City with lots of good paved trails in TX, KS, MO, AR?
 

I'm in tulsa and love the trails here but I'm alone for a long weekend and pretty depressed over a breakup (on valentine's no less)

I'm thinking I maybe want to get away but probably not more than a 4-5hr drive. I don't really like riding in the road and don't think I'd like riding in bike lanes on a road.

The Katy Trail in Missouri is nice, stretching from St. Charles to somewhere near KS City. It has fine packed limestone, so when I was there, it was always mushy just after a snowmelt.

There were a few other trails like around Creve Coeur Lake which also connects to the Katy Trail (and is paved), but it is only an hour or so loop. I think there was also a good trail along the Mississippi in St. Louis. I don't remember how long it was, but it went up to the confluence of the Mississippi/Missouri. Somehow I'm thinking of it as on both the Missouri and Illinois side of the river. But, there was also a bike-only bridge across the Mississippi, so Perhaps I hopped the river.

Anyway, if it has been dry for a few days, the Katy trail would make for a good long ride. A few wineries along the way too. Augusta?

been there, done that ... bicycle = man's best friend. it's always there for you. hang in there, you're not alone

start a search here
https://www.traillink.com/

this is your home area
https://www.traillink.com/trailsearch/?mmloc=tulsa+ok

oh & check out https://www.meetup.com/

Katy Trail is so awesome. My favorite was from Jefferson City to Booneville. There is the option of train shuttle that allows bikes, just have to plan around train stops and schedules. I've been from Machens (start of trail in middle of nowhere) to Windsor.

Bentonville, AR has been turned into a mountain bike Mecca by the Walton family trying to attract and retain employees. You can rent a nice one when you get there

Time to reset: the OP is looking for paved bike paths within a 4-5 drive from his/her home. Focus on that. It isn't helpful to suggest mountain bike trails or to talk about bike paths that are hundreds or even a thousand miles away
I live much too far away to offer a local bike path and it is mid winter here. My favourite local bike paths are totally useless to the OP

I also recommend the Katy Trail. It starts on the south west side of Missouri in Clinton. That puts it very close to Tulsa. Just eastbound on I-44 then north on I-49, then east on Hwy 18. Just under 4 hours.

Your Crosstrail Disc is about the perfect bike for the Katy Trail. From Clinton to Boonville, it's somewhat hilly. Rails to Trails hilly so no more than 5% grade. Once past Boonville you are on the Missouri River and it's scenic.

Here's a web site with lots of info on the Katy Trail.

Katy Trail Missouri Trail Maps, Businesses, Events, Mileage, and more

KC has quite a few trails that won't be on the road. Not continuous but most are 15+ miles. Blue river parkway trail, Longview bike trail, Indian creek bike trail.. just a few I can think of. Instead of the Katy try the Rock Island Trail starts at Pleasant Hill, 40+ miles or so.

The Frisco High Line Trail begins at the NW edge of Springfield, MO. About 35 miles one way to Bolivar. 95% crushed stone.

P2

While the Katy Trail is crushed limestone, I rode my old road bike on it many times, and it was just fine, except as mentioned within a couple of days following a snow melt. Although, I could definitely feel the added resistance of the soft surface. Anyway, that would be fine for just about any bike the OP chose to take.

I live close to the Prairie Spirit trail in Eastern KS. It's not paved except in some of the towns it runs through, but it's hard packed limestone and aside from a few small patches of gravel or crossing gravel roads, it's pretty smooth sailing. The southern 7 miles of it are the Southwind Rail Trail, but altogether it stretches just over 50 miles end to end. It also connects to the Flint Hills tail going out west from Ottawa. I haven't ridden that trail so can't speak to the quality. But if you want some nice trails away from traffic it's plenty long enough. And the southern end at Humboldt is only about 3 or so hours drive from Tulsa.

Thanks you all lot of good suggestions here, I especially like the map with all the trails on it.

Was hoping to be on the road now but we have an emergency firewall firmware upgrade happening that's going to keep me here a while.

I think after some sleep, tomorrow I'm going to start checking forecasts in those places and maybe doing some riding here and hit the road tomorrow night

edit: we have a trail in tulsa called katy too, I've only been on it like twice though, a bit out of my way.

Several posters have mentioned the Katy. I live only 2 miles from the Katy so I ride on it quite a bit. My favorite trail in the St Louis area, however, is actually the network of trails in Madison County, Illinois.

Trinity Trails in Fort Worth. Lots of paved and crushed limestone paths. Cycling friendly city overall.

If you happen to be in town on a Wednesday or Sunday night, or the last Friday night of the month, join us for a nighttime ride around the city. Wednesday and Sunday meet ups at Hop Fusion Ale Works at 7 pm, roll out around 7:30 p.m.; last Friday night of the month for Critical Mass at Burnett Park, 7 p.m., roll out around 7:30 p.m.

https://bikeprairiespirit.com/

Forgot the URL of the trail I mentioned.

A friend lives in North Little Rock, AR and has mentioned numerous times what a good trail system they have. Google says that's <4 hours from Tulsa.

Some fresh air and a change of scenery would probably be a big help right now. We've all been in your shoes, unfortunately. Life will get better.

Kelly

Wow that sounds like a treat. I'm going to give that a try. Thanks.

The Mill Creek Streamway Park is about 16 miles long, paved and not on public roads. Starts in Shawnee and continues to Olathe and connects to Indian Creek. Gary Haller Trail is another name for it.

roog

I hear the Denver area is the cycling “Mecca”.
Mostly Decent weather .

While the roads of Dallas are not particularly bicycle friendly, there are a fair number of nicely paved bicycle trails with more coming on line in the spring. For starters, check out White Rock Lake Trail, the Katy Trail and Santa Fe trail. Richardson Bike Mart in north Dallas also organizes a LOT of nice, weekend group rides with varying levels of intensity.

What Darth said. NWA has a beautiful trail system with both paved and mtb trails. The waltons are avid cyclists and have donated a lot of money to the greenway. Crystal Bridges is on the trail as well. Its beautifully landscaped and the museum is free courtesy of the Walton foundation. You can ride all day and there are several food options on the trails. We live about 60 miles south and we go up most weekends to ride. We've been to Tulsa as well,you've got some nice trails as well.