Mid-MO Accommodations
- + Biking from Weldon Spring to Jeff City in late September. Does anyone have a preference in the accommodations and dining between Bluffton & Portland. Trying to decide which is the better stop.
Discussion started 08/19/2012 04:22 PM by FJCSTL - 6 replies (last reply by Rich Lauer at 08/21/2012 10:58 AM)FJCSTL from Saint Louis on 08/19/2012 04:22 PM
Biking from Weldon Spring to Jeff City in late September. Does anyone have a preference in the accommodations and dining between Bluffton & Portland. Trying to decide which is the better stop.
Denny from STL on 08/20/2012 02:59 PM
Rendleman in Bluffton is a bicycle guy...puts out a great balanced healthy dinner meal for campers or B&B guests. Old farmhouse comfortable and fun.
Portland ya got bar food from one owner and camping only from another...pretty much right on the river.
Rich Lauer from McKittrick on 08/20/2012 08:54 PM
And yes the McKittrick Farmers Mercantile is now open for lunch and supper on Saturday's and Brunch on Sunday. Also Joey's birdhouse and Meyers Hilltop both have nice accommodations at mile 100.8 Happy trails!
Anonymous on 08/20/2012 09:11 PM
Is McKitterick between Bluffton and Portland?
RS & TS on 08/20/2012 09:32 PM
Rendleman's is a great experience. Just don't expect it to feel like a typical B&B. More like staying at a family member's home - your cool uncle who lives out in the country. You can have hours of great conversation with Doug about biking, life, and everything in between.
Anonymous on 08/20/2012 09:33 PM
Naw. Rich is unleashed again trying to guide people to McKitterick. I think there are some good places to stay and eat in Hartsburg too.
Rich Lauer from Hermann on 08/21/2012 10:58 AM
Of course McKittrick is not between Bluffton and Portland but it is between Jefferson City and Weldon Spring. Doug's place is great, he is a friend of ours. However since we are the newest place open on the trail we are trying to get the word out that we're here like everyone else. Sorry to offend you "anonymous"
Rich (my name, not my financial situation) in McKittrick
Directions through Sedalia/Boonville
- + I am going to do a one way trip from Rocheport to Clinton and was wondering how well the trail is marked through Boonville and particularly Sedalia.The maps on this website look straight forward, but ...
Discussion started 08/19/2012 07:06 PM by Jeff - 4 replies (last reply by Jeff at 08/21/2012 09:15 AM)Jeff from Kirksville on 08/19/2012 07:06 PM
I am going to do a one way trip from Rocheport to Clinton and was wondering how well the trail is marked through Boonville and particularly Sedalia.The maps on this website look straight forward, but is the trail well marked through these towns? Is there anywhere else that could be a concern?
Robert on 08/19/2012 08:27 PM
The off trail directions in both towns were well signed - the rest of the sections were pretty easy - just follow the trail. I rode west to east and had no problems.
Laurel from Sedalia, MO on 08/19/2012 09:04 PM
I live in Sedalia. The trail is clearly marked but it is not the same route that is on this website. I don't know why. Follow the signs- you'll be just fine.
Anonymous on 08/20/2012 09:37 AM
I agree. Just pay attention to the markings on the streets and you'll have no troubles getting through either Boonville or Sedalia.
Jeff from Kirksville on 08/21/2012 09:15 AM
Thanks, All. The trail is so well marked elsewhere, I figured that it would be straight forward through town as well.
October Bluffton Lodging
- + The Robbins in Bluffton are going to open their two bedroom cottage to cyclists during the month of October. Great for a family or two couples. They will stock the frig for you or cook for you. You ca...
Discussion started 08/21/2012 08:14 AM by Doug - 0 repliesDoug from Bluffton on 08/21/2012 08:14 AM
The Robbins in Bluffton are going to open their two bedroom cottage to cyclists during the month of October. Great for a family or two couples. They will stock the frig for you or cook for you. You can contact Doug at the Rendleman Home for more information. The cottage is right next to the Rendleman property, less than two blocks from the trail.
Point of Interest - Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
- + We stopped in at Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine and the adjacent St. Martin's Church, two miles up on P from the KATY just west of Rhineland. It's worth the visit -- beautiful artisanship, gentle spirit ...
Discussion started 08/19/2012 01:34 PM by Red Writer - 1 reply (last reply by Rich Lauer at 08/20/2012 08:57 PM)Red Writer from St. Louis MO on 08/19/2012 01:34 PM
We stopped in at Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine and the adjacent St. Martin's Church, two miles up on P from the KATY just west of Rhineland. It's worth the visit -- beautiful artisanship, gentle spirit and peaceful place.
Rich Lauer from McKittrick on 08/20/2012 08:57 PM
The shrine at Starkenburg is definitely a gem of Missouri folk art and a beautiful place to visit any time of the year.
