Jeff City 50+ Mile Ride in a few days.
- + Hi, I will be visiting Jeff City for the first week of August and was wondering if anyone could recommend the best way to do a 50 mile round trip. I found the Katy Trail via google but am a little c...
Discussion started 07/22/2012 11:44 PM by RK - 6 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/25/2012 03:24 PM)RK from New England on 07/22/2012 11:44 PM
Hi, I will be visiting Jeff City for the first week of August and was wondering if anyone could recommend the best way to do a 50 mile round trip. I found the Katy Trail via google but am a little concerned with the surface. Any recommendations would be great including tires, if it is decent for road bikes, and for fast rides (18-25mph).
Any other trail/road recommendations would be great too. I will be here for about a week.
Patricia from Joplin, MO on 07/23/2012 09:59 PM
Hi, just completed a 53.6 mile round trip (stayed overnite). The surface was hard packed, with a few medium size rocks & leaves scattered now & then. Pretty much any tires work fine; street tires are faster, but I didn't see anyone going faster than 15 mph. Most people travel at a more leisurely pace to enjoy the scenery. Also, there are some road crossings with yield/stop signs. Bring lots of water, and a spare tire tube as I got a flat the second day (a frequent rider told me there are sometimes thorns that pierce tubes). Have fun!
Tom from Jefferson City,MO on 07/24/2012 11:29 PM
The best 50 mile round trip is to Columbia and back. If you can stand more like 60 mi the go from North Jeff to Rochport. The trail is in good condition- dusty but not cracked. I have a street bike average 13 mph and think this is the best ride on the trail. Start at 6 eat breakfast at Dotties in Heartsburg, an early lunch in Roachport the sprint back to Jeff for supper.
El Toro on 07/25/2012 08:01 AM
For 50-100 mile rides on the road, I would normally average 16-18 mph. A similar ride on the KATY results in an average of about 12-14 mph. I ride a 700 x 25 tire on the road and a 700 x 28 on the KATY.
I wouldn't recommend anyone heading out to ride the KATY thinking about an 18-25 mph ride. Cracks in the trail (given all the heat) and the presence of other people make that aspiration unwise and unsafe in my opinion.
That's my 2 cents. I hope the data is useful.
Anonymous on 07/25/2012 08:05 AM
Jefferson City to Columbia. Can we get a color on the crack situation? 30 percent = read says Bent from Kansas.
Tom from Jefferson City,MO on 07/25/2012 09:03 AM
I road from Jeff to Heartsburg & back yesterday. I didn't notice any cracks - there might be a few small ones but nothing to effect what bike I'd use. It's hot but dry - the humidity can be a killer by the river. I found my ride quite plesant.
Anonymous on 07/25/2012 03:24 PM
I am a beginning Katy rider, have been riding in the Macbaine-Huntsdale-Rocheport area. Another thing to watch for are walnuts! The drought has several of the trees dropping walnuts early.
Cracks?
- + I see the warning about cracks due to the dry conditions. Can anyone add some color about how bad it is? I did the Prairie Spirit trail recently and nearly 30% of the trail was cracked up, made it rea...
Discussion started 07/24/2012 01:33 PM by BentinKC - 3 replies (last reply by BentinKC at 07/24/2012 04:37 PM)BentinKC from Olathe, KS on 07/24/2012 01:33 PM
I see the warning about cracks due to the dry conditions.
Can anyone add some color about how bad it is? I did the Prairie Spirit trail recently and nearly 30% of the trail was cracked up, made it real hard to navigate. Tell me the Katy is fairing better?
SteveK from Saint Louis, MO on 07/24/2012 01:52 PM
I road St. Charles to Machens this past weekend and I seen cracks but it really did not affect my ride. Other sections????
Anonymous on 07/24/2012 04:24 PM
Add some color. Now that cracks me up. What color is thirty percent?
BentinKC from Olathe, KS on 07/24/2012 04:37 PM
30% = read. the color I got after sliding into my 3rd crack of the day. :)
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Cracks?
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Amazing stay!!
