Katy Trail Forum

I rode my bike from Clinton to Sedalia yesterday, 5/17/11. The weather was perfect, and it was my first time on the trail. My husband dropped me off at Clinton, picking me up at the end of my ride at Sedalia. I was disappointed in two facts:
1. There was no cell phone service for about 10 miles around Windsor. This seemed very dangerous for me, since I am a woman riding by myself.
2. I was shocked to see how many times the trail crossed country roads. People on the trail have to stop and yield to oncoming traffic. Many times there were sharp curves and trees blocking any oncoming traffic. This frightened me. I know it's a lot to ask, but I wish the traffic had to yield to me. When the trains ran across these roads, the traffic had to yield to them.
There were no bugs this time of year, and the trail was in excellent condition. Even though I had the safety concerns mentioned above, my experience was wonderful!!

You're kidding, right?

Hey Ray, can you put in a "like" button? Thanks. :)

"This frightened me. I know it's a lot to ask, but I wish the traffic had to yield to me."

-That shouldn't be a problem!

Maybe we all could pool our money and hire two highway patrol officers to ride with you next time. I do hope your complaints are in jest!

Congrats on your first ride. I think as you ride more and get comfortable with the trail your concerns about cell service and traffic will fade.

Maybe we could get Obuma to build overpasses on all of the road crossings so as to not have any conflicts.

Out on the eastern end, many vehicles slow and yield for vehicle traffic. However, you cant count on this. Many people that dislike cyclists or that arent from the area, may not.

I understand your concern about crossing roads. My sister used to have the same fear, but has gotten better with experience.

Cell phone coverage on the trail is spotty and this is common knowledge. It depends on your service and terrain (standing by a limestone cliff--no service). I try to emphasize to visitors--the Katy runs through some very RURAL areas. It may be hours between food stops and days between bike shops.

BLH, I'm assuming you are not kidding and also that you drive a car. Can you imagine a delivery driver driving a semi having to stop at all of those intersections? Or a school bus, or mailman, or you in a car. Most of the time there are no bikes crossing but if they put up stop signs, people would have to stop 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If they put up yeld signs, it would be less safe because most drivers would ignore them and a cyclist would assume (correctly) that they had the right-of-way. The cyclist would say “but I had the right-of-way” while lying on the ER stretcher. So most smart cyclists would stop anyway, and wait for the traffic to stop and this would delay traffic even more. So my advice is: when coming to an intersection, treat it like a train crossing, Stop, Look, and Listen, any you will be safe.

BLH, I have not ridden on the part of the trail you were on. But I do ride a lot from Jefferson City east to Portland, and from Jefferson City west to Easley. I don't think there are that many roads that cross the trail on these sections, so you might give them a try. Also there are several places where the river is close to the trail, which is always nice (unless there is flooding).

It's great to hear someone new is trying the trail. Keep coming back, and tell all your friends.

BLH,

We appreciate, as others have said, about you telling us about your initial trail ride. With time, crossings will be less concern because you will be able to watch earlier for traffic and time your crossing without having to come to a complete stop. As you saw, Green Ridge wasn't too far for the cell dead zone, for your husband to meet you for future rides. I do not believe there was as much traffic when the trains ran years ago and also as many high traffic roads intersecting. We all appreciate your new riding adventure on the Katy Trail and assume you will keep riding it. Believe me it gets more fun and better with every ride.

BLH,
Really? It's the Katy trail not a spa, if you want the silver spoon treatment on your bike ride grants trail in STL. I've ridden the Katy 3 times in the past 4 years and I found a dead guy, had to divert Rochport because of flooding, was chased by dogs, and got stuck in a hail storm for 7 miles. This trail is very rural in parts and is not for most people if you are planning to ride it more than 20 miles. Seriously you CANNOT complain about no cell reception in the middle of no where and having to look both ways before you cross the street. Common sense really.

Dead guy? Do tell.

For crying out loud Andrew, you make the Katy Trail sound like an access road to the Valley of the Living Dead. I've ridden the Katy Trail often, I haven't seen any dead bodies. Where the Hell did you see a dead body? Come on, give it up.

You can always find a body or two at Deon's in Pilot Grove after the saturday night shootout. No big deal...

