Trail at Eldon, MO
- + Hello, I am just finding out about this trail. I am new to central Missouri. I have a few questions about this trail and the Katy trail. If I can get help I would appreciate it. Is the trail marked in...
Discussion started 03/05/2019 09:23 PM by Dimond - 1 reply (last reply by KB LS at 03/07/2019 03:18 PM)Dimond from Osage Beach on 03/05/2019 09:23 PM
Hello, I am just finding out about this trail. I am new to central Missouri. I have a few questions about this trail and the Katy trail. If I can get help I would appreciate it.
Is the trail marked in Eldon? I live 30 min south of Eldon and would like to take a look at the trail and make plans for a ride.
Does anyone know if they allow you to camp near either trail? Or is there no camping allowed on either trail?
Thank you.
KB LS from Lee's Summit on 03/07/2019 03:18 PM
To the best of my knowledge and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, the Rock Island trail from Windsor east is still hung up in Missouri legislature over funding. The Rock Island from Windsor to Pleasant Hill is open and nice to ride. Also the portion from Lee's Summit to Raytown will open this spring. My suggestion to you to research the KATY Trail and where the nearest trail head is for you. It is a very nice trail to ride.
reservations necessary?
- + My husband and I plan to ride from Clinton to St. Charles @ Oct.8-13, 2010. Is it necessary to make overnight accommodations ahead of time for the entire route? Or could we call ahead one day and fi...
Discussion started 09/25/2010 01:44 AM by Linda - 10 replies (last reply by Jim at 03/03/2019 02:01 PM)Linda from Fort Collins, CO on 09/25/2010 01:44 AM
My husband and I plan to ride from Clinton to St. Charles @ Oct.8-13, 2010. Is it necessary to make overnight accommodations ahead of time for the entire route? Or could we call ahead one day and find a motel/B&B with out difficulty?
Anonymous on 09/25/2010 11:20 AM
I don't like to be limited to firm reservations, so I never book ahead, always figure I can get a place in Sedalia, Jeff, Hermann, etc. Take a list of the B&B's with you and call after lunch, when your journey for the day is more defined. Never had a problem getting a room. Hint.. Stay at a B&B that is as closed to the trail as you can find.
Trek on 09/25/2010 02:01 PM
October is a pretty popular month it seems.....last chance to get the
end of the year rides in, Fall color, Fall festivals (Chestnut Festival
in New Franklin), Oktober Fest in Hermann. We always make reservations
ahead of time, especially in the Fall. Yes, you have to ride to make the
reservation and keep on schedule, but it sure beats finding out at the
last minute that everything is booked. Phone coverage on the trail can
be spotty at best. We skip the afternoon drama and book ahead of time.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 09/25/2010 06:57 PM
The Pumpkin Fest is in Hartsburg Oct 8-10. Could be hard finding a room close to there that weekend.
Anonymous on 09/27/2010 10:13 AM
Generally, it's much easier to find off-the-cuff lodging during the week and/or in the larger towns having more than one motel.
This situation is especially true in the "wine" country on the eastern end of the trail, where the city folks from Springfield, Jeff-City, St Charles, and all the towns along I-70 converge on the B&B's for weekend dinners and shows.
Also, right now, anything near Hermann is probabaly booked for their Oktoberfest. Still, part of the fun is playing it by ear while on the trail. But it wouldn't hurt to book ahead in the busy areas.
Anonymous on 09/27/2010 12:47 PM
Universiy of Missouri football game weekends often fill open space in Boonville B&B's and motels too.
Michael Rodemeyer from Hartsburg on 09/28/2010 05:56 PM
Actually the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival is October 9 and 10; but preparation for the festival is 2 or 3 days prior and rooms are hard to come by. Please stop in and enjoy the festival anyway. This is our 19th fest and if the weather is good we could have 40,000 to 55,000 people over the two days.
Kriss from Boonville on 09/28/2010 09:54 PM
Hi Linda,
I lived in Fort Collins in 1980! Beautiful Town. We now live in Boonville, and own a B&B, High Street Victorian! We get filled up pretty quickly in Oct. It's our busiest month. As a B&B owner, I'd suggest you make a reservation if you want to be sure you have a place to stay.
Good luck.
El Toro on 09/30/2010 02:21 AM
Based on my experience, I would not head out on that trip in October without reservations. That's just my 2 cents.