- + A fantastic, quiet, down to earth, home in the country, with great atmosphere, food, accommodations and people. Have Richard pick you up at the trail and enjoy the ride down the hill in the morning. I...
Discussion started 07/23/2012 10:04 PM by Julie - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 07/24/2012 01:08 PM)Julie from High Ridge on 07/23/2012 10:04 PM
A fantastic, quiet, down to earth, home in the country, with great atmosphere, food, accommodations and people. Have Richard pick you up at the trail and enjoy the ride down the hill in the morning. It gets your legs back quickly. Relax in the hot tub, take a shower, catch lightning bugs, smell the lavender, watch the yellow finches feed, play washers, and swing on the porch swing while looking at the rolling hills. In the morning you will have a fresh, healthy, delicious, home made breakfast that you will not forget. Myrta's Swiss upbringing adds charm to her home atmosphere and food. Highly recommend for a unique and memorable experience that is hard to find anymore.
Anonymous on 07/24/2012 01:08 PM
Amazing stay!!! Amazing stay!!! If it's that Amazing why not let others know where it is??
nightmare at katies lodge
- + katies little lodge was a nightmare !! Miss donna had an attitude all day with our timeline, the first thing she said to us when she picked us up was "i was just getting ready to leave" she had 2 beer...
Discussion started 07/23/2012 08:21 PM by JB - 0 repliesJB from High Ridge on 07/23/2012 08:21 PM
katies little lodge was a nightmare !! Miss donna had an attitude all day with our timeline, the first thing she said to us when she picked us up was "i was just getting ready to leave" she had 2 beers in her console and smelled of beer i had no choice but to get in her car. i kept my helmet on,we finally get to the house, after all her sad storys witch we found to be un true later, she was crying on us mumbling something when she left the house holding a case of beer under her arm and one beer in her hand open, and left us alone in the house with no dinner,we made our own after a long day on the trail 2 tomatoes one box of pasta i can of tomato paste one can of tomatoes and a moldy head of lettace and a cucumber. No breakfast ill never go back there.
July 18-19 2012 Mother/daughter trip!
- + My mom (71 yrs old) & I took off from Dutzow to McKittrick. . It was really hot (103 degrees), but not bad except for the 16.4 mi stretch between Treloar & McKittrick. There are no trailheads in this ...
Discussion started 07/22/2012 11:01 PM by Patricia - 1 reply (last reply by Joey Los at 07/23/2012 06:33 PM)Patricia from Joplin, MO on 07/22/2012 11:01 PM
My mom (71 yrs old) & I took off from Dutzow to McKittrick. . It was really hot (103 degrees), but not bad except for the 16.4 mi stretch between Treloar & McKittrick. There are no trailheads in this area, and not much shade after noon. The winery (Lost Creek) we planned to stop at in Gore is closed Tues & Weds, so there was no water/relief for quite a stretch. We stayed at Joeys B&B in McKittrick--very nice, & kitchen loaded with lots of food & drinks. Joey even took us to Hermann for dinner (2 mi away) & brought us back. Several places along the way were not open or no longer in business, so bring lots if water. Treloar is a good shady rest stop. It was a fun challenge, 25.8 mi ea way!
Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 07/23/2012 06:33 PM
Thanks Patricia, it was fun to meet you and your Mother. My own would not have done such a ride especially in this heat! Glad you enjoyed your stay in McKittrick.
Road bikes
- + We are considering riding the trail from Boonville to Tebbetts in September. The trails are crushed rock. We were told that the surfaces in most areas are packed enough for road bikes. Has that been y...
Discussion started 07/21/2012 02:00 PM by Daryl - 4 replies (last reply by kevin at 07/23/2012 01:48 PM)Daryl on 07/21/2012 02:00 PM
We are considering riding the trail from Boonville to Tebbetts in September. The trails are crushed rock. We were told that the surfaces in most areas are packed enough for road bikes. Has that been your experience?
El Toro on 07/21/2012 09:43 PM
Lots of opinions on this, but I think its just fine. Rode it Clinton to St. Charles last month with 28mm tires...but buddy rode with 25mm tires...and neither of us had any problems at all. Both tires featured EXCELLENT flat protection...which to me...is the key. Enjoy.
