Roundhouse in Franklin is open! Anyone know about the hostel in Tebbetts?
- + I confirmed that the Roundhouse in Franklin is open - they said they did not get flooded - I am sure it has been a rough year for them. I know that we plan to give them some business and get some cam...
Discussion started 07/30/2019 08:46 PM by Sharonbikes - 1 reply (last reply by Jim at 07/31/2019 11:18 AM)Sharonbikes from Kansas City on 07/30/2019 08:46 PM
I confirmed that the Roundhouse in Franklin is open - they said they did not get flooded - I am sure it has been a rough year for them. I know that we plan to give them some business and get some camping and bike riding in this fall.
Does anyone know if the water got high enough in Tebbetts to reach the hostel there? I hope it was not damaged.
Sharon
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/31/2019 11:18 AM
The Turner Shelter in Tebbetts is alive and well.
Rock Island Spur
- + Thank you for the trail conditions report from trail users section - it's very helpful as we will be deciding whether to go ahead with our scheduled trip in September. Is there any information on con...
Discussion started 07/29/2019 01:06 PM by Kathy M - 1 reply (last reply by Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins at 07/31/2019 05:50 AM)Kathy M from Pittsuburgh, PA on 07/29/2019 01:06 PM
Thank you for the trail conditions report from trail users section - it's very helpful as we will be deciding whether to go ahead with our scheduled trip in September. Is there any information on conditions on the Rock Island Spur (Pleasant Hills to Windsor) as that is where we planned to start our trip?
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins from Windsor on 07/31/2019 05:50 AM
I understand from many riders trail conditions great on the Rock Island Pleasant Hill to Windsor
Volunteers needed for Katy Trail clean up
- + Where: North Jefferson trailhead
When: Saturday Aug 3 - RSVP
Source: Sedalia Democrat
Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Katy Trail by picking up trash left by receding floodwaters. Anyone i...
Discussion started 07/29/2019 11:06 PM by Ray (webmaster) - 1 reply (last reply by Sharonbikes at 07/30/2019 08:43 PM)Ray (webmaster) on 07/29/2019 11:06 PM
Where: North Jefferson trailhead
When: Saturday Aug 3 - RSVP
Source: Sedalia Democrat
Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Katy Trail by picking up trash left by receding floodwaters. Anyone interested in helping with this effort is encouraged to grab their bicycles, boots, gloves, long sleeves and bug spray and stop by from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.
The park will provide plenty of trash bags for any person or group. When a bag is full, or an object is too big to put in a bag, leave it on the shoulder of the trail, and park staff will pick up the full bags.
Volunteers should meet at the Katy Trail North Jefferson trailhead. Park staff will be on hand to give directions and supply trash bags. RSVP by calling the park office at 573-449-7400.
Article: https://www.sedaliademocrat.com/free/volunteers-needed-for-katy-trail-clean-up/article_abb7bcb6-b08d-11e9-8eaf-27ecde339345.html
Sharonbikes from Kansas City on 07/30/2019 08:43 PM
We are hoping to go help out. Hope they have a good crowd and that the rains stay away....
Best way to ride?
- + A bucket listen item for me is to ride the entire Katy, I’m wondering if it’s best to start in st Charles and head to Clinton or vice versus? I’m thinking about wind, etc? Any feedback is much appreci...
Discussion started 07/28/2019 07:32 PM by Ryan - 14 replies (last reply by Jim at 07/30/2019 07:33 PM)Ryan from St charles on 07/28/2019 07:32 PM
A bucket listen item for me is to ride the entire Katy, I’m wondering if it’s best to start in st Charles and head to Clinton or vice versus? I’m thinking about wind, etc? Any feedback is much appreciated!
TWTourist from Texas on 07/29/2019 05:48 AM
It may be best to go from Clinton to St. Charles due to elevation. You will be going downhill. ?? As for the wind, I have no idea. Hope this helps.
