winter ride
- + Yesterday (Groundhog's Day) rode Rocheport to Hartsburg for lunch, then return. Trail a bit sloppy in sections, but overall a great ride. Very tranquil in the country this time of year. Missouri River...
Discussion started 02/03/2012 09:42 AM by Ron S - 3 replies (last reply by B. Murray at 02/04/2012 02:52 PM)Ron S from Kansas City on 02/03/2012 09:42 AM
Yesterday (Groundhog's Day) rode Rocheport to Hartsburg for lunch, then return. Trail a bit sloppy in sections, but overall a great ride. Very tranquil in the country this time of year. Missouri River is lower this time of year. If you can work in a winter ride, don't miss this by waiting for the summer heat and bugs.
ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 02/03/2012 01:44 PM
Very jealous of you. Thanks for the update.
El Toro on 02/03/2012 10:08 PM
Well done. Thanks for the update.
B. Murray on 02/04/2012 02:52 PM
Did you get up the next day and ride it again?
That's the great advantage of living near the trail year round.
Motel Shuttle to Airport
- + Two questions -Is there a hotel/motel in St. Charles that would shuttle a rider and bike to Lambert Airport?Could a person and their bike catch the Metro Link train from Lambert Airport to the Amtrak ...
Discussion started 02/02/2012 10:17 PM - 3 replies (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 02/04/2012 06:06 AM)Anonymous on 02/02/2012 10:17 PM
Two questions -
Is there a hotel/motel in St. Charles that would shuttle a rider and bike to Lambert Airport?
Could a person and their bike catch the Metro Link train from Lambert Airport to the Amtrak Station?
Looking for CHEAP and safe way to get from St. Charles to Amtrak.
Riding there doesn't look like a very good option based on information I've seen on the site.
Thanks for any help/experience....
Ron S from Kansas City on 02/03/2012 09:29 AM
Two ways to ride: Get off the trail at HWY 394 for Creve Couer. There is a seperate bike trail on the bridge. From there it is easy to find a route to the STL airport. Then take the tram into the station, or all the way to the arch and ride the short distance back to the station. Option two is to continue on the trail to Machens (end of trail) then a short highway ride to the Mississippi, ferry across, then down the trail on the Illinois side. This crosses back over to the Missouri side and a trail into the arch area of STL.
Ray (webmaster) on 02/03/2012 09:38 AM
Yes, Metrolink will definitely take you to the downtown St Louis Amtrak station. You can roll your bike onto any Metrolink train - take it to the Civic Center station, which is pretty much at the door of Amtrak.
Ray (webmaster) on 02/04/2012 06:06 AM
As for shuttle, I know Lococo House B&B shuttles their guests. Or click "Trip Planner" just under the map above, and check the "Shuttle" box.
Hartsburg lunch
- + Had a great Reuben sandwich yesterday at the Muddy River Bar in Hartsburg. Dine outside if you are a nonsmoker, smoking inside is still legal in most of Missouri.
Discussion started 02/03/2012 09:37 AM by Ron S - 0 repliesRon S from Kansas City on 02/03/2012 09:37 AM
Had a great Reuben sandwich yesterday at the Muddy River Bar in Hartsburg. Dine outside if you are a nonsmoker, smoking inside is still legal in most of Missouri.
March Bike trip
- + A friend and I are planning to do a week long bike trip during the middle of March. Riding the Katy Trail seems to be great fun but I was just wondering if it would be possible at this time? I see t...
Discussion started 01/29/2012 08:40 PM by Scott H - 3 replies (last reply by Darrell at 01/31/2012 07:03 PM)Scott H from St. Paul, Minnesota on 01/29/2012 08:40 PM
A friend and I are planning to do a week long bike trip during the middle of March. Riding the Katy Trail seems to be great fun but I was just wondering if it would be possible at this time? I see that the temps are in the 40s-50s so it isn't so warm. If anyone has rode it during March and would like to share you thoughts that would be great!
Trek on 01/29/2012 10:41 PM
Read down 8 or 9...this just came up last week or so. Still good info there.
Anon on 01/30/2012 11:38 AM
Trail can get mushy that time of year.
Darrell from Jefferson City, MO. on 01/31/2012 07:03 PM
The trail heads that have water have been winterized, according to the DNR website water is scheduled to be turned back on April 2 2012. I would check with campgrounds and services you may need ahead of time, as mid-march is pretty early regarding services and weather. B&B's would probably love to see ya. Good luck.
Transporting recumbent bicycles on Amtrak
- + Does anyone have experiance transporting a long wheelbase recumbent on Amtrak? I would like to ride the train from St. Louis to Sedalia. I called Amtrak and the ticketing agent said that she didn't th...
