Machens Extension
- + Does anyone know the status of the Machens Extension? A friend and I are running the Katy Trail the first week of May, and we will be starting in Machens, but didn't know if it would be passable for ...
Discussion started 03/25/2011 11:17 AM by Rick - 5 replies (last reply by anonymous at 04/21/2011 09:39 PM)Rick from Independence on 03/25/2011 11:17 AM
Does anyone know the status of the Machens Extension? A friend and I are running the Katy Trail the first week of May, and we will be starting in Machens, but didn't know if it would be passable for our support bicyclist with a trailer, or if we should have him meet us in St Charles.
Anonymous on 03/30/2011 07:20 PM
Ribbon cutting on the section from Machens to St Charles is scheduled for Apr 2nd, 2011. The trail should be in fine condition for your May run unless there is very high flooding at that time (part of the trail is on a levee).
http://mobikefed.org/content/new-section-katy-trail-opens-between-st-charles-machens-ribbon-cutting-april-2nd
Don from Plainfield, IL on 04/03/2011 04:07 PM
Will the Katy Ride this June now be extended to Machens for the end this year?
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/03/2011 04:48 PM
I'm sure all the logistics, arrangements, and reservations are complete for this years DNR ride. It ends in St. Charles on day 5. I would think that you could ride the St. Charles to Machens section before or after the official ride.
denncycle on 04/04/2011 07:06 AM
Rick, as of at least 4/3/2011, Machens to St. Charles was completed——crushed limestone just like the rest of the trail. The limestone might be a bit looser than older areas, but it's a good riding surface.
Anonymous on 04/21/2011 09:39 PM
I doubt they will start/end the annual ride in Machens. There is not much there.
trail advice...
- + whats the best way to get from st charles to st louis. ive heard its dangerous and am considering taking a shuttle. im planning on riding the katy mid may, taking the train from chicago to sedalia, ri...
Discussion started 04/20/2011 07:16 AM by kurt - 5 replies (last reply by RK at 04/21/2011 02:27 PM)kurt from naperville il on 04/20/2011 07:16 AM
whats the best way to get from st charles to st louis. ive heard its dangerous and am considering taking a shuttle. im planning on riding the katy mid may, taking the train from chicago to sedalia, riding west to clinton and then east to st charles. also, is clinton the true start/end of the trail or has a extension been built? thanks for the help. kurt
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/20/2011 10:12 AM
To me, it would be worthwhile to get a shuttle to St. Louis or Kirkwood, I am not that comfortable riding on city streets. Probably cost about $30. The trail currently ends at Clinton on the western side.
RK from St Louis on 04/20/2011 03:50 PM
You can get to St Louis by taking the Page Ave extension. Access is right off the Katy trail. Once across the Missouri River there are multiple ways to get to St Louis. It just depends on where in St Louis you want to go. I liver in the city and ride all the time. Its safe
kurt on 04/20/2011 06:14 PM
thanks...i need to get to the train station in st louis and have never been there...i want to ride as far as possible but dont want to get lost or end up in a bad neighborhood and mapquest can only tell me so much...
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/20/2011 09:09 PM
Here is a link to directions for getting from the KATY to the Kirkwood Amtrak station:
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/kirkwood.aspx
RK from St Louis on 04/21/2011 02:27 PM
If you can use the Kirkwood Amtrak station that is approx 25 miles riding. You will be on some pretty busy streets and there are quite a few turns. I routed it on veloroutes and it looks like eleven streets. Its all suburban riding. It's almost the same number of miles to ride to the downtown Amtak station but you will be going through some neighborhoods that might make some people uncomfortable. I've ridden them without incident. Its a simpler route with less streets and turns. Basically you'd just come in over Olive.
Driving Instructions
- + Anybody have driving instructions from trailhead to trailhead, or know where to find them, from Clinton to Matchens (west to east)? I know there's GPