bike locks
- + I'm planning a multi-day trip with a buddy, staying in hotels/B&B at night...any recommendations on what type/number of bike locks to bring to lock up at lunch stops, hotels, etc? Will one shared cabl...
Discussion started 06/29/2013 12:53 PM by Scott P. - 3 replies (last reply by Dana at 06/29/2013 08:49 PM)Scott P. from Indianapolis on 06/29/2013 12:53 PM
I'm planning a multi-day trip with a buddy, staying in hotels/B&B at night...any recommendations on what type/number of bike locks to bring to lock up at lunch stops, hotels, etc? Will one shared cable lock get the job done? This is our first trip on the Katy Trail. Thanks for your advice!
Trek on 06/29/2013 01:36 PM
I use a single cable to lock our bikes to each other when we stop for lunch, etc. When we ride the tandem I use the same lock to lock it to a bike rack/pole/etc. In most of our small towns its probably not an issue, but I lock them up just in case. We're never too far away from the bikes when eating or running in a store for a minute and we've never had anyone bother them.
At night the singles or tandem always either go in the secured storage at the hotel or B and B or they come in the room with us.
randy & penny on 06/29/2013 02:59 PM
A empty Pistol Holsters on the seat works good also. lol
Dana from Dixon IL on 06/29/2013 08:49 PM
My wife and I just finished riding the Katy Trail and we took one lock to lock the bikes together. We were able to take the bikes inside at a few places we stayed.
11:30pm Alton,IL Sat 6/29 KATY at dawn need intel
- + Arriving 11:30pm Alton, IL. this Sat. June 29 to cycle the KATY all week starting Sunday 4:30am in Machens. From 11:30am Sat. on I'd like to find a place I can rest a little or hang out and get a ride...
Discussion started 06/27/2013 03:38 AM by Ry - 4 replies (last reply by Larryray at 06/28/2013 05:20 PM)Ry from Indi on 06/27/2013 03:38 AM
Arriving 11:30pm Alton, IL. this Sat. June 29 to cycle the KATY all week starting Sunday 4:30am in Machens. From 11:30am Sat. on I'd like to find a place I can rest a little or hang out and get a ride to the very beginning of the KATY in Machens. Is there some place in Alton, Illinois open 24 hours like a Walmart Supercenter? I'm open to any sound ideas. And if there's anyone who'd like to join me ride the KATY you'd first want to check out the website: BTOgo.WebStarts.com
kevin from Jeff City on 06/27/2013 12:14 PM
If you check the trail conditions section at http://mostateparks.com/advisories?parks=53010, it looks like part of the trail is still out between Machens and St. Charles. You may just want to take Hwy 94 around to St. Charles and pick up the trail there, unless someone has info to say this section is open.
sharonbikes from Kansas City on 06/27/2013 05:55 PM
Last week on the State sponsored Katy Trail ride they told us the Machens extension was still closed and in really rough shape. You may want to consider a start at St. Charles. But, check the advisories on the Katy website - maybe it is open by now. I don't know.
Ry from Indi on 06/28/2013 06:58 AM
Many thanks for your intel, this was the very first thing to do this AM, to call on the MM34-35 closure and condition of trail. Best blessings to you all and hope to see you on the KATY
Larryray from St. Louis on 06/28/2013 05:20 PM
I rode from St. Charles to Machens and back this morning. It was passable although a little wet in a few low spots just beyond the bench overlook. HOWEVER, on my return leg, I discovered the state maintenance had bladed the trail in order for it to dry quicker. It was impassable for several hundred yards. Had to carry bike after the mud glommed up the fork and brakes. Discovered an organge "closed" had been put up. With the sun and wind, it may dry enough to be passable by Sunday morning but will definitely still be muddy. Be prepared to portage your bike. OR ride on levee past the No Trespassing sign and bypass the low areas and connect back to the trail in about a mile.
Secure parking at New Franklin?
