Volunteer Park
- + We stayed at the volunteer park over Labor Day. Thank you to the citizens who allow us to camp for free. We enjoyed the live music while preparing dinner. Cute, friendly town. Would stay again.
Discussion started 09/04/2012 05:44 PM by Jen Tobey - 3 replies (last reply by Buddy at 09/20/2012 06:09 PM)Jen Tobey from leavenworth, KS on 09/04/2012 05:44 PM
We stayed at the volunteer park over Labor Day. Thank you to the citizens who allow us to camp for free. We enjoyed the live music while preparing dinner. Cute, friendly town. Would stay again.
Mark from Was West Des Moines now its Waukee, IA on 09/07/2012 02:47 PM
Hartsburg is a great place...I've stayed there a few times and its always been a highlight of my trip.
greg from KCMO on 09/19/2012 06:45 PM
are there restrooms at volunteer park? Can we have a camp fire there?
Buddy from Jefferson City on 09/20/2012 06:09 PM
Since no one has responded, I'll try to help with what I recall. I believe fires are in the permanent BBQ pits only. Not sure about about restrooms in the park, but you'll only be 50 yards more or less from the trailhead restrooms anyway.
09/22/2012 ride N.Jeff City - Dutzow
- + 4 of us are riding this section on Saturday. While we have rode much of the trail over the past 4 years this section will be new to us. Anything we need to know about the conditions of this part of ...
Discussion started 09/19/2012 09:46 AM by Robin - 5 replies (last reply by Robin at 09/20/2012 06:17 AM)Robin from Macon on 09/19/2012 09:46 AM
4 of us are riding this section on Saturday. While we have rode much of the trail over the past 4 years this section will be new to us. Anything we need to know about the conditions of this part of trail and/or must see or avoid in the 70 mile ride??? Thanks, and Happy Trails!
ArkyKenny on 09/19/2012 02:06 PM
I REALLY like the section between McKittrick and Marthasville, but it is extremely rural out there. Make sure you have lots of water, food, drink, tubes, tools, etc. if your are going out there because there is not an abundance of help available if things don't go as planned.
Robin from Macon on 09/19/2012 04:17 PM
Thanks for that tip, we will be sure to restock the water at Portland. I am pretty excited to see this stretch myself, although I cannot say I am ever disappointed with any of the trail --- it's all simple great! Thanks again, I appreciate the advice!
New Rider from Fulton on 09/19/2012 08:53 PM
Beautiful ride...but cannot express enough to be prepared for tubes, patches and a pump even if you have air available... We had two tubes & air...used those, patched two more and still another flat with two bikes in that area...heard others had no problems...but very desolate..so be prepared....no bike shop in Marthasville or Augusta....There is one helpful and reasonable in Washington.
New Rider from Fulton on 09/19/2012 08:55 PM
FYI-Just rode this on this past Tues.
Robin from Macon on 09/20/2012 06:17 AM
We will be sure to stock up on all of the supplies...thanks! I have only had 2 flats on the Katy and both have been between Rocheport and the Round House...must be certain parts of the trail are more flat prone than others! Thanks for the great tip...I am very excited to see this area!!!
Morality Police
- + I appreciate Ray and this site with the kind people with helpful advice, trail conditions, upcoming events, locations for food, camping and site seeing for those who do not know the areas. And also th...
Discussion started 09/19/2012 12:00 AM by DSD - 2 replies (last reply by DSD at 09/20/2012 01:04 AM)DSD on 09/19/2012 12:00 AM
I appreciate Ray and this site with the kind people with helpful advice, trail conditions, upcoming events, locations for food, camping and site seeing for those who do not know the areas. And also the wonderful experiences shared too here. But I have a difficult time reading comments that have a great deal of judgement, so called self imposed morality and love it my way or leave it attitude.
Anonymous on 09/19/2012 10:59 AM
So this is your self imposed Police the Morality Police post? Too funny. Very funny in fact with your Front Door Police post asking a poster the relevance of their post about shooting targets in Jefferson City. I know. You're not judging. You just need to know why they are even here.
