What areas of the trail are paved?
- + I just bought a new road bike and I only live about two miles from the trail. I have never ridden on the trail before and drove by and noticed that part of the trail is gravel/dirt. I don't want to ba...
Discussion started 03/15/2013 06:08 PM by Ben - 9 replies (last reply by anonymous at 03/17/2013 10:06 PM)Ben from St. Charles on 03/15/2013 06:08 PM
I just bought a new road bike and I only live about two miles from the trail. I have never ridden on the trail before and drove by and noticed that part of the trail is gravel/dirt. I don't want to bang up my bike and I would like to keep my bike on pavement. Can anyone tell me which areas near St. Charles are paved? Thank!
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/15/2013 07:01 PM
The entire trail is gravel. Only a small portion is paved while on the street in Sedalia and across the bridge in Boonville.
Ben from St. Charles on 03/15/2013 10:25 PM
Is it rough enough to damage the tires of the average road bike?
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 03/16/2013 07:30 AM
Don't know about damaging tires of a road bike, but maybe you could pick up a used $20, $30 or $40 bike to ride on the trail and leave the new one at home. Every bike I have gets ridden on the Katy, even a refurbished vintage bike. But for you, a used mountain bike or hybrid may be what you need. Just a suggestion.
DSD on 03/16/2013 02:14 PM
Ben, you can ride a road bike on the trail but I would invest in some kevlar tires due to the gravel and rocks.
Doug from Bluffton on 03/16/2013 08:02 PM
Ben, did you buy that bike to ride it, or to look at it?
Doug from Bluffton on 03/16/2013 08:10 PM
Yeah I know, before anybody goes off on me I better explain. I remember when I bought my first titanium bike and went on a ride with less than promising weather. I did not want to go out and one of my friends leaned over and said "So, what's it gonna do, rust?" I had one of the best rides of my life. Bikes are only made to be ridden.
ArkyKenny on 03/16/2013 09:14 PM
Doug, I did the same thing with a new 4wd truck. Before I ever made a payment on it, my friend wanted to go mudding in it. I balked, then realized if I never planned on putting it in the mud, I should have bought a 2wd.....My new 4wd truck had brush marks on the doors before I ever made a payment on it, but it sure was fun to take out there in the mud holes!
Ben, buy some kevlar tires and ride! (Recommend Continental Gatorskins. Most road bikes can accommodate 700c x 25's). If you like the trail, you will probably want to eventually get another bike that is better suited to riding the Katy. In any case, the Gatorskins are probably a much better tire than what came stock, and they are great on the road.
Trek on 03/17/2013 04:56 PM
Ben, I think when you ride your new road bike on the Katy may be more of an issue than if you ride it there. There is plenty of smooth riding in the tire tracks that can be better than trying to dodge glass and debris on the road.
We have a Santana tandem road bike and Trek hybrid half bikes. They all get ridden on the Katy, but when we ride is key to not banging them up though.
Yes, the Katy can be dusty, but so can the road. I'm not too concerned about dust on any of our bikes as they all get cleaned and relubed as needed. We won't ride in the rain on a rail trail unless we just get caught out and can't avoid it. The slurry created by limestone dust and water is very gritty....sounds terrible as the chain drags it through the gears and between the rim and the brake pads.
We can ride the road bike, stay in the tire track and enjoy not having to deal with the hustle and bustle of city streets or cars in general. And in favorable weather, nothing gets banged up.
Anonymous on 03/17/2013 10:06 PM
As noted above, I think you'll be fine but I would definitely follow the advise regarding FLAT RESISTANT TIRES like the Gatorskins or something similar. I prefer 28s on my KATY bike, but have ridden many miles without problems on 25s. Bikes were made to RIDE. Enjoy!
sisters walking
- + Planning a Katy walk starting in St. Charles and ending in McBain/Columbia end of May for 8 days. This is our first walk of such and would appreciate any suggestions offered. Will be staying in B&Bs...
