Katy Trail Forum

Hello! I’m planning to ride round trip the entire Katy Trail this April and starting from Machens. Questions...

Is the entire trail open? I see that person on the blog from KC said it was closed in Machens.

Also do you know of a place in Illinois along the Mississippi River that would connect to the Katy trail to start from?

Thanks for your help. I’m sure I’ll have more questions as it gets close. Any tips would be appreciated.

Machens is not the ideal place to start especially if you are parking a car. Your best bet is to do a 24-miles out and back from St. Charles to start. The trail ends in Machens. It was closed near Machens a few years ago due to flood damage, but it's been fixed for a while.

You can start over in Alton, Illinois. The Hwy 67 bridge over the Mississippi River has a bike path, but there is often a lot of broken glass on it. However the bike path ends shortly after the bridge. The shoulder of Hwy 67 is wide. You'll need to turn right onto Hwy 94 and stay on it for a few miles. It usually isn't all that busy. If you are looking at something like Google Maps, there seems to be side roads, but many of them are rough dirt. Interesting factiod: RAAM (Race Across AMerica) uses Hwy 67 and the bridge.

Another option from Illinois is from Grafton. Take the Grafton Ferry over the Mississippi River. Note: Do NOT take the Brussels or Golden Eagle ferries. Make sure that the Grafton ferry is open as river conditions often close it.

I agree with Jerry. Starting from Machens is not a good idea especially in April. If you want to say you did the entire KT Trail wait until summer and park in St Charles and do an out an back to Machens. Trail east of St Charles is not real developed. Start from or end in St Charles would be a good first KT trip. Riding from Illinois to start would be in the summer time.

Ok wow thanks for the tips. I’ll look at all those tips and plan it better. Yeah parking the car is scaring me. Maybe park at a hotel or township building in St. Charles or Alton, Grafton? But there’s nothing to worry about being on the trail? Safe?

I did a round trip of the Katy last September. I was riding alone and camped by myself most nights. I never once felt unsafe at any time. You will go through a few areas that look a bit sketchy and you will see homeless people occasionally but I never had any trouble.

I recommend parking in St. Charles. There's a public park there where I've left my car 5 or 6 times. I just left a little note on the dashboard giving the phone number and email address where I can be reached. Flooding could be an issue, but then you don't want to be riding on the Katy when the Missouri River is up that high anyway.

As mentioned before, start at St. Charles and do an out and back to Machens. That way you can claim rights to doing the entire Katy.

The trail is very safe. Just be careful at intersections with the road. There's one place near St. Charles and another near Augusta where it's difficult to see the road traffic. Just be careful.

Raff: the issues with Machens primarily are related to access to/from the trail. There is a legal right of way to/from the trail from the local roads/highway. That access allows you to legally get to the trail, including crossing an active rail line. The owner of the property adjacent to and surrounding the Katy/state park is not a supporter of the trail and has been known to place barriers to keep people out. There is no designated parking at the Machens trailhead and because property lines are not clearly marked one could “accidentally” trespass. Interesting fact about the property owner is his name is Machens. I believe that most trail users are simply using the trail for its intended purpose and not committing crimes. Another issue with Machens and all areas east of St Charles is that it’s not as scenic in some people’s opinions (I’ve seen quite a few comments related to that over a few years) so that’s why some may believe it’s not worth doing. I don’t feel that way, just understand it’s flat river bottom farmland far enough away from both rivers that you don’t see them. I enjoyed that section and would regret missing it and the bell at the end.
Regarding safety, most people overwhelmingly have a safe trail experience. Some may see someone or something that they don’t like, but that could be their own insecurities or prejudice, but even then typically nothing happens to them. Unfortunately cars sometimes get broken into, so park somewhere that seems safe. Also don’t leave anything of value visible inside your car, including change or bags….what you think is a bag of dirty laundry might appear to be a bag with POTENTIAL valuables to a thief.
I rode from Westwood, KS to Alton, IL crossing the Mississippi via the Grafton Ferry. I then rode across the bike/pedestrian only Old Chain of Rocks Bridge ending at Gateway Arch. I will include a link below to my Strava for the specific route. There is currently one closure at Mokane for a bridge replacement until March. I suggest going to Mo state parks website and use the trail advisor link on that site for official info. Sometimes you can get around those closures, but it may not be an authorized detour. I suggest Facebook group Fans of the Katy Trail for a greater audience and media than this good resource here.
https://strava.app.link/6N4dLH1tzGb

Thank you Eric, Jerry and Alan and everyone else. I appreciate all the kind help and advice. I’ll do my best with my ride and I’ll let you guys know when I plan for sure when I leave. I did a solo bike packing trip from Elk Grove Village to Lacrosse, Wisconsin and back. Well almost lol. It was for sure a great peaceful experience and I hope for the same on this trip.
Cheers

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This is excellent news!