DSD on 09/20/2012 01:04 AM
You guys should work for the press. CNN or BBC maybe? I was wondering about shooting. Typically a google search can find shooting clubs or ranges in Jeff City or not. It was a relevance question, without any judgement, pastor. Lighten up please?
St. Charles to Marthasville trail
- + Riding from St. Charles to Marthasville. Is the trail fairly flat or are there a lot of hills? I made the mistake of riding FROM Boonville to Sedalia last spring, and I felt like I was going UP hill t...
Discussion started 09/11/2012 09:46 AM by jmrtsr98 - 13 replies (last reply by Gary at 09/18/2012 07:48 PM)jmrtsr98 from The Lou on 09/11/2012 09:46 AM
Riding from St. Charles to Marthasville. Is the trail fairly flat or are there a lot of hills? I made the mistake of riding FROM Boonville to Sedalia last spring, and I felt like I was going UP hill the majority of the way...AND no water along the way either. So I am wondering how the trail is between St. Charles and Marthasville.
ArkyKenny on 09/11/2012 10:17 AM
The trail is flat and there are lots of places to stop, eat, drink, rest, bail out, etc. There is also a lot of trees and vegitation, so wind should not be much of a problem.
Anonymous on 09/11/2012 10:25 AM
I always stop in Pilot Grove.....AND either get water at the trailhead or get something to refuel at Becky's or the Casey's store.
jmrtsr98 from The Lou on 09/11/2012 10:34 AM
I had just left Boonville which was only 9 miles to Pilot Grove, and I didn't really need anything at the point. I did not realize that there wouldn't be ANYTHING in Clifton City, so unfortunately I had to just suck it up until Sedalia.
ArkyKenny on 09/11/2012 10:53 AM
BUT.....If you keep going west from Marthasville, you are basically on your own until you get to McKittrick. It is great country out there, but bring plenty of water, trail mix, etc.
Hopefully your Boonville to Sedalia trip taught you to fill up at every opportunity to do so, or be prepared to go the distance. Think "Camelbak".
Anonymous on 09/11/2012 12:18 PM
There is water along the way. If you choose not to take advantage of what is there you shouldn't make false statements and lead others to think there is no water. It makes for a good story for you, although it is not true. Think "Camelbak".
jmrtsr98 from The Lou on 09/11/2012 01:04 PM
Umm first of all I had a Camelback but since that was the hottest day in quite a while in that area when I went, the water went fast. Yes, since this was my first ride on the Katy Trail, my inexperience led me to make a mistake in not taking ENOUGH. However, please please tell me where the water was available AFTER Pilot Grove until Sedalia, because I sure did not see anything. So I apologize if you think I made a "false" statement. Maybe I was just not as experienced or as observant as you are. Enlighten me so that I don't make the same mistake next time. Thank you for the condescending remarks. I appreciate your "help".
jmrtsr98 from The Lou on 09/11/2012 01:11 PM
As a side note, when we got to Clifton City, we asked around 5 different people who lived in the area, and we were told that they did not know where we could get water and that as far as they knew, we would have to make it to Sedalia. Thanks for making me feel like I can't ask for help or explain why I am asking.
Ritzer from St. Louis on 09/13/2012 10:16 PM
It is flat and Defiance, Augusta, and Marthasville all have amenities where you could get water. In addition, we asked a restraunt for water one time without purchasing anything else in August and they were fine providing it.
