Realistic daily ride length
- + Planning to ride the Trail from St Charles to Clinton this summer. My wife and I did the Natchez Trace parkway last year and averaged 75 miles per day on road bikes. Anyone have a realistic guess as t...
Discussion started 07/23/2014 10:35 AM by Johnny 3 - 17 replies (last reply by Colorado at 08/01/2014 06:07 PM)Johnny 3 from Dalton, GA on 07/23/2014 10:35 AM
Planning to ride the Trail from St Charles to Clinton this summer. My wife and I did the Natchez Trace parkway last year and averaged 75 miles per day on road bikes. Anyone have a realistic guess as to how many miles we might be able to average per day on the Katy Trail? It's going to be a lot flatter but the surface is probably going to be a little more resistant to rolling. Thanks for the advice.
ArkyKenny on 07/23/2014 10:49 AM
I am a former Dalton Guy who has also done Natchez Trace,
I always say that 85 miles on the Katy is like a century on the road. The great thing about the Katy is that it is flat and tree lined so there are not really hills, and there is much less trouble with wind as compared to riding on the road. The surface is hard with a loose top, so there is a little more rolling resistance. The down side, for me anyway, is that just like there are no hills to climb, there are no hills to coast down. Said another way, the rolling resistance is more or less constant, and that means that it requires a different type of "Being in shape". Not bad, just a little different. I find that surface will cost me about 2-3 mph as compared to pavement, so that is something to consider too. (although if you've ever ridden a newly chip and sealed road, I'd say Katy is faster than that with less rolling resistance).
If you think that 75 on Natchez is a good ride, then 60-70 on the Katy would be a good amount.
Johnny 3 from Dalton on 07/23/2014 11:56 AM
Thank you so much for the response! That is exactly the information that I needed to plan the trip.
Don from Ellisville, MO on 07/24/2014 04:03 PM
Johnny, I agree with Arky -- the biggest adjustment is to expect that you will be pedaling almost 100% of the time. As he said, rolling resistance is about 2-3mph, or as I measure it, one gear on the bike lower. At 75 miles a day, you will finish the trail in 3 days, but you won't have time to see any of the great sites or history of the area (Daniel Boone, Lewis & Clark, etc.). That stuff may not be for you, but I would not be a Missourian without pointing it out. BTW, is Dalton still the carpet headquarters of the US?
Anonoh on 07/25/2014 08:47 AM
If the Trace is paved, the KT is not paved. The mph adjustment is accurate. However, there are many ruts, loose rocks, debris, blind crossings, small animals, tire puncture elements along the KT. I call it "active" more off road riding than on paved sight seeing trails. Actually a woman in the last few years crashed and died riding on the KT when she fell off her bike and hit her head. It is by no means a take lightly trail.
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/25/2014 03:49 PM
People fall and die almost daily in this country on paved trails and roads also...
ArkyKenny on 07/25/2014 06:25 PM
I was a lot more concerned with being hit by a car on Natchez Trace than falling in a crack on Katy.
But that does lead to the "what bike" discussion. A road bike will work, but put the biggest tires on it that will fit. Consensus on this board says that you need at least 28's, and I like 32-40mm wide tires. Knobbies are not necessary. A pair of $15 slicks from WalMart on an old trusty mountain bike is, for me anyway, a better option than a $2000 road bike with 23mm tires on it for the Katy. I usually ride a touring bike with 32s when it is dry, and 40s when it is wet. Many people ride hybrids, so if you are looking for a reason to get a new "path" bike, you have one.
Anonoh on 07/26/2014 08:16 AM
You need no less than 28's unless you want to slide around on the KT.
Not very dry river bottom areas or the horse areas around Sedalia also cause sinking and sliding easier with road tires. Bike safety is primary on any surface you two gomers.
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/26/2014 08:56 AM
Gomers? The Katy is one of the smoothest and best maintained gravel rail trails in the country, and I have been on dozens of them, but you seem to describe it as some sort to death trap. Getting me and my bike to the Katy Trail is much more treacherous than riding the trail.
MimiandPapa from Springfield, Mo. on 07/26/2014 03:17 PM
I have to agree with you MidSouth! Hope to see you on the FHT soon!