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Oh My Gosh, did this headline ever get my attention. Is there a group soliciting Amtrak to help us trail riders??? We love the Katy, and it would be extremely helpful if we had more options to use Amtrak by the ability to load more bikes. There is no doubt more folks would be taking Amtrak if they could get their bikes onboard. It is such a great experience, but so limited right now.

1. I ride a bachetta ti recumbent. Tires are 23s. Is the trail hard packed for this type of bike and riding?

2. Hoping to ride in May. Possibly mid May. Generally how is the weather and flooding issues?

3. We are coming from the Chicago area. Where would you recommend parking and start riding. Plan to park and ride 1-2 days out and back.

I consulted my magic 8 ball on the possibility of good weather on the Katy mid May and it came back it would be good weather “without a doubt”. So there you have it, the magic 8 ball would not lie. :-)

I rode the Katy in mid-May, I had a few days of rain, temps in the 40s at night pleasantly cool for the days. water may not be available at all trail heads. It was during the Hight of COVID so I had to carry my own food because not all the eatery's were open.

Most of the trail has hard packed lanes.....one for each direction. Generally most of the trail is hard packed, but it can vary from location to location. Some areas have had large tire eating cracks. As always just watch where your going, no different than trash along a road shoulder. Trail maintenance may force loose chat, etc. It is doable on thin tired bikes though.

The weather in May is controlled by the Magic 8 ball. Closer to time for your ride would be a good gauge for the possibility of rain, flooding, etc. Riding is doable in May though.

We have left our vehicle for out and backs at several trailheads without issue....Sedalia, Rocheport, Hartsburg, Tebbetts, and Augusta. Times change but the North Jefferson trailhead has gotten a bad rap in the past. For that I've moved on to Hartsburg and played it safe.

1. The trail is pretty well packed near larger towns such as St. Charles and Columbia. However 23's are too thin for my liking on the Katy. I've ridden around St. Charles and Hermann on 25s and didn't like it. Away from the larger towns the trail can be loose and slippery especially in the rain.

2. If it's going to flood, it's in May and June. It can rain a lot in May.

3. With those thin tires, I'd recommend starting in St. Charles and riding out to Hermann. You could even throw in a 25-mile total out-and-back to Machens from St. Charles.

I've seen people riding the Katy on recumbent's several times and all seemed to be doing fine. I would want wider tires than 23's but I've seen people doing it on road tires. Most of the trail is pretty smooth and hard packed but there are rocky sections. You may encounter spots where work has been done recently and is soft. The trail is well maintained but there's always the chance especially in the spring of heavy rains and thunderstorms leaving washouts and downed tree limbs on the trail.

Rode the Katy RT last May w/my brother & had mostly good weather w/a few days of rain in 12 days. Will take that every time!Trail remained solid even in the rain, but I'm a one-timer. Locals on this forum like Gary or Doug in Bluffton would be great resources for anything Katy. Doug I know is an ex extreme cyclist & could take a good stab at your questions. A stay at his Bluffton Barn & an evening with him is a hoot, & I think many would agree!

I used to live in St Charles and rode the trail on recumbents all the time. both my singles and my tandem recumbent with my wife. I have ridden with 25s, but most of my bikes have 35-40s and I rarely have issues. Always need to watch out for loose sand/gravel which can pop up randomly. My wife and I plan to ride the entire trail on the tandem recumbent, pulling a trailer, this summer - exact date to be determined based on weather.

What is the weather like in early march.
I think out and back in 8 days
B&B and hotel availability?

Thanks

Jim Gott
jgott04@gmail.com
615-920-1035

Early March? Brrrr!

Many of us are open year round so check lodging individually and don't let that stop you! Could be cold, could be wet, but planning ahead and right gear will be key

Can be a mixed bag of temperatures, rain, snow and wind. But, it can be a beautiful time to be outside with early wildflowers, wildlife and mushrooms if the temps are right. Fenders are almost a must have. Wet limestone from the trail will stick to everything within slinging distance. Good luck!

The only thing that's predictable about Missouri weather, is that it is unpredictable. Yesterday - Christmas Eve - it was in the mid 60s. By tonight, low of 32.