Discussion started 01/24/2012 07:58 PM by Wheezy Rider - 5 replies (last reply by Wheezy Rider at 01/25/2012 07:25 PM)Wheezy Rider from Milwaukee WI. on 01/24/2012 07:58 PM
Does anyone have experiance transporting a long wheelbase recumbent on Amtrak? I would like to ride the train from St. Louis to Sedalia. I called Amtrak and the ticketing agent said that she didn't think a longer bike would be permitted. But I couldn't talk to anyone local.
Any sugestions would be helpful. Thanks
Trek on 01/24/2012 08:56 PM
I don't have experience with our bikes and riding the train, but I have checked it out in the past while trying to plan a trip with our tandem. I just cut this from Amtrak's website:
No unusual bikes allowed
Bicycle racks will not accommodate tandem, recumbent or other unusual bikes. Such bikes must be transported as checked baggage, in a box.
No couplers on the tandem, so I couldn't see taking it as checked baggage. We'll take the half bikes as roll on's if we do a trip where we ride the train.
Rhona Lococo from St Charles on 01/25/2012 01:11 PM
we are a Shuttle/B&B service, Amtrak doesn't take recumbent or tandems, we know because people call us after talking to Amtrak....we shuttle our guests to chosen destination....call 636-946-0619 or check us out at lococohouse .com
Rhona Lococo from St Charles on 01/25/2012 01:11 PM
we are a Shuttle/B&B service, Amtrak doesn't take recumbent or tandems, we know because people call us after talking to Amtrak....we shuttle our guests to chosen destination....call 636-946-0619 or check us out at lococohouse .com
Rhona Lococo from St Charles on 01/25/2012 01:11 PM
we are a Shuttle/B&B service, Amtrak doesn't take recumbent or tandems, we know because people call us after talking to Amtrak....we shuttle our guests to chosen destination....call 636-946-0619 or check us out at lococohouse .com
Wheezy Rider from Milwaukee WI. on 01/25/2012 07:25 PM
Wow! checking their website, what a novel idea. Why didn't I think of that! Thanks Trek
I'll give Lococo a call.
Anyone stayed here in 2010/11?
- + Has anyone stayed here in 2010 or 11? Is it still open?
Discussion started 03/23/2011 01:23 PM by Janae - 4 replies (last reply by maggie at 01/24/2012 11:54 AM)Janae from Kansas City on 03/23/2011 01:23 PM
Has anyone stayed here in 2010 or 11? Is it still open?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/23/2011 01:25 PM
You still haven't said what campground you are asking about???
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 03/24/2011 07:16 PM
This question was posted on the Wilton page.
bruce herdman from urbana on 09/19/2011 09:46 AM
definitely still open. I stayed there in 2010 and in 2011
maggie from wilton on 01/24/2012 11:54 AM
Yes I am still open and would be glad to see you. I have campsites but no tipi camping. Stop if you get the chance.
Lucy's Bar & Grill
- + Do not eat here. Pack a lunch. The food is very greasy, and french fries are extremely soggy. We paid $23 for a lunch here for 2 people. For that price, we got 2 burgers, 2 fries, 2 drinks, and 2 ...
Discussion started 06/25/2011 11:25 PM by What Street - 10 replies (last reply by MAH at 01/23/2012 10:23 PM)What Street from Kansas City, MO on 06/25/2011 11:25 PM
Do not eat here. Pack a lunch. The food is very greasy, and french fries are extremely soggy. We paid $23 for a lunch here for 2 people. For that price, we got 2 burgers, 2 fries, 2 drinks, and 2 chips. We had to order the chips because the fries were so bad.
Laurie from Omaha on 07/13/2011 03:29 PM
Lucy's seemed like an oasis to us. The food was good (we didn't have fries, so can't comment on them) and the beverages were ice cold. We did have a piece of pie for dessert, it was very refreshing. Pie is a new menu item being introduced by the daughter-in-law on a trial bases.......go girl!! A real treat to have in the middle of a hot ride. I recommend stopping at Lucy's and supporting trailside businesses as much as possible.
Craig from Springfield on 07/13/2011 04:01 PM
Lucy's was great. Just had drinks in 100+ heat and they let me cool down. Nice folks on the trail.
Kim from Columbia, MO on 07/14/2011 10:13 PM
I've eaten at Lucy's numerous times and it has always been fantastic. Give it another try.
Aaron from New Bloonfield on 07/18/2011 10:49 PM
I ate at Lucys last Sunday and I thought the food was good and good service. I was hoping and praying that it would be open. It was very hot and humid after riding 27 miles!!! There was also live music, but we left a little early before they started.