Leanne from Georgetown, TX on 03/03/2019 09:32 AM
two of us plan to pannier ride the Katy Trail first week of May. Think we need to get reservations ahead of time?
Jim from St. Thomas on 03/03/2019 02:01 PM
We always make reservations. Don’t want to be riding extra miles at the end of the day to try and find something.
St. Charles to Machens
- + In researching a Katy trip, it appears most "whole" trail trips go from Clinton to St. Charles, not Clinton to Machens. Why? And if we were to ride to Machens, is there a convenient place near the t...
Discussion started 02/28/2019 03:00 PM by MoJo - 3 replies (last reply by David R Wallace at 03/02/2019 08:31 PM)MoJo from NW Arkansas on 02/28/2019 03:00 PM
In researching a Katy trip, it appears most "whole" trail trips go from Clinton to St. Charles, not Clinton to Machens. Why? And if we were to ride to Machens, is there a convenient place near the trail head for our pickup driver to park while waiting for us to arrive? Thanks!
Anonymous on 03/01/2019 07:49 AM
It's because the Machens endpoint is remote with nothing there amenity wise. Some ride on to Machens so they can say they did and others terminate in St. Charles where there are hotels, B&B's, restaurants, parking, etc.
Jerry Whittle from Belleville IL on 03/01/2019 10:16 AM
St. Charles to Machens and back is somewhat boring. It does get right next to the Missouri River in a few places but mostly out in farm land. One of the places near the river is often flooded and the trail is closed there (around MM 35). I ride it at least once a year just to say that I did.
Finding the Machens trailhead is a little difficult. You might just want to ride back to St. Charles or to the easier to find Black Walnut trailhead.
The signups for the 2019 Katy Trail Ride in June starts today and often fills up fast. I'm signed up.
https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride
David R Wallace from Weldon Spring on 03/02/2019 08:31 PM
So glad I finally crossed Machens off the bucket list last year. Now, when someone brags about their "end-to-end" ride, I get to say "but did you go to Machens"? (it's exhilarating)
Overnight Bike Parking
- + Do hotels let you bring your bike into your room? If not, how do people secure their bikes at night? Thanks!
Discussion started 02/28/2019 05:57 PM by MoJo - 2 replies (last reply by Adam Cooper at 03/01/2019 10:25 PM)MoJo from NW Arkansas on 02/28/2019 05:57 PM
Do hotels let you bring your bike into your room? If not, how do people secure their bikes at night? Thanks!
Anonymous on 03/01/2019 07:47 AM
Some do.....some don't. You'll have to inquire with the specific location to find out what their policy is. We've secured our bikes by locking them on the bike rack on the car in the parking lot, left them in secure storage at the hotel front desk, put them in a secure storage area, and have brought them to our room. Just ask, they'll let you know what their policy is.
Adam Cooper from White Hall, IL on 03/01/2019 10:25 PM
The Tru by Hilton in St Charles was very accommodating to our small group of riders. The rooms are small but we still managed to fit four bikes and four people into one room with minimal issues. Just call ahead first to give them a heads up.
Website updates
- + Welcome to the updated BikeKatyTrail website!
If you've been here in the past, you may notice that the website looks different. It actually still has all the same information, forum discussions, and ...
Discussion started 02/23/2019 06:43 AM by Ray (webmaster) - 6 replies (last reply by JK at 03/01/2019 11:47 AM)Ray (webmaster) on 02/23/2019 06:43 AM
Welcome to the updated BikeKatyTrail website!
If you've been here in the past, you may notice that the website looks different. It actually still has all the same information, forum discussions, and trip-planning tools as before... but now it features:
- An updated look (the site's design had been pretty much unchanged for fifteen years!)
- Better maps - more fully using the features available in Google Maps
- "Responsive design", which means the website should look good and work well in all different sizes of screens, from a desktop PC down to a cell phone
- A more interactive experience, using cookies to remember the selections you've made and customize
- Improvements and added features to the tools such as the Trip Planner and Interactive map
I developed this new format on the Erie Canal site that I also run, bikeErieCanal.com, and expanded it to the Cowboy Trail site (bikeCowboyTrail.com) and the C&O Canal site (bikeCandO.com). After lots of testing and refinement, the new design was finally ready for the Katy Trail site.
Your feedback is welcome and appreciated - please send any comments to contact@bikekatytrail.com
Thanks and happy trails!
Anonymous on 02/24/2019 10:57 AM
Very good Ray!
I've used this site for many years and sincerely appreciate and understand the behind the scenes work that you've committed to.