Favorite section of trail
- + If you're only going 60 to 100 miles along the trail, which section would you recommend?
Discussion started 08/20/2012 10:59 AM by Bonnie - 3 replies (last reply by DSD at 08/20/2012 03:15 PM)Bonnie on 08/20/2012 10:59 AM
If you're only going 60 to 100 miles along the trail, which section would you recommend?
Anonymous on 08/20/2012 11:12 AM
Rode Hermann to St. Charles on Saturday...again. Love it. Also love the 25 miles from Rocheport to Hartsburg. Any day on the KATY is better than a day at work. Wishing I was riding the KATY right now instead of avoiding work by looking at the comment forum. Enjoy whatever section you pick.
Robin from Macon on 08/20/2012 02:32 PM
I have to agree with the comment above - the Rocheport and East area are beautiful (probably my favorite) as are the area around Dutzow (Augusta) and on toward St Charles. Enjoy wherever you choose! Happy Trails!
DSD on 08/20/2012 03:15 PM
Agree with the others - Between Boonville and Jeff City and Treloar to St. Charles. The rest is fun but not as interesting.
Joey's on Aug 15 2012
- + Stayed the night on August 15. Great location to stay with incredible hospitality from Joey and Rich. Nice to get away from it all including the tv. Thanks again - will back again some day.
Discussion started 08/19/2012 08:54 PM by Robert - 0 repliesRobert from Sarnia, ON, Canada on 08/19/2012 08:54 PM
Stayed the night on August 15. Great location to stay with incredible hospitality from Joey and Rich. Nice to get away from it all including the tv. Thanks again - will back again some day.
Riding Alone from Sedalia to St Charles -
- + I’m just wondering if anyone is riding from Sedalia towards St Charles this coming week. I’ll be leaving Wednesday morning from Sedalia, etc. My friend cancelled at the last minute and I still want t...
Discussion started 08/17/2012 11:57 PM by jr - 2 replies (last reply by DSD at 08/18/2012 04:57 PM)jr from Wylie, TX on 08/17/2012 11:57 PM
I’m just wondering if anyone is riding from Sedalia towards St Charles this coming week. I’ll be leaving Wednesday morning from Sedalia, etc. My friend cancelled at the last minute and I still want to do. I’ve been planning this for a while, so at this point it’s a must thing for me to do.
I just would like hope to meet people along the way, single, couples, families, anyone that don’t mind me tag along just to talk, help each other in case some unexpected event happens, etc.
I’m a 45 male, Brazilian, divorced, outgoing, laidback type of guy. If you’re riding this week and wouldn’t mind to make a new friend, let me know!
Anonymous on 08/18/2012 09:37 AM
Undoubtedly you'll get to talk to other trail users at some of the trailheads or cafes, which is interesting and fun. But also remember that many of them will have specific riding plans they want to complete. Enjoy.
DSD on 08/18/2012 04:57 PM
Anon is correct about others with their own riding plans and if you ride the trail on the weekends there are more people out to talk to and the cafes have many people. But during the week there are fewer riders who are just out for daily shorter distance rides. Also riding the MKT into Columbia you will see more people on that spur especially in the morning. I've ridden the trail end to end in April, June and September and through the week you usually see more geese on the trail than people.
Hartsburg City Park
- + Do not camp here on a weekend!!! We camped on a Friday night in late May and I think the entire town and surrounding areas was at the bar partying until 2am. At 3 there were still a few drunks hanging...
Discussion started 08/14/2012 12:21 PM by Janae - 5 replies (last reply by Allen at 08/18/2012 10:36 AM)Janae from Kansas City on 08/14/2012 12:21 PM
Do not camp here on a weekend!!! We camped on a Friday night in late May and I think the entire town and surrounding areas was at the bar partying until 2am. At 3 there were still a few drunks hanging out in town. We felt very unsafe. The B&B's in this area are very affordable. I wish we'd reserved a room. It was an awful night!
Anonymous on 08/14/2012 05:39 PM
Too funny. You were probably more safe than they would be in Kansas City.
DSD on 08/14/2012 07:37 PM
Come on KC. Nobody at any KC bars and parks enjoy themselves with alcohol in the early summer months? Hartsburg is a very safe town. Stopping watching the old movie, Deliverence in KC. You're getting way too paranoid.
ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 08/14/2012 08:20 PM
Rowdy? OK. Unsafe? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA+HA HA HA HA HA HA..........
Doug from Bluffton on 08/14/2012 08:43 PM
I'm just wondering why wait until Mid August to post if this happened in May?