Early March is a tough call, but NORMALLY early March is something like 30s or 40s, maybe 50s. Then by mid March we usually get some alternating days of warmer weather and a taste of spring. It can vary. Watch the forecasts in the days leading up to your trip so you know what to expect.

Having said all that, here is a web page with historical weather trends for mid-Missouri:
https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=172432&cityname=Jefferson-City-Missouri-United-States-of-America

Not for me….it’s too long a drive from Texas to gamble on early March weather making it worth the trip. Early March weather is too unpredictable.

There is also the issue of the consistency of the trail surface. I've tried riding the trail in March and April. Because of the trail freezing and thawing and freezing and thawing, it can be the cinsistency of wet cement. If you are able, you might consider riding in May or later. Also, running water will be turned off at the trailheads. Toilets hooked up to running water are locked. Some trailheads will have port-a-johns

March will be chilly but many places are still open. If possible, waiting even until April or ideally May would make for a more pleasant trip. The White House Hotel in Hermann, MO accommodates visitors year-round and we'd love to have you as a guest: https://www.thewhitehousehotel1868.com/

My wife and I planned an anniversary getaway for two nights. Lindenhof was recommended by friends and did not disappoint. The atmosphere is very relaxing. Rooms are comfortable and well appointed. The star of the show is the owner Kathy. A true servant. She is on top of everything and went way beyond expectations for us. While there i was not feeling well. Nothing to with Lindenhof. Kathy cooked two special meals which were excellent. It was a true get away for us together and from our daily routine. Beautiful area. Lots to do as the weather warms up. Words like peaceful and restful describe Lindenhof. Great base for restaurant and winery tours. Jack Kennedy

Good food, closes at 2 on the week days

The Chowda House never closed at 5. I was there a lot and they closed at 10 during the week and 11 on Friday and Saturday.

And?????

Does anyone have any experience with taking e-bikes on the Amtrak train? We have two fairly heavy and fairly large Specialized Turbo Como bikes that we want to take on Amtrak from Kirkwood to Sedalia. I'm not sure if they are too large or too heavy, given the way they are carried on the train. Thanks!

I have not traveled with a bike on Amtrak yet but I have looked into the option a little. There are size and weight restrictions and various ways to check it. Here is a link I found.

https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard

Check with Amtrak on weight and size. If they are fat tire bikes, may have a problem. (Tire may not fit in the groove provided) If Amtrak stands the bikes up in racks, back tire usually has to come off. Some cars they just lean up against a wall. Amtrak posts what you have to do for bikes on their website.

I googled an image of those bikes. They strongly resemble a standard bicycle. I cannot quote Amtrak rules but it appears you will be fine. Obviously you will have to make a reservation AND purchased the bike pass to get on with your bike. Since the conductor generally assists passengers in loading you can make the conductor’s decision easier by having your CASH TIP ready. Remember the train ALWAYS runs on a tight schedule and that conductor has a job to do. That very busy conductor is taking a minute or two to help you. Help him help you $$$.

Also, since carrying the bike up the steps and around the corner is kind of awkward, make sure you are ready to load IMMEDIATELY with ZERO delays removing panniers etc. This means if you have panniers or racks ETC they are already removed and waiting for you to carry on a second trip up into the car. This is my two cents after doing this trip once, but three years in this and the two big Katy groups on Facebook.

My family of 9 is planning a trip to Missouri to ride different parts of the Katy Trail. We age from 10 to 70 with a ride range of riding experience. I’m wondering how many people the cottages can accommodate and if this would be a good spot to start. Allowing us to try different parts of the trail during a 3 day stay.
Thank you

Jeff City would be a great place to ride east and west from.

Contact your choice of lodging for specifics about their business.

Jefferson City, Hermann and Washington are good locations that provide housing and food for a group your size. They aren't directly on the trail, but short and safe trails leading into them. Good Luck - you'll have a great time!

If I were going to plan a stay at one location for several short day rides I would pick a smaller town that sits right on the trail. Rocheport is one such place that's stands out to me. It is a beautiful ride going either direction out of town. Going southeast runs directly beside the river for miles. I'm not sure about accommodations for a group of your size but if you plan well ahead it might be doable in a smaller town.

Driving from Wisconsin the advantage of having a vehicle makes it much easier to access trailheads as well as a towns amenities. Jefferson City offers amenities that smaller towns do not.

I know the it is “non-motorized “ and this may have been asked before but are the e-bikes/trikes allowed, especially since the ones i have are throttle assist, so majority is regular peddling?

