Katy Trail Forum

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BikeKatyTrail.com changes

Ray (webmaster) on 02/19/2011 11:15 AM

BikeKatyTrail.com just got a make-over.

I built this website nearly a decade ago using technology that has become outdated ("classic ASP" for you techies). Since then, I have built several other trail websites using more cutting-edge technology (ASP.Net) with additional features that I could not reproduce here.

Today I was finally able to transition BikeKatyTrail.com to the more current platform. If you are a return visitor you might have noticed that things look a little different, although I tried to keep the website's look and navigation as close to original as possible.

At the same time, I also transitioned to a new web hosting company to improve the site's reliability.

Things often get broken in the midst of such a big change. If you find anything that does not appear to be working right, please leave a message here so I can check it out.

Thanks for visiting!

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 02/21/2011 09:33 AM

Looks good Ray. I have noticed that the individual town information doens't come up when you select from 'Towns & Services' or from the map.

Ray (webmaster) on 02/21/2011 09:58 AM

Thanks MidSouth! I've got the town info thing fixed now.

Green Machine from Lawrence, KS on 02/21/2011 10:46 AM

Ray,

Looks great. This kind of thing takes a lot of work behind the scenes and I just wanted to let you know that it is much appreciated by at least this user. Your hard work has made my several trips to the trail much easier to plan. Not to mention that you inspired my own website.

Again, well done and much luck in the future.

Green Machine from Lawrence, Ks on 02/21/2011 10:50 AM

Just noticed,

In Safari, the trail conditions link on the front page doesn't seem to move you anywhere. I know the info is at the bottom of the page, but someone unfamiliar with the layout might not.

Thanks again.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 02/21/2011 11:43 AM

Ray, the Trail Conditions link does work in IE however.

Ray (webmaster) on 02/21/2011 01:58 PM

Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for the heads-up on the Trail Conditions link. This cross-browser compatibility stuff can drive you crazy, but this issue is now fixed.

Thx again!

Paulie from Knoxville on 02/22/2011 10:17 AM

New site looks great Ray. I've been a regular visitor since the early days. Being a rail trail junkie, I'm familiar with your other trail sites. Maybe you could provide some links on the Katy site to your C & O/GAP and the Silver Comet trail sites.

Thanks, Paulie

Anonymous on 02/22/2011 10:28 AM

Ditto Ray, Your website is great. Thanks for all your hard work in promoting the Katy trail.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 02/22/2011 11:40 AM

Looking good Ray! Another question on the other websites. Is it possible to put the 'Brief' & 'Full' radio buttons on the other comment forums also? They don't seem to get the traffic that the KATY forum does, but I am planning to also do the C&O and Gap and Cowboy Trail in the near future.

Ray (webmaster) on 02/22/2011 12:24 PM

Thanks folks, I appreciate the feedback.

Paulie, I have links to the other trail websites at the bottom of the homepage. Didn't want to be too pushy about self-promoting my other sites, but the links are there because I knew some people would find them useful.

MidSouth, yes the changes to the Forum will get to the other sites too, although it is hard to say when. I have a few other ideas that I would like to experiment with before copying those enhancements out to the other sites.

Thanks again!

festus on 02/23/2011 09:47 PM

first time on in quite a while. this looks fantastic ray. tis took a lot of work. excellent job my man and thank you.

Gary from Near Tebbetts on 02/24/2011 12:10 AM

Nice improvements Ray, I did notice that I am no longer receiving the automatic e-mail notification of comment updates though. Is this no longer a feature available with the new site or do I just need to sign up again for it somehow?

Ray (webmaster) on 02/24/2011 05:24 AM

Good point Gary - I forgot to mention the daily digests. This function is not yet working, but I expect to have it running in about a week. You do not need to resubscribe - you'll just start seeing the digests appear again, hopefully soon.

Thx again for the comments and feedback!

ka3751 from Saint Louis on 02/25/2011 08:11 AM

On the milage page, Page Ave Extension and Green Bottoms are missing. I think it would be nice to keep these on the page, even though they are not towns. The parking lot at Page Ave Ext is a starting point for many people.
Thanks,

Ray (webmaster) on 02/25/2011 12:09 PM

Good catch ka3751 - I missed those. Will get them added back in within the next few days. Thanks!