Discussion started 03/16/2013 03:56 AM by TNTM - 1 reply (last reply by Darrell at 03/17/2013 04:15 AM)TNTM from Mendon, MO on 03/16/2013 03:56 AM
Planning a Katy walk starting in St. Charles and ending in McBain/Columbia end of May for 8 days. This is our first walk of such and would appreciate any suggestions offered. Will be staying in B&Bs during trip. Any must see or do?
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 03/17/2013 04:15 AM
I suggest at Jefferson City you cross the bike/pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River and tour the Missouri State Capital Building and while you are close, cross the street and have an Arris' supreme pizza.
October Camping
- + We plan to be in Sedalia the first week in October. Will the campground be open. Also, when is the fair?
Discussion started 03/16/2013 08:58 PM by Wayne - 1 reply (last reply by MidSouth at 03/16/2013 10:31 PM)Wayne from Lancaster, SC on 03/16/2013 08:58 PM
We plan to be in Sedalia the first week in October. Will the campground be open. Also, when is the fair?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/16/2013 10:31 PM
The fairgrounds campground is open year round. The fair is held in the middle of August.
Historical Weather Data
- + I noticed some riding the entire trail in late March this year. I did it in 2010 and was somewhat lucky for rain and temperatures. I also checked weather underground (underground.com) for historical t...
Discussion started 03/16/2013 02:37 PM by DSD - 1 reply (last reply by DSD at 03/16/2013 02:39 PM)DSD on 03/16/2013 02:37 PM
I noticed some riding the entire trail in late March this year. I did it in 2010 and was somewhat lucky for rain and temperatures. I also checked weather underground (underground.com) for historical temperatures and precipitation 5 years back for an idea of what I was going to see. Usually averages 40's-50s with some rain. It's fun in the spring with different viewing than summer and fall. Definitely less people on the trail. Have a great time.
DSD on 03/16/2013 02:39 PM
Sorry "wunderground.com" It self corrected the first time.
Windsor Crossroads
- + Very clean motel. It was recently redecorated, so it is surprisingly luxurious for a little roadside motel. Shower is strong and excellent. Has satellite TV and free Wifi. Windsor itself is a cute t...
Discussion started 03/16/2013 01:21 PM by Amy - 0 repliesAmy from Chicago on 03/16/2013 01:21 PM
Very clean motel. It was recently redecorated, so it is surprisingly luxurious for a little roadside motel. Shower is strong and excellent. Has satellite TV and free Wifi. Windsor itself is a cute town, but unfortunately seems to be having some financial issues.
Camping/ Reasonable accomidations
- + Hi people I am heading out to hike the entire Katy trail at the end of April. The B&B are a little pricey. other than the camping listed on this site are there any other sites to speak of or trail ang...
Discussion started 03/16/2013 12:39 AM by Mr.z - 0 repliesMr.z from Lee's Summit on 03/16/2013 12:39 AM
Hi people I am heading out to hike the entire Katy trail at the end of April. The B&B are a little pricey. other than the camping listed on this site are there any other sites to speak of or trail angels.
Photographing the Katy Trail
- + I'm currently a photography student at Mizzou and for an upcoming project, I was thinking about photographing people and towns along the Katy Trail. I was planning on making a ride from Columbia to St...
Discussion started 03/09/2013 12:15 PM by JL - 11 replies (last reply by Skyguy9999 at 03/15/2013 01:38 AM)JL from Columbia on 03/09/2013 12:15 PM
I'm currently a photography student at Mizzou and for an upcoming project, I was thinking about photographing people and towns along the Katy Trail. I was planning on making a ride from Columbia to St. Charles in a couple weeks during my spring break. Would anybody have any suggestions on places to shoot along this path? Would people even be OK with me coming in and photographing them? I know there are people on here who live along the trail, so I'm just trying to gauge if this is a realistic project or not! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I've never made this ride before! Thanks!!
Anonymous on 03/09/2013 02:53 PM
Doesn't good photography lie in the creative eye of the person behind the camera? A good place to shoot at noon today may not be a good place to shoot on the day that you are there. You know, the light thing, etc. that can impact a photo. So, where would you get a good shot?