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/26/2014 03:46 PM
I was on FHT Thursday and Friday morning. Too hot today but going back early tomorrow. Next week looks great for trail riding.
MimiandPapa from Springfield, Mo. on 07/26/2014 05:11 PM
Hope to see you Monday morning! Hopefully we will be on Katy in fall.
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/26/2014 06:03 PM
We are going to do the George Mickelson trail in SD in September!
MimiandPapa from Springfield, Mo. on 07/26/2014 06:37 PM
Let us know how it is! We will have to until my "stoker" retires!!
Anonymous on 07/26/2014 08:36 PM
For what it's worth...
I agree with the speed assessment. When going Clinton to St. Charles I do 3 days.
I ride 28s...with GREAT flat protection.
Horses Honk on 07/27/2014 07:57 AM
The best flat protection is a horse.
Anonoh on 07/27/2014 03:23 PM
If you are in decent shape and want to do 5-6 hrs a day for 70+ miles and have some idea where places are to eat and visit its OK but if you are a first timer, 4 days would be better to get a good feel for the trail.
Colorado on 08/01/2014 06:07 PM
A friend of mine and I did the trail a couple of years ago. 50 miles a day was a full day. But we stopped at all the historical markers along the way and checked out most of the small towns also.
Suggestions?
- + Wife and I have never cycled the Katy, but are planning a section ride from Machens to Augusta (40 miles)in early August.If anyone has observations or suggestions based on their experience with this p...
Discussion started 07/31/2014 03:45 PM by Clint - 2 replies (last reply by Don at 08/01/2014 10:11 AM)Clint from KCMO on 07/31/2014 03:45 PM
Wife and I have never cycled the Katy, but are planning a section ride from Machens to Augusta (40 miles)in early August.
If anyone has observations or suggestions based on their experience with this portion of the trail, I'd like to hear them.
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/31/2014 05:25 PM
You probably don't want to start in Machens because you can't easily get there by car and there is no parking. Best to start in St. Charles. Bring plenty of water. Use flat resistant tires, bring tools and knowledge to fix a flat if need be.
Don from Ellisville, MO on 08/01/2014 10:11 AM
I agree with MidSouth. Unless you are planning on eventually riding the entire Katy (even a section at a time), you should start in St. Charles. There is nothing between Machens and St. Charles -- yes, a few beautiful views -- but no facilities to speak of. If you start in St. Charles, ride to Augusta for lunch and ride back to St. Charles, that would be about 55 miles roundtrip. Makes a nice day with no car logistics to deal with.
Shuttle Service
- + Re. my last post. An alternative might be to drop my vehicle in Warrensburg so I could ride the train all the way back to it from Kirkwood. Of course that would require riding on public highways, ro...
Discussion started 07/28/2014 05:33 PM by DLB - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 08/01/2014 09:30 AM)DLB from Hoschton, GA on 07/28/2014 05:33 PM
Re. my last post. An alternative might be to drop my vehicle in Warrensburg so I could ride the train all the way back to it from Kirkwood. Of course that would require riding on public highways, roads, etc. to get to the start of the trail in Clinton. Does anyone know how tough the traffic situation would be doing that - safety issues, for example? Thanks.
Anonymous on 07/28/2014 09:23 PM
Why not leave your car in Sedalia? Amtrak has a station there and it won't require highway riding. Not much to see between Clinton and Sedalia. You could skip that part.
DLB from Hoschton, GA on 07/29/2014 06:41 PM
Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, after considering the options I had pretty much decided on just deleting th Clinton - Sedalia section. I'm sure that I'll get enough bicycling just doing the rest of the trail!
Trek on 07/30/2014 07:02 AM
Not sure its on your route from Georgia or not, but the Tunnel Hill Trail in south centrial Illinois is a nice trail between you and the Katy. We've not ridden it in the Fall, but have considered doing so. It's about 40 miles long and has a nice tunnel 1/4 mile south of Tunnel Hill. There are over 20 trestles, the longest is Breeden Trestle, which is also the highest at 90 feet. It's 2 1/2 miles south of Tunnel Hill.
Anonymous on 08/01/2014 09:30 AM
Tunnel Hill is awesome - but parts of the trail were closed in June due to a pipeline project cutting into the trail - call the IL DNR before committing to that.
