helmets?
- + I'm from California and will be meeting a friend from Oklahoma to do the KT in late September. I want to make sure I bring the right stuff, so dumb question -- do we need to bring helmets? I wasn't ...
Discussion started 08/22/2012 12:06 PM by patrick m - 17 replies (last reply by kevin at 09/04/2012 12:50 PM)patrick m from santa barbara, ca on 08/22/2012 12:06 PM
I'm from California and will be meeting a friend from Oklahoma to do the KT in late September. I want to make sure I bring the right stuff, so dumb question -- do we need to bring helmets? I wasn't planning on it, but saw this web site and it seemed that they might be required in some counties. Thanks! (I know that helmets are always a good idea, but 225 miles on a dedicate bike path seems kind of "low risk" to me.)
http://www.helmets.org/mandator.htm
ArkyKenny on 08/22/2012 01:23 PM
Helmets are not mandatory, so there are no helmet police. That said, you will probably be riding 10-15mph on surface that is loose on top, and has a lot of transition areas and irregularities. If you're not used to carrying a load (i.e. panniers), that adds yet another dimension to the ride, and your stability.
I wear a helmet because I only have one head. I'd suggest that you do the same and protect your melon.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 08/22/2012 02:21 PM
One of my hardest falls was in my driveway. Now I don't get on my bike without putting on a helmet first.
Trek on 08/22/2012 02:21 PM
Riding without a helmet is not on the California Prop 65 list of causes of cancer or birth defects.
But using one is probably a good idea anyway, even on a dedicated bike path.
Doug from Bluffton on 08/22/2012 03:24 PM
As Trek and others mention, the risk of falling still exists but what is more likely is that you will ride under a limb you didn't see or duck enough for and your scalp cuts easier and bleeds worse than any other part of your body.
sk from st. louis on 08/22/2012 05:32 PM
There was a fairly long patch of loose gravel (between the page/creve coeur park connector and family arena) the other day that bogged down my trike. It may be packed down by now, but I wouldn't have wanted to ride it on two wheels without a helmet.
Anonymous on 08/22/2012 06:46 PM
Yes, wear your helmet. Always.
Laurel from Sedalia, MO on 08/22/2012 09:18 PM
The signage that dots the trail and has the regulations says to always wear a helmet.
Anonymous on 08/22/2012 10:09 PM
Given the number of Scout troops and other relatively inexperienced riders that you're likely to encounter on the KATY in September...I'd wear a helmet. I certainly always do...
Just my 2 cents.
Snoopy from New York City on 08/23/2012 04:31 AM
Brain injuries is a serious business. Always wear helmets just like seat belts.
Snoopy from New York City on 08/23/2012 04:31 AM
Brain injuries is a serious business. Always wear helmets just like seat belts.
mumbler from central Misery on 08/24/2012 11:49 PM
There I was, riding along at a sedate 9 mph or so on the KT.
Then, suddenly! There was a flock. or a herd, or whatever you call a pack of wild turkeys.
I rode between them with a few inches between crank and turkey. I was wearing a helmet, and was glad I did.
Anon on 08/25/2012 09:35 AM
Some of the locals don't wear helmets and they do well with that. Yet they generally do not do lengthy highly tiring rides.
Also, the trail itself does have debis on it and in its corridor. It wouldn't take much to have an unexpected spill. For example, if one crashed from a soft shoulder, a sharp rock or broken sappling stump in the adjacent corridor could penetrate one's skull.
Doesn't hurt to be careful and safe.
kevin from Jeff City on 08/27/2012 01:53 PM
The trail is long and straight and flat, and frequently has a steep drop-off on one side and rocky bluffs on the other. It is not difficult to get distracted and begin to veer close to the edge. Plus, there are tree branches that are at head level; they don't hurt if you have a helmet on.
jr on 08/28/2012 09:54 AM
I rode 3 days last week. On the first day it's so hot I decided to take my helmet off... 15 min later I fell off my bike and learned my lesson - better be safe than sorry...
Alan from Gentry, Arkansas on 09/04/2012 07:36 AM
There are a loy of cracks/crevices in the path. The park service has attempted to keep them filled, but be aware of the light colored gravel that runs parallel with the trail. Most are in the center of the path, but not all. A front wheel caught in a crack and your day may be over.
El Toro on 09/04/2012 09:26 AM
I always wear mine on the KATY (and everywhere else for that matter).
The cracks and other (sometimes unpredictable riders) are my primary reasons.
kevin from Jeff City on 09/04/2012 12:50 PM
another consideration is the trail barriers at most of the crossroads. There are large barricades set up to keep vehicles off the trail, with just enough room between the arms to let a bicycle through. A moment's distraction and you crash into it. Just wear the helmet.
Great Service
- + We used Show Me Tours to shuttle four of us plus bikes from St. Charles to Clifton. They arrived on time, had a great rack for carrying our bikes, and we had a wonderful conversation with them during...