As you approached someone to take their photo, wouldn't you have to ask them if it was okay? I'm not sure that the go ahead from anyone here would make it right to do so. Typical Sophomoric questions though.
JL on 03/09/2013 05:23 PM
I get what you're saying, but as in any project, I think it's best to do research and see what people who have been on the trail say. I've never been on the trail, so if others know of places that might be good to photograph, it could help me out. A good photographer need to do do research. Not really sophomoric at all, in my opinion.
Doug from Bluffton on 03/09/2013 07:32 PM
I took it that Anon meant HIS questions were sophomoric. I think you would have good responses from the locals along the trail if you just asked and weren't pushy about it. I personally do not mind when I'm on a ride and there are photographers taking pictures of the riders and scenery and would think distance shots would not be an issue. Close up and personal would be a different story. As far as scenery goes every part of the trail is SOMEONE'S favorite. Fantastic shots should be available anywhere you stop. Go for it. You're out there to learn, not know.
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 03/09/2013 07:51 PM
A good place to shoot at noon today would probably make for a more interesting photo at five am or five pm. You know, that light thing.
"Typical Sophomoric questions though." JL, don't pay any attention to that statement, it's easy for someone to "speak from on high" when they are anonymous. It doesn't happen very much here but it happens. Cross country cyclist, someone doing an end to end tour, day riders, the scenery and some of the locals along the trail would be interesting, IMO. Good luck with your project, sounds like fun.
Anonymous, what's with that man! You may well be another Ansel Adams but a little encouragement and consideration for a photography STUDENT wouldn't hurt you or them. Hopefully your other points will be helpful in some way.
Anon on 03/10/2013 07:01 AM
The trail itself could still be sloppy and brown two weeks from now. Yet if you're shooting just the towns and the people on the trail, you might get some good shots. Don't forget the hikers and walkers. Otherwise, you might consider waiting until the trail greens-up with flora?
Just for Darrel, I'll be Mike on 03/10/2013 12:51 PM
I'll assume that you were just having a bad day Darrel. Sometimes the encouragement can come in the form of helping someone realize that they can see the world through their lens and create a good shot instead of just going out and taking the same pic of the same tree that everyone has seen. They did ask specifically for suggestions on places to take pics. I did not provide that answer and neither did you. Could your post have been more useful?
On open forums that do not require anyone to be validated as to who they really are, it makes no one more or less credible if they choose to type a name or not in a box. Beings we all don't know your resume, you are no more an authority posting as "Darrel" than I would be as "Mike."
Ray (webmaster) on 03/10/2013 02:18 PM
I can't tell you precisely where to find them in relation to your location, but if you travel any reasonable distance on the trail you'll come across old iron railroad bridges. They're great for photographing: an endless variety of lines, angles, shadows, and perspectives. Nice contrast of the hard solid rusty lines of the bridge against a backdrop of trees and nature.
But that's just what I like - go out there with a camera, and you'll be overwhelmed by the number of scenes that cry out to be photographed.
DSD on 03/10/2013 02:32 PM
JL, on the home page there is a list of artists and photographers who have a great deal of experience about the KT, for your research purposes. If you would want to contact them directly they may show their contact information or Ray(webmaster) could probably put you in contact with them.
Figs from Olathe on 03/12/2013 03:42 PM
JL, a nice pictoral essay during Pedaler's Jamboree (Memorial Day Weekend) would be nice. Unless that's too late for your school work. Kinda of like Woodstock on wheels!
Cathy from Jefferson City on 03/14/2013 09:01 AM
JL, if you plan to do this before 4/1/13, most bathrooms and water are turned off (by DNR) and there will probably not be that many people on the trail. But as a previous poster said, the bridges are very interesting. One of the trailheads at Tebbetts or Mokane has a display board that has pictures of some bridges in that area and the type of bridge that they are. There's one between Jefferson City and Hartsburg, probably over Cedar Creek. Cooper's Landing, close to Huntsdale, has boathenge. And Cooper's Landing itself is interesting. I find Easley to be interesting. The tunnel immediately west of Rocheport, as all of Rocheport, is cool. Rhineland has an old brick church and school visible from the trail. And there's only one place you can get a photo of the beautiful Missouri State Capitol standing on the Missouri River, and that's from the pedestrian/bike path over the Missouri River at Jefferson City.