No Cathy of Jeff city! the katy trail is not, "an access road to the Valley of the Living Dead" it's just not a trail for everyone especially on the western half. I just think it's funny that someone would complain about the things BLH complained about considering the experiences I've had on the trail. 99% of the time I really enjoy riding the Katy and see it as a mental and physical challenge, but when you put more than 20 miles on it you have to expect the unexpected(like some of the things I came accross). I found a rider who died of a heart attack 2 miles west of the Tbbetts trail head. He was riding from Jeff city to Hermann for the weekend. I would encourage anyone to ride the whole Katy trail at least once in their life, its a great experience. Just be prepared for bigger issues than looking both ways before crossing the street.

Andrew, I think the Katy Trail in my area is for just about everyone. I see very elderly people using it. I saw a group of developmentally disabled people from a nearby residential facility with a few staff on the trail, going for a short walk. I see little kids with their parents; people post comments on this forum about going on long rides with 8 year old kids. I've enjoyed a burger at Jim's in Tebbets with a couple of men and a 10 year old, having the adventure of his life.

I hope that BLH rides the trail again, and again, and then she finds herself getting on the trail every chance she has.

I'm a 59 year old woman, at times afraid of my own shadow, but I got over my fear of being injured riding my bike, and ride weekly, because I can ride on the Katy Trail.

Oh, and I hope that BLH somehow gets on the mailing list for one of the groups that support bicycling in Missouri, and she supports their efforts to make bicycling safe for everyone in our state.

You are absolutely right Andrew, that everyone should ride the entire trail, and the key is to be prepared. My daughter (she's 27) and I rode from Rocheport to St. Charles 2 years ago with my husband as support in our car (sounds like what BLH and her husband did). We planned carefully using this website. Break downs, bad weather, a mean old lady that chased us out of Wainwright, and my brush with getting over heated didn't bother us.

Sorry this is so long. I'm listening to weather alerts and blogging, going on and on and on........Looks like Portland and Bluffton are getting hail.

I RECENTLY RODE THIS SECTION AND WAS WONDERING IF I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WHOLE COUNTY. IF YOU FELT NERVOUS CROSSING THESE DESERTED COUNTRY ROADS YOU HAVE NO PLACE LIVING OUTSIDE A PANICK ROOM. I HOPE YOUR COMMENTS WERE A JOKE.CELL SERVICE? NEXT TIME WATCH THE TRAIL AND NOT THE BARS ON YOUR PHONE

i was wondering WHAT to reply to such A post. then i PRICKed my finger and had to stop typing.

come on jim...this lady is complaining about having to cross a street, not a busy street in st louis but a deserted road in the country.dont coddle her.but i do applaud you witty response.

Yes, don't coddle her. But don't sling mud at her either, which is what some of the insulting comments you clowns have made amounted to. Encourage more people, no matter how new they are to this type of experience to get on this trail and learn to love it. She will figure it out.

Now if you'll excuse me, the finale of American Idol is on and I do have my priorities.

Cathy, we was jist doin' a little bit of funnin', that's all.

But, you are right. I hope BLH sticks with it and piles up the miles like many of us have.

BLH, being cautious is a good thing, especially in cycling. The Katy is an excellent way to spend your time outdoors, getting exercise, and just chatting with people along the trail. It's a great hobby and just simply a fun thing to do. The truth is though, if my cell phone did work all up and down the trail, I would have probably already thrown it into the river! Figuratively speaking of course. Good luck to ya!

Yo Kurt.....I just give a lot of leeway to first timers. It's easy to forget what it was like when you first started riding. To a lot of our urban brothers and sisters the Katy is wilderness. Their fears may seem a tad extreme to seasoned riders but they are real to them.

I rode the trail for the first time in my life last weekend. I did from Clinton to Calhoun and back (I hadnt been on a bike since I was 13 years old). It is really nice. Much more pleasant that riding on my local roads that I would have to share with trucks and farm equiptment. This weekend we are going to pick up a new bike for my spouse and do another leg of the trail. I had problems with cell phone reception. I really was using it for music while I rode so I will be sure to bring an ipod this week. Does the phone reception improve as I move east?

What about the mountain lions and bears and sasquatches and the shetland ponies between Calhoun and Sedalia!?!

The thing I really like about about riding the Katy is the freedom. It makes me feel like a modern day Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. I feel no need for time pieces, music players or even a cell phone. Adventure is where you make it.

How many miles a day do you think someone can ride in a day? I ride my stationary bike 8 to 15 miles at 14 to 20 resistance every other day or so. I also jog from 4 miles a couple times a week. Does a person need to book rooms a head of time? Thanks for any information, Cheri

It would be hard for someone to answer that for you. We normally do 30-50 in a day. This past weekend we saw 6 and 7 year olds doing 30 a day during the Pedaler's Jamboree. There are some that can do the entire 225 miles in a day. But, for some only 5-10 is plenty in a day. If you are going to be riding on weekends I would make reservations, in the smaller towns there are only a few rooms to choose from.

