Katy Trail Forum

Is it necessary to be clipped onto the pedals to ride the KATY or will conventional athletic shoes/sandals work just as well? I kind of figure there are more frequent dismounts on the trail, than if I were road biking, where I use clipons all the time. Preferences?

I've done many trips using plain pedals both with and without clips & straps. Even a trip or two with clipless pedals.

It's not necessary to be clipped in. I prefer the plain pedals.

I have ridden all over the country, and I never use clip (less) on pedals. However I do recommend some rat cages or a power grips. I also don't wear spandex or biking jerseys.

Last summer my son and I did the whole trail plus another 60 road miles, with plain old pedals and running shoes. But not being a "roadie", maybe I just don't know what I was missing :-)

Started wearing sport sandals mid tour on the Katy a few years ago, that's all I've worn since. Platform pedals w/toe clips and straps and broken in sport sandals, w/socks, works pretty well. With the soft shoulder on the trail, I wouldn't want to be clipped into anything. The cage type allows you to slip your feet out pretty fast.

One of my bikes is a cruiser with big pedals. I have the seat forward and I gently "mash" the pedals whei I (occasionally) ride it. But for the sake of discussion, I'd like to make the case for clipless pedals--that I VASTLY prefer to plain flat pedals.

People have their passions: Mike is bikes. I have the cruiser bike for getting around the neighborhood and walking the dogs. I also have a road, a mountain, and a touring bike. The later 3 are bikes I spend the vast majority of my time on, all my riding time on, and they all have SPD mountian or touring pedals. That means I can use the same shoes for all of them. I also have 2 sets of bike shoes. One set is the traditional type of cleated mountain bike shoes, and the other is a touring shoe that looks like a low rise hiking shoe, but it has the SPD cleat. Both set of shoes are equally comfortable for riding, and both are good enough for walking around (which I try not to do during/after riding).

The reasons I prefer clipless are 1) Clipless allow you to use 2 sets of muscles, which means you not only push but you pull the crank. Two sets of muscles instead of one equals faster, farther, less fatigue, less injruy (esp. patellar tendonitis and knee pain). 2) Safer. I am waaaaay safer if I'm connected to the pedals. Once you get used to clipless, you don't even think about getting in/out, and you can do it faster than getting in/out of a toe cage. 3) Rigid bike shoes are made for pedaling, walking shoes are made for walking, and therefore, walking shoes flex when pedaling and bike shoes don't flex. I dont' like my foot wrapping around the pedal when I ride.

Clipless pedals are more expensive and take some time to master. I will readily admit that they are not for everyone. But they are my preferred choice, and the preferred choice for most avid cyclists.

Hey Don, the KT is a gravel trail. Being clipped in is a personal decision that should be based upon how aggressively you want to ride. If you want to ride quickly, with the most power-v-effeciency, then you need clips. If you are taking a pleasure ride (as I do), then no straps or clips are really needed. So, with this in mind, when are WE JoCo folks heading over to ride KT????

If you are comfortable with clipless pedals, use them. If you think they would be inconvenient, then use platform pedals. There is no reason to worry about using clipless pedals on the trail, although I guess they could be bothersome if the trail is mushy like it would be right now.

Arky and Figs have the bike shoe selection down pretty well. It all depends if you are leisurely then just plain pedals or if you want some speed, then clip less, cages, etc. If you do long miles a day the clip less will as Arky said prevent fatigue. The KT has ruts, branches, uneven loose surfaces and many other problems that have caused me to slip off my pedals. I just use the plastic clips to stay on the pedal and slip in an out of easily.

Shimano makes a dual purpose pedal with a regular platform on one side and Spd (just clip in) pedal on the other side. It's what I use on my touring bike. When I want optimum performance, I use my regular biking shoes and clip in. When it's more casual like when riding around town, I just use my sport sandals on the platform side. Best of both worlds.

I wouldn't ride KT with clips. I just put cages on my standard pedals. You often times need to stop, react quickly or your bike may slide a bit. You don't want to have to get out of a clip in that situation. Pulling out of a cage is much better and quicker.

Good advice here in my opinion. Depends on the length of the rides and the frequency of the stops for me.

Looking for a way to get from St. Charles to Trans AM route at Chester or Murphysboro.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

I don’t know if you are looking for safe, scenic, or just traveling from Missouri-Southern Illinois-Kentucky, but you have several options: 1. Exit the Katy at Marthasville, cross the bridge at Washington and make your way southeast via some treacherous cycling roads to Chester to pick up the Trans Am route. 2. Make your way from St Charles to the Chain-of-Rocks cycling-only bridge across the Mississippi. Take one of the Madison County Bike trails and work east, then south on 2-lanes and county roads towards Murphysboro, IL. 3. Use GoogleMaps-Bike to chose your route then ask specific questions about a section of route on this site. I would choose option 2 and head east to Illinois Rt 4, then south. Good luck, there is no direct route, even be car.