OK wine but bad food
- + We have been biking the Katy Trail for 10 years and stopping at Mount Pleasant winery for lunch and wine. Until a few years ago we could bring food onto the premises, then the policy changed to "no f...
Discussion started 07/31/2014 12:14 PM by Jeanette - 1 reply (last reply by Trek at 07/31/2014 12:46 PM)Jeanette from St. Louis on 07/31/2014 12:14 PM
We have been biking the Katy Trail for 10 years and stopping at Mount Pleasant winery for lunch and wine. Until a few years ago we could bring food onto the premises, then the policy changed to "no food" but you could buy lunch there. The food was well prepared so we were OK with buying our lunch. Then the food offered went down in quality but was still expensive. At that point they lost our business forever.
"No outside food or beverages are allowed on the premises as part of their sustainable practices". What does that mean?
Trek on 07/31/2014 12:46 PM
They can not sustain their business (continue to exist) without food and beverage sales. If you bring food or drink and in use the winery only for a place to land, they make no money. Looks like they don't like people just sitting around without spending any money. Pretty common, most businesses like to make money while they provide a place to hang out.
Shuttle Service
- + I tentatively plan to ride the Katy west to east in October. I'd like to drive to Sedlia, leave my vehicle there, get a shuttle to Clinton and ride back to St. Charles. From St. Charles I want to shu...
Discussion started 07/28/2014 03:56 PM by DLB - 4 replies (last reply by DLB at 07/29/2014 06:38 PM)DLB from Hoschton, GA on 07/28/2014 03:56 PM
I tentatively plan to ride the Katy west to east in October. I'd like to drive to Sedlia, leave my vehicle there, get a shuttle to Clinton and ride back to St. Charles. From St. Charles I want to shuttle over to Kirkwood to catch the train for the trip back to Sedalia to pick up my car. Taxi service from St. Charles to Kirkwood appears to cost about $50.00. Are there other options for that shuttle service? Also, what are the options for getting a shuttle from Sedalia to Clinton? Thanks.
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/28/2014 05:14 PM
If you are going to spend the night in St. Charles you might want to check with the Lococo House about a shuttle to Kirkwood.
DLB from Hoschton, GA on 07/28/2014 05:51 PM
Thanks. Yes, I was planning to spend the night there. I'll give that a try.
Anonymous on 07/29/2014 07:52 AM
If you stay at Lococo...I am pretty sure they can get you there much cheaper.
I have stayed with them previously and for about 10 bucks (as I recall) they took me to the commuter train station near the airport and I just took that downtown to Amtrak station for about 2-3 bucks.
That was a couple years ago so prices might be higher...but that might be an option.
DLB from Hoschton, GA on 07/29/2014 06:38 PM
Thanks - I appreciate your suggestion.
transportaion from Machens to Kansas City airport
- + I plan to finish my bike ride on the Katy Trail at Machens, but I need to get from there back to the Kansas City airport.Any suggestions?
Discussion started 07/21/2014 01:20 AM by randall - 4 replies (last reply by Paul Toigo at 07/28/2014 03:33 PM)randall from lafayette, colorado on 07/21/2014 01:20 AM
I plan to finish my bike ride on the Katy Trail at Machens, but I need to get from there back to the Kansas City airport.
Any suggestions?
Larryray from St. Louis on 07/21/2014 09:00 PM
That's not going to be easy. The trail ends unceremoniously at Machens. There's nothing there but bathroom building and trail kiosk. It's even hard to find by road. I think your best bet would be to have a shuttle service pick you up there and get you back into St. Louis where you could catch Amtrak or a bus to downtown KC and then catch a shuttle service up to the airport which is significantly north of town.
Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 07/24/2014 02:36 PM
This is a long way around, but it's a relatively calm route from Machens to Union Station.