Trail Rider on 09/14/2012 01:35 PM
Lou, your Camelbak was 70 oz or more? Sedalia to Boonville is 70 oz unless you are dumping it for external cooling also. The KT is a trail with some experience for known water stops. Although this website shows posted water at the trailheads with water or no water, private businesses or even landowners along the trail are sources of water too. ArkyKenny and Anonymous are correct and experienced to known that you top off whenever you can on the KT. AS far as St. Chas. to Marthasville, no trailhead water until I believe Dutzow and Marthasville, but there's private spots in Defiance, Matson and Augusta. Trail in this area is the flattest. There's an elevation chart of the trail on this website and unfortunately when you did Boonville to Sedalia that was the biggest incline for the entire trail. Live and learn but keep on riding the trail because it is very unique with the sites, the people and the pure joy of riding.
jmrtsr98 on 09/17/2012 10:45 AM
Yes, Boonville to Sedalia was definitely a learning experience for us. We were not properly prepared. We knew it would be hot and unfortunately we only took one camelback (that is all we had), it was nearly 100 degrees that day so between the two of us drinking out of it, it did not take long to disappear. I was going to top off in Clifton City but did not realize that there would not be any water available there. This time we learned and I put a small cooler on the back of my bike with water and soda in it. Definitely much better this time. I had a great time riding this past weekend. We stopped at the Defiance Roadhouse (which was AMAZING)!!! I will definitely go back. We stopped at Augusta Brewing Co. which was also excellent, and we stayed in the Little House B&B in Marthasville which again was perfect. Would not have changed anything on this trip. I will take this trip again for sure.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 09/17/2012 10:55 AM
We have insulated rack packs for our rear racks to carry extra water and sandwiches. We throw in a frozen ice pack or two and we are good for a day ride or even on overnight. We have two water bottle cages on each bike, and 24 oz. insulated bottles, but usually only carry one in the cage, the rest in the pack, they stay much cooler that way.
Foxman from Salisbury, MO on 09/18/2012 03:54 PM
I road the Boonville to Sedalia and back route on Sept 13th which was a very cool and enjoyable ride. Even for a cool day I consumed 48 oz of H2O each direction. I've got Camp Branch(nothing there at all) to Wainwright under my belt so far and I am really looking forward to a ride from McBaine to Herman (McKittrick) next month. Anything to watch out for from Jefferson City to Herman???
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 09/18/2012 07:48 PM
Stop at the trail bench at MM 134 accross from the Cote Sans Dessein story described here:
http://callaway.dbrl.org/history/history-of-callaway-county-missouri/townships-of-callaway-county-missouri/cote-sans-dessein-township
Enjoy your trip.
Best way to get to Super 8 from MKT trail
- + A group of us are riding into Boonville from the east this weekend. What is the best/safest way to get to the Super 8 at I-70 and B from the trail?
Discussion started 09/12/2012 08:39 AM by Becky - 4 replies (last reply by ArkyKenny at 09/18/2012 05:22 PM)Becky from Springfield, MO on 09/12/2012 08:39 AM
A group of us are riding into Boonville from the east this weekend. What is the best/safest way to get to the Super 8 at I-70 and B from the trail?
marvin cotten from boonville on 09/12/2012 12:00 PM
if riding start from trailhead in boonville make right on spring st go to main st make right follow main 3 miles to mcdonalds super 8 is right besides mcdonalds.if you need a ride call missouri river taxi at 6608827070.
Trek on 09/12/2012 12:58 PM
Or when you get off the river bridge just keep riding south on Main to Super 8. Probably no need to make an 8 block loop down to the trailhead and back to Main.
Foxman from Salisbury, MO on 09/18/2012 03:58 PM
I agree, just keep heading south down main street to the Super 8. Be prepared for a super- sized hill on your to the motel... Also lots of eating establishments along the way.
ArkyKenny on 09/18/2012 05:22 PM
Foxman, watch for snakes and a headwind. Every time I ride that stretch, I get both.
I'd also recommend stopping at the Mokane Market: VERY cool old building. Check out the old office and stairs in the back. They said that in the 1993(?) flood, the flood waters came up on the tile on the front step, but not into the building itself. That is A LOT of water. Stand there on the front step and imagine that while you are there.
Enjoy your trip!
Cell service
- + What is (AT&T) cellular service like along the trail? I'd like to b able to relax along the ride and see/set up lodging as we go - provided i have cell service. AT&Ts map looks acceptable, but it's a ...
