Katy Trail Forum

We were riding the Katy Trail and were so excited to find such a nice place that had such wonderful salads and fixed special items for our dieting friends. For us who weren't the coconut cream pie was the best. Don't let the burgers and cones name mislead you, they have everything.

If we can only day one long day trip what would you recommend the area we should experience on the trail?

The Dorm ... What a great place to spend the night while riding the trail. Just a couple blocks from the trail. Fully updated facility with free washer & dryer, great shower, very comfortable beds and no waiting around for a cooked breakfast but plenty of options offered in your room. Best place I've stayed in on the trail.

Just completed a 3-day trek across the trail this past weekend and wanted to give kudos to several of the places we stopped along the way. While not the healthiest meal to have on a bike ride, Kehde's BBQ pork sandwich in Sedalia made this KC BBQ boy smile. The School House Dorm in Rocheport was a terrific stop for the night ... totally updated facility with free washer & dryer, very comfortable and just a couple blocks from the trail! Dinner at Abigail's in Rocheport totally took us by surprise. An amazing menu from steaks to lobster/shrimp ravioli and great service (Get a couple cinnamon rolls for breakfast). Lunch at Nick's Family Restaurant in the Jeff City Airport, of all places, was a great stop for a full country meal. And finally, Joey's Birdhouse in McKittrick for a great home-cooked meal, good conversation and a dry/comfortable bed. Overall, it was a pretty rough weather weekend to be riding the trail with the strong SE winds and rain but these local businesses enabled us to pull off the trail to relax and replace the 3500-4000 calories we lost before climbing into the saddle again the next morning. Thanks to each of these attentive proprietors for their great hospitality. I highly recommend them.

I have stayed at the Doll House 3 times and think it is the best B&B on the trail. Amanda makes the best breakfast and is so kind and fun. The house is immaculate and oh the cookies. Thanks Amanda.

Thank you so much! We love having you stay with us! Always a joy to have fun loving guests stay with us, and spending time with them!

Agree! Have stayed there 3 or so times and have always been very well satisfied. Also handy is the Trailside Bar & Grill just a short walk across the road.

I agree. This year will be our fourth stay with the Doll House.

As a multi-time guest, I agree. One time she even arranged for a bike shop from Hermann to come out to the house and make some much needed repairs on my bike so I could continue on the next day to St. Charles. Both Amanda and the bike shop were AWESOME!

On a different note, but in reference to an earlier comment in this thread: I thought the quality of the food at the Trailside (across the road) has gone downhill the past couple times I've been there. Maybe I was just hungrier the first couple times.

Do you rent recumbent bikes? If so what is the rental fee?

Bike Stop Cafe

701 S Riverside Drive
636-724-9900

I'm looking to buy a new bike and wanted other's experiences with theirs on the Katy Trail. I currently have a Specialized Crossroads Comfort bike. Rides fine on trails near home and the Katy Trail. But I want an upgrade with my bike. I'd like something faster, but want it to perform on the Katy Trail as well since I like to ride there alot. So I'm looking at Specialized Crosstrail, Specialized Sirrus, Jamis Allegro X, and Jamis Coda. Does anybody have any experience with any of these bikes and maybe how I could expect them to handle on the road and Katy Trail?
thanks,

Of the four listed I would vote for the Jamis Coda. It has a lightweight steel frame which I find more comfortable than aluminum, and 32c tires, which I prefer for the Katy. The others have a suspension fork which adds weight and is not needed.

I agree with several of the comments above. A suspension fork is definitely NOT needed on the KATY and brings with it extra weight. 32mm tires are plenty wide. I ride 28-32s depending on which bike I ride (single speed or geared). I much prefer quality steel over aluminum in terms of comfort...but that is a personal choice.

Enjoy!!

I would say to think more in terms of a touring bike, not a cyclocross bike. Look for something that is stable, has a long wheelbase, is probably steel, can accomodate wider tires (not necessarily knobbies), has you sit in a more upright position, and can carry a load. Weight is not a big deal since the Katy is a railroad bed.

Arky is very correct. More touring with comfort than off road style. The KT is pretty tame unless the rains comes then there is soft spots, flash flooding and debris on the trail. I like the Trek FX types that are lighter 28cm fairly upright with softer seats. But a must is flat protection with kevler or liners. Happy trails.

I have a touring bike (Salsa Vaya) that I love but I feel the cross bikes are a fine choice for the Katy as well. I would not buy a touring bike unless you actually intend to "tour." (Load up the bike for overnight, multi-day rides etc.) My wife has a cross bike and for the 30-40 mile rides we typically do on the Katy she loves it. The steel frames are much superior to aluminum IMO.

I think a cx bike would be fine. I am riding the Katy next week on my Trek XO2. It is aluminum, although I prefer steel, and it has plenty of room for 40mm tires. It has rack eyelets front and rear, but I went with Revelate bags to save weight. I think a really good choice is a Surly or Salsa though. They are extremely versatile and ride smooth. I love my Karate Monkey.

Pseudio, Agree on the Trek FX. My 2006 FX7.7, with 32's on it is my favorite Katy trail bike. Not so much sold on the newer FX models.

I have completed the trail on my Specialized Tricross four times and plan on two more trips this year. For me, this cross bike is the perfect bike for this trail. I could give many reasons, but to each their own. I would ride it on another bike. The important thing is getting some saddle time in before you go. Life is good on the Katy regardless of what bike you are riding.

We stopped here with a few boyscouts looking for icecream last Saturday afternoon. Ice cream was great and couple working the counter was so friendly! I would definetly stop here again! Thanks for treating our scouts so good!