Discussion started 09/04/2012 10:40 AM by jim - 0 repliesjim from wolverine lake, mi on 09/04/2012 10:40 AM
We used Show Me Tours to shuttle four of us plus bikes from St. Charles to Clifton. They arrived on time, had a great rack for carrying our bikes, and we had a wonderful conversation with them during our ride. I highly recommend them.
Best Breakfast on the Trail
- + This was my first time on the trail. With my limited experience of B&B breakfast on the Katy, Polly's was by far the best. She will not let you go hungry. She even greets you with lemonade and cooki...
Discussion started 09/03/2012 06:09 PM by Alan - 0 repliesAlan from Gentry, Arkansas on 09/03/2012 06:09 PM
This was my first time on the trail. With my limited experience of B&B breakfast on the Katy, Polly's was by far the best. She will not let you go hungry. She even greets you with lemonade and cookies and will send you off with trail mix. If the day ends again in Pilot Grove, this is where I'm staying!
Whole Trail In 3 1/2 Days?
- + Me and a couple of friends like to challenge ourselves. We do training at the Little Blue Trace quite a bit, and mountain bike at Landahl ALOT. If the weather is perfect, is it possible to ride 40 mil...
Discussion started 08/30/2012 08:49 PM by Mdc - 6 replies (last reply by Dave at 09/02/2012 10:13 PM)Mdc from Independence Mo on 08/30/2012 08:49 PM
Me and a couple of friends like to challenge ourselves. We do training at the Little Blue Trace quite a bit, and mountain bike at Landahl ALOT. If the weather is perfect, is it possible to ride 40 miles the first day and about 70 the rest? We need to get it done in 3.5 days. Thanks!
Jeff from Kirksville on 08/30/2012 09:00 PM
The KT is much easier biking than a mountain trail. It does not roll as smooth as a highway but you should be able to average 12 to 14 mph. On an 8 hour of easy riding day, you should be nearly 100 miles. Without too much of a push, you can do it in 2.5 days and if you really push in 2 10 hour days. You will even have time to stop, look around, get a drink, take of functions and go on.
ArkyKenny on 08/30/2012 09:08 PM
Yes. Your plan is reasonable. The first time I rode the whole trail, we did Clinton to Booneville, Booneville to N. Jeff City (with side trip to Columbia), N Jeff City to Marthasville, and Marthasville to St. Charles. Those are some fairly long, and some easy days too, but no days of just "Busting it" if you ask me. We drank a few beers in there too.
It's not as easy as you think to divide it up nice and even unless you camp. I can do that, but I'm pretty soft, and I like showers and good food at the end of the day, so I'd think about getting reservations at least part of time. I've also been known to ask a farmer if I could sleep in his barn--and then done it. That to say, think about how flexible you want to be vs. how comfortable you want to be.
Anonymous on 08/30/2012 10:33 PM
Rode it in 3 days in June.
Clinton to Boonville..about 70 as I recall.
Long day 2 - Boonville to Rhineland...about 90.
Easier day 3...65 miles Rhineland to St. Charles.
Good luck with your adventure.
Jharte from Raytown on 08/31/2012 06:46 AM
Agreed. I've ridden end to end a couple of times. A little planning on where you stay/camp is all that is necessary. I did Clinton to Rocheport (86), Rocheport to Marthasville (101), Marthasville to St. Charles. I chose Rocheport and Marthasville for my stayover because I knew where I could camp. Rocheport to Marthasville was a long day. I'll divide it up differently next time.
jr on 08/31/2012 01:13 PM
My friend and I rode from Sedalia to St Charles. It's much harder going west-east, but we did 90 miles day 1, 80 miles day 2, and 44 miles day 3. Make sure to take lots of water with you.
Dave from Overland Park, KS on 09/02/2012 10:13 PM
That is very doable. Rode from Clinton to Machens last May in 3 days with my daughter. Day 1 - 88 miles Clinton to Rocheport ... Day 2 - 78 miles Rocheport to McKittrick and Day 3 - 74 miles McKittrick to Machens. Great ride!!! Much easier than you might think. Toughest part was sitting in the saddle for 240 miles.
Trail Conditions from Augusta to St. Charles
- + Planning to ride the trail on Monday Sept 3rd- Is the trail really soft after all the rain?
Discussion started 09/02/2012 03:50 PM by SJ - 0 repliesSJ on 09/02/2012 03:50 PM
Planning to ride the trail on Monday Sept 3rd-
Is the trail really soft after all the rain?
september trip
- + anyone interested in riding the entire Katy trail in mid-September?mostly camping. @50 miles daily.
Discussion started 08/11/2012 07:56 PM by dave - 7 replies (last reply by Jerry at 09/02/2012 02:24 PM)dave from tucson, az on 08/11/2012 07:56 PM
anyone interested in riding the entire Katy trail in mid-September?
mostly camping.
@50 miles daily.
