South County Man Designs Bike Route Across Missouri

South County cyclist David Fiedler is making it his mission to attract bicyclists from around the country to Missouri's Highway 36. He’s developed a cross-state bike route that highlights historic landmarks between Hannibal and St. Joseph.

“It’s got everything a biker could want,” Fiedler said about the route, which generally parallels the highway on secondary state and county roads approximately 240 miles across the state. “Beautiful scenery, low traffic, and lots of fun and interesting stops along the way.”

In September a group of cyclists from Ballwin, Glendale, and Webster Groves accompanied Fiedler on a test run. (See a newscast of their arrival in St. Joseph last month in the YouTube video above.)

“Believe it or not, there are lots of cyclists who will travel specifically to visit places like this,” said Fiedler. “I believe this bike route simply offers another way to highlight the terrific people and places along Missouri’s Highway 36, and to draw folks who will visit and enjoy the attractions found in the towns along the way.”

The effort is a partnership with the Missouri Highway 36 Heritage Alliance, which actively promotes the region and its natural, cultural and historic attractions.

 “We are thrilled to work on this project with Dave. What he has put together highlights the iconic Americans such as John “Black Jack” Pershing, J.C. Penney, Walt Disney, Mark Twain and Jesse James, all who lived along the route. It also features the stories that built the United States to greatness like the Pony Express, the beginning of Sliced Bread, and the development of osteopathic medicine, which all happened in north Missouri!" said Alliance board member Beth Carmichael.

Information provided by David Fiedler