DardenneGal on 02/26/2011 06:03 PM

I agree on keeping page bridge on the mileage chart. We ride from there often. Also, is it possible to have the round trip mileage back on the chart. I know...I'm lazy. I just need to double it but I liked that feature.

The site looks great!

Anonymous on 02/26/2011 09:29 PM

Mileage page also looks like it is back to normal on my laptop, thanks.
Ray, I got the same daily digest post on the Claysville Store thread sent to my email account three separate times this past week but none of the other new ones.

Ray (webmaster) on 02/27/2011 07:19 AM

Thanks for the continuing feedback, folks. The mileage chart now has Greens Bottom and Page Bridge lot, plus a new Round Trip column.

Still ironing out the wrinkles in the forum digest.

Happy trails!

DardenneGal from Dardenne Prairie on 02/27/2011 10:10 AM

One more request. Could you add the MO Research Park to the mileage chart? It's a great place to park and get on the trail. Thanks for adding Page Bridge and Green's Bottom!

Ray (webmaster) on 02/27/2011 11:39 AM

DardenneGal - you got it!
Thanks!

DardenneGal from Dardenne Prairie on 02/27/2011 01:33 PM

Thanks for adding the MO Research Park!

Becky from Washington, MO on 06/14/2012 10:51 AM

We LOVE this site Ray. My son is earning his Cycling merit badge and this has been a wonderful tool! Any chance you could turn it into an app for smart phones?

Ray (webmaster) on 06/14/2012 11:19 AM

Thanks Becky, glad to hear that the site has been helpful. My son needs his cycling badge too - we are training for a cross-state ride, which should help knock out many of the requirements.

Yes, in fact I do plan to build an app. Honestly, it'll be a while because there are a few other items ahead of that in the "R&D" list, and it is a pretty big undertaking. With apologies to the iPhone folks, I will start with an Android app because it's a better fit with my programming skills.

As long as I'm mentioning R&D, the next big item is a tool to plan & manage itineraries. More details later in the summer.

Good luck to your son on earning his badge.

Trek on 06/14/2012 01:01 PM

The Official Guide for Missouri State Parks, is an iphone app that has info for all state parks including the Katy. After selecting the Katy Trail, you can read history, view maps, etc.

There is also a list of Emergency Numbers. Although the emergency contact number is listed, they are by county. I contacted the developer and suggested that the numbers be listed by town or position between towns. I'm a MO native and used to live close to the trail in Saline county, but I've not a clue what county I'm in when I'm between Pilot Grove and Clifton City. It's nice to have contact numbers to call, but functionally they've missed the boat on this app. Something to consider for the BikeKatyTrail app.

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Rocheport-Columbia Spur Mileage

DSD on 05/26/2012 03:34 PM

I want to stop in Rocheport from Clinton for the first day on a full trail ride an stay in Columbia. I have auto SAG support. What is the bike mileage difference from going back to and getting back on at Rocheport the second day and continuing east or getting on in Columbia and riding the spur to the trail? The spur comes out east of Huntsdale on the trail? Would it be a shorter distance? I've ridden the full trail both ways several times but have never been on the Columbia spur. What are the opinions?

Jim from St. Thomas on 05/26/2012 04:50 PM

It's almost exactly the same bike mileage either way. The Columbia spur hits the the Katy about a hundred yards west of the McBaine trailhead. I like the Columbia spur but it can have a lot of pedestrian traffic.

Darrell from Jeff City, MO. on 05/26/2012 04:51 PM

I believe it is just over 8 miles of one of the nicest parts of the trail, imo, to the Columbia spur. As for the spur, it depends where you start, from Flat Branch Park it's about the same distance, maybe a little farther, with more joggers, walkers, and cyclist. But, it is also a very nice ride with lots of shade for probably 3/4's of the way.

Sort of a toss up. You will have the shade of the bluffs in the morning coming from Rocheport but with fewer people. Having ridden the Katy Trail several times before, if it were me, I would check out the scenery of the MKT, it will probably be at a little slower pace though, but worth it, early is better. Enjoy your tour!