Steve from St.Louis on 08/11/2012 09:18 PM
Hey dave,
Would you be starting in Machens and heading west, If that is the case I would be interested.
Anonymous on 08/14/2012 10:37 AM
I recommend doing Sedalia, Easley, Herrmann and then St Charles. Its 65 miles a day but you actually have alot of tent options for camping and resturants are in walking distance from your tent.
Jerry from Union, MO on 08/14/2012 04:04 PM
Hi Dave,
I am planning on doing the ride from Sedalia to Dutzow sometime in September. There may be 2-3 of us. I(we) will camp and ride about 50-60 miles a day. Let me know your ETA...maybe we could hook up and ride together. Jerry.
DSD on 08/14/2012 07:42 PM
My camping is in a B&B or hotel and I do the trail in 3 days. Too much load on the bike with all the gear. I understand though if you're a newbie from AZ.
Kevster from Ada, OK on 08/23/2012 08:54 PM
My wife and I are arriving in Sedalia to ride the amtrak to start. Sept 8-15 approx 50 miles a day starting trail at Defiance.
Kurt from Greenville on 08/27/2012 11:02 AM
A friend and I are planning on riding the Katy from Sedalia to Washington Mo, Sept 13-16. We will be going by train from Washington to Sedalia on the 13th. Ride from Sedalia to Booneville day one, Booneville to Tebbetts day 2, Tebbetts to Washington day 3. Anyone wanna join us?
Jerry from Union, MO on 09/02/2012 02:24 PM
Kurt, I am thinking about doing the trip to Sedalia via train and riding back to Dutzow(Washington). The 13th might be good for me. There may be two of us. I was thinking maybe Sedalia to outside Rocheport..Davisdale Conservation Area..and camping for free. 2nd day to Tebbetts and stay at the hostel. 3rd day to Dutzow. That is about 50 miles each day. Would that work for you?
Mokane
- + Is the Mokane Bar & Grill open Sundays? The phone number listed gives an "out of service" message. I'll be riding through Mokane Sunday.
Discussion started 09/02/2012 02:16 PM by Roadrunner - 0 repliesRoadrunner on 09/02/2012 02:16 PM
Is the Mokane Bar & Grill open Sundays? The phone number listed gives an "out of service" message. I'll be riding through Mokane Sunday.
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Mokane
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=5980&tonly=1
Open Sundays
- + Is the Mokane Bar and Grill open Sundays? I'm planning a Katy ride and will be going through Mokane on Sunday.
Discussion started 09/02/2012 02:13 PM by Roadrunner - 0 repliesRoadrunner on 09/02/2012 02:13 PM
Is the Mokane Bar and Grill open Sundays? I'm planning a Katy ride and will be going through Mokane on Sunday.
Trail Conditions after storm
- + Its a disappointing day, today should have been the first day of my end to end journey on the Katy. But with this hurricane coming over I decided to see what it did before taking out. According to the...
Discussion started 08/31/2012 12:08 PM by ozarksbiketrails - 1 reply (last reply by Doug at 08/31/2012 02:29 PM)ozarksbiketrails from springfield on 08/31/2012 12:08 PM
Its a disappointing day, today should have been the first day of my end to end journey on the Katy. But with this hurricane coming over I decided to see what it did before taking out.
According to the weather channel the Katy is gonna get rained on most of the day and tommorrow.
Could any of the locals post some trail updates after the storm is gone. I might head out Monday and do Clinton - Jefferson City. But from past experience I know that a wet Katy Trail is no fun to ride.
Thanks for the help!!
Doug from Bluffton on 08/31/2012 02:29 PM
Just came off the trail at MM 111. We have had over an inch of rain here and the trail is no longer dusty. That about sums it up. Not at all soft or difficult riding. Radar looks like another shot coming though. It MIGHT be enough to soften the trail but I don't think so. It is just too dry. However, if it is heavy rain I will go out after and update for the trail here. No news will be good news.
October events on the Katy
- + Just curious if anyone knows of any October events (Oktoberfest) that you have been to either on the Katy Trail or near the Katy, or one you might recommend. Planning/hosting another Katy ride someti...
Discussion started 08/31/2012 07:55 AM by Jharte - 3 replies (last reply by anonymous at 08/31/2012 02:05 PM)Jharte from Raytown on 08/31/2012 07:55 AM
Just curious if anyone knows of any October events (Oktoberfest) that you have been to either on the Katy Trail or near the Katy, or one you might recommend. Planning/hosting another Katy ride sometime in October. Thanks.
Anonymous on 08/31/2012 10:08 AM
There are events hidden behind that button above that is labeled Events.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 08/31/2012 10:20 AM
The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival is October 13-14. We always stay in Jeff City and ride the Katy to the festival.
Anonymous on 08/31/2012 02:05 PM
Octoberfest every weekend in Hermann mo. Lodging on weekends is tough but weekdays are still open. Mile 100.8