- + Can I Leave my vehicle for a week at the New Franklin trailhead and not worry about it? Do I need to let someone know it will be there?Thanks in advance for any help :)
Discussion started 06/28/2013 05:09 PM by Francesca - 0 repliesFrancesca from Columbia on 06/28/2013 05:09 PM
Can I Leave my vehicle for a week at the New Franklin trailhead and not worry about it? Do I need to let someone know it will be there?
Thanks in advance for any help :)
woman thinking of last minute solo trip - crazy?
- + Hi all, some summer plans just fell through, and I'm thinking of hopping Amtrak to the KT and doing that instead. Will I have trouble finding camping or rooms if I don't make reservations in advance?...
Discussion started 06/24/2013 11:16 AM by annqueue - 6 replies (last reply by Gary at 06/28/2013 04:43 PM)annqueue on 06/24/2013 11:16 AM
Hi all,
some summer plans just fell through, and I'm thinking of hopping Amtrak to the KT and doing that instead. Will I have trouble finding camping or rooms if I don't make reservations in advance? Should a lone female be concerned for her safety in campgrounds along the trail? I usually feel safe in popular campgrounds, but wanted to check with others... thanks.
randy & penny on 06/24/2013 04:17 PM
We can't say anything about if you'll be able to get camping spots or a room. It will be based on when your on the trail and where. As for you feeling safe, we have never got a bad feeling anywhere on the trail and see a lot of women a lone riding.
annqueue on 06/24/2013 05:05 PM
at this point it's looking like the first week of August. Maybe I have time to make reservations after all...?
Doug from Bluffton on 06/24/2013 05:17 PM
I don't think a lone rider would have trouble finding accomodations this time of year anywhere along the trail. A group or during the fall is a different matter. Noise at times in SOME of the campgrounds yes. Safety in them does not seem to be an issue.
annqueue on 06/28/2013 05:21 AM
That's good news. How is cell phone coverage on trail? I have a GPS and ham radio but would rather save the weight and not bring them if cell works the whole way.
Ry from Indi on 06/28/2013 06:52 AM
Re: solo trip crazy? Having similar thoughts and I'm a man. Yet, I'm going for the KATY I'd kick myself if I chicken out. Option #1 get up around midnight Saturday night drive to the NE start of the KATY (2) drive to Pontiac, Illinois take the 8:35pm Amtrak train to Alton, Illinois arrive 11:35pm Sat. cycle at night to someplace open 24/7 begin the KATY run 4:30am Sunday morning bye cycling over the Mississipi bridge at Alton onto the KATY or (3) find someone to share a ride down to NE start of the trail and bike together to the cycling hostel at Tibbetts, MO. option 1,2 or 3 I'm going for it and will most likely drive the entire 300 miles and options 1,2 and 3 are all equally as crazy, so be it. One suggestion is to make sure you have pepper spray for personal protection and make extra sure you spray test it, many times pepper spray gadgets do not work and that's no guda. Dogs tearing flesh off you is not my idea of having a good time. There are better ways to deal with such, yet, using pepper spray is P.C. - Ryan
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 06/28/2013 04:43 PM
Anqueue
Regarding cell phone coverage, each cell service is different. Check your cell service coverage map in Missouri along the Katy keeping in mind they tend to stretch the truth slightly and you will get an idea of where you might not have coverage. I think you will find your fellow cyclists and people along the trail will help you out if you need assistance. Enjoy your ride.
Dormitory at School House B + B in Rocheport
- + Perfect accommodations for cyclists after a day on the Katy. Private, clean, comfortable. Our favorite perk of staying at the Dormitory is the use of the shower in their Locker Room even after checkin...
Discussion started 06/28/2013 12:48 PM by MMM - 0 repliesMMM from Springfield, MO on 06/28/2013 12:48 PM
Perfect accommodations for cyclists after a day on the Katy. Private, clean, comfortable. Our favorite perk of staying at the Dormitory is the use of the shower in their Locker Room even after checking out that morning. It sure makes the drive home easier to wash off the grit and sweat of the trail. We will stay there again!
Mulberry Grill and Bakery in Rocheport
- + Just tried this place over the weekend. It is fabulous! They have a wood fired oven outside that they cook your pizza in. It was incredible! It is right next to the tunnel right beside the Trail. ...