Allen on 08/18/2012 10:36 AM
I am sorry that Janaie from KC felt threatened. I live in Shawnee Ks a suburb of Kc and have camped at the Hartsburg city park many many times sometimes on weekends. I have never felt unsafe, sometimes people like to party on weekend nights and are a little noisy, this doesn't mean they are dangerous. I am writhing this because most of the rebuttal of this type of info comes from locals who have a vested interest. I have no vested interest.
Allen
Parking @ the Chain of Rocks Bridge
- + We are planning on riding the Katy Trail this fall, on the way home we wanted to ride the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the Riverfront Trail to the Arch. In a previous comment(some years back)someone comm...
Discussion started 08/15/2012 09:19 AM by SAD - 3 replies (last reply by BikerBoy at 08/17/2012 08:24 PM)SAD from Grand Rapids, Michigan on 08/15/2012 09:19 AM
We are planning on riding the Katy Trail this fall, on the way home we wanted to ride the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the Riverfront Trail to the Arch. In a previous comment(some years back)someone commented on where to park because of vehicles being broke into. We want to park near the bridge-has anyone parked there lately?
DSD on 08/15/2012 07:07 PM
There is construction on the east side of the river for the new canal bridge right now. Not sure if it will block access to the old Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi.
skip from hannibal on 08/16/2012 08:48 PM
just on the north side of I270 is a MO visitor's center....I've parked here several times & rode the "Riverfront Trail" with no problems. It's only a very short distance down to the west end of Chain of Rocks bridge & north end of trail.
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 08/17/2012 08:24 PM
Because of the vandalism and liability, you will not find parking at the bridge except for sponsored events. Agree that the visitor's center (on Dunn Road, across from MotoMart) is the best place. You don't want to miss the Chain of Rocks Bridge or the McKinley Bridge. The loop down IL and back up MO is 20 miles. Lots of different scenery, including the river, barges and gritty industrial areas.
Shuttle from Machens to Augusta
- + Does anyone know if there’s any shuttle or cab from Machens to Augusta? I’ll be spending my second night in Augusta. On the next day I’d like to finish the trail all the way to Machens, but it’s 40 m...
Discussion started 08/17/2012 08:49 AM by jr - 3 replies (last reply by jr at 08/17/2012 10:07 AM)jr from Wylie, TX on 08/17/2012 08:49 AM
Does anyone know if there’s any shuttle or cab from Machens to Augusta? I’ll be spending my second night in Augusta. On the next day I’d like to finish the trail all the way to Machens, but it’s 40 miles each way and I think it’ll be too much for me to get back by the train station before 5:00 pm in order to catch the train back to Sedalia. Any advice? Has anyone done that before? I really appreciate any information. Thank you.
Trek on 08/17/2012 09:19 AM
Check the Trip Planner and filter for shuttles. Or click on the towns in the map above for services between St. Charles and Augusta.
There are several listings in St. Charles for shuttles/cabs that may bo options for you.
But, won't you want to hop a ride to Washington to catch the train? If you do plan on riding from Augusta to Washington, know that it is NOT recommended to ride the bridge to Washington. It is very, very narrow with no shoulder to ride on.
jr from Wylie, TX on 08/17/2012 10:05 AM
After I placed my post I realized that the train leaves from Washington, not from Augusta.
jr from Wylie, TX on 08/17/2012 10:07 AM
Trek - thanks for letting me know about the bridge.... I'd no idea... I may need to get a cab to cross over, huh? Thanks again!
Car Parking in Sedalia
- + I’m going to start my bike ride from Sedalia to Washington and get on train on my way back. Does anyone know where I can leave my car in Sedalia? Any safety parking lot? Any help is really appreciated...
Discussion started 08/16/2012 09:53 AM by jr - 6 replies (last reply by jr at 08/17/2012 08:41 AM)jr from Wylie, TX on 08/16/2012 09:53 AM
I’m going to start my bike ride from Sedalia to Washington and get on train on my way back. Does anyone know where I can leave my car in Sedalia? Any safety parking lot? Any help is really appreciated?
Trek on 08/16/2012 10:35 AM
I've left my car several times in the lot east of the trailhead/depot and have never had an issue doing so. In years past I'd park on the east side of the lot near the homes, as told by the staff in the store. They said the home owners would keep an eye cars left there.
I always let them know which car is mine with a description and plate number. And I give them my cell phone number in the event they need to contact me.
jr from Wylie, TX on 08/16/2012 10:43 AM
Thank you for the information. It's really appreciated... :)
mwc from Versailles, MO on 08/16/2012 11:17 AM
The parking lot mentioned is a nice one; just fyi, it's about 7 blocks east of the current train stop. From train stop go east on Main to 3rd. Turn left on 3rd two blocks to parking lot.
Just curious; are you doing that section in one or two days? I biked from Clifton City to Boonville last Saturday on an awesome evening! Enjoy the trail!
jr from Wylie, TX on 08/16/2012 01:02 PM
My plan is to do in two days... having trouble to find a hotel in between at the last minute or or camp site ...