Discussion started 09/14/2012 12:43 PM by Leslie - 9 replies (last reply by Faith and Joe Fuller at 09/18/2012 12:11 PM)Leslie from Edmond, Ok on 09/14/2012 12:43 PM
What is (AT&T) cellular service like along the trail? I'd like to b able to relax along the ride and see/set up lodging as we go - provided i have cell service. AT&Ts map looks acceptable, but it's a long distance map. Primarily between Rocheport and Bluffton.
Faith and Joe Fuller from Springfield, Mo. on 09/14/2012 12:48 PM
We were on the trail last week and had no trouble with cell service and we have AT&T. We rode the whole trail with no phone problems.
Leslie from Edmond on 09/14/2012 02:10 PM
Excellent! Thank you!
Faith and Joe Fuller from Springfield, Mo. on 09/14/2012 03:43 PM
Be sure to stop at Dotty 's in Hartsburg!! She is open from 8 til 2. Enjoy!!
Kevster from Ada, OK on 09/16/2012 12:08 PM
We got home Friday the 14th, and have ATT and little problem with cell service. Deff, buy the Katy trail guide by Brad Dufur, money well spent. we bought it on amazon but itis in many places along the trail. What an amazing experience!
Leslie from Edmond on 09/16/2012 09:13 PM
Thank you! I have the book and have been using it and this website to somewhat devise a plan. Preferences on east to west or west to east??
Anonymous on 09/17/2012 07:40 AM
The trail is generally downhill from the west to the east.
Leslie from Edmond on 09/17/2012 01:10 PM
Thank you. My girls will appreciate that
Anonymous on 09/18/2012 07:20 AM
Just rode from Sedalia to Rocheport and was glad I was going down Lard Hill into Boonville and not up it.
Cake and pie in Pilot Grove.
Faith and Joe Fuller from Springfield, Mo. on 09/18/2012 12:11 PM
Second the comment on pie in Pilot Grove at Becky's Burger's and Cones! Great cherry pie!!
Great trip on the Katy and thanks
- + I've been reading the comments in prep for our trip on the Katy (4 women in their 50's and 60's) We had a GREAT time. Thanks for all the info. A special thanks to Skip and BikerBoy about the parking ...
Discussion started 09/17/2012 03:05 PM by SAD - 1 reply (last reply by MidSouth at 09/17/2012 05:01 PM)SAD from Grand Rapids on 09/17/2012 03:05 PM
I've been reading the comments in prep for our trip on the Katy (4 women in their 50's and 60's) We had a GREAT time. Thanks for all the info. A special thanks to Skip and BikerBoy about the parking by the Chain of Rocks Bridge. We rode that and the Riverfront Trail-no problem. We stayed @ Cliff Manor B & B @ Jefferson City-great place & awesome food. And Marthasville Little House B & B-another great place. You have a great trail and good people Missouri!
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 09/17/2012 05:01 PM
Glad you ladies had a good time!
Water Hole
- + Mile 100.8 has water on weekends; one just has to look or ask.
Discussion started 09/17/2012 12:12 PM by Rich Lauer - 0 repliesRich Lauer from Hermann on 09/17/2012 12:12 PM
Mile 100.8 has water on weekends; one just has to look or ask.
WJ's in Boonville
- + Our bike riding group was in Boonville for the weekend to ride the Katy Trail. WJ's was our choice for dinner on Friday night! What a wonderful place this turned out to be! Our group of 18 was take...
Discussion started 09/17/2012 10:51 AM by Bike Rider - 0 repliesBike Rider from Kansas City on 09/17/2012 10:51 AM
Our bike riding group was in Boonville for the weekend to ride the Katy Trail. WJ's was our choice for dinner on Friday night! What a wonderful place this turned out to be! Our group of 18 was taken care of very well! We enjoyed the food and the service was exceptional. We will definitely make a stop back in Boonville and enjoy another dinner at WJ's. Thanks for the great food and hospitality!
Clinton ice cream
- + 1/2 Pint Custard in Clinton near the town square is the best...plus they are tops for being honest. I left my wallet on the table and they had the local police track me down to return it. B sur to sto...