I've only looked the past few days via cell phone and had wondered what was going on....this forum is a bit confusing there with the long string of replies open for each original post. Similarly here too, but not quite as confusing. Is there a way to change the default to just the original post showing? Then click to view if you are interested instead of having to scroll through all of the irrelevant replies.
The maps are fantastic!!! Great feature to see the pin drop on the map of each entry listed.
Thank you for making such a great tool available to the biking community!!
Ray (webmaster) on 02/24/2019 01:05 PM
Thank you for the great suggestion!
I added a "Display Format" feature near the top of this web page. If you select "Expanded", you will see all full discussions with all replies. If you select "Contracted", you'll see just the starting post for each discussion, along with the date and count of replies.
Then you can use the little blue plus and minus squares to expand/contract each discussion individually.
If your browser allows cookies, the website will remember which option you chose.
I can't always implement people's suggestions, but it's fun when I can.
Thanks and happy trails!
Jim from St. Thomas on 02/24/2019 01:46 PM
Great job, Ray!
Jim from St. Thomas on 02/24/2019 01:51 PM
And, since you asked for suggestions and/or requests.........is there room to put the time/date stamp of the last reply on the minimized thread display along with the thread started time/date?
Ray (webmaster) on 02/24/2019 02:48 PM
You got it Jim!
Thank you for the input!
JK on 03/01/2019 11:47 AM
Its awesome! Much more user friendly!
Three Day Ride 12-14 March Full Trail
- + I will be starting at about 0800 in Machens at mile marker 0 (past the trail head). Day 1 is 105 miles stopping in McKittrick. Day 2 ends 80 miles down the trail at Rocheport. Day 3 will end in Clinto...
Discussion started 02/18/2019 05:12 PM by William Cleveland - 13 replies (last reply by Dave Murray at 02/27/2019 07:44 PM)William Cleveland from Knob Noster on 02/18/2019 05:12 PM
I will be starting at about 0800 in Machens at mile marker 0 (past the trail head). Day 1 is 105 miles stopping in McKittrick. Day 2 ends 80 miles down the trail at Rocheport. Day 3 will end in Clinton. Each morning will start at approximately 0800 (trying to ride by daylight). If you are interested in making the ride at the same time send me an email.
This site has provided me with a wealth of information. Thank you to everyone who has posted.
Jim from St Thomas on 02/18/2019 08:35 PM
I believe your day one mileage is off. Should be around 74 miles to McKittrick. I don’t envy you that 85+ mile ride on day three on the hardest section of the trail. It’s gonna feel good when you pull into Clinton.
Bobby from Fort Worth on 02/18/2019 08:48 PM
I am riding the same dates but in the opposite direction. Starting on RI in Pleasant Hill jumping on the KATY in Windsor. Good Luck and wish for warm weather!
William from Knob Noster on 02/19/2019 12:21 PM
My day one milage should be off because I am starting at the end past the trailhead.
I have read about the section between Booneville and Sedalia being tough.
Right now I am debating whether I need to buy winter cycling shoes.
See you on the trail (at least in passing) Bobby.
Thank you for
replying back so fast.
Anonymous on 02/19/2019 04:47 PM
The end of the trail is 30 miles from the Machens trailhead?
That'd put you across the river wouldn't it?
William from Knob Noster on 02/19/2019 05:52 PM
Looking at the map available on the site (waiting on my physical copy to arrive in mail). It would be 26.9 miles. It looks like I rounded when making my original calculation.
Jim from St Thomas on 02/19/2019 07:25 PM
You have peaked my curiosity. I was not aware the Katy went past Machens but I’ve ridden east of St Charles. When I look at google maps I don’t see anything resembling a rail bed - does it run along the back roads?
William from Knob Noster on 02/19/2019 07:56 PM
It looks like I needed to examine the map a little closer. I guess I am starting at the road just past the trail head. A whole 187 feet.
The weather today has convinced me that I need to go ahead and get the winter riding boots.
In order to ride those extra miles I would have to start down the road.
Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 02/19/2019 08:52 PM
The Katy Trail mileage markers can be confusing. It's what the railroad people used for going all the way into St. Louis. The end of the trail at Machens is at MM 26.9. I had assumed that William might have been starting from St. Louis.
