Beginner Road Cycling Routes
Special thanks to the St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization for the following routes, descriptions, and images! For more detailed information about the routes listed below and road cycling safety tips, click here for the full SJATS cycling guide.
Krug to Hyde Park Loop on Parkway
Starting Point: Krug Park
Route to Follow: Travel up and around the scenic drive to the top of Krug (beginners can start at Krug Lagoon) and back to the main entrance. Cross St. Joseph Avenue and proceed east on Northwest Parkway. Join the Urban Trail System near the baseball complex, passing Corby Pond, Ashland/Noyes, Bartlett Park, and continue to Hyde Park. Return via the same route.
Miles: ~20
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Parkways listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Considered one of the best-designed urban systems in the Midwest.
Rest Stops: Pocket parks, Krug and Hyde Parks, convenience stores
Belt Bowl Bonanza
Starting Point: Belt Bowl (Belt Highway & Faraon)
Route to Follow: Faraon → Noyes Blvd. (Urban Trail) → 28th & Commercial → Pickett Road → Leonard Road → Easton → Riverside → Faraon back to Belt Bowl.
Miles: ~20
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Parkway system and city neighborhoods
Rest Stops: Bartlett Park picnic areas, convenience stores
Wathena River Ride
Starting Point: Wathena School (8th & Harding, KS)
Route to Follow: Harding → Benton → 4th → Monument Road (5 mi. south) → Return same route
Miles: ~15
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Missouri River views from Kansas side
Rest Stops: Convenience stores and restaurants in Wathena, Dairy Barn
YMCA to Betty’s Cafe
Starting Point: YMCA (6th & Sylvanie)
Route to Follow: 6th → King Hill → Valley Street (Betty’s Café) → Return
Miles: ~10
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Southside neighborhoods
Rest Stops: Betty’s Café
Midtown Madness
Starting Point: Krug Park
Route to Follow: St. Joseph Ave → Middleton → 6th → Hickory → Garfield → Commercial → 28th → Urban Trail to Ashland → Ferndale → Northwest Parkway back to Krug
Miles: ~20
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Various St. Joseph neighborhoods and Parkway system
Rest Stops: Convenience stores, Dairy Queen near Krug Park
Route 6 & Back Again
Starting Point: Heartland Regional Medical Center
Route to Follow: Riverside → Frederick Blvd (Rt. 6) → AB → US 36 → Riverside → Return
Miles: ~15
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Busy thoroughfares
Rest Stops: Convenience stores along route
YMCA to Rosecrans Memorial Airport
Starting Point: YMCA (6th & Sylvanie)
Route to Follow: 6th → Messanie → 4th → US 36 west → Elwood → Vermont → K-238 → Airport → Return
Miles: ~15
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Missouri River crossing, airport
Rest Stops: Elwood convenience store, B&B Runway Cafe
Riverside Road – 102 River Ride
Starting Point: Mosaic Life Care
Route to Follow: Riverside → Frederick Blvd → continue north on Riverside → County Line Rd → Return
Miles: ~12
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: St. Joseph Soccer Association Fields
Rest Stops: Convenience store at Riverside/Frederick, Mosaic Life Care
YMCA to Krug Park
Starting Point: YMCA (6th & Sylvanie)
Route to Follow: 6th → Middleton → Mapleleaf → Corby Parkway → Urban Trail → Ferndale → Northwest Parkway → Krug Park → Return
Miles: ~10
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Parkway system, Corby Pond
Rest Stops: Picnic facilities at Corby Pond and Krug Park
Amazonia to Nodaway
Starting Point: Amazonia
Route to Follow: “K” → “T” Highway → Return same route
Miles: ~10
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Rural farmland
Rest Stops: Amazonia convenience store
Corby Pond to Waterworks
Starting Point: Corby Pond
Route to Follow: Mapleleaf → 3rd → Jules → MacArthur → Missouri River Waterworks → Return
Miles: ~10
Terrain: Flat
What You’ll See: Waterworks, Missouri River
Rest Stops: Casino, French Bottoms Landing, Fireside Bar & Grill
Bode to Krug on the Parkway
Starting Point: Bode Middle School
Route to Follow: Noyes → Urban Trail → Ferndale → Parkway → Krug Park → Return
Miles: ~6
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Corby Pond, Parkway system
Rest Stops: Park facilities at Corby and Krug
Bartlett Park to Hyde Park
Starting Point: Bartlett Park
Route to Follow: Urban Trail south → 28th → Southwest Parkway → Mansfield → Trail → Hyde Park → Return
Miles: ~10
Terrain: A few hills
What You’ll See: Scenic southern bluffs
Rest Stops: Park facilities, convenience stores
