Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
- + This place is very expensive for an RV park in the midwest, nearly double the price of anywhere normal. I liked the location and it is a nice park but not nearly worth what they charge. I would neve...
Discussion started 04/25/2009 07:54 PM by Scott - 6 replies (last reply by DK at 05/17/2011 11:49 AM)Scott on 04/25/2009 07:54 PM
This place is very expensive for an RV park in the midwest, nearly double the price of anywhere normal. I liked the location and it is a nice park but not nearly worth what they charge. I would never stay there again or recomend it due to the greed of the ownership. Just because you can charge what you want doesn't make it right.
Scott on 04/25/2009 07:54 PM
This place is very expensive for an RV park in the midwest, nearly double the price of anywhere normal. I liked the location and it is a nice park but not nearly worth what they charge. I would never stay there again or recomend it due to the greed of the ownership. Just because you can charge what you want doesn't make it right.
Sluggo on 04/26/2009 12:00 PM
I agree that it is fairly expensive however, location location location. It's not midwest it's BIG CITY and the taxes that go along with that. Awfully convenient to the trail and other amenities tho. $20 a night state parks are a long ways off and located in rural areas with considerably lower tax rates. I wouldn't stay there for a week but for a night or two to ride the trail and have dozens of bars and restaurants and other shops along the ride back to my RV it's pretty nice. It's not greedy to have to cover your costs of operation.
Sluggo on 04/26/2009 12:00 PM
I agree that it is fairly expensive however, location location location. It's not midwest it's BIG CITY and the taxes that go along with that. Awfully convenient to the trail and other amenities tho. $20 a night state parks are a long ways off and located in rural areas with considerably lower tax rates. I wouldn't stay there for a week but for a night or two to ride the trail and have dozens of bars and restaurants and other shops along the ride back to my RV it's pretty nice. It's not greedy to have to cover your costs of operation.
Steve from KC on 04/27/2009 01:58 PM
Alice at the RV park seems extremely nice over the phone. Offered to hold a package for us since we are backpacking from Clinton to St. Charles. Even got one of the cottages for $60 for one night.
Steve from KC on 04/27/2009 01:58 PM
Alice at the RV park seems extremely nice over the phone. Offered to hold a package for us since we are backpacking from Clinton to St. Charles. Even got one of the cottages for $60 for one night.
DougK from Troy on 04/28/2009 12:08 PM
No tent camping there. Really stinks for hikers/bikers on a budget!!
DougK from Troy on 04/28/2009 12:08 PM
No tent camping there. Really stinks for hikers/bikers on a budget!!
Ron Davidson from Paw Paw IL on 04/03/2010 04:44 PM
What part of "RV PARK" don't you understand?!
Ron Davidson from Paw Paw IL on 04/03/2010 04:44 PM
What part of "RV PARK" don't you understand?!
steve from Kansas City on 05/17/2011 11:21 AM
Are there any camping sites nearby? Pulling my single wheeled bike trailer is enough work. I don't want to pull an RV trailer along a bike trail!
steve from Kansas City on 05/17/2011 11:21 AM
Are there any camping sites nearby? Pulling my single wheeled bike trailer is enough work. I don't want to pull an RV trailer along a bike trail!
DK on 05/17/2011 11:49 AM
how could someone possibly be worried about a RV campsite charge after spending fortunes to purchase and fuel a mammoth RV?
DK on 05/17/2011 11:49 AM
how could someone possibly be worried about a RV campsite charge after spending fortunes to purchase and fuel a mammoth RV?
type of bike for Katy Trail?
- + Hello. I hope this is the right forum for this question: I want to ride the Katy and Cowboy trails this summer but not sure what type of bike to get. I bought a hybrid because I thought I'd need wider...