Tim from Raymore, MO on 07/22/2012 06:56 PM
I agree El Toro. I've seen and been passed by road bikes. I also had a flat from a thorn on my mountain bilr two weeks ago. I recently learned about the Kevlar tire liners and had both of my tires lined. Of the flats I've seen on the Trail, the majority have been on road bikes. Good luck and happy trails!
LJH from Iowa on 07/23/2012 12:33 PM
I agree with the road tires with just one qualifier, my wife and I rode in early July with 700/28 tires, guess what? High pressure tires when the temps are in the 100's is not a good idea, 3 blow outs in 2 days, combination of limestone and heat creates added pressure. Sept, should not be such a problem..
kevin from Jeff City on 07/23/2012 01:48 PM
Just to throw in another qualifier: if you are planning to carry your own gear, get a little bigger tire, at least on your rear wheel.
I ran into a couple going from Jefferson City to Boonville on road bikes Sunday, and he was stuck with multiple flats right outside of Hartsburg. He was carrying stuff in panniers, and that may have been stressing his tires.
If you aren't carrying anything, then rock on, especially now. The trail is hard-packed with the lack of rain.
Ride Summary
- + My friend and I rode the Katy from Pilot Grove to Defiance this past June. We arranged a shuttle with Katy Bike Rental and parked our car at their store. Every section of the trail was beautiful and...
Discussion started 07/23/2012 12:36 PM by Jason - 0 repliesJason from Hayesville, NC on 07/23/2012 12:36 PM
My friend and I rode the Katy from Pilot Grove to Defiance this past June. We arranged a shuttle with Katy Bike Rental and parked our car at their store. Every section of the trail was beautiful and we had a great ride. We stayed at the Dormitory Schoolhouse in Rocheport, the Katyrest Caboose in Hartsburg, and Joey's Birdhouse B&B in McKittrick. The trail is one of the best in the country. Everyone we met along the way was friendly and helpful. We included several photos from our ride in our recently published iBook titled "The Practical Guide to Bicycle Touring" available on iTunes. You can check it out at http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780985919405.
- + Just another big thank you to Jennette at the Globe for making my bike trip on the Katy a little more special.Thanks again.
Discussion started 07/23/2012 11:31 AM by jeremy - 0 repliesjeremy from evansville in. on 07/23/2012 11:31 AM
Just another big thank you to Jennette at the Globe for making my bike trip on the Katy a little more special.Thanks again.
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Recent Katy trip
- + My husband and I enjoyed our second trip on the Katy Trail last week. Although the temperatures hovered in the low hundreds, we had another great trip. This year we started our trip at Dutzow after a ...
Discussion started 07/22/2012 09:33 PM by Kelley D. - 1 reply (last reply by El Toro at 07/22/2012 10:22 PM)Kelley D. from Louisville, Ky on 07/22/2012 09:33 PM
My husband and I enjoyed our second trip on the Katy Trail last week. Although the temperatures hovered in the low hundreds, we had another great trip. This year we started our trip at Dutzow after a great night and delicious breakfast at the Riverview Bed and Breakfast in Washington. We arranged a shuttle with Joe Ferguson of Revolution Cyclery to take us across the bridge and to the trailhead. However, Joe did not show up, and our gracious hostess, Eileen offered to take us to the trailhead.
After such an inauspicious start, the rest of the trip went off without a hitch! My husband lost his sunglasses and the proprietor of the Merck in Mckittrick gave us a spare pair.
We had a great night in Jefferson City at the Cliff Manor Bed and Breakfast where our host, Thom hosed our bikes off, fixed us a delicious breakfast and filled all our water bottles.
Of course no trip on the Katy is complete without a stay at the Hotel Frederick in Boonville.
We ended our journey in Sedalia and rode the Missouri River Runner train back to Washington. A real blast!
My husband I never cease to be amazed at the overwhelming kindness and friendliness of Missourians. We love this trail!
El Toro on 07/22/2012 10:22 PM
Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for the report.
Beckys Burgers & Cones in Pilot Grove
- + We road the entire trail and the pot roast lunch with pie at Becky's was the best meal that we encountered all week. Highly recommended!