Discussion started 10/21/2012 08:18 PM by sharonbikes - 2 replies (last reply by El Toro at 06/26/2013 08:40 PM)sharonbikes from Kansas City on 10/21/2012 08:18 PM
Just tried this place over the weekend. It is fabulous! They have a wood fired oven outside that they cook your pizza in. It was incredible! It is right next to the tunnel right beside the Trail. Yummy!!
Mulberry Grill - Tahna from Rocheport, MO on 06/24/2013 08:16 PM
Thanks for your kind comment! We are excited to share our new website with everyone. Please check us out at: http://mulberrygrill.weebly.com
El Toro on 06/26/2013 08:40 PM
Looking forward to trying this on my next KATY ride!
Belt drive for katy trail
- + I ride the katy a lot, and rarely ever shift. Has anyone used one of the bikes with a belt instead of a chain. Does sand and grit hurt the belt? I have had little issue with the chain but this tech o...
Discussion started 06/23/2013 05:20 PM by 4ladyjays - 5 replies (last reply by Paul Toigo at 06/25/2013 06:17 PM)4ladyjays from Washington on 06/23/2013 05:20 PM
I ride the katy a lot, and rarely ever shift. Has anyone used one of the bikes with a belt instead of a chain. Does sand and grit hurt the belt? I have had little issue with the chain but this tech on
Logo looks intriguing.
Anonymous on 06/23/2013 08:10 PM
Don't have the answer, but have wondered the same thing. Hope someone has experience and can answer. I ride the KATY single-speed (sometimes free-wheel, sometimes fixed gear) and really enjoy it in that setting. The belt-drive would be another fun twist.
ArkyKenny on 06/23/2013 08:45 PM
I don't know the answer to the belt drive thing either, but I have considered both a Rohloff internally geared rear hub and the cheaper but similar Shimano Alfine rear hub. Both give you gears and the straight pull chain setup of a single speed bike without the rear derailleur to worry about. I have not pursued it further because I decided that I was just pursuing toys for the sake of pursuing toys, and that the traditional set up works just fine.
If I were doing something like the Tour Divide, I would definitely get a Rohloff and use it with an Salsa Alternator drop out equipped frame (i.e. El Mariachi). I don't know about the belt drive.
kevin from Jeff City on 06/24/2013 12:08 PM
A belt drive with an internal or freewheel should be more trouble-free than a chain. There are no links, so dust will not be a problem, no lube to carry, no maintenance at all.
ArkyKenny on 06/24/2013 12:30 PM
My understanding of belt drives is that they are great. The problem comes about when you have to change a tire and re-tension the belt: To do that, you need something like 1) a belt tensioner (which effectively puts a derailleur-ish gadget back into the system, 2) a frame that allows you to move the rear wheel back, or 3) an eccentric crank. My point is, think about how you take the rear wheel on/off and how you tension the belt before you jump in to a belt drive system. You will likely need a single speed compatable frame.
Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 06/25/2013 06:17 PM
In 2011, my son and I rode over a weekend from Sedalia to Jefferson City. I was on my Civia Bryant that has a belt drive and an 8-speed Alfine internally geared hub. My son rode my 2002 Giant TCR1. Neither of us had any issues with our bikes. I attribute that to selecting hearty Schwalbe tires. It's never fun to fix a flat, but it’s more of a chore with a belt drive.
It is erroneous to say that for a belt drive "You will likely need a single speed compatable frame." A belt drive requires a split in the rear triangle which is not a requirement for any chain drive.
sob's
- + Just wondering If steedmans only bar was still in operation? I haven't biked the kt in about 10 years, but we always had a good time, good burgers and cold brew. I'm planning on riding out and back fr...
Discussion started 06/24/2013 10:59 PM by kent - 2 replies (last reply by Doug at 06/25/2013 05:31 AM)kent from saint louis on 06/24/2013 10:59 PM
Just wondering If steedmans only bar was still in operation? I haven't biked the kt in about 10 years, but we always had a good time, good burgers and cold brew. I'm planning on riding out and back from st Charles to Clinton in about three weeks and figured I would pop in.