Ryan from St. Charles on 07/29/2019 07:55 AM
This helps a lot. I live in St. Charles and the furthest west I've ridden is a few miles past treloar. Thank you so much!!
Bill in Houston from Houston on 07/29/2019 08:51 AM
The prevailing winds are from west to east, so that's one reason why people tend to ride it in that direction. RAGBRAI goes the same direction.
Also, if you are riding toward home, you might feel a little extra motivation. :)
Ryan from St. Charles on 07/29/2019 09:17 AM
Bill, sorry can I ask what does RAGBRAI stand for? Thanks!
Don from Dallas on 07/29/2019 10:07 AM
Register’s Annual Greater Bike Ride Across Iowa.
BAK also goes west to east. BAK = Bike Across Kansas, second week of June, great ride!
Jerry Whittle from Belleville IL on 07/29/2019 12:08 PM
I've ridden the Katy both directions 4 times. West to East is best due to the prevailing winds and slightly more downhill especially going into Boonville.
However there is one advantage riding East to West: sunlight. The early morning sun is at your back heading west. Still I'd rather start in Clinton and invest in a good pair of sunglasses.
Ryan from St. Charles on 07/29/2019 12:24 PM
Thank you Jerry, great info!! Would you happen to have any other tips or advice for a first timer? I plan on staying the night somewhere. Thanks again!
Jerry Whittle from Belleville IL on 07/29/2019 02:22 PM
Some other tips:
1. Many local businesses are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays on the Katy in the smaller towns. You might want to start your trip on a Wednesday.
2. Tires. I weigh around 215 plus the bike. I use at least 700x32 tires. My newest bike has 650b x 47 tires which is probably overkill.
3. Fenders. I've ridden the Katy when dusty and rainy both with and without fenders. From now on it's fenders for me.
Jerry Whittle from Belleville IL on 07/29/2019 02:26 PM
4. Lights both front and back even during the day. There are places on the trail when you go between sunlight and shade quite often. Lights helps other riders and cars see you.
Ryan from St. Charles on 07/29/2019 02:41 PM
Thank you so much!! What about a place to stay? Any suggestions on that? My goal would be to do it in 2 days, so I'm thinking around jeff city, 120 miles in or so?
Anne from Cleveland on 07/29/2019 11:42 PM
I am partial to west to east. I hear the wind is better this way but to be honest I don’t know. I guess it’s just preference for me.
Doug from Bluffton on 07/30/2019 08:21 AM
Ryan if this is your first time on a loaded trip I think you might want to plan on at least three days. Loaded on the trail takes quite a bit more energy than empty on the road. I have no idea how strong a rider you are but will you have time to sightsee, take a break along the way, fix a flat?
Rex McCall from Springfield,MO on 07/30/2019 04:39 PM
I wouldn't worry about the wind. It changes direction frequently and can be going in any direction on any day. I have some wind roses for the month of July for Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis, and they all show that the wind mainly comes from the south during that month. Even then, most of the time it is under 5 mph. I don't remember where I got these wind roses, but you can probably find them online for other months.
The elevation is better going east to west, although there is nothing that should cause you much problem. On the home page of this site, there are elevation charts. You can see that, going west to east, the elevation rises from 780 in Clinton to the high point of 955 just past Windsor. Once you hit Pilot Grove, it's generally downhill to St. Charles (452).
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/30/2019 07:33 PM
Yes the wind can change directions but if you’re riding for 4 or 5 days the odds of having winds blowing from the east the whole time are pretty slim. You also have to take into account that the section from Clinton to past Pilot Grove is actually more southwest to northeast than east to west.
USA Inn in Clinton
- + Go they allow you to leave your vehicle there while out riding the trail. Planning on doing the whole trail end to end and need a place to secure my motorcycle or car while out on the trail. Does anyo...
Discussion started 07/25/2019 07:33 AM by TWTourist - 2 replies (last reply by Allen at 07/29/2019 02:55 PM)TWTourist from Texas on 07/25/2019 07:33 AM
Go they allow you to leave your vehicle there while out riding the trail. Planning on doing the whole trail end to end and need a place to secure my motorcycle or car while out on the trail. Does anyone provide shuttle service from the end of trail back??