Discussion started 05/25/2011 11:06 AM by Judi - 5 replies (last reply by Tim at 07/22/2012 08:53 PM)Judi from St. Louis on 05/25/2011 11:06 AM
We road the entire trail and the pot roast lunch with pie at Becky's was the best meal that we encountered all week. Highly recommended!
Pistolero45 from Columbia on 08/13/2011 10:15 PM
We stopped here for lunch and the food was awesome. Plus the resturant is very clean, the prices are reasonable, and the service is friendly. Will definitely stop here again.
Brian L. from Wichita on 08/14/2011 11:58 AM
Stopped there a couple years ago on a ride, admittedly because The Lunch Box (?) was closed. At Becky's, I had one of the best grilled chicken sandwiches I've eaten & some rhubarb pie (a la mode!) to die for! Good, friendly folks, too.
zbiker on 08/24/2011 11:33 AM
As a local, I can attest to the quality of her food. Pies are alone worth a stop.
What Street from Kansas City, MO on 07/02/2012 11:49 AM
Becky's also serves breakfast! They provide breakfast sandwiches and omelets (not on their menu) from 9:00 - 10:30. We had coffee and the egg, ham, and cheese sandwich. It hit the spot!
Tim from Raymore, MO on 07/22/2012 08:53 PM
My wife and I just stopped in there three weeks ago. I had a flat tire about 2.5 miles north of Pilot Grove. Had a bad spare too so I took my wife's bike and rode back to Booneville to get the car. When I arrived back to Pilot Grove, my wife was sitting in Becky's with a cold water. We oedered lunch and Becky even had creamed peas and potatoes as a side. The food was awesome and the blackberry pie with ice cream was worth the stop alone. When you go through Pilot Grove it is a must stop!
Cell Phone Reception
- + Travelling out of Rocheport this weekend in party with folks of different skill levels. Plan to keep in touch by cell phone. Any idea of cell reception within 25 miles either side of Rocheport?
Discussion started 07/09/2012 02:44 PM by Steve - 4 replies (last reply by Tim at 07/22/2012 08:14 PM)Steve from Kansas City on 07/09/2012 02:44 PM
Travelling out of Rocheport this weekend in party with folks of different skill levels. Plan to keep in touch by cell phone. Any idea of cell reception within 25 miles either side of Rocheport?
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 07/09/2012 07:28 PM
A lot depends on the service provider and the phone itself. You might want to check the service providers cell coverage maps and keep in mind one phone might have several bars and another only one bar in the same coverage area.
Anonymous on 07/09/2012 08:11 PM
Texts travel better than calls in low reception areas. That may be an option if you've poor reception.
kevin from Jeff City on 07/10/2012 01:40 PM
When I was with Sprint, I had very little coverage. I've had much better coverage with AT&T.
Tim from Raymore, MO on 07/22/2012 08:14 PM
Not good with Verizon Steve.
Hills
- + My wife and I have road the trail in many different section, I guess what i call a hill and what other people call a hill are differentare there any flat areas with no upgrads or downgrads on the tra...
Discussion started 07/11/2012 08:00 AM by David - 8 replies (last reply by Tim at 07/22/2012 07:55 PM)David from Holden on 07/11/2012 08:00 AM
My wife and I have road the trail in many different section, I guess what i call a hill and what other people call a hill are different
are there any flat areas with no upgrads or downgrads on the trail.
ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 07/11/2012 08:21 AM
It's a railroad bed following a river for most of it's course, with protetion from wind, and the absence of automobile traffic: It doesn't get much better than that.
I heard that in Hawaii, they will rent you a bicycle and take you to the top of a volcano. From there, you can coast down to the bottom without ever pedaling.
It's either that, or you need to consider getting a motor.
David from Holden on 07/11/2012 10:11 AM
thank you very much
LJH from Iowa on 07/13/2012 03:09 PM
My wife and I rode the trail, July 2 through 6th, lowest temp 102, hills are so slight as to be non existent. However I'm only 72 so maybe an older rider would have a problem..