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/703427
Dwayne from Elsah, IL on 07/25/2014 05:31 PM
I live just a few miles from Machens, just on the other side of the river, and would be happy to transport you to the train station or airport if that would help. There is really nothing in Machens. Just a couple of houses. We would need to coordinate timing of course but I'm happy to help!Shoot me an email if you like: dueyvster at g mail dot com
Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 07/28/2014 03:33 PM
I apologize that my above route is incomplete. That gets you to St. Louis's Union Station. From there, take Amtrak back to Kansas City's Union Station. Then follow the reverse of the suggestions offered for Kansas City airport to Kansas City's Union Station in one of your other threads. (But you probably already figured all that out for yourself.)
Greens Bottom Stop
- + http://www.thiesfarm.com/#!locations/c1wfvhttp://www.thiesfarm.com/Great New stop at Greens Bottom Fresh Produce, homemade items, bakery and soon to be a deli. Nice little nursery with shrubs, flower...
Discussion started 07/28/2014 07:29 AM by Brett Perry - 0 repliesBrett Perry from St Charles on 07/28/2014 07:29 AM
http://www.thiesfarm.com/#!locations/c1wfv
http://www.thiesfarm.com/
Great New stop at Greens Bottom Fresh Produce, homemade items, bakery and soon to be a deli. Nice little nursery with shrubs, flowers etc.
Road to Klondike from St Charles on Saturday and stopped here on our way back home Sunday for a refresh before the last few miles. We had a slushy Arnold Palmer and went home with some homemade jelly and sliced sweet pickles. I see this place being a even better stop in the near future!
Trike Trail Riding
- + My wife and I are planning to ride the trail at the end of May on our recumbent Terra trike Rovers. We have ridden several rails to trails (Silver Comet, Fla Trail) but these were asphalt or concrete...
Discussion started 03/08/2013 08:04 AM by Schosser - 7 replies (last reply by Steve at 07/26/2014 11:12 PM)Schosser from Memphis, TN on 03/08/2013 08:04 AM
My wife and I are planning to ride the trail at the end of May on our recumbent Terra trike Rovers.
We have ridden several rails to trails (Silver Comet, Fla Trail) but these were asphalt or concrete. Does anyone have an opinion on whether we should plan on using an off road tire on the rear , the fronts or both?
(Our only experience with a grave trail was the spectacular Hiawatha trail in Idaho, but this was a day trip all downhill with no camping gear.
Also , since Amtrak does not permit trikes we will probably need a shuttle service. Do most of the shuttle services have vehicles that can carry two trikes? Any other suggestions from experienced trike riders?
Thanks in advance,
Bill
Figs from Olathe on 03/12/2013 03:48 PM
I would think that any tire would be fine. The KT is pretty well packed gravel. I ride a Trek Hybrid with it's psuedo road tires, and it works fine. Which ever tire you feel gives you the best ride/effort ratio. I have never used any of the shuttle services, since I live a couple hours away. So, can't help you there. I can tell you that if you are anywhere near the Boonville to Hartsburg stretch of the KT on Memorial Day weekend, it's gonna have a party atmosphere... Pedaler's Jamboree. I'll be there riding/camping/socializing for those 3 days.
gabe from Springfield on 03/13/2013 01:57 PM
Bill, i have ridden the Katy a few times on catrikes. I think they work great. Fenders are nice if you dont want to be covered in gravel. I normally used primo comet tires. Never had a flat, and they are a pretty quick tire. Have fun!
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/13/2013 02:17 PM
Bill - I think you will need to call a few of the people offering shuttle services in the area you plan to start at. I have only used a shuttle once a few years ago due to flooding on the trail and it was a mini van with bike rack out of Boonesvile. We are going to ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha this coming July!
Rhona Lococo from St Charles Mo on 03/14/2013 11:37 PM
call Rhona at 636-946-0619 for shuttle info
3 wheeled rider on 07/22/2014 03:33 PM
Hello! did you ride the hiawatha trail with a tricycle? If so, how was it? Where did you find one to rent?
MidSouth from Rogersville on 07/22/2014 06:58 PM
No we didn't ride the Trail of the Hiawatha on trikes, but don't see that it would be a problem. Not sure about rentals in the area. You will need good lights, the first tunnel is almost 2 miles long and is not lit.
Steve from Chesterfield on 07/26/2014 11:12 PM
I ride my kmx trike with maxxis hookworms (wide, but pretty smooth) on the eastern parts of the trail regularly and have only had trouble once in the last few years when I hit a patch of fresh gravel that ran several hundred feet and hadn't been packed down yet. As others have said FENDERS FENDERS FENDERS or you will be really dusty on a tadpole. Street tires will do fine with the same precautions you'd take touring anywhere.