Discussion started 04/15/2011 12:09 AM by steveisk - 8 replies (last reply by Pat at 05/17/2011 07:34 AM)steveisk from Pittsburgh, PA on 04/15/2011 12:09 AM
Hello. I hope this is the right forum for this question: I want to ride the Katy and Cowboy trails this summer but not sure what type of bike to get. I bought a hybrid because I thought I'd need wider tires, but starting to think I need more of a dropped bar position for long distance riding. But is a racer tough enough for the road surface?
To complicate matters further, I'm almost 6' 6", so need a large frame. Do I need dropped bars and semi-wide tires on a very large frame? Does such a bike exist?
Don from Plainfield, IL on 04/15/2011 12:40 AM
I'm about 6'- 6" and I have a Trek FX hybrid (bike path/street) 25" size with a 34.5" standover with the straight handlebars with gearshift. It is more upright and lighter than a urban or mountain bike but has the 32 mm kevlar hard case tires. I've ridden the Katy Trail twice end to end with it and it is perfect for the chat surface, crossroads, bridges, and any ruts.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/15/2011 11:20 AM
I've done the trail several times and use a 29" mountaing bike with no suspention and 32c touring tires. My wife uses a Scott hybrid with the same tires. You don't need anything wide, and you don't need knobbies. Drop bars would be a matter of preference. Most of the bikes I see on the trail are mainly hybrid types with flat bars. If your hybrid fits you well, I would stay with that and get some size 32c or so tires with flat protection.
stevieville from saint louis, MO on 04/17/2011 10:44 AM
On the Cowboy Trail, I would expect a much rougher ride than the Katy Trail. I am thinking of doing some out and backs on the Cowboy Trail sometime this summer just to check it out. This will be on my way up to the Mickelson Trail in SD.
Bob from St. Louis on 04/23/2011 10:47 AM
stebeisk
Best advice I can give you is to go to a good bike shop, not a big box store, and get fitted by someone who knows what they are doing. You will likely need at least a 60cm frame given your height. You have other choices to make, but if you don't start with the properly sized frame, you'll be disappointed regardless of the bars, seat, tires, weight of bike, etc. you choose. Remember also that you can easily change tire sizes. You may want to go with a 28mm tire for the KATY and perhaps something larger, 32 or 34 for the Cowboy trail. A good bike shop will help you work through the choices including respecting your budget.
kurt from naperville il on 04/24/2011 08:45 AM
ive started using a cyclo cross bike..it has road geometry for speed but has compact cranks and 700x 32 tires which i think are fast but beefy enough for packed trail like the katy...i have a aluminum fram which supports my rack and panniers...
Anonymous on 04/24/2011 09:16 AM
I agree wholeheartedly with the comment that the KATY and the Cowboy trails are ENTIRELY different trails and entirely different experiences and would make best use of very different bicycles. I have a lot of experience on the KATY and limited exposure to the Cowboy. I regularly ride the KATY with 28-32 wide tires with good results. I, personally, would not want to ride the Cowboy on tires that narrow.
I also agree that the flat/drop bar conversation is a personal preference and is all about your comfort on the bike.
All best wishes!
cunninghamair from ofallon on 05/01/2011 10:34 AM
We also ride road bikes with wider tires on the katy. My hybrid may have been more fun, with full suspension and the ability to roll over good side limbs without any effort. However, at the end of the day, much slower. It's a trade off.
Pat from Oklahoma City on 05/17/2011 07:34 AM
I rode several sections of the Cowboy Trail a few years ago and it is in much rougher shape than the Katy. You'll need fat tires for the Cowboy trail. The hybrid should work fine there. I rode a hybrid with 32mm tires on the Cowboy and would have liked wider tires. My friend had a hybrid with 38mm tires and had an easier time.
Prettiest part of the trail for a round trip ride
- + I am planning to bike part of the trail over three to five days round trip. I don't want to deal with the transportation challenges of an end to end trip. Which part of the trail has the best scenery ...
Discussion started 05/14/2011 12:45 PM by Pearl McElfish - 3 replies (last reply by SJ at 05/16/2011 08:35 PM)Pearl McElfish from Fayetteville, AR on 05/14/2011 12:45 PM
I am planning to bike part of the trail over three to five days round trip. I don't want to deal with the transportation challenges of an end to end trip. Which part of the trail has the best scenery and the least urban traffic challenges?