Robin from Macon on 07/13/2012 03:46 PM
LJH, Iowa - I LOVE it, and good for you!!! I hope I am still riding the trai at 72!!!
Doug from Bluffton on 07/13/2012 06:12 PM
I just hope I haven't met anyone that is a good shot by the time I'm 72, so that I get a chance to ride with LJH.
Pretty Flat on 07/13/2012 07:53 PM
Around Jeff City its pretty flat all the way to St. Charles. Like Arky said you may need a motor if you believe it has many hills or upgrades.
dave from lowry city,mo. on 07/15/2012 08:36 AM
I have rode the complete trial twice and i find the enclines a little hard for me. Only been rideing a couple of years. I ride the west side a lot from clinton too Green Ridge and back. Hopeing to become a stroger rider.
Tim from Raymore, MO on 07/22/2012 07:55 PM
These inclines aren't even bad. I came home from the hospital from a complete right knee replacement one year ago today. Never biked before but developed a passion for it four weeks into my therapy. I love the Trail as it has been a great source of therapy. My wife and I ride it a lot. We have done the part with the most inclines from Clinton to Booneville and will finish the ride over Labor Day Wekend! Keep on riding LJH...age is only a mindset!
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Hills
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Places to stay in Clinton
- + We want to ride the Sedalia to Clinton segment in September. Any recommendations on where to stay in Clinton as well as eat along the way?
Discussion started 07/16/2012 09:33 AM by rexford - 5 replies (last reply by Tim at 07/22/2012 06:21 PM)rexford from st louis on 07/16/2012 09:33 AM
We want to ride the Sedalia to Clinton segment in September. Any recommendations on where to stay in Clinton as well as eat along the way?
Bike Rider from Kansas City on 07/17/2012 09:27 AM
The USA Inn is fairly close to the trailhead, but is at a busy intersection. (Hwy 7 & Hwy 13)
I have not stayed there, but have seen positive reviews on this website. If you have a car / driver meeting up with you there, you may find that the Hampton Inn or Parkfield Inn to be a little nicer. They are on Hwy 13 as you head south out of town. Clinton has a nice downtown square with shops and restaurants if you are adventurous. I haven't ridden the section from Clinton to Sedalia, so I can't attest to any restaurants along the way. Maybe someone else on this site can give you a recommendation for that. Have a great trip!
DSD on 07/18/2012 09:06 AM
A few weeks ago I stayed at the M-Star hotel out on Rt. 13 by the Hampton Inn and Parkfield. It was a comfortable clean motel with a nice family who owns it. I've also stayed in the past at the USA Inn which is the closest and ridable to the trail. We have a dog so we search out dog-friendly with low fees hotels. That part of the trail is not much for dining until Sedalia. Clinton has some pretty good family restaurants.
Anonymous on 07/18/2012 04:21 PM
I have used USA Inn a couple times. Very basic, but the rooms I have stayed in have been clean. The price was right. I would use it again.
Jason from Hammond, Indiana on 07/22/2012 04:36 PM
I'd recommend the USA Inn. You can get to it from the trail on non-busy streets, and I found it to be very comfortable. It's nothing fancy, but it's family owned and well maintained. And, really good Pizza is within walking distance.
Tim from Raymore, MO on 07/22/2012 06:21 PM
Clinton is a veru busy little community that hosts traffice in all foue direction with travelers to and from four different lakes. Both major highways are busy but have wide shoulders to ride on. Windsor and Green Ridge have Subway restaurants and Casey's but not much more. Clinton has many choices but is a two or three mile ride from the trail head. It is safe riding though.
planning bike trip to st louis in aug 2012
- + Very interested in the katy trail to St. Louis, please provide any insite possible. Plan on being in the area Aug 10-13, 2012. How many miles it if I use route suggestion 2 starting at Creve Coeur P...
Discussion started 07/19/2012 09:21 PM by Deb - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/20/2012 11:44 AM)Deb from New Prague MN on 07/19/2012 09:21 PM
Very interested in the katy trail to St. Louis, please provide any insite possible. Plan on being in the area Aug 10-13, 2012. How many miles it if I use route suggestion 2 starting at Creve Coeur Park traill
KT Trip Planner on 07/20/2012 10:49 AM
Deb, Let us know what you know by going to "Trip Planner" first, then we can fill in the gaps and offer many suggestions. Background, Novice 5-10 mi/day ot serious 150 mi day, full trail in a week, road, trail, mountain type rider? Camping, B&Bs or hotels?