Jim from St Thomas on 06/25/2013 01:29 AM
Sadly, SOB is no longer open.
Doug from Bluffton on 06/25/2013 05:31 AM
The new owner and his daughter are working hard to be open this summer, however it looks like all the paper work is going to take until early fall. As soon as they get an opening date set I will post it here. They are hoping for his birthday in August but.........
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
sob's
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=6462&tonly=1
crossroads motel
- + This is a great little place. Very clean and comfortable.
Discussion started 06/25/2013 04:29 AM by tired hiker - 0 repliestired hiker from wichita on 06/25/2013 04:29 AM
This is a great little place. Very clean and comfortable.
KATY all dry and ready to go?
- + Hey--is the entire Katy all dry now, repaired, and OK for biking? June 24th. Thanks~~
Discussion started 06/24/2013 02:48 PM by Mack ARA Freeman - 1 reply (last reply by steve k at 06/24/2013 06:23 PM)Mack ARA Freeman from South County St. Louis on 06/24/2013 02:48 PM
Hey--is the entire Katy all dry now, repaired, and OK for biking? June 24th. Thanks~~
steve k from saint louis, mo on 06/24/2013 06:23 PM
Based on what I have read, except for possibly a small section east of St. Charles(towards Machens), the flood and storm damage has been taken care of.
Boonville lodging
- + I biked the Katy Trail E to W. I needed a motel in Boonville and chose the Comfort Inn, which was by the interstate. The web site indicates it is 3 miles off the trail, but it is actually very conve...
Discussion started 06/20/2013 05:01 PM by Glenn - 3 replies (last reply by sharonbikes at 06/23/2013 03:03 PM)Glenn from Boulder, CO on 06/20/2013 05:01 PM
I biked the Katy Trail E to W. I needed a motel in Boonville and chose the Comfort Inn, which was by the interstate. The web site indicates it is 3 miles off the trail, but it is actually very convenient, only 1/2 mile off the trail. Go 2.7 miles past (SW) the depot in Boonville to a trailhead; there is a gravel spur going off to the left. Take this and it leads you almost directly to the motel.
Sharonbikes from Kansas City on 06/23/2013 11:41 AM
The Holiday Inn Express is near there, too and is a nice place to stay. I am glad you found the spur - it is a great shortcut to the hotels and also to the truck stop and restaurants along I-70. No reason to climb the big hill from the depot trailhead back out to the interstate.
Anonymous on 06/23/2013 01:50 PM
I've missed that dog-gone cut-off twice and ended up riding all over the place before I got to the hotel. I need to pay better attention I guess.
sharonbikes from Kansas City on 06/23/2013 03:03 PM
I wish it was better marked as to what it is. There is a wooden two panel sign at the cut-off - but it doesn't clearly say - "take this path up hill to get to the hotels and restaurants"!
Exclusive Tour
- + Bubba's PAMPERED Pedalers is offering a Katy Trail Tour September 1--7, 2013. Staying at the very best lodging the trail offers. Lodging and meals included.Details fromBubbasPamperedPedalers.comLimi...
Discussion started 06/17/2013 11:31 AM by Bubba - 13 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/23/2013 01:56 PM)Bubba from St Louis on 06/17/2013 11:31 AM
Bubba's PAMPERED Pedalers is offering a Katy Trail Tour September 1--7, 2013. Staying at the very best lodging the trail offers. Lodging and meals included.
Details from
BubbasPamperedPedalers.com
Limited to 20 riders
It's ALL Good!
Pseudio on 06/19/2013 08:22 AM
Bubba, Will you have cyclist's assistants riding next to the privileged with umbrellas if it rains? Pampered is pampered. But seriously, what distances per day and what hotels do you stay?
Anonymous on 06/19/2013 09:16 AM
Pseudio... All the information you ask for is on the web-site.
Pseudio on 06/20/2013 07:42 AM
Thanks but no thanks Bubba. $2k for 5 days staying in $40-50/night hotels is not pampered to me.