Skyguy9999 on 03/15/2013 01:38 AM
If I were you, I'd just ride with a little bit of planning for the light (*), and see what you see. I took a ton of pictures on my one Katy Ride, and while they ran the gamut in quality from "very good" to "terrible", some of the ones I really liked when I finally set down with the camera to download the pics were unexpected ones that I would have never gone into the ride planning to take.
So just go, keeping in mind your light conditions (*) and keep your eyes open.
(*) - I don't know about the whole trail, but being an old railroad, there's a lot of trees around, which provide an almost perfect shade canopy. It threw a wrench in my plans because I ended up not having about an hour or so that I thought I did, because while the sun was still up, the trail got pitch dark. Anyway, just go and see what you see. And enjoy.
march 21st through 24th ride
- + My wife and I are planning a trip from sedalia to st. charles March 21-24. Can anyone tell me how the trail is right now, is it really soft, anything I should know about would be greatly appreciated....
Discussion started 03/14/2013 07:41 AM by austin - 0 repliesaustin on 03/14/2013 07:41 AM
My wife and I are planning a trip from sedalia to st. charles March 21-24. Can anyone tell me how the trail is right now, is it really soft, anything I should know about would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Austin
Watering Holes in Winter/Early Spring
- + I'm planning to ride the trail from W to E the week of March 17. Does anybody know if the water taps at the trailheads will be in service by then?
Discussion started 03/01/2013 07:58 PM by Fighting Illini - 16 replies (last reply by Fighting Illini at 03/13/2013 11:19 AM)Fighting Illini on 03/01/2013 07:58 PM
I'm planning to ride the trail from W to E the week of March 17. Does anybody know if the water taps at the trailheads will be in service by then?
Anonymous on 03/01/2013 09:01 PM
Nope.....April 1 is opening day.
Jharte from Kansas City on 03/02/2013 09:45 AM
Agreed. Most of the trailhead restrooms and water taps are closed off for winter.
Jharte
Luke from San Diego on 03/02/2013 10:32 PM
I'm glad to hear someone else is doing the trail the same week. It doesn't make me feel so insane. I was getting real nervous about all the snow but the show most go on.
I think there are enough towns on the route that water won't be an issue.
Anonymous on 03/03/2013 12:05 AM
If you are willing to venture off the trail just a little bit, I too believe you will find water and other provisions. Make good use of this site to identify those grocery stores, etc. Some of them are a bit "hidden" once you're on the trail. In my experience, the few notes I made and had in my jersey pocket, were VERY useful the first few trips on the KATY.
I hope the weather is fabulous and that have a marvelous time!
Fighting Illini on 03/03/2013 08:47 AM
Thanks for the tips.
Luke, I think we'll be a few days behind you, but hope to see you out there. I think the snow should be melted by then, but I expect we'll see wet trails.
By the way, I wouldn't gauge your sanity against our actions. If it was easy and predictable it wouldn't be much of an adventure!
DSD on 03/03/2013 10:53 AM
I would definitely take a camelbak and load up anywhere you can at that time of the year. Its gets a little dry from about Rocheport east unless as they said you know where the private places are off the trail.
Luke from San Diego on 03/03/2013 05:46 PM
Fighting illini,
My email is luke23@gmail.com. Perhaps we can swap emails or twitter. I can offer updates and tips if I'm ahead of you.
My tentative trip plan is
Day 1: train KC to warrensburg. Ride to Windsor (rmaybe Clinton) then stay in Sedalia.
Day 2: Sedalia > Rocheport or New Franklin
Day 3: Rocheport > Tebbets
Day 4: Tebbets > Augusta
Day 5: Augusta > St. Louis.
I will be doing a combination of camping and motel/BB.
Getting super excited to get back to my Midwest roots.
