Katy Trail Forum

Has anyone had experience with the America's Best Value Inn in Holts Summit? Decent place? How far off trail? Guide book says they will pick you up at trailhead. Is that right? Thanks!

It is 5 miles up hill from the Katy. As the lady at the front desk put it, "They don't call it the river VALLEY for nothing...." Otherwise, it is a typical bargain hotel, with an adequate breakfast. There is a c-store and a McDonalds near by, and the ride to the trail in the morning is a 5 mile coast downhill.

Recommend you consider Hartsburg. You are 60 seconds from the trail to Hotel and Food.

My wife and I rode up there after doing 50 miles on the trail. It was too much for her, I hadn't checked into the shuttle. They don't call it "Summit" for nothing. The place was OK value, they let us put our bikes in the shead. And like Arky said, it was fun getting back to the Katy the next morning. But I'm a "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" kind of a guy.

It's easy to ride into Jefferson City plus you get to experience crossing the Missouri river over the Bike/Pedestrian bridge.

Thanks for the good info.

Previous poster said that you cross the river, you do not cross the river to get to Holts Summit from the trailhead. You will have to travel on Hwy 54 on the shoulder or could take the outer road. If you look on google earth go under hwy 54 bridge there is spur to your left take that till it gets to the blacktop and go left that will be the outer road.

I was on the trail east looking for mi pot of gold but didn't make it to Rocheport for the General Store road bowling this year. Was it a fine time with Guiness flowing this year?

Irish Road Bowling is the worst thing to happen to Rocheport. All of these people descend on the town and take all of the parking spots for people who are actually shopping or dining in our fine town. None of these people spend any money here. In fact, the sheer volume of extremely intoxicated people wandering around looks horrible for Rocheport. Not to mention the guy who got punched in the face at the GS and had to be hauled off in an ambulance. Of course the Sheriff and Highway Patrol were all over the place. What about a Cherry Blossom Festival or a Hummingbird Festival? Something without the drunken hordes. Shame on you, those who promote Irish Road Bowling.

Sorry to hear Me, there were some rowdies. But mi ceathars deoch i bhfad ro. Bowling is a fun time and a wi bit of libations is not a reason to ban the one time a year event. I would imagine mi friends and relatives from Germany would not take kindly to stopping their Oktoberfest celebrations when a few sometimes feel too happy would they?

As one of the heads of the north american road bowling clubs.we totally condone drinking while bowl playing is in progress.while actions of any individuals cannot be controlled on any given day I think the above comments are disgraceful and racist..we host the american finals each year with hundreds of people attending and will not tolerate such behavior

I would agree totally..it is definitely racist, Mick.

Can someone please point out the racist comment?
Get a grip you stinkin' libs. Just because someone makes a negative comment they have to be branded racist, sexist, hate-monger, etc. If anything YOU are the racist for thinking that way.

I would liken it to a wee bit of "hate mongering" me. Actually i am not a so called lib but someone who appreciates some clean fun with a ball on the road and a pint or two in me hand.

We are planning on riding the trail from Clinton on 8/29 and ending at St Charles on 9/1. We would then like to take the train back to Sedalia. How and how quickly can we get to an Amtrak stop from St Charles? Any other advice?

In my experience there is no easy way to get from St. Charles to an Amtrak stop. The B&B I stayed in (Lococo House) took me and my bike to the Handley Road metro station. For a couple bucks we rode it downtown St. Louis. Walked a few blocks to Amtrak Station from there. I think the B&B charged me an extra 10 bucks or something on top of my nights stay to take me down to the metro.

Consider going back to Washington and catching the train there. Whole lot easier on you nerves.

Enjoyed our stay very much at the Dormitory at School House. The room was very cozy. It was a nice place to get away from it all.

My Bridge group stayed 2 nights at The Lindenhof B&B July 2013. We had a fantastic time. The food and accommodations were superb. Debbie and Bill are wonderful hosts! I highly recommend The Lindenhof.

We wanted to alert you to a short detour near Greens Bottom Trailhead in St. Charles. While St. Charles County is repacing a culvert under the Katy Trail near MM 46, trail users will be rerouted to the shoulder along Greens Bottom Road for a very short distance (0.2-mile). Detour signs will be posted for trail users. Warning signs will be posted on Greens Bottom Road alerting vehicles to the potential of trail users on the shoulder. Construction is anticipated to be completed by Aug. 23, 2013.

Group of 3 taking the Amtrak from STL to KC to start in Clinton and ride back to Machens.

What is the best way to get us and our bikes from the KC Amtrak station to Clinton, and then where could we stay overnight in Clinton?