I have never ridden the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) but it may be a decent option for you. A Bing search will get you to the website and map, you can look into the options for either side of the Mississippi, as I believe it shows a route for both Missouri and Illinois. Good luck!

You might try a search of some key words that are relevant to where you want to ride in the Journals on crazyguyonabike dot com. There may be journal entries there by those who have ridden the route.

Also check out the American Discovery Trail. I'm not sure what route it takes, but it uses the Katy Trail in MO (http://www.discoverytrail.org/states/missouri/index.html) and hits Chester in IL (http://www.discoverytrail.org/states/illinois/index.html)

How do you get from the Katy Trail to the Klondike Campground? From the map it appears there is no road. Maybe I need to look at a different map.

Just zoom in on the map a little and you will see it. There is a sign on the trail. The path from the KATY to Klondike Park is paved asphalt and steep uphill from the KATY.

There's also a trail connection to the east, maybe a mile or so out from the main park. It should be well-signed, you can't miss it.

Last year my husband and I rode over Memorial Day Weekend to Boonville during the Peddler's Jamboree. We had a great time and are going to do it again this year. However, this year we are going to get a pet trailer to pull our 2 small dogs in. I know I saw many people last year that took their dogs with them. Does anyone have any tips on biking with your dog? What to pack? Where to stop and eat that might be pet friendly? Any kind of advice is appreciated. Thanks

Best Tip: Leave dog at home where dog belong.

[several posts deleted]OK, we know exactly how "Nowan Poometoes" feels about this subject, and that his post was intended to be humorous, but he strongly feels that pets do not belong on the trail. 'nuff said.I hate playing censor, but when threads turn negative, some people shy away from using the forum entirely, or just dont even come back to this website at all. And your humble webmaster hates to lose website visitors, or leave visitors with a bad taste!Reagardless of how Nowan feels, Tammy is determined to take her dog. So, here are a few past discussions that I found on the subject:Pet link 1
Pet link 2
Pet link 3
Pet link 4Personally I would not take my dog on the trail - she barks at anything that moves, and even stuff that doesn't move. But if your dog is docile enough to ride in a trailer, and you don't let it harass the wildlife or other riders, then more power to you (and your dog).Anyone else have experience with pets on the trail?

I've not had my dog on KT, but I have had him on trails in JoCoKS where I live. He's 75 lbs and a workout, I doubt I would ever pull him in a trailer, on a gravel trail...too much work, no matter how much I love my dog.

Another concern is how my dog affects other riders. Even if a dog is well behaved, quiet and minding it's own business; some people are just nervous riding or walking around dogs. So, by buddy, Jake, would not get to go on KT.

By the way, I'll see ya at Pedaler's Jamboree, and maybe your dogs if they come along.

I used to raise/show dogs so I understand the attachment that some have to their pets. The problem with dogs in public space is generally the owner and not the animal.

What most pet owners do not understand is that not everyone thinks your dog is as cute/smart/funny/etc. that you do. Not everyone wants jumped on/licked/growled at by the cute little thing. And most of us don't like/want any involvement with your dogs stool on or near the trail or trail head.

We were riding the tandem down the hill one morning in Boonville leaving the Hotel Frederick heading west. A guy was walking a dog with a Flexi lead. I announced our approach in ample time. The guy went to the right, the dog went to the left and we were clotheslined by the leash. He claimed he didn't have fair warning we were coming. My response was that his prior warning was in part simple knowledge that he was on a public trail. He should have been more prepared and known not to clothesline someone by letting the dog go one way and him another. It was okay to me that he was walking the dog, but he was a bit of an oblivian thinking they had right to the whole trail.

Take your dog/have fun/be responsible/know that its your dog and that not everyone is as excited as you about them being there.

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, I know a lot of people are not pet lovers. I totally understand. I don't think it would be safe for the dog to be on a leash with the bike. That does just seem unsafe on so many different levels. My dogs are 14 lbs and LAZY. There is no way they would run. lol. We just thought that since this is going to be an overnight trip and we will be toting some things along with us, it would be ok to bring our dog along this time. I will be sure to keep in mind what you have said though about respecting others (and I am thankfully one of the owners who will "clean up" after my dog).

Thank you for the considerations, and btw, I almost did not look at this forum again, because I was just so disappointed with all of the negativity I was reading. Not only on my own post, but on a lot of others as well.