Anonymous on 06/20/2013 10:23 AM
Please let us know where you are purchasing discounted stays Pseudo. I'd sure like to stay at the Wine Valley in Hermann, the Hotel Frederick, and the Bothwell for $50 a night or less.
Pseudio on 06/22/2013 06:16 AM
Discounted rates are pretty common for tour operators. How do you think they and travel agents make any money. No problems though with Bubba, he's ex-StL police. Like he says, "It's ALL good.
Anonymous on 06/22/2013 10:05 AM
Gee I guess I never knew how anyone made money. Thanks for the education. The places that Bubba stays are not 40 to 50 a night stays. They are upward of 100 or more a night regardless of any discount offered to tour operators.
ozarkrider from ozarks on 06/22/2013 06:20 PM
regardless, $2000 wow!! I was riding between Jeff City and Hartsburg a couple of weeks ago and met a group on a sponsored tour put on by Road Scholar. Their rate was only $1005 for 7 nights and stayed at some of the same places. And I thought that was high!!! I think they are having 1 or 2 more rides on the Katy Trail this fall, if anybody is interested.
Doug from Bluffton on 06/22/2013 07:10 PM
I'm calling a foul on this. If you want to argue Bubbas expense (which might be better on another venue) then at least be fair and compare apples to apples and don't make up low rates when you have no knowledge of what he is actually being charged. It is not right to compare his business to one that stays at SOME of the same places, and serves SOME food (room for a whole lot of variation there) and offers SOME of the services he does. Slamming him here with hearsay evidence of what a competitor charges for vastly different sevices and amenities is completely unjust. By your own admission, neither of you has utilized his service or that of another tour operator so you render your arguments invalid. I think you owe Bubba an apology. His lawyers might think you owe him more.
ArkyKenny on 06/22/2013 08:50 PM
I second Doug's foul call. If Bubba can host a multi-day tour and get paid to do it, good for him! I personally wish that bike traffic on the Katy would quadruple: I'd love to see more upscale riders, more cheapos like me, and more of everyone in between--- that gives us alll more options, more places to stay, and more places to eat and drink. Multi-day bike rides are a beautiful thing in their many forms. Ride on.
Pseudio on 06/23/2013 05:30 AM
Anonymous, you are grossly misinformed about hotel and airline travel costs, rack rates for hotels are easily 50% discounted for operators, maybe you are informed about KT bicycle travel, maybe.....
Hank on 06/23/2013 08:13 AM
The Katy Trail at $2K per week all-inclusive would be a bargain for some. Go Bubba!
Tess from OFallon on 06/23/2013 10:02 AM
That's crazy!! We just spent 5 days on the Katy at B&Bs and spent $230, plus additional food. For $2k, they must be staying at 5 star places!
Anonymous on 06/23/2013 01:56 PM
I love America. So many options. So many choices. Time and the free-market economy will tell whether there are people to support this kind of trip or not. Why flame it all up on here? I'm with ArkyKenny on this one...
Just go ride however you like (keep to the right please), stay wherever you like and eat whatever you want...or not.
Just go enjoy the wonderful resource that is the KATY Trail!!
New restaurant in Boonville
- + While participating in the DNR ride last week, sbikes & I ate lunch at Phoenix Public House and Eatery. It is located on the west side of Main Street, 1 1/2 blocks south of the bridge. The food was...
Discussion started 06/23/2013 10:53 AM by Savage24 - 1 reply (last reply by Sharonbikes at 06/23/2013 11:39 AM)Savage24 from KC, MO on 06/23/2013 10:53 AM
While participating in the DNR ride last week, sbikes & I ate lunch at Phoenix Public House and Eatery. It is located on the west side of Main Street, 1 1/2 blocks south of the bridge. The food was great and lunch for 4 was $40 before tip.
If you are not hungry for a meal while in Boonville, stop in and have a drink. It is worth a stop to see the eco-friendly fixture in the men's room!
Sharonbikes from Kansas City on 06/23/2013 11:39 AM
The food was fabulous! They don't have a lot of signage up yet - so look for the Phoenix sign. Highly recommend!