Bike Stop Café has been serving cyclists, tourists, and locals healthy, scratch-made food for the past 15 years. What started as a small Frenchtown café has grown to become a popular place to eat and gather in historic St. Charles. “We couldn’t have imagined the growth we’ve experienced,” said Jodi Devonshire, owner of the café. “We’re constantly surprised by how our little bike shop and café has become a hub for so many in our community. The community really propelled us forward.”
Located between Main Street St. Charles and the Katy Trail, Bike Stop Café is the perfect pit stop for cyclists tackling the trail, groups of friends shopping on Main Street, or folks just passing through. The menu features homemade bread and baked goods from Bike Stop Bakery in Frenchtown (that also offers their homemade goods for pre-order). Full of healthy options, including several vegan and vegetarian choices, the menu includes favorites such as homemade soup flights and Jodi’s Famous Peanut Butter Balls. Several items have cycling-related names, like the Century Wrap, the Schwinn Sandwich, and the Triathlon Wrap. The café also serves organic espresso drinks, teas, beer, wine, and other boozy beverages to enjoy, either indoors or on the patio.
While you’re there, visit the connected bike shop and purchase bike gear or even buy a new bike. Explore the Katy Trial with their bike rentals. Available by the hour or the day, choose from e-bikes, gravel bikes, hybrid bikes, or standard bikes.
Bike Stop Café also hosts a variety of monthly events. Enjoy listening to new music at open mic nights, get a supportive workout in with the running and cycling groups, and pick out a new plant or two at their seasonal plant swaps. “Serving the community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Devonshire. “A lot of life happens at Bike Stop Café, whether that’s our cycling group, serving healthy food, or simply offering a safe, welcoming space for people to gather, being a place for the St. Charles community means the world to us.”
If you’re interested in exploring the Katy Trail, but aren’t sure if you can bike the return trip, don’t worry, Bike Stop Café offers a shuttle service to any spot along the 240-mile-long trail all year long. They also offer luggage transfers and shuttles to the Kirkwood and St. Louis Amtrak stations, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and your hotel. With this service, nothing can get in the way of your adventure.
The Katy Trail is so long that it can be overwhelming. Bike Stop Café offers Katy Trail tours with directions and itineraries to help keep your trip stress free. Tours range from four to six days long and include nightly accommodations (when applicable), shuttle service, daily luggage transfers, a detailed itinerary, a Katy Trail jersey, and a patch to remember the journey. Let Bike Stop Café worry about the details while you enjoy the ride.
For a shorter tour, check out the 25-mile Wheels & Wine Tour, a unique day trip to Historic Missouri Wine Country. Hop on an e-bike and enjoy a leisurely ride on the scenic trail, visiting three local wineries along the way. It’s the best way to connect Main Street St. Charles with Historic Missouri Wine Country.
Celebrate Bike Stop Café’s 15th anniversary and all they have done for the community with a delicious sandwich, a warm cup o’ joe, or a day of adventure on the Katy Trail. They plan to have special events and promotions throughout the year to mark the occasion, so keep an eye out on social media for details.
“We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone who has been a part of our journey,” said Devonshire. “We have so many wonderful memories from the past 15 years. It’s hard to pick favorites, but the moments that stick out are those where we’ve been able to make a positive impact on someone’s life. Whether that’s through cycling, a friendly conversation, or a delicious meal, we hope it continues for years to come.”