30-50 miles a day seems to make sense to me. If you ride a lot, higher mileage is clearly possible.

My experience is that the trail surface "costs" me about 2-3 MPH over what I would normally ride on the road. Remember that there is no coasting on the KATY. The good news is that there are only grades, no hills, but there are no downhills either. So...if you're moving, you're pedaling.

I would make reservations! As noted earlier, some of the towns have very few options and they can fill up quickly...especially on weekends.

Enjoy!!

It's not your lungs or legs which will have problems - it is your butt. Even a 30 mile ride is about three hours of sitting on a bike seat. I think you would want your first day to be 30 to 40 miles, then work up to 50 to 60 miles per day. Remember, there is a lot to check out along the way.

The ground floor outside entrance rooms are great...easy access for bikes. They also have an excellent tornado emergency plan that they had to use last Wednesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks in Sedalia as the tornado touched down only 1/2 south of this hotel.

The Best Western is a good place to stay. I would have camped at the Fairgrounds but a huge storm was coming through Missouri when I was there in October 2009. They put me in back although I didn't need to take my bicycle off my truck. The breakfast is included the next morning.

A friend and I stayed there last year while riding the trail. It was a first rate experience. They put us and our bikes up in a ground level room. The hot tub and pool felt great. And I have never seen such an awesome continental breakfast!

We stayed at the green caboose last week and it was a great way to end the trip. The owner, Damon, was extremely hospitable and we spent the evening sitting at the lake and talking over a campfire. Definately recommend and we will stay again...

We stayed there with our grandson (4 y/o) while riding the Katy fall of 09. Also had a wonderful stay and our grandson absolutely love it! Looking forward to doing it again when the next grandson turns 4!

We started in St. Charles and rode out to Defiance, then started again the next day in defiance to Dutlow where we enjoyed wine at Blumenhof during a tornado warning. The hosts were great giving us shelter. We rode out of Hermann/McKittrick but had to stop after at 103 due to wahsed out trails but they were repairing this on Tuesday I believe. We rode from Rocheport to Hartsburg, yes the tunnel is open but on Friday the trail heading to Boonville was flooded. The bike shops at Rocheport is great as is the shop in Defiance! Many things to do, bring water and have a plan in case of sudden storms and let me tell ya....we had sudden storms!! It can be kinda open and far between in certain spots of the trail, so do some planning. We loved it and plan to return. Couldn't ride to Sedalia due to the tornado, but plan to in the future. From Marthasville to McKittrick can be out in the open, so keep that in mind during hot days.

Make Harstburg your stop on bike/foot/or in car and head straight to Dottie's Cafe! Expecting a run-of-the-mill chicken wrap, I was amazed with the first bite...a thin and lightly toasted texture wrap sprinkled with touches of finely grated cheese should have warned me that Dottie knows just what to do for perfection. I thought Osseo Wisconsin was the pie capital of the country and now I have to eat my words. Dottie's Coconut Creme Pie with crust from scratch and picture perfect merengue could have been on the cover of a magazine. We even returned in the afternoon for another piece. So much for burning off calories biking!
We even added a piece or two to the on-going puzzle before leaving and enjoyed a rock on the front porch while being serenaded by the local robin.

I agree. Dotty's is a treasure. Have enjoyed several wonderful meals and snacks there.

We stopped in this past Wednesday and it was fantastic! Service was great and can't wait to go back! Our server snatched up our 4 water bottles, filled them and rinsed the trail dust off! That was the best! Make sure you go to Dotty's Cafe! These small towns need our business!

Thank you all for stopping in for a visit to our little town. I believe that Dotty and our other business owners are the best of the best on the Katy Trail. Just as a reminder, we also have three inns and two taverns to accomodate you during your visit, and camping is always free at Volunteer Park. We also have the American Legion Park available, and large groups aren't a problem. We no longer have a bike shop, I'm sad to say, but I live immediately West of Dotty's, and I have tools available should you find yourself with a broken bike during your stay. Thanks again for visiting our town. We always look forward to it. :)

I always stay at a B&B in Hartsburg and eat at Dottie's.... 60 seconds off the trail for each one.. No bridge to cross, quiet little town. Yep, good place for a city boy who just wants to make the ride as pleasant and uneventful as possible.

