits to the “killer” bakery in Good Hart and lunch at Leggs in Cross Village. A short ferry ride will carry us across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island, where we’ll spend two evenings at the Inn at Mackinac and a layover day to tour the island’s many historic and natural features. We’ll return to the mainland on Day 6 and ride through the heart of Boyne Country to Boyne City on the eastern tip of Lake Charlevoix for a final evening at the grand Wolverine Hotel prior to our return to Traverse City.
Total Mileage – 372 Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
Itinerary
The Lake Michigan shoreline along the peninsula's eastern side is relatively unsettled — wild and exposed, and pounded by crashing waves. The Green Bay waters on the western side are calmer and the coastline is dotted with numerous sheltered coves and quaint Victorian lakeside villages. Wisconsin's door County joins our Heartland collection in the season ahead. In the course of this 6-day adventure, we'll cycle much of the peninsula's 250 miles of coastline, often along the quiet county roads for which this region is noted as a favorite cycling destination. We'll visit both Washington and Rock Islands off the peninsula's northern tip, and the many charming villages that reflect the history and culture of Door County. Although our primary focus is Door County, we refuse to ignore the proximity of the beautiful Kettle Moraine, one of the region's natural wonders. Nowhere else in the U.S. are the steep ridges, sparkling lakes and other unique landforms created by the Wisconsin Glacier more evident and better preserved than in the Kettle Moraine and we'll tour the northern unit. Our program assembles in Port Washington and we'll cycle north along the Lake Michigan shoreline on Day 1. We'll stop in Sheboygan's harbor area for lunch — the first of many opportunities for a famous Wisconsin brat — and continue on to Manitowoc, where we'll spend the evening at the Maritime Inn. On Day 2, we're headed to Sturgeon Bay, considered the gateway to Door County. Early morning of Day 3, we'll begin to trace the peninsula's eastern shore through Whitefish Dunes State Park and on to Bailey's Harbor. Following a visit to the Cana Island Lighthouse, we'll board a ferry across the swift currents of Porte des Mortes (Door of Death), for which the peninsula was named, to Washington Island and an overnight at Findlay's Holiday Inn. Much of Day 4 will be devoted to the peninsula's western shore along Green Bay. We'll return to the mainland by ferry and cycle through the string of lakeside villages — Ellison Bay, Ephraim, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor. At some point, we're headed for Green Bay and at least a peek at Lambeau Field. We'll leave the peninsula behind on Day 5 as we ride the quiet county roads of rural Wisconsin to the resort village of Elkhart Lake, the northern gateway to the Kettle Moraine. Early morning of our final day, we'll cycle into the Kettle Moraine State Forest along the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Following a visit to the fascinating Henry Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center, we'll explore the unique landforms carved by the Wisconsin Glacier some 10,000 years ago. We'll return to Port Washington late-afternoon.
Total Mileage — 376
Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
The story of settlement in the Black Hills is integral to the saga of the West. The land is rich in its Native American legacy—it is the land of Crazy Horse and the Lakota Sioux, but also the land of the sadness of Wounded Knee. Settlers poured into the Black Hills in the 1870’s, lured by the discovery of gold in Deadwood Gulch. The Black Hills gold rush was the last of its kind in North America and it generated its share of legendary figures of the frontier. Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are among those who lived and died in Deadwood Gulch. The natural beauty of the Black Hills also is remarkable. Rugged mountains and shimmering high country lakes, Custer State Park with its enormous bison herd and famous wild burros, Needles Highway, Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial are only a few of the reasons why we are headed to the Black Hills of South Dakota in the season ahead. Our newly re-crafted 6-day adventure will assemble in Deadwood (we’ll provide a mid-afternoon shuttle from Rapid City on assembly day) and we’ll head south through Deadwood Gulch and the legendary mining camps of Lead and Mystic on our way to Hill City. Early morning of Day 2, we’re headed to Mt. Rushmore National Monument and then on to Custer State Park, where we’ll spend the evening at the State Game Lodge, a favorite summer retreat of former presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower. We’ll continue our exploration of Custer Park throughout Day 3. We’ll cycle the Wildlife Loop, home to a free-ranging herd of bison as well as the surprising wild burros. Later in the day, we’ll ride awesome Needles Highway through its corridor of towering granite spires. We’re headed for the Sylvan Lake Resort on the shores of Sylvan Lake, where we’ll spend our next two nights. A layover day presents the opportunity to hike nearby Harney Peak in the Black Elk Wilderness. A beautiful 5-mile trail leads to Harney’s 7,242-foot summit, the highest peak east of the Rockies. We’ll leave Sylvan Lake early morning of Day 5 and ride to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the massive sculpture still in progress that honors the great Lakota warrior. From the memorial, we’ll ride through Custer and on to Jewel Cave, and ultimately return to Custer for our final overnight at the Buffalo Ridge Lodge. Following a visit to Sheridan Lake on our final day, we’ll enjoy an amazing descent from the Hills to Rapid City, where our program concludes.