Ranger Doug from Fort Smith on 05/14/2011 08:37 PM
You can't go wrong by doing the section from Rocheport to Augusta. If you don't have enought ime do the Rocheport to Hermann section. Go Hogs.
The Ol' Geezer Scout from Jeff City, Mo. on 05/15/2011 07:10 AM
Pearl, the "best scenery" question gets asked a lot, valid question, but it is tough to answer. My answer, "I have no favorite child, I love them all for who and what they are!"
All of the trail is nice, for more varied scenery, Sedalia to Jefferson City. Don't know if it is the "best" scenery though. Usually the best scenery is on the part that I am riding.
Truthfully, I would bet that any section of the trail you choose, you will enjoy.
SJ from St. Charles on 05/16/2011 08:35 PM
To me, the best section is McKittrick (Herman) to Augusta/Defiance...flat, scenic, lots of wineries and B&B's. St. Charles has a lot too if you keep going in that direction. From Rocheport to Herman there just isn't much. West of Rocheport is full of hills.
Hotel Frederick in Boonville
- + Have stayed here twice. Once riding the trail and once passing through town. Fantastic experience both times. Glen's Cafe, the hotel restaurant, is wonderful. The continental breakfast is nicely appoi...
Discussion started 05/16/2011 03:55 PM by LTB - 0 repliesLTB from KC on 05/16/2011 03:55 PM
Have stayed here twice. Once riding the trail and once passing through town. Fantastic experience both times. Glen's Cafe, the hotel restaurant, is wonderful. The continental breakfast is nicely appointed for fueling your ride as well. They even left it up for us so we could eat on return from a run on the trail. Hotel lounge is nice for a post ride drink as well. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better option for lodging on the trail. If you spoil yourself once on the trail, do it here!
Machens Address?
- + Is there an offical address for the Machens Trailhead to plug into a GPS?
Discussion started 05/15/2011 11:48 PM by Geogre - 1 reply (last reply by gene at 05/16/2011 01:32 AM)Geogre from Lebanon, Il on 05/15/2011 11:48 PM
Is there an offical address for the Machens Trailhead to plug into a GPS?
gene from Indiana on 05/16/2011 01:32 AM
Machens is a railroad junction point where the MKT RR went on the Chicago Burlington & Quincy RR for trackage rights access to St Louis. Any RR buildings have been torn down decades ago
Backpacking the Katy
- + Leaving Clinton on May 31st and plan on arriving in St> Charles 15 days later, yes walking.If anybody can give out words of wisedom or good advice I will listen. We are both experienced backpackers a...
Discussion started 05/13/2011 01:07 PM by Steve - 2 replies (last reply by SteveK at 05/15/2011 01:39 PM)Steve from Lenexa, KS on 05/13/2011 01:07 PM
Leaving Clinton on May 31st and plan on arriving in St> Charles 15 days later, yes walking.
If anybody can give out words of wisedom or good advice I will listen. We are both experienced backpackers and have don Herman to Columbia before.
Rhona+Lococo from St Charles mo on 05/15/2011 01:04 PM
check out walkingeast.com ....these folks have walked from LA Ca.....to Jerualam
SteveK from saint louis, MO on 05/15/2011 01:39 PM
Steve, there are at least two hiking blogs posted on this site under ride/bike/hike reports that discuss what you are attempting. I would post a link, but I get blocked when I try that.
Doll House B&B in Rhineland
- + We stayed here Mother's Day weekend, and had such a wonderful time! I just can't say enough nice things about it! There were five of us in all, and every single one of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves....