Trek on 08/16/2012 02:11 PM
Have you check Jefferson City. I would think you could score a room there.
jr from Wylie, TX on 08/17/2012 08:41 AM
In face I did find a hotel in Jefferson City - so now I'm set...
Thanks :)
Katy Services End Date
- + When does DNR turn off the water and lock the trailheads in the fall? We can get a Labor Day ride in without being locked out right?
Discussion started 08/15/2012 08:16 PM by DSD - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 08/16/2012 12:54 PM)DSD on 08/15/2012 08:16 PM
When does DNR turn off the water and lock the trailheads in the fall? We can get a Labor Day ride in without being locked out right?
mwc from Versailles, MO on 08/16/2012 11:34 AM
I can't say what DNR's policy is for cold weather, but I rode the trail last fall into October and didn't find any trailhead closed. I'm sure you're safe for Labor Day. Enjoy the trail!
Anonymous on 08/16/2012 12:54 PM
Off November 1.
On April 1.
dining in McKittrick
- + At last the kitchen at the McKittrick Farmers Mercantile will be open starting this Saturday (8/18) from noon till 8:00 and Sunday for brunch from 8:00-2:00. We intend to maintain these hours through...
Discussion started 08/16/2012 08:32 AM by Rich Lauer - 0 repliesRich Lauer from McKittrick on 08/16/2012 08:32 AM
At last the kitchen at the McKittrick Farmers Mercantile will be open starting this Saturday (8/18) from noon till 8:00 and Sunday for brunch from 8:00-2:00. We intend to maintain these hours throughout the fall and possibly expand them soon. See you there. Thanks!
Place to stay in N. Jeff City?
- + I was wondering if anyone had any advice on places to stay in N. Jefferson close to the Katy Trail? N. Jefferson is one of our stops on our four day bicycle trip and I'm not finding any luck for cheap...
Discussion started 07/28/2012 05:16 PM by Ally - 3 replies (last reply by Brenda at 08/14/2012 09:55 PM)Ally on 07/28/2012 05:16 PM
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on places to stay in N. Jefferson close to the Katy Trail? N. Jefferson is one of our stops on our four day bicycle trip and I'm not finding any luck for cheaper, but nice, places to stay close enough to get there via bike. thank you!
Bike Rider from Kansas City on 07/30/2012 11:12 AM
We have stayed at the Baymont Inn in Jefferson City, and rode there from the trail head. You can take the connector trail fairly easily and ride over the Missouri River bridge. The bike / pedestrian lane is protected and very fun to ride on. This website still lists the hotel as the Hotel Deville but it has changed to a Baymont Inn. Clean and bike friendly. You can see the capital and get great food downtown too. Have a fun trip!
Cathy from Jefferson City on 07/30/2012 10:28 PM
The Baymont should be good. Another option is having a local hotel pick you up at the trailhead. I think I have seen notices at the trailhead that the Truman Hotel will pick up bicyclelists at the trailhead, and there may be others. The closest lodging to the trail is the Cliff House Manor, but they are a B & B and may be more than you want to pay. Also, the Briar Rose B & B may pick you up at the trailhead. If you get picked up at the trailhead you will miss riding over our somewhat new pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Missouri River. But maybe they would drop you at the south end of the bridge the next morning when you are leaving so you can have the experience of riding over the bridge and river.
Brenda from Lincoln on 08/14/2012 09:55 PM
We just finished a four day ride on Katy Trail. We took the trail into Jefferson City. The trail into town is very safe, scenic, and bike friendly. We stayed at the Baymont Inn. They treat the bikers so great, letting us keep our bikes in our room. They are located only three blocks from Capital.
St. Charles to St. Louis AMTRAK
- + Is there a safe way to get to the St. Louis AMTRAK station from the trail head in St. Charles?
Discussion started 08/10/2012 09:07 AM by Steve Eikenberry - 3 replies (last reply by anonymous at 08/14/2012 10:38 AM)Steve Eikenberry from Fort Wayne on 08/10/2012 09:07 AM
Is there a safe way to get to the St. Louis AMTRAK station from the trail head in St. Charles?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 08/10/2012 02:43 PM
Read through this page about riding from St. Charles to the Kirkwood Amtrak station and decide for yourself if it is safe at your level of riding. Personally, I would call a cab...
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/kirkwood.aspx
Anonymous on 08/10/2012 03:19 PM
I recently stayed at the Lococo House B&B in St. Charles and for a VERY REASONABLE (i.e. cheap) extra fee they took me and my bike to the Hanley Road MetroLink Station. I took MetroLink downtown to the Amtrack Station for $2.25. That worked out great for me. Just a thought....
Anonymous on 08/14/2012 10:38 AM
I did a cab. But I am not a street rider or commuter.