Bill in Houston from Houston on 07/25/2019 02:09 PM
You should call the hotel directly. Many people leave their cars at the community center in Clinton.
There are definitely shuttle services.
Allen from Shawnee on 07/29/2019 02:55 PM
If you leave your car at the community center you won’t need a shuttle it’s about 1 1/2 blocks from the trail head with a mup leading there. Go inside community center and fill out a form to let them know and park on west end of lot by the road.
Mokane Lions Club Park in Mokane
- + Has anyone stayed here? Looking for information about facilities etc. Thanks!
Discussion started 07/27/2019 02:11 PM by Hale - 2 replies (last reply by Bill in Houston at 07/29/2019 08:53 AM)Hale from St. Louis on 07/27/2019 02:11 PM
Has anyone stayed here? Looking for information about facilities etc. Thanks!
Michael from Camdenton on 07/28/2019 08:54 AM
I have !! Great park!!!.. great town!
Bill in Houston from Houston on 07/29/2019 08:53 AM
Nice little grocery store and a good bar and grill in Mokane as well.
Treloar to Mokane July 27-28
- + One detour along the way - details in two posts on Trail Conditions page
Discussion started 07/28/2019 06:53 PM by Becky STL - 0 repliesBecky STL from Creve Coeur, MO on 07/28/2019 06:53 PM
One detour along the way - details in two posts on Trail Conditions page
I-70 Rocheport Bridge
- + Has anyone seen plans on the new I-70 Bridge at Rocheport? I'm wondering what impact construction will have on the Katy between Rocheport and Huntsdale. We had an information meeting from MoDOT last n...
Discussion started 07/25/2019 12:14 PM by Dean - 2 replies (last reply by Dean at 07/28/2019 07:59 AM)Dean from Columbia on 07/25/2019 12:14 PM
Has anyone seen plans on the new I-70 Bridge at Rocheport? I'm wondering what impact construction will have on the Katy between Rocheport and Huntsdale. We had an information meeting from MoDOT last night, but I missed it.
Rocheport Guy from Rocheport on 07/27/2019 03:09 PM
Plans for the new I-70 bridge at Rocheport are not yet available and probably don't yet exist---in final form. Federal funding, which was in doubt, came through for $80+million of the needed $240 million for new construction. That leaves $160 million yet to be accounted for at the state level. Bonds and other funding gadgets will probably provide necessary $. Best case scenario, construction may start in 2021-22. I believe the current plan gives 2 years for construction. I'd guess the trail will stay open as a construction tunnel for the trail will be built through the site. This is what happened during the last bridge rehab several years ago. We in Rocheport are very pleased that old bridge rehab lasting at least 9 months is off the table. I-70 would have been restricted to one lane East and one lane West for the entire reconstruction period. This would have been a traffic nightmare and would have been a real problem for Rocheport business survival.
Dean from Columbia on 07/28/2019 07:59 AM
Thanks for the insight, Guy. My thru ride stopped at Rocheport the night of the tornado, and I'd like to make plans for another go. Good to hear that the last time they worked on the bridge they made accommodations for the Katy.
MODoT is scheduled to have a meeting 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at Boonville High School regarding the bridge. I may try and attend if I can find word they are still going to meet.
Loose Gravel
- + Rode the trail from Greens Bottom to Augusta yesterday. There's a lot of loose gravel from the Greens Bottom trailhead for 3/4 of a mile west.
Discussion started 07/28/2019 07:57 AM by Avatar - 0 repliesAvatar from St. Louis on 07/28/2019 07:57 AM
Rode the trail from Greens Bottom to Augusta yesterday. There's a lot of loose gravel from the Greens Bottom trailhead for 3/4 of a mile west.
Dutzow to Marthasville
- + Hi hoping to ride from Dutzow to Marthasville on sunday 7/28. I am fairly new to the Katy and wondered if this is a decent ride? Looks like it is not flooded...thoughts?