Anonymous on 03/04/2013 04:15 PM
Luke, I don't think anything in Tebbets is open in March
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/05/2013 10:15 AM
The shelter in Tebbetts has water, frig, and the last time I was there the coffee maker and microwave were working, so you could bring some freeze dried chow to cook up. There isn't a regular cooking stove.
Luke from San Diego on 03/05/2013 10:40 AM
Thanks for the heads up guys. I will be sure to stock up in Jeff City before arriving to Tebbets.
Figs from Olathe, KS on 03/06/2013 11:33 AM
Luke, if you have a camelback or the ability to carry water other than a frame mounted bottle, then you should be fine. All of the cafe and bike shops along the way will gladly fill your water bottles. I ate lunch in Hartsburg, at the Grand (which I highly recommend) and they asked me if I needed any water bottles filled while I was eating lunch.
Anonymous on 03/07/2013 11:20 AM
Luke, Be sure and check if you plan on using the shelter at Tebbitts. Last spring when I rode there in March, it was padlocked.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/07/2013 11:54 AM
The Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbetts is always locked. Click on Tebbetts on the map above and go to the shelter website for information about the key location.
SofiAndMe from Bettendorf, IA on 03/08/2013 01:09 PM
I'm glad to see there are some other folks willing to brave the elements for a early bike ride. I'm planning to ride it the week of March 23-30. Paarty of 6, 2 adults and 4 kids. I really hate to waste the kids' spring break by sitting around, so we are going to give it a go and see what happens. As has been posted already, nothing seems to open until April 1st. We plan on camping all the way, and utilizing the hostel in Tebbets. Just not sure what day we will arrive. My email is 2214mja@gmail if one of you earlier riders wanted to contact me or give me a heads up that would be awesome.
Cathy from Jefferson City on 03/12/2013 09:51 PM
On this comment forum go to "Use tags to filter" pick the "water" tag, hit apply tags, and then scroll down to the post by Dawn Fredrickson, 11/2/12 "Katy Trail Bathrooms Winterized" and you'll see where she listed bathrooms that remain open during the winter. I know you are concerned about water, but bathrooms are a big issue for me. Enjoy your ride.
Fighting Illini on 03/13/2013 11:19 AM
Cathy,
Thanks for the tip! Bathrooms will be a welcome luxury.
conditions of the path???
- + Hi all! I just bought a new bike this weekend, and I need to try it out! It's snowing here, and so I'm looking for better weather. Its a 7.5 hour drive down, so I'm just checking the conditions of t...
Discussion started 03/11/2013 11:25 AM by cj - 2 replies (last reply by Figs at 03/12/2013 03:30 PM)cj from madison, wi on 03/11/2013 11:25 AM
Hi all! I just bought a new bike this weekend, and I need to try it out! It's snowing here, and so I'm looking for better weather. Its a 7.5 hour drive down, so I'm just checking the conditions of the KATY Trail. Thinging of staying in Jefferson City area, heading towards clinton one day, heading the other way the next day. Any insight into the conditions would be helpful! thanks!
kevin from Jeff City on 03/11/2013 02:22 PM
Congratulations on the new bike.
We just got a bunch of snow melted off the trail here, but the weather is cold and wet, and the trail is going to be mushy as it thaws. You may want to wait a few weeks before coming down. If you check the other threads, it looks like DNR will turn the water back on at selected trailheads around April 1.
Figs from Olathe on 03/12/2013 03:30 PM
Congrats CJ. I know what the new bike frenzy feels like. I got my new Trek Hybrid for my BD last October, the following weekend I was riding 72 miles of the KT. I agree that we just haven't had enough warmth, sun, or wind to dry the KT out very well. I am sticking to the miles and miles of paved trails in Johnson County, KS (which actually connect to some in Kansas City). You could always drive down here, spend a night at a nice hotel and ride LOTS of miles without ever doubling back. AND, eat some KC BBQ! If you're interested, the bike trails can be found under Johnson County Parks or on mapmyride.com . Or, let me know and I can tell you where I'll be riding to and from Saturday and Sunday!