Anonymous on 07/20/2012 11:44 AM
Using the Trip Planner is a great idea.
I would think this Forum, if read, would provide a great deal of insight. It all shouldn't need repeated under your thread. Happy reading!
- + Every year I (and friends) ride from Clinton to Rocheport at least a time or two. We'll pitch tents in the grassy area by the parking lot of Les Bourgeois and eat at the restaurant. This time we were...
Discussion started 07/19/2012 12:21 PM by Jharte - 0 repliesJharte from Raytown, MO on 07/19/2012 12:21 PM
Every year I (and friends) ride from Clinton to Rocheport at least a time or two. We'll pitch tents in the grassy area by the parking lot of Les Bourgeois and eat at the restaurant. This time we were thinking about riding to Columbia. Any (free) place for a person or two to pitch a tent? Any recommendations on eats and/drinks? Thank you, awesome Katy Trail riders!
Jharte
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Doll House B&B in Rhineland
- + We stayed at the Doll House B&B on July 11th. My husband and I were riding pieces of the Katy Trail. This historic home turned B&B was a wonderful respite from the 100+ degree heat of the day. The roo...
Discussion started 07/18/2012 04:18 PM by Lora Y. - 1 reply (last reply by El Toro at 07/18/2012 10:20 PM)Lora Y. from Kansas City, MO on 07/18/2012 04:18 PM
We stayed at the Doll House B&B on July 11th. My husband and I were riding pieces of the Katy Trail. This historic home turned B&B was a wonderful respite from the 100+ degree heat of the day. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The porch swing beckoned, and as we sat and rocked, hummingbirds came to visit the feeders. Amazing! Breakfast was delightful. We certainly didn't leave Amanda's table hungry. Lovely stay. Highly recommended. We'll definitely stay again soon.
El Toro on 07/18/2012 10:20 PM
I have stayed at Doll House twice in the past 5 years and been pleased both times. Amanda does a good job in my opinion as well.
New eats in Rocheport
- + Coming from west into Rocheport, we ate a new pizza/sandwich/bakery place just through the tunnel on left. Extremely good food and very friendly staff. Hope the very best for them.
Discussion started 07/10/2012 01:32 AM by Peter - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/18/2012 04:23 PM)Peter from Memphis TN on 07/10/2012 01:32 AM
Coming from west into Rocheport, we ate a new pizza/sandwich/bakery place just through the tunnel on left. Extremely good food and very friendly staff. Hope the very best for them.
michael from ks on 07/18/2012 12:44 PM
My wife and I ate there also, around the first of July. Great people, great pizza--thin crust baked in a real brick pizza oven outdoors! and they serve beer! What could be better!
Anonymous on 07/18/2012 04:23 PM
Excited that new options are developing in Rocheport. Will look forward to trying them. I've skipped Rocheport the last few times on the Trail because I got so fed-up with the option right on the trail. Again - thanks for these updates and best wishes to the new ventures.
Great stay!
- + We stayed at the Schoolhouse B&B on July 9th. My husband was doing a through ride on the Katy and I provided sag support. Lisa was a marvelous hostess. Cookies and iced tea waited for us when we arriv...
Discussion started 07/18/2012 04:11 PM by Lora Y. - 0 repliesLora Y. from Kansas City, MO on 07/18/2012 04:11 PM
We stayed at the Schoolhouse B&B on July 9th. My husband was doing a through ride on the Katy and I provided sag support. Lisa was a marvelous hostess. Cookies and iced tea waited for us when we arrived. We had the use of a guest frig for freezing water bottles for the 100+ degree day and she provided a wonderful sack lunch for my husband to take with him. Breakfast (French toast, ham, fruit, and muffins) was wonderful. This wasn't our first stay at the Schoolhouse B&B and it won't be our last. Thanks, Mike and Lisa.