Dave from Columbia, MO on 05/31/2012 09:44 AM

I ride the MKT spur or the KT between Rocheport and McBaine almost daily. The Rocheport to McBaine KT leg and Columbia to McBaine MKT leg are identical distances. If you haven't been on the MKT I would try it (the other response noting more pedestrian traffic on the MKT is accurate: runners, walkers, bicyclists - but it's still pleasantly manageable.) Regarding auto sag support - I think the road to the McBaine stop on the KT is better than the rode to Huntdale. Having then meet in you in Columbia at the Flatbranch Park (end of the MKT) would be the best option. Not really following your plan of stops... if you stop in Rocheport for a break then its only about 1.5 hrs from there to Columbia to have an overnight. One note: for all it's scenic beauty and shady areas the MKT does wind around ecological waste treatment filtration ponds near the MKT/KT trailhead. Just know that you have a mile or so of smelly area to traverse. It's not terrible but I'd hate to send you through there without fair warning.

Anonymous on 05/31/2012 02:32 PM

at the 5 mile mark on the MKT you will encounter heavy walking traffic for the rest of the way to Flat Branch Park if your coming thru in the morning before noon. Beware of the 5 wide walkers that are convinced they own the trail.

DSD on 06/14/2012 11:05 AM

Thanks to all the comments. I believe I'll get on at the MKT Columbia and take in the sites to the KT. My wife (SAG) then won't have to double back to Rocheport. For the 5 wide walkers it will be like bowling, aim off the head pin (just joking).

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Anonymous on 05/07/2012 11:30 AM

We plan to ride the trail in Oct 2012 either the first part or the last full week. Any comments on the weather then. Also any shuttles that worked very well for anyone. We are planning on biking from Boonville to St Charles or the other way around. Not sure where to start, coming from Albany, WI southwest of Madison Thanks

Cathy from Jefferson City on 05/07/2012 11:14 PM

Going west to east seems to be the preferred direction on this forum. Weather should be nice in October. It can be warm but you have a good shot at good weather in Oct.

Try to figure out when Hermann holds their October Fest and Hartsburg holds their Pumpkin Fest. I have heard those are awesome events, but if you want to avoid an extra 10,000 to 20,000 people in those communities, book your trip to avoid those events. I think they Re both in October.

You should be able to locate a few threads on this forum about the shuttles. I don't have first hand info on that. But I think Doug Rendleman who owns Rendelman's B & B at Bluffton, Mo shuttles folks on the trail. His B & B should be listed under services offered at Bluffton.

zbiker on 06/13/2012 03:57 PM

I would do Boonville to St Charles. Prevailing winds around here are out of the west, so you normally would have a bit of tail wind. I rode the other direction a couple years ago, and it was tough going out in the open areas facing a 15 mph head wind.

There are several shuttle services, in addition to Doug. Think there is one out of St Charles and maybe one in Augusta. Find the "share a shuttle" link on the home page.

Too bad you can' go a couple weeks later - that is normally best color. Usually first of October colors have not begun, and by end of month will be mostly gone. Overall, October is one of the best months to ride as far as weather is concerned. Be sure to have places reserved to stay, especially the weekend.

Doug from Bluffton on 06/13/2012 09:24 PM

Thanks Cathy, but I had Ray remove me from shuttle list as it was becoming problematic to shuttle other than guests here.

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Representing oursleves well

Craig Parson from Fort Madison Iowa on 06/12/2012 12:06 PM

As I traveled the trail the previous week I observed the behavior of my fellow cyclist and after a few days observation I see how we come off as "rude freaks" to people in town. I watched time and time again as people walked into a business and seem to expect the world to stop what it's doing and serve them. Not enough greetings and smiles from our side, I realize we are hot and tired but please make the effort to be friendly as you remember a bad experience far longer than a good one.

I know this is a two way street and the people in the towns should do the same but even if they don't let's not allow ourselves to be generalized negatively. We may dress like skintight clowns, but we aren't much different than anybody else.

I also made an effort to leave my bike in sight unlocked and out of the way. Stealing bikes in these small towns during broad daylight just doesn't happen. Save yourself the trouble.

Anonymous on 06/12/2012 04:51 PM

Rude Freaks sounds like RAGBRI riders from Iowa.

savage24 from KC, MO on 06/13/2012 04:08 PM

Craig, I think your post was very well written and I appreciate it. I have seen posts on this site reporting a bad experience at places I have patronized and never had a bad experience at. There is an old saying that may apply to some of these situations: "When everyone around you is not measuring up, it may be time to check your yard stick."