Discussion started 09/15/2012 05:24 PM by Sdeikenberry - 0 repliesSdeikenberry from Fort Wayne IN on 09/15/2012 05:24 PM
1/2 Pint Custard in Clinton near the town square is the best...plus they are tops for being honest. I left my wallet on the table and they had the local police track me down to return it. B sur to stop in and get some custard.
Amtrak Train schedule change
- + Just wanted anyone who is taking the Kirkwood to Sedalia train that it is now leaving Kirkwood two hours early at 7:44 AM. We had made a reservation several months ago and just happened to check it. T...
Discussion started 09/14/2012 10:00 PM by STL Julie - 0 repliesSTL Julie from STL on 09/14/2012 10:00 PM
Just wanted anyone who is taking the Kirkwood to Sedalia train that it is now leaving Kirkwood two hours early at 7:44 AM. We had made a reservation several months ago and just happened to check it. The train was originally scheduled to leave at 9:44 AM. We were very lucky to check the website.
Winery Itineraries/hopping
- + Has anyone "winery hopped" while biking the Katy? This is probably a stupid question. LOL. I was thinking of starting in Hermann ending in St Charles in a Friday-Sunday time frame while Winery Hopping...
Discussion started 09/11/2012 03:21 PM by Jen - 2 replies (last reply by Ritzer at 09/13/2012 10:04 PM)Jen from Blue Springs Mo on 09/11/2012 03:21 PM
Has anyone "winery hopped" while biking the Katy? This is probably a stupid question. LOL. I was thinking of starting in Hermann ending in St Charles in a Friday-Sunday time frame while Winery Hopping along the way. Does anyone have a good suggestions about which Wineries to stop at and where to stay the night. Does this sound like a doable idea? I'm an avid long distance runner with a bike :) and my husbands bike has alot of dust on it. Would this be an easy ride for both of us? (Granted if we don't partake in to much wine along the way).
Wonderful Wino on 09/12/2012 02:14 PM
It is doable if you pre-select a limited amount of wineries. AM ride 2-3 bottles at 2-3 wineries between you and your hubby for 40 miles max, then a short snooze and get to the overnight winery/B&Bs in the PM. I would suggest you contact the PM wineries/B&Bs for overnight stay and transportation support. Limiting getting on and off your bike is key. Take many pictures in case you forget where you went. 3 days should get you to
6-8 wineries.
Ritzer from St. Louis on 09/13/2012 10:04 PM
My husband and I are bikers. (Make sure you wear padded pants if you aren't used to biking 30 mi at a time) The past couple years we have taken the train to Hermann on Friday morning. My husband has a pull along with our camping gear and we drop it at Herman city park, where we camp. We then ride to a couple wineries in Herman and find a place for dinner. Then we camp at Herman park. Then we ride to Marthasville where we camp at their city park. We usually hit Blumenhof winery for the afternoon. We ride the short distance back to Marthasville and then we ride all the way back to St. Louis on Sunday. We have also riden to Augusta and stayed at Klondike instead of Marthasville. It's very doable. You have to do a little leg work ahead of time to plan where you are going to eat as we aren't carrying a cooler or anything with food. It's good camping weather in Sept. and we always have a good time. You could probably do bed & breakfasts as well and there are cabins at Klondike. Good luck!
Vehicle on Trail
- + I was riding the trail near the I-40-64 bridge today. I encountered a pickup truck driving on the trail. He did not move over and stop like State vehicles do. I was pushed to the side of the trail. Af...
Discussion started 09/12/2012 08:17 PM by Steve Mo - 0 repliesSteve Mo from St Charles on 09/12/2012 08:17 PM
I was riding the trail near the
I-40-64 bridge today. I encountered a pickup truck driving on the trail. He did not move over and stop like State vehicles do. I was pushed to the side of the trail. After I stopped he backed up to me.
Long story short---he showed me a permit to drive on the trail between mile 48 and 56. He said he was working on a project by the Boone Bridge.
Watch out for them---they don't watch out for you!