Or is there a better way to get from STL to Clinton other than Amtrak to KC?

Thanks for the help.

You can take Amtrak to Warrensburg, which is nearer to Clinton. Come and stay at the Haysler House Bed and Breakfast Inn, and we would be happy to pick you up from the Warrensburg Amtrak station.

We arrived at the Peers Store, which is now closed, exhausted after 70 miles. We called and asked for a ride up the hill to the B&B and they told us no problem and were there in less than five minutes. It was a good thing after going up the BIG hill. They fed us dinner for a very reasonable price and the cook, George is an amazing chef. He also is an amazing musician as he had a banjo friend over and they entertained us for the evening, a great added benefit. The room was very nice with a sitting area, bedroom and bath. It was the sunset room and though it was facing west there was plenty of sun in the morning to get us up. George made a fantastic breakfast to get us started. The house is very nice with a hot tub, big porch with chairs and swing and safe storage for your bikes in the garage. Plan a stop here, you will not be disappointed.

We needed water, a problem with long sections of the trail, so we just peddled down the main street looking for anything that looked like a store. The bar had just opened and the bar maid filled our water bottles for free as well as gave us glasses of water. She was very helpful and told us similar water stories about others who have stopped. The old bar that sits right off the trail is now closed so peddle down the street away from the trail and the bar is on your right.

We arrived in McKittrick at lunchtime, exhausted, and in need of water. No water at the trailhead, a HUGE problem for much of the trail, so peddled into town. We found the Mercantile store and it was closed, but a car was pulling out and stopped and asked if they could help. We told them we needed water and a sandwich. She told us she would open up and fix something up for us. Were we happy, she even turned on the air conditioning! She made us each a sausage and sauer kraut sandwich, the kraut was made by her. She also gave us a plate of cucumbers and crackers with cheese she made. For dessert, which we tried to decline, she gave us a mead mixed cold thing that was out of this world. For not wanting anymore to eat we sure did eat a lot of that. We saw the little "opera house" upstairs and she sat and ate lunch with us. She told us much about the community and herself, she is a very interesting woman. On the way out she told us she had just been elected Mayor of McKittrick! We had lunch with the Mayor. I highly recommend a stop to see her and if her B&B is as good as her store and cooking it must be a great place to stay. I know next time I peddle the trail that will be a stop for the night.

After arriving by Cotton Taxi he dropped us off in front of Chuck's who was gracious enough to stay open to fix the flat tire I had. He is quite a character, 86 years old and plenty of stories to tell. Not only did he fix the bike he filled us with stories of the area and his life and while he spoke we roamed around his bicycle "junkyard." I have no idea how many bicycles he has, but not one was new. He had plenty of new parts so if you need something he has it, only he may know where it is, and he will install the part for you. It is worth stopping in just to see the place. You will find it across from the entrance to the Isle of Capri where we stayed. They are also very accommodating to bicycles and allowed them in the elevator and rooms.

We finished our trip here and after getting off Amtrak, a great experience, we peddled over to the Hotel Bothwell to spend the night. The young lady at the front desk was very friendly and helpful and would not let us take our bicycles to storage. She had us leave them in the lobby and she took them to the basement. The room was fantastic, the dinner in the Ivory Grille was very good and the continental breakfast was also filling. We found the hotel quiet and all the staff friendly and helpful. We would stay here again. By the way, the bicycles were in the lobby when we came down to check out.

We stopped here for lunch and when we got ready to peddle again I found I had a flat front tire. I did not have a spare and went over to a local auto garage and they wanted to help, but had never seen a presta valve before and I did not have a adapter (I was not prepared). My girlfriend took the tire and peddled around to where some people in a bar said someone could help and they could not, but offered another place to try. We went over to a local B&B and asked if they had a bicycle pump and she was very helpful and found a pump for us to use. It was not very good and the presto valve broke and we ended up calling "Cotton" and his taxi to come take us to Boonville and Chuck's bicycle shop across from the Casino. Cotton was great and called to update us on his ETA and the charge was very fair for the ride. The next time you peddle through Pilot Grove, stop and support them and let them know how helpful they were.

Missouri Life magazine is hoping to get in touch with Brad S. Wilson for use of one of his stunning Katy Trail images. Brad, are you out there? Does anyone know this photographer and can put me in contact? Thanks!

You can reach me at

litchfieldbw AT sbcglobal.net

Which photo?

Just so everyone knows... The Mokane Bar and Grill has been open for business for almost a year now. Think some old postings on here may give the impression that the place is closed. Come see the fine folks in Mokane, we really appreciate folks stopping by.