Steamboat Junction
- + Was riding by on a very hot day and needed a place to sit, relax, and rehydrate. Stopped at Steamboat Junction and found it to be one of the most best rest and refreshment sites on the trail. Tables...
Discussion started 07/26/2014 08:40 PM by SP - 0 repliesSP from Lohman on 07/26/2014 08:40 PM
Was riding by on a very hot day and needed a place to sit, relax, and rehydrate. Stopped at Steamboat Junction and found it to be one of the most best rest and refreshment sites on the trail. Tables, chairs, and umbrellas right off the trail. Snacks and beverages in the small building that were pretty much on the honor system. Best part were the owners, who welcomed us like we were family. If every stop on the Katy trail were this nice, it'd be so busy you couldn't use it.
Their campground looked very nice and you could tell by talking to the owners that they are rightly proud of its cleanliness.
getting from Kansas City airport to KC train stati
- + I am flying into Kansas City Intl. airport, and I need to get myself and my bike to the train station in downtown Kansas City, MO.Any suggestions?
Discussion started 07/21/2014 12:54 AM by Randall - 3 replies (last reply by Paul Toigo at 07/26/2014 04:33 PM)Randall from Denver, Colorado on 07/21/2014 12:54 AM
I am flying into Kansas City Intl. airport, and I need to get myself and my bike to the train station in downtown Kansas City, MO.
Any suggestions?
Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 07/22/2014 08:55 AM
KCATA bus 129 services the airport and will run to downtown. All KCATA buses have bike racks on the front. Get off at around 11th and Grand and head South on Grand 1.2 miles to Pershing. Go West 1 block to Union Station.
http://www.kcata.org/maps_schedules/routes/129_boardwalk_kci
boomhauer from kc on 07/24/2014 03:20 PM
Super shuttle.
$24
Your bike should fit. They have vans.
Direct to wherever you tell them.
Union Station.
Paul Toigo from Kansas City Mo on 07/26/2014 04:33 PM
Per the Super Shuttle website, it's $39 one-way for an exclusive (required for porting a bike) van from the Kansas City airport to Union Station. The bus is $1.50
Parking
- + Doing Katy out and back from St. Charles in September. Where can I leave my car (safely) for a week or more? Fee or free but safety is main issue. Thanks
Discussion started 07/24/2014 08:53 AM by JSP - 2 replies (last reply by Trek at 07/24/2014 10:28 AM)JSP from Augusta, Georgia on 07/24/2014 08:53 AM
Doing Katy out and back from St. Charles in September. Where can I leave my car (safely) for a week or more? Fee or free but safety is main issue. Thanks
ArkyKenny on 07/24/2014 09:23 AM
I'm sure there are lots of places to leave a car, but the spot I have left my old truck on several occasions is in the parking lot, under a light, in front of the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center/Museum in St. Charles. It is right on the Trail. No problems so far (but it is an old truck)
Trek on 07/24/2014 10:28 AM
I've used Comfort Inn parking losts several times. I always ask and they've never said no. I leave my car info at the desk and park out of the way of the daily patrons. You might also ask at the casino about leaving your vehicle there.
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
Parking
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=7052&tonly=1
Parking in Rhineland
- + Is there a parking area here? I see on Google earth that the trail strays away from the original ROW.
Discussion started 07/22/2014 08:02 PM by TB - 2 replies (last reply by Anonoh at 07/23/2014 09:27 AM)TB on 07/22/2014 08:02 PM
Is there a parking area here? I see on Google earth that the trail strays away from the original ROW.
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 07/22/2014 09:29 PM
TB, not sure what you mean by "strays away from the original ROW". The trail follows the original rail, crosses HWY 94, runs by the Rhineland ballfield, crosses HWY 94 and continues on along HWY 94. If you look north of the ballfield across HWY 94, you will see several parking spots. Check out the bar/grill while you are there.
Anonoh on 07/23/2014 09:27 AM
I would imagine you could park at the ball diamond if you are not leaving it overnight?