Suggestion for late March 13
- + My wife and I are both road riders. Each spring we go south (Missouri qualifies as south)from Wisconsin to ride for a week. The last week of March 2013 we were thinking of leaving the road for the Ka...
Discussion started 11/28/2012 06:22 PM by Manitowocjones - 8 replies (last reply by jjm at 12/06/2012 07:00 PM)Manitowocjones from Manitowoc, WI on 11/28/2012 06:22 PM
My wife and I are both road riders. Each spring we go south (Missouri qualifies as south)from Wisconsin to ride for a week. The last week of March 2013 we were thinking of leaving the road for the Katy trail. The thought was to find lodging along the trail and ride a sixty to seventy mile round trip on the trail. The second day we would ride a similar distance in the other direction. Suggestions?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 11/29/2012 08:23 AM
My wife and I start many of our rides from Hartsburg. Several lodging and dining options. I would go west one day to the Rocheport tunnel, would be about 50 miles roundtrip. Go east on the next day to Mokane, would be about 57 miles roundtrip. Food available in Rocheport and Mokane. Water spigots may not be turned on in March, so carry plenty of water bottles or a camelbak.
Jim from St. Thomas on 11/29/2012 08:52 AM
I think I would start at Jefferson City. You could ride west to Rocheport and back the first day (70 miles) and then ride east to Bluffton and back the second day (65 miles).
Anon on 11/29/2012 08:53 AM
Rocheport is a neat town with ample lodging and eateries. 35-miles in each direction from there will give varied views of the trail itself.
The same is true for starting at N-Jefferson (Jeff-City). You'd still see Rocheport, and could take in Hermann at McKittrick as well.
ArkyKenny on 11/29/2012 10:40 AM
Have you thought about using AmTrac for/or a shuttle service? I.e. drive and park at Washington, ride Amtrac to Sedailia, then ride bikes back to Washington.
Don from Mexico, MO on 11/29/2012 08:24 PM
I agree with ArkyKenny. If you're coming down from the Great State of Wisconsin, see as much as you can. Ride one-way and take a shuttle back to your starting point. It's $$ well spent.
DSD on 11/30/2012 08:15 AM
I would definitely use a shuttle service since March weather is unpredictable, rain, wind, snow, sunny all in a week. And as noted the trailhead services are not open yet. Shuttle could pick you up at the car and after a day of riding take you to a B&B or hotel and get you the next next day and take you back to the car at the end of the week, the only way to ride.
Manitowocjones from Manitowoc, WI on 11/30/2012 08:36 PM
My thanks to all who posted. Doug Jones, Manitowoc Wisconsin
jjm from Beech Mountain, NC on 12/06/2012 07:00 PM
Amtrak is a great way to go. You can do a one way trip with no need to backtrack. Went from Sedalia to Washington with my bike for only $30. after doing a 5 day trip from St. Charles. Comfortable, fast and very efficient with friendly help from the conductor in getting my bike on and off the train. Stops also at Jefferson City and Hermann
Need ideas
- + My husband and I are planning a trip May 10 to May 12. We would like to bike 25 to 30 miles a day. We'd like to stop at some wineries, points of interest and scenic rides. We would like suggestions...
Discussion started 12/01/2012 10:37 AM by DCS - 4 replies (last reply by jjm at 12/06/2012 06:46 PM)DCS on 12/01/2012 10:37 AM
My husband and I are planning a trip May 10 to May 12. We would like to bike 25 to 30 miles a day. We'd like to stop at some wineries, points of interest and scenic rides. We would like suggestions. Thanks.
DSD on 12/04/2012 06:23 AM
DCS, Scroll up to Trip Planner to start to see the many choices to get going and then you may have more questions about where to start.
Don on 12/04/2012 06:38 AM
There is a complete Complete Katy Trail Handbook, mentioned on this website, I bought about 10 years ago, that has many good helpful details to get you started and also if you think you may ride the KT more than once. I don't know the author but it has good stories and history about the cities along the trail.
RN from Ozarks on 12/04/2012 10:04 AM
I jsut started riding the Katy Trail this summer and found the Katy Trail Guidebook to be very helpful. Although it is a little out of date, I would recommend it for those new to the Katy Trail Click on the Katy Trail Maps tab and there should be an advertisement where you can order one.
jjm from Beech Mountain, NC on 12/06/2012 06:46 PM
Definitely stop at the trailside Augusta Brewery at Augusta. Has a great list of craft local beers. Lots of winery B&B's in the Augusta area.
where to park car overnight
- + we are hopng to make a 80 mile roundtrip from the st louis area (maybe St Charles) to possibly Marthasville, going about 40 miles out and staying overnight with the return ride the next day. But my c...
Discussion started 11/25/2012 01:21 PM by kjc - 2 replies (last reply by jjm at 12/06/2012 06:40 PM)kjc on 11/25/2012 01:21 PM
we are hopng to make a 80 mile roundtrip from the st louis area (maybe St Charles) to possibly Marthasville, going about 40 miles out and staying overnight with the return ride the next day. But my concern is where to park the car overnight that would be safe? Any suggestions? Thanks.
ArkyKenny on 11/25/2012 02:22 PM
I've parked my truck overnight in the parking lot in front of the Lewis and Clark Musuem in the riverfront park with no problems (yet......)
jjm from Beech Mountain, NC on 12/06/2012 06:40 PM
Parked at the St. Charles trailhead for 7 days in early Nov. No problems.