Total Cycling Mileage — 185
Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
In 1986, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (always known as the Katy) ceased operation along its trans-Missouri route. After a protracted legal struggle, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources secured the abandoned right-of-way and created the Katy Trail State Park. With the recent opening of the Clinton-Sedalia section, the Katy ranks as the nation's longest rails-to-trails corridor. Why do we find the Katy so exciting? Scenically, the trail traverses Missouri's most magnificent landscape. For much of its route, it follows the course of the Missouri River to its confluence with the Mississippi. Frequently, we are riding this basically hard-pack crushed limestone trail with the Missouri to the right and the rugged, limestone bluffs for which Missouri is famous on our left. At times, we are cycling through an arboreal wonderland, adorned by blossoming Dogwood in the spring and ablaze with color in the fall; other times we ride through the incomparably fertile bottomlands and beautiful vineyards of the Missouri wine country. From the moment we begin our journey at the trail's western terminus in Clinton to the final moments at the landing in St. Charles, we are surrounded and immersed in the rich historical and cultural legacy of this region. Timberline's identity as an organization is predicated on western adventure as its sole focus. What could be more appropriate than an adventure in the "Gateway to the West"? The role of the Lewis & Clark expedition of 1804-06 was profound in the opening of the west. Katy Rails-to-Trails will trace the early (and final) stages of that expedition as it launched from St. Charles and followed the river across the Missouri Territory, ultimately to its headwaters in Montana, ultimately returning on the Missouri to St. Charles in 1806. Our nation celebrates the bicentennial anniversary of the expedition through 2006 and many of the communities along the trail have planned commemorative events and exhibits. The Katy also was a vital force in the opening of the west, and its rails were laid along the natural corridor that followed the course of the river. Early settlement followed the river and we'll experience the rich cultural legacy of those German immigrants. Katy assembles in Clinton, about an hour's van shuttle southeast of Kansas City, and we'll ride to Sedalia, perennial site of the Missouri State Fair, on Day 1. We're headed to Boonville on Day 2 and our first rendezvous with the Missouri. We'll spend the night at the grand Rivercene B & B and enjoy an excellent dinner at the historic Katy Roundhouse. Shortly after leaving Boonville early-morning of Day 3, we'll encounter the trail's only tunnel near Rocheport and then ride along the Missouri much of the way to Jefferson City. We'll overnight in the Capitol Plaza Hotel, situated within a short walk of the magnificent capitol grounds. We're headed for Hermann and the wine country on Day 4 and we'll arrive early enough to tour the Hermanhoff and Stone Hill Wineries. We'll overnight at the Captain Woldt Inn, and then it's on to Augusta the following morning and an opportunity to visit the famous Augusta Winery. Our final overnight is planned for the Augusta Wine Country Inn, and we'll ride into St. Charles by early afternoon of Day 6, where our program concludes.
Total Mileage — 227 Texas / Kentucky / Michigan / Wisconsin /South Dakota / Missouri / Top
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To consider the Heartland merely as a geographic
distinction, though, would miss its greater significance. The
Heartland well may be our nation’s geographic center, but perhaps it
more aptly should be thought of as America’s spiritual core—the heart
and soul of our country. The region may lack the towering snow-clad
mountains of the Rockies, the pounding surf of the Pacific shoreline.
Instead, its beauty is more subtle, and is eloquently expressed in the
rugged limestone cliffs that line the banks of the Missouri River, the
terraced cherry orchards of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula, the
magnificence of its autumn color change, the friendliness of countless
rural hamlets, and the charm of its lakeside communities that remain
as nostalgic reminders of an earlier generation.
Itinerary
The addition of Kentucky's Bluegrass Country to
Hidden Trails' program was the natural extension of a 23-year commitment
to western adventure. In so many ways, the Kentucky Territory was among
the first of America's western frontiers. Hemmed in by the forbidding
barrier of the Appalachians, Virginia settlers, hungry for land, finally
breached the barrier at Cumberland Gap and soon asked that the federal
government recognize their trans-Appalachian western settlement as the
"free and independent state of the Commonwealth of Kentucky." In 1792,
Kentucky became the first state west of the Appalachians to be admitted
to the Union.
Like a giant thumb on a mitten jutting into the
waters of Lake Michigan, Door County is Wisconsin's unparalleled Great
Lakes fantasyland. With more miles of shoreline, more lighthouses and
more state parks than any other county in the nation, Door County rivals
Cape Cod, minus the smell of salt. Scenic similarities do exist, but the
peninsula has a distinct personality of its own.
The
Black Hills of South Dakota stand as sentinels announcing to westbound
travelers that they at last have reached the threshold of the Great
American West. The heavily forested, rugged hills present a dramatic
contrast with the vast expanse of the plains to the east. 
We have fancied ourselves as mountain folk always
eager to challenge the “gnarliest” terrain the West can offer. Then, we
discovered the Katy Trail, a 227-mile totally “non-gnarly” rails-to-trails
corridor across the state of Missouri that has provided us with some of
the most thoroughly enjoyable fun-filled weeks over our past two seasons.