Billy from Mokane on 07/20/2011 03:04 PM
I love Lucy's...It's always been a super place.
Anonymous from Columbia on 11/15/2011 11:38 AM
Lucy's has the best burger I ever had! Also they have changed the fries.
Bryan from Columbia on 11/19/2011 12:52 AM
What? This place is great. Yeah, no five star, but plenty good for trail food. Lots of it also.
TopShelf from Napoleon, Ohio on 01/20/2012 09:30 AM
From reading the comments about Lucy's, and pretty much every other small town restaurant and/or bar along the Katy Trail, it seems like some folks expect 5-star restaurants in every town in Missouri. I believe if you go to these small town establishments with an open mind, and reasonable expectations, you might actually meet some nice people and have a good time.
El Toro on 01/21/2012 12:00 AM
Totally agree with TopShelf's comments. When I'm riding the KATY I will take a greasy burger over the white table cloths and wine ANY TIME.
MAH on 01/23/2012 10:23 PM
We make a point to stop at Lucy's if we're riding and it's time to eat. Love the burgers, some of the best along the trail!
pics
- + Nice colors, nice compositions. My thought was "Capital in a Cornfield"
Discussion started 01/23/2012 09:17 PM by Steve - 0 repliesSteve from Mount Vernon on 01/23/2012 09:17 PM
Nice colors, nice compositions. My thought was "Capital in a Cornfield"
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
pics
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=5479&tonly=1
March Ride
- + Can anyone share with me the weather for MO in mid-March? It is early summer in my part of the world but was wondering what kind of obstacles I would encounter in MO at that time of the year
Discussion started 01/19/2012 08:24 PM by Bobby - 8 replies (last reply by Gary at 01/23/2012 01:29 PM)Bobby from Houston on 01/19/2012 08:24 PM
Can anyone share with me the weather for MO in mid-March? It is early summer in my part of the world but was wondering what kind of obstacles I would encounter in MO at that time of the year
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 01/19/2012 08:34 PM
The Trip Planner link above will give you the information you seek.
March Ride on 01/20/2012 06:19 AM
Potential rain or snow and cooler temperatures, washed out sections with tree limbs, soft trail hindering your ride. But the good part is the flora, fauna and mighty Mo river, towns and very nice people.
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 01/20/2012 09:59 AM
Bobby, if we could tell you what it's going to be like in March, we would be rich! You can have temps in the 70's, but there is still a good chance of snow (last March we got 12" one day). There is also the possibility of tornados and other severe weather. Most of the flowering and leafing is happening in April, and there is much less chance of snow/cold then. You might want to be flexible in your plans and assume a couple of bad weather days in a week. Good luck!
Cathy from Jefferson City on 01/21/2012 12:06 AM
The weather stinks around here until mid-April if we're lucky. It can get cold and miserable in March. Plus, I don't think DNR turns on the water at the trail heads until May 1. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong about that. I hope you can delay your trip until May. You will enjoy that much more. Do pay attention to weather forcasts when you are heading this way just so you know what you will be riding in. Oh, and when the weather is nice, this place is wonderful. The Katy Trail in May is so special. There's a lot of plant life starting to sprout, the new greenery is so fresh, and full of life, temperature is quite comfortable.
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 01/21/2012 01:54 PM
The other thing I forgot to mention was that the freeze/thaw cycle plays havoc with any limestone surface. If it's frozen, you have to deal with the bumpy frozen tire tracks from other riders; when it is just thawing, that water is released and feels like quicksand. That makes for a very tedious ride! After a couple of days of drying, it gets much better.
Did It Last Year on 01/21/2012 03:15 PM
Bobby,
The last week of March into April last year I rode from Clinton to St. Charles in 4 days. It started out to be cooler 40 to mid 50s and windy with some sprinkles. As mentioned the freeze thaw caused hard tire tracks and horse hoof ruts around Sedalia. Riding was slow that first day. After Boonville the limestone was dryer and more compact and the weather started to get unseasonably warmer 60s and sunny but still headwinds 20-30 mph. There were small limbs and small washed out areas from the spring rain gushers on the trail. None of the trailhead bathrooms were opened. I was lucky since my wife was my SAG support meeting me along the way at trailheads everyday. By Hermann it was getting into the low 70s by mid-day. So I was lucky most the of the way that week. I think the following week it got cold again. April or May would probably be a better bet for your ride. DILY
Ray (webmaster) on 01/22/2012 12:10 AM
The old saying is true: March comes in like a lion and goes out ike a lamb. But in between, you never know what you're going to get.
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 01/23/2012 01:29 PM
Ray, that's awfully close to Forest Gump's box of chocolates quote. :-)