Al I want for Christmas is
- + another multi-day trip on the Katy with my wife! Most fun I had this year.
Discussion started 12/03/2012 05:51 PM by Haank - 1 reply (last reply by Pam O at 12/03/2012 07:08 PM)Haank from New Haven, MO on 12/03/2012 05:51 PM
another multi-day trip on the Katy with my wife! Most fun I had this year.
Pam O from Independence on 12/03/2012 07:08 PM
I second that. We are already planning next years trip staying at different places. June can come as soon as it wants.
First timers
- + We had such a wonderful experience, the food was awesome! Everyone there was wonderful, talking to the other guest while waiting on our food was a great! Someone always coming around making sure ever...
Discussion started 12/02/2012 09:59 PM by Debbie Ousley - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 12/03/2012 12:53 PM)Debbie Ousley from Eugene on 12/02/2012 09:59 PM
We had such a wonderful experience, the food was awesome! Everyone there was wonderful, talking to the other guest while waiting on our food was a great! Someone always coming around making sure everything was okay and if we need anything else. The owner walked around twice stop to each table thanked us for coming, wished is happy holidays asked if we needed anything. I have known about this restaurant for quite a while, first time I've ever went but it sure won't be the last! For some of the negative comments I am so sorry not sure what happened but you ought to give it another try it was wonderful!
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 12/03/2012 12:10 PM
OK all you psychics out there - peer into Debbie’s mind, if you dare, and let us know what restaurant she is talking about.
Anonymous on 12/03/2012 12:53 PM
Lets see....there was only one other guest there....had to wait on their food.....some nitwit bugging you if everything was okay while you waited.....we've all heard of it before.....cheap price cuz she's going back.....my guess is it's Popeyes at the truckstop.
Tips for a beginner to the Katy Trail
- + This upcoming March, I really want to make a ride from Columbia to St. Louis. Currently, I bike about 5 miles a day (two 2.5-mile rides) as a way to get to school from my apartment. I've never come cl...
Discussion started 11/30/2012 02:25 PM by JL - 5 replies (last reply by JL at 12/01/2012 03:57 PM)JL from Columbia on 11/30/2012 02:25 PM
This upcoming March, I really want to make a ride from Columbia to St. Louis. Currently, I bike about 5 miles a day (two 2.5-mile rides) as a way to get to school from my apartment. I've never come close to riding the amount of milage needed to make this trip. My main motivation on doing this trip is to see if I can actually make the trip, and at least for this first time, I'm not too concerned with sightseeing, but obviously I want to enjoy it somewhat. Anybody have any tips on what to do to work up to that kind of distance, or any other advice on what to do on the actual trail? Thanks for any help in advance!
ArkyKenny on 11/30/2012 03:02 PM
Tip #1: Spend time on the bike. Time, not mileage. I once heard that you can ride 3x as far as you train, and I think that is a good estimate of what you are capable of doing. So if you want to ride all day, build up to 3 hour training rides.
Tip #2: Eat when you are not hungry, drink when you are not thristy. Trail mix, water, and powdered Gatorade are my friends. If you are peeing clear liquid, and always eating a little trail mix, you can go a long way--and as far as you want to go.
Tip #3: A good bike makes a world of difference. You don't need a great bike, but you need a good one. By that I mean one that you don't have to fix every time you take it out, with tires that don't go flat, with brakes that work, with shifters that shift, and is comfortable--as in 8 hours on a bike comfortable. You can get a good used bike on eBay for $300, then tweak it to your needs. Forget about carbon fiber: Steel or aluminum will do great.
Tip #4: Have fun. Enjoy the ride See the sites. If you don't enjoy it, you won't stay with it. So don't kill yourself. That will make you want all of the above more.
That's all from me.
Doug from Bluffton on 11/30/2012 03:48 PM
What he said with an emphasis on time on the bike. Plus reconsider sightseeing. The more you take your mind off the discomfort of long riding and the more often you get on and off the bike the easier it will be.It helps the blood get into compressed areas. You obviously can't stop 100 times a day and get anywhere but for a tour stopping every 8-10 miles or even more, gives you a chance to refresh and feel relaxed.
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 12/01/2012 05:20 AM
I'll second what ArkyKenny and Doug said!
JL, you have an excellent training ground in the MKT. My suggestion is to ride the MKT when you can and get use to it, to the point of being able to do an out and back to McBaine with no problems. Then stretch it out to Roacheport then to Hartsburg if time allows.
Winter is coming on but even in the middle of it there will be an occasional good weather day to get out there, it will be fun. Then make plans for snacks/food, water, lodging and extra water and go for it. If you are prepared it will be great fun!
Here's to saddle time with wind at your back, enjoy!
Ron_S from Overland Park KS on 12/01/2012 12:01 PM
Have bulletproof tires. I ride standard road/touring bikes fully loaded on the trail. I use the supposedly puncture proof tires: Continental Gatorskin, Specialized Armadillo, Schwalbe Marathon. My riding partner had 4 flats and I had none. Other than that, stay relaxed and take your time. You should have no trouble on that route. Flat. There are convenience stores well spaced on the parallel highway. Good bar with food at Portland.
JL from Columbia on 12/01/2012 03:57 PM
Thanks for the replies so far! I took the advice of spending time on my bike and went for a nice 2 hour ride along the Hinkson and Katy trails. I basically went from downtown Columbia to McBaine and back plus a few extra miles back to my apartment. I felt great the whole time, but my legs are definitely feeling it now! Thanks again for the advice! Definitely going to use these tips for future reference