There will be a temporary closure on the Katy Trail near milepost 51.2 between the Greens Bottom and Weldon Spring trailheads, in St. Charles County. Construction crews working on the new I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge over the Missouri River will be blasting rock on the eastbound side of the bridge on Tuesday, April 2, around 2 p.m. Blasting will also occur on Friday, April 5, or early next week, depending on weather conditions. Flaggers will be on the trail to temporarily stop trail users during the blasting. The delays may last up to 10 minutes at a time.

The blasting work is necessary to build a shared use path that will connect the Katy Trail to the new eastbound bridge on the St. Charles County side. The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in late 2014.

Dawn, and others; caution is advised at the west end of bridge over Synthiana creek by MM111. There is about a 1 foot diameter sink hole in center of the trail right at the end of the bridge.

Doug, thanks for your post. We really appreciate you letting us know about the sinkhole. We'll get staff on that ASAP.

My husband and I would like to do part of the Katy trail using a chariot trailer to pull our 2 year old this summer. Does anyone have suggestions regarding a section we should do? Has anyone taken their child in a carrier along the trail for a long distance? We would also like to do the trail by staying in campsites. Looking for suggestions/feedback.

Most sections of the trail are fine with a Chariot trailer, just make sure to have the screen cover on to keep out the dust and gravel. Not sure how long of a trip you are considering, but the middle section between New Franklin and Bluffton seems to have the most camping opportunities right close to the trail.

I would avoid the Clifton City to Pilot Grove (going west to east) or the Boonville to Pilot Grove (going east to west) especially if the trail is wet.

Since the Katy surface is a little rough, a long ride can be uncomfortable in a trailer. Consider extra pillows for soundproofing and padding for the little one.

I have been playing around with opening a bed and breakfast in Dutzow and am seeking some advise from current bed and breakfast owners as far as requirements and zoning type stuff. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Steve

Call Ms. Gluntz. http://www.warrencountymo.org/planzone.html

Contact Doug at the Rendleman Home. I'll be glad to talk to you. I'm sure some of the other B&B owners along the trail would answer questions you might have also.

Great article on the upkeep of the Katy trail
and Missouri parks:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/missouri-s-parks-are-at-a-critical-juncture/article_bc2911a9-fb9d-5295-982b-ec5a2262a823.html

Anyone panning on riding the whole trail this early?

I was thinking of parking at the start in Machena and then getting a train or something to the end (what is my best option?) and then biking back.

Are the shops and inns all usually open this early?

Would be cool to meet some fellow riders.

Ben, there is no place to park at Machens. It's a deserted area in farm fields. Your best bet for what you are attempting, is to get a shuttle in St. Charles to the other end of the trail. When you ride back to St. Charles, you can then ride over to Machens and back (just to say you did the whole trail).
Most shops and inns are open starting next week.

Or you could stay at the Loco House in St. Charles and have them shuttle you to the Amtrak station, hope the trail to Sedalia and ride back to St. Charles. You could ride down to Clinton if you wanted or just forego that little section too.

Don,

As I am reading a bit more I see that.

Is it easier to train or shuttle it to the end from St. Charles.

I am also reading mixed views on parking in St. Charles, but I have to park somewhere as I am traveling from Indiana.

Anonymous,

Is Sedalia the end of the line for the train?

If so that seems reasonable.

Thanks for the replies guys! Esp with the spelling errors in the first post. Geez!

To hop on the Katy, yes Sedalia is the last stop. The station is just a few blocks from the trail. Don't know about easier, but it is probably cheaper to ride the train.

I plan to start May 4 in Sedalia, ride to Augusta and then back to Sedalia. Plan to camp all the way taking pictures. Did the same trip last May in 5 1/2 days, plan to take a more leisure pace this time.

Starting in Columbia on April 13th. Going to Clinton then back to Columbia the 17th for baseball (MU vs MSU)game. Continuing to St Charles starting the 18th.

We are riding the first week in June. We are leaving a car in Warrensburg and shuttling down to Clinton. At the end of our ride in St. Charles (with the Machens out and back) we will ride the train back to Warrensburg. You need a ticket for you and your bike. Last time we did this, they would only ticket for 4 bikes.

if you're pulling a trailer like a Bob or Burley, I don't think the train will take it. Better ask. You could park your vehicle in St Charles near the trail but you might let the police department know. Have a good trip. Since i live 40 miles east of Hobart, we have a frozen groundhog up here.

Ben......give me a call at Lococo House III, Bed & Breakfast you can leave your vehicle on our off the street parking lot, spend the night and we will shuttle you to train station or Sedilia or Clinton, let me know if we can be of helpto you....Rhona

Dutzow to Augusta R/T this afternoon, first Katy ride of the season! Trail generally in good shape, a few soft spots but for the most part just fine. Sweet riding. Augusta Brewery was busy, as it should be. Bring on the season!