The non-motorized definition refers to gas engine motors since the rules were created before e-bikes were widely used. The rules were amended to allow E-bikes on the trail. The main thing to keep in mind is that e-bikes are not to exceed 20mph on the trail, does not matter if they are in pedal assist or throttle assist mode. Of course, all the other bicycle rules and etiquette apply to e-bikes.

I'm wanting to bike the Rock Island spur from Windsor to Pleasant Hill. Old photos I've seen look like the trail is pretty rough and gravelly. Has anyone ridden that stretch and might be able to provide some feedback? Thank you.

Bill it’s almost exactly the same crushed limestone, but….it’s not as compacted yet. So if there’s been a lot of rain before your ride, it can be really tough getting through it. Our bikes were too deep into it to ride at all a year ago and had to quit. We all had hybrid bikes.

TY for the info. I'll probably wait until Spring when it gets a little more compacted over the Winter by mother nature. I'm looking forward to staying at Kim's Cabins in Windsor.

I just finished the trail on 11/24. Rode from Windsor to Pleasant Hill on 11/23. I didn't find it bad. There had been some rain I believe 2 days earlier. My bike was fully loaded and heavy. I do have gravel tires on my bike. 45 front and 42 rear. Sometimes adjusting tire air pressure is helpful. This was my first time on this trail. It was a little desolate without the views like the Katy, but still enjoyable!

Thank you Marcia.

It is slightly rougher than the Katy, but perhaps like others you won’t even notice it. Emphasis on slightly. I rode across the entire state in September 2021 including all of the Rock and almost all of the Katy. At the time I concluded that the 45 mile stretch of the Rock slowed me down only one MPH. Conditions were warm and dry. I suspect that it just wasn’t as broken in as the Katy. As far as “gravely” that might be exaggerating. Enjoy the ride.

Rode out of Kim's Cabins last Spring after a rainstorm. Some muddy spots & tires did dig in some, but to the most part in great shape. Drainage was good, but there seemed to be a little less gravel on the surface. It was a spur day trip, traveling light & unloaded, only 20 mi RT,can't say how a heavier load would do. They did a great job on it, now it's up to us to tamp it down!

TY David.

Definitely many are riding the Rock Island down from Pleasant Hill to Windsor! Now even from the KC stadiums with a few miles of road between Lee's Summit and P Hill. I'm not a cyclist but talk to many every year. The Rock Island surface is comparable to the Katy most say, with the exception of after much rain you'll find it a little softer.

On this Thanksgiving I am thankful I live so near one of the best rail trails in the country that I can enjoy it on a daily basis. I rode 22 miles this morning so I can pig out later. I wish there was a way to post photos of some of the beautiful sights I see on the trail.

Allan, you lucky dog! We have to drive 500 miles to see that jewel of a trail. And we truly love Sedalia too. The Bothwell Hotel is a must when we head that way. Thank you for you "thankful" post.

The St Louis PBS station produced this excellent 7-minute video about the Big BAM (Bike Across Missouri) Ride. Excellent video, about not only the iconic ride, but the Katy Trail in general:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyZ385MM1cQ&list=TLGGNjlkswBaAt0yMTExMjAyMw

We are wanting to ride from St Charles to Clinton with our dog. Two questions.
1. Where is a safe place to leave our car in st Charles?
2. Does the shuttle from Clinton to St Charles allow dogs ( and her trailer).l?
She is 45 lbs

I would either park at the trailhead and notify the local police I was leaving my vehicle there or if I was overnighting in St Chuck I would ask about leaving it there.

I would contact whoever was shuttling me and ask them what their policy was on pets and amount of cargo they could haul.

Country Inn and Suites by Radisson. St Charles. Safe parking for the week. And yes I think dogs are ok on the shuttle.

The shuttle.....which one is the shuttle?

There are numerous shuttle services along the Katy.

I accept dogs at my B&B and can shuttle you the trailer bikes and pooches as long as they get along with mine. Anonymous is right though, check with your shuttle service provider, only they can tell you what they do.

My friend and I had a great stay at the Dormitory, which is part of the School House Bed and Breakfast. We met up with family in Columbia, walked the trail in Rocheport and had some fun girl time! Our coffee maker didn't work so we made a quick call--yes it was early morning- and another coffee pot was at our door in about 5 minutes or less. Now, that is great service! We thought the space was very clean, laid out well and had everything we needed. You will not be disappointed if you stay here.

We stayed at the Lindenhof while bikepacking a section of the Katy and it was far better than we imagined. There is nothing we could suggest to improve our stay. Kathy is wonderful. She thought of everything, including flip flops and robes for the hot tub. And, the breakfast she provided was top notch. We look forward to returning!