Discussion started 05/14/2011 10:47 AM by lilbritches295 - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 05/14/2011 10:11 PM)lilbritches295 from Imperial, MO on 05/14/2011 10:47 AM
We stayed here Mother's Day weekend, and had such a wonderful time! I just can't say enough nice things about it! There were five of us in all, and every single one of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The rooms we very clean and comfortable, breakfast was simply delicious, and the owners were so sweet and accomodating, that we stayed quite a while after breakfast talking to them before we started our ride back. They even gave us the phone number of a bike shop that delivers tires when we called to tell them that we had a blowout on the way to the B&B. It worked out perfectly, and we're looking forward to staying there again in the near future. My husband and I have stayed at many B&B's over the years, but this was by far one of the best experiences we have ever had at one. I highly recommend it!
Anonymous on 05/14/2011 10:11 PM
I have had a similar positive experience with both the Doll House and the bike shop out of Hermann. They came out and replaced a broken spoke for me on a previous ride. Fantastic service all the way around.
Memorial Day 2011
- + We are coming in from Memphis to bike the trail from St. Charles to Hermann. We would like to spend Saturday night in either Augusta or Marthasville. Looking for suggestions for lodging in either of t...
Discussion started 05/07/2011 08:22 PM by Dulcy - 5 replies (last reply by anonymous at 05/14/2011 10:39 AM)Dulcy from Memphis, TN on 05/07/2011 08:22 PM
We are coming in from Memphis to bike the trail from St. Charles to Hermann. We would like to spend Saturday night in either Augusta or Marthasville. Looking for suggestions for lodging in either of those towns. We have looked at most of the B&B's websites. Is there lodging besides the B&B's? Thanks!
Trek on 05/08/2011 09:49 AM
Use the trip planner above to find lodging. It's a good resource. Also, perhaps search for lodging on Google Maps. We've stayed at the Apple Gate Inn in Augusta and would recommend it. Augusta is kind of hilly, but the Apple Gate is just about a block north of the Katy. Augusta Winery is within short walking distance....good Ice Wine as well as other wines.
JPM from Hazelwood, MO on 05/08/2011 08:26 PM
Klondike Park, near Augusta, has campsites and cabins.
Dulcy from Memphis on 05/09/2011 04:00 PM
Thank-you!
JPM from Hazelwood, MO on 05/09/2011 09:10 PM
If you're planning on staying at Klondike, I would book in advance, especially for Memorial Day. Google St. Charles County Parks for more info.
Anonymous from Imperial, MO on 05/14/2011 10:39 AM
We stayed at the Little House B&B in Marthasville last fall, and really enjoyed it. You get the use of the whole entire two bedroom house for the same price that it costs to rent just a room in most other B&Bs. It's located right across a feild from the trail, so it's easy to get to by bike. It's relaxing too. It has two rocking chairs on the front porch where you can sit and watch other bikers pass by on the trail. The owners were so sweet and accomodating. They also have a locking shed to store your bikes during your stay. We enjoyed it so much that we have already booked a return trip there later in the year.
weather updates
- + I'm planning on riding the trail from St. Louis to Clinton starting around the end of May, camping along the way, but I'm a little nervous about lightning and heavy winds and rain. How will I be able ...
Discussion started 05/11/2011 10:44 PM by Steveisk - 4 replies (last reply by CJ5w4WD at 05/13/2011 09:16 PM)Steveisk from Pittsburgh, PA on 05/11/2011 10:44 PM
I'm planning on riding the trail from St. Louis to Clinton starting around the end of May, camping along the way, but I'm a little nervous about lightning and heavy winds and rain. How will I be able to keep updated on weather reports once I'm on the trail?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 05/12/2011 10:39 AM
Smartphone?
cac from Xenia, Ohio on 05/12/2011 11:23 AM
We have done several trail vacations and it's easy to get information from people you meet along the way and in the towns. Pretty much we follow our instinct as to the weather, have been really lucky. Don't pitch your tent under trees in case of high winds. Good luck.
Trek on 05/12/2011 08:05 PM
We have a portable Midland weather radio that we take when we think weather may be an issue. It's small and fits easily in a front handlebar bag.