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Caves

Bonnie from Cairo, IL on 06/12/2012 03:18 PM

Does anyone know any caves around Cooper's Landing? If so, please respond to this post saying where the caves are. Im staying at Cooper's Landing for the next few months and would love to check them out~

savage24 from KC, MO on 06/13/2012 01:19 PM

The "cave" I know about in that area is near Easley and I believe it is an abandoned lime stone mine. It has been 35 years since I've been there. Ask the locals and get permission before trespassing.

kevin from Jeff City on 06/13/2012 01:22 PM

Bonnie, I don't know of any caves in that area, but please be aware that most caves in Missouri are closed to the public to help reduce the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. Even if you found an open cave, you are discouraged from entering it without disinfecting your shoes and other gear.

The big show caves are still open (tourist attrations) but the small caves that abound in Missouri are off-limits.

Mike rodemeyer from Hartsburg, Missouri on 06/13/2012 02:41 PM

The above writer is correct the natural caves are closed as the state is trying to prevent the bats from getting "white nose". The bluffs above Easley are old cottonstone mines and climbers rapel on those cliffs alot (at their own risk). Although we are the "cave state" why not just enjoy the scenery and the small towns along the trail?

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Squatters at the turner Katy shelter

David on 06/12/2012 06:47 AM

Yesterday, June 11,2012, stopped by the hostel and found a couple that had taken up permanent residence. Suspicious acting and nothing woman, who was only one who chose to appear, seemed to ring true. Trying to sound like cyclist, however seemed totally off key. Stated that man was out somewhere, but he came out of silence/hiding when they thought we were gone. Also stated that they "had been there for couple of days & probably couple more, but no money to pay." Contacted Calloway sheriff.

kevin from Jeff City on 06/13/2012 01:30 PM

Thanks, David. Hope this doesn't cause any problems for the shelter.

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Comfort Inn of Boonville in Boonville

Anonymous on 07/07/2011 04:47 PM

We were very disappointed with our stay July 2011 at Comfort Inn, Boonville, MO. We were unable to regulate the room temperature to a comfortable degree the entire time. Someone had been smoking in our non-smoking room. The hair dryer was defective and the tub did not look clean. Our original reservation was made online with a confirmed dollar amount and after check-out I noticed a fee for a safe we didn't want or need had been added. All of this will make it very unlikely we will choose Comfort Inn again in the future.

SteveK from saint louis, MO on 07/07/2011 09:41 PM

Anonymous, I believe you have 60 days to get your fee back for the safe you were charged for and did not use.

Anonymous on 07/10/2011 08:58 AM

We had the same fee from the Comfort INN. When i called to inquire they explained that it was standard policy to cover any incidentals they may have missed (ie movies, long dist call etc) and it was usually removed within 48 hours, as was the case for us.

sharonbikes from Kansas City on 07/10/2011 10:16 PM

Try the Holiday Inn Express just a short distance from the Comfort Suites. I often travel to Boonville on business and have always enjoyed my stay there -- nice comfortable clean rooms, good breakfast and great people working there.

SteveK from saint louis, MO on 07/11/2011 11:52 PM

Anonymous #2 I believe the safe fee is different from the incidental fee some hotels put on your credit card and then take off. I have never heard of Confort Inn doing this, but I have had multiple EconoLodge's try to tack on this safe fee, and if I catch it, I will get it removed. It is usually around $1.50, and they generally won't ask you if you want it or not, but it is their policy to take it off if you request it.

Comfort Inn from Boonville on 06/13/2012 01:12 PM

Dear ________________,

I'm concerned about the disappointment you experienced at our hotel during your recent visit. I'm writing to thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to my attention.

We accommodate many guests each evening, and we strive to make their stay a satisfying one. The principal goal of our hotel is to provide dependable service to all of our guests at reasonable prices. Consequently, it's disappointing to learn that you're unhappy.

Please accept my sincere apology.

I want you to know that the comments and suggestions we receive from our guests are taken seriously. They tell us what we're doing right, what we're doing wrong and how we can improve. Your willingness to share your recent experience is genuinely appreciated.

Please be assured that the issues you've raised have been addressed, and the appropriate action has been taken.

Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us.

We look forward to serving your future lodging needs.

Sincerely,
Kym T~Comfort Inn Boonville

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