TheRammer from DFW, TX on 02/20/2019 02:38 AM
3/12 3/13 3/14
Historical Average High/Low 54°/35° 55°/36° 55°/36°
Actual Temperature 2018 47°/30° 49°/28° 57°/24°
Current Forecast 2019 59°/30° 59°/30° 45°/26°
One can dress for cold weather riding, but these temperatures are too cold for all day riding, for me. Personally, I prefer a low temperature of at least 50°. This would suggest a start date in mid-April.
Good Luck.
P.S. You could start your ride exactly 26.9 miles from the Machens trail terminus, if you want your trip to match the mile markers.
William from Knob Noster on 02/20/2019 03:26 PM
Thank you for the advice.
Due to timing between college courses the next time I would be able to do this ride would be May. I'll be wearing Lake MXZ 303s with wool socks and I will be equipped with hand/feet warmers.
I did a 3 hour ride in 30 degree weather with summer cycling shoes.
I plan on doing a 3 hour out and back a week or two before.
I will follow up in a couple weeks with a pre-ride.
Jim from St Thomas on 02/21/2019 02:41 PM
We’ve done rides in mid-October where the starting temps were in the low thirties. Never had a problem with my feet getting cold - it was always ears and hands. A good knit cap takes care of the ears and wool gloves with an outer shell works for the hands. Hand warmers sound even better.
Cathy from Pittsburgh on 02/25/2019 07:44 PM
Since you are doing this in March, and it is in Missouri, keep in mind the weather can be good, bad and ugly, even without climate change. As they say in Missouri, if you don't like the weather, stick around and it will be completely different tomorrow. Sometimes in March the weather goes from freezing to in the 40s to 50s and up. And that causes the trail to freeze and thaw. In those conditions it is like biking on wet cement. Hopefully you won't run into that, but if you do, well, it will be quite unpleasant.
Dave Murray from Fox on 02/27/2019 07:44 PM
I totally agree with Cathy, Be prepared for precipitation in the form of rain, sleet or snow with variable winds most likely from the west southwest gusting up to 25-30 mph. Or to your benefit it could be calm winds with clear skies with highs in the low to mid 60s. Good luck.
E-Bike Shop Along Han River
- + Paul Toigo since you have may have some knowledge of the subject line can you provide a contact to inquire directly to you?
Discussion started 02/27/2019 07:29 PM by Donaldo - 0 repliesDonaldo on 02/27/2019 07:29 PM
Paul Toigo since you have may have some knowledge of the subject line can you provide a contact to inquire directly to you?
Hermann - Jefferson City - ?
- + It was our first time riding the Katy Trail this past October from St.Charles to Rhineland (140 miles round trip) this past October that we'll be riding another section after the Go St. Louis Marathon...
Discussion started 02/19/2019 08:58 PM by TriGirl262 - 3 replies (last reply by Jeanne at 02/25/2019 10:24 PM)TriGirl262 from Memphis on 02/19/2019 08:58 PM
It was our first time riding the Katy Trail this past October from St.Charles to Rhineland (140 miles round trip) this past October that we'll be riding another section after the Go St. Louis Marathon in early April. We're going to stay one night in Herman at the Crown Suites, then ride to Jefferson City Capital Plaza and stay there one night and ride as far as we like - maybe 30-40 miles west, then back to Jefferson City overnight and then ride back to Hermann. Are there any breweries/wineries and restaurants we should check out along the route? Any towns you recommend that we should stop in when leaving Jefferson City heading west?
Anonymous on 02/22/2019 10:57 AM
Every small town on the Katy has something to offer and is worthy of checking out. You can view the towns amenities here and determine if you'd like to stop. That said, Rocheport has a nice winery that is bluff top with an awesome view to the south....also a nice bistro and A-frame with a large deck. The town itself has several nice B and B's, eclectic shops, and restaurants from fine dining to pizza on the patio next to the trail.
Hank on 02/23/2019 09:18 AM
Have you considered bicycling one-way from Hermann to Sedalia, and then taking Amtrak back to Hermann? This would allow you three nights (Hermann, Jeff City and then Boonville in my recommendation) and still be back in Hermann by mid-day the last day of the trip.
Jeanne from Omaha on 02/25/2019 10:24 PM
We have done multiple trips on the Katy, always west to east to keep the wind and sun at our backs. Our favorite ride is Sedalia to Herman then take Amtrak back to Sedalia. On one occasion we caught the train at Jeff City as the weather was too stormy to continue our ride. We have also ridden to St. Louis where you can also catch Amtrak. Be sure to make reservations for your bike early as the train takes a limited number of bikes.