Discussion started 07/27/2019 05:57 PM by Marie - 3 replies (last reply by Tyann (Katy Haus and Bank Haus) at 07/27/2019 07:40 PM)Marie on 07/27/2019 05:57 PM
Hi hoping to ride from Dutzow to Marthasville on sunday 7/28. I am fairly new to the Katy and wondered if this is a decent ride? Looks like it is not flooded...thoughts?
Matt from Wentzville on 07/27/2019 07:17 PM
I ride that section almost weekly. It’s a great stretch! I’m hoping to be out there tomorrow evening with my family. Happy riding!
Matt from Wentzville on 07/27/2019 07:40 PM
And I should have mentioned - no flooding on that portion of the trail. Very smooth sailing!
Tyann (Katy Haus and Bank Haus) from Marthasville on 07/27/2019 07:40 PM
Just rode it yesterday! It’s a really nice ride, and the trail is perfect — nicely packed and no loose gravel.
User-reported trail conditions report
- + As promised a few days ago, I built a web page to organize all the trail condition-report as reported by people out there on the trail. I pre-filled the report with details that we already have in th...
Discussion started 07/19/2019 12:43 PM by Ray (webmaster) - 5 replies (last reply by Lisa at 07/27/2019 01:15 PM)Ray (webmaster) on 07/19/2019 12:43 PM
As promised a few days ago, I built a web page to organize all the trail condition-report as reported by people out there on the trail. I pre-filled the report with details that we already have in the Forum, and added a link to a separate web page where you can add your own observations.
I rushed this out to have it ready for anyone wanting to ride this weekend - but because it was rushed, there are several features that are not yet ready, such as mapping and inclusion of the Rock Island Trail (which of course is in great shape, by the way). And of course you may encounter some quirky behavior in the web pages, until I've had time to fully test them.
Just follow this link:
Katy Trail condition-report, as reported by trail users
Happy trails!
MM from St Louis on 07/19/2019 12:49 PM
Awesome, thank you! I literally just posted a question on this. And will add what I know to it.
Bill in Houston from Houston on 07/25/2019 02:16 PM
That is really great, Ray. Thank you.
Becky STL from Creve Coeur, MO on 07/26/2019 08:34 AM
This is so incredibly helpful - thank you!
Steve from Creve Coeur on 07/26/2019 03:14 PM
This is great! thanks for sharing
Lisa from Webster Groves on 07/27/2019 01:15 PM
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Wagon Wheel Cafe in Windsor
- + I moved to Windsor in May19 and the wagon wheel was one of the first place my family ate. All the positive comments are completely in line with my first visit and all the return visits since. Friendly...
Discussion started 07/26/2019 04:48 AM by Morgan D - 0 repliesMorgan D from Salcha AK on 07/26/2019 04:48 AM
I moved to Windsor in May19 and the wagon wheel was one of the first place my family ate. All the positive comments are completely in line with my first visit and all the return visits since. Friendly service, great probs of good food and awesome prices.
September ride and trail closures
- + Looking at riding the trail in September, need information on trail conditions and weather that time of year. TIA for any help and information.
Discussion started 07/25/2019 07:46 AM by TWTourist - 1 reply (last reply by Bill at 07/25/2019 01:05 PM)TWTourist from Texas on 07/25/2019 07:46 AM
Looking at riding the trail in September, need information on trail conditions and weather that time of year. TIA for any help and information.
Bill from Columbia, Missouri on 07/25/2019 01:05 PM
It is difficult to say exactly what the conditions will be in Sept. I too planned a trip for Sept from St. Charles, MO to Clinton, Mo with a brief stop over in Columbia. I ride regularly from Jefferson City to Rocheport and there are still some challenging issues with the Trail. The flooding this Spring/Summer has played havoc. I would suggest to continually follow the below website for fairly current conditions.
https://mostateparks.com/page/57948/trail-conditions
Keep the rubber side down!