CJ5w4WD from wandering the Midwest on 05/13/2011 09:16 PM
For severe weather alerts all you need is an MP3 w/ radio tuned in to a local channel--NOAA and NWS is good about getting the word out if something ugly is comming. It helps to be familiar with the area county names and towns or bring a good area map. I carry my smartphone and do a shortcut for the region on weatherunderground/mobile. And as someone else on the forum advised, make sure you have the # of the shuttle services with you....just in case.
Safety
- + I have ridden a small part of the Katy Trail, but would like to ride the complete trail. My question is how safe is it to ride the trail alone being a woman. I have ridden 4 centuries so I am not worr...
Discussion started 05/06/2011 12:42 PM by CML - 5 replies (last reply by CML at 05/12/2011 09:10 AM)CML from Joplin on 05/06/2011 12:42 PM
I have ridden a small part of the Katy Trail, but would like to ride the complete trail. My question is how safe is it to ride the trail alone being a woman. I have ridden 4 centuries so I am not worried about the distance just if there are any personal safety concerns. I will probably stay in B&B's at night, so as not to worry about camping. Any input from veteran riders would be greatly appreciated.
Cathy from Jefferson City on 05/06/2011 10:11 PM
I am a 59 year old woman and I ride the Katy Trail by myself every chance a I get. The only safety issue is that one or two times in the last few years there have been a couple of problems with dogs. But it seems to get taken care of pretty quickly. But I've never worried about being hurt by people. Oh wait, one Sat. a few years ago there were a bunch of cub scouts riding the trail. That was scary. You'll love the trail, and you'll meet friendly people on the trail and at the B & Bs where you stay and towns along the way.
MAH on 05/08/2011 03:17 PM
I've (57 y/o woman) ridden alone many times and as previous poster stated, only problems have been an occasional dog (twice in past 7 yrs). Also hubby almost collided with a deer once that jumped in front of him. I have ridden end to end sole staying in B&Bs and have had no trouble. Just be prepared for possible flats, know where your water stops are and as always, be aware of your surroundings and the weather. You'll enjoy it!
mo from Allentown nj on 05/08/2011 09:32 PM
I just finished a complete ride of the trail in 3 and 1/2 days late March. Saw one copper head sunning itself on the trail. Just gave it it's space. Met very nice people, no problems. Good stop at Dutzow right on the trail. Give yourself extra time if the wind is blowing.
M. Richard Troeh from Independence, MO on 05/08/2011 10:16 PM
I am a 76 yr old man who just finished riding the entire trail (Machens to Clinton) with my son & another guy. We stayed in B&Bs about every 40 miles (made reservations in advance), met several women going alone & in pairs on the trail, & felt the trail was populated enough that safety would be a minimal concern. I wish I could say it would be of zero concern, but I know of nowhere you can go that is ABSOLUTELY safe.
CML from Joplin on 05/12/2011 09:10 AM
Thanks so much for all the comments and great information. I feel much better with making solo plans. I see a road/trail trip in my future real soon. Thanks again everyone. Keep riding!!!
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Safety
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Honeymoon
- + I am planning a honeymoon for this weekend and came across Katy Trail. We will get in town late Friday and return home Sunday night. We don't own bikes, so it's been a long time since we've rode. D...
Discussion started 05/11/2011 02:26 PM by Elizabeth - 1 reply (last reply by Anon at 05/12/2011 08:52 AM)Elizabeth from Fayetteville on 05/11/2011 02:26 PM
I am planning a honeymoon for this weekend and came across Katy Trail. We will get in town late Friday and return home Sunday night. We don't own bikes, so it's been a long time since we've rode. Does anyone know what sections would be good to have a fun and romantic trip... Fun bing a key word (we would like to make stops in little fun towns)
Anon on 05/12/2011 08:52 AM
Not sure which town you're coming into. But you might consider Rocheport, just west of Columbia on Hwy-70. It has bike rental, B&B's, shops, cafes (winery-cafe close to the hwy), and romantic scenery on the trail south of it.