Hartsburg has been one of my favorite towns when riding the Katy trail. Everyone is so friendly and helpful to cyclists. I always camp in the park across the street and never have to worry about anything. If you arrive in town too late for Dottie's Cafe the scratching post bar opens and has good food. If you plan on camping in hartsburg AVOID the weekend of the pie festival at all costs. I've never seen so many people in such a small town.

Just a couple of corrections to Anon's last post: The Hitching Post only serves pizza, but it's almost always available, as they're open seven days per week. The Big Muddy Tavern serves a full menu. Pumpkin Festival does get a bit crowded, as we have up to 50,000 visitors to our little town. The usual camping spots won't be available, but I'm certain that arrangements could be made if you wanted to ask around in advance. Thanks again for making Hartsburg your stop on The Katy Trail.

Thanks to the folks at Dotties. When I came thru there I was disappointed to see a closed sign on the door. However, I saw some movement inside and they were still there after catering to a large group of riders. They invited us in as well as some other bikers who came thru and went ahead and cooked for us. Great food!

Highway 94 is undergoing construction between 64/40 and Defiance MO. For the next two weeks (mid and late May 2011) the road is closed, cutting off all drive-in access to the Weldon Spring trailhead.

Alternatives in the area include access from the Business Park trail to the northeast, or Defiance to the southwest. The Business Park trailhead starts near a sewage treatment plant, and the mosquitos seem to be fierce and impervious to any repellant short of a flamethrower.

Highway 94 is again open, and auto access to the Weldon Spring trailhead parking lot has been restored.

Thanks Delores! Stay here it's great

My wife and I rolled in at 9:15pm to Casey's. My trip planner did not list B&B because the plan was to camp the whole way. Well things just change don't they. Jack at Caseys called her and Delores came, escorted us to the house, discussed a breakfast menu, gave us a quick tour and a ride back to Caseys for Pizza. I felt at home and comfortable instantly. Wonderful doing business with you, "Hi Virgil" I guess we'll see you next time.

Thanks for everything,

Craig and Heather

We cannot say enough about this bed and breakfast! The owners were so accommodating and friendly!! The house is one of the nicest B&B's we have ever stayed in; private baths for each room! Also, the breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, juice, coffee, danish) was out of this world! Ready at exactly the time they said it would be including candle light!! The owners even shuttled us from the trail head at Jefferson City, stopped at a convenience store for a soda fix and then took us back to the trail the next morning. We were so pleased with our stay!! Will definitely be back!! Thanks!!

We stayed one night in the home. It was absolutely adorable! Very clean and lots of goodies for breakfast. It is very convenient; right on the trail. We will definitely stay here on our next trip!!

We stayed at the Rendleman Home one night before our bike ride on Memorial day weekend. Doug was very accommodating and pleasant. We had a great night sleep and a scrumptious breakfast in the morning before our long ride. He even shuttled us from Blufton to Pilot Grove and allowed us to leave our cars parked in his driveway while we rode for 3 days back. We will definitely stay with Doug again!! Thanks!

I'm not sure I understand why the state extended the trail to Machens but didn't follow the original rail right of way. There's a mile-long stretch that's currently under water. It will be under water every time the MO River is high. What's the point of building a trail that will be flooded every year? Was there a property owner blocking the original right of way?

My understanding is the original route in that location was washed out in the flood of 1993.

So is the trail from St. Charles to Machens currently accessible? I'm hoping to cover this part of the trail next weekend. Is it only accessible in dry weather? Help!

Clinton to St Charles Thurs, Fri, & Sat. Rocheport bridge and trail is open. Very nice. Lots of downed trees and washed-out washboard areas from McKittrick to Marthasville. All can be maneuvered around by dismounting. The train in St Charles County is in great shape - like pavement.

Aren't most trains just like pavement though?

Leaving tomorow from Clinton and hope to be in St. Charles in 16 days. Why so slow you ask? We are backpacking the Katy! If you see two guys walking say hi.

Be careful booking a room. BikeKatyTrail.com will link to an outfit called "Internet Hotel Reservations." IHS will add %19 to the rate and charge your card immediately. No changes are allowed. A cancellation will cost you $25.00 and you must make the cancellation through IHS an not Quality Inn. A bit of a scam, in my opinion. I learned a $99.00 lesson that I will be sure to tell others about.

As of 0900 5/30, trail is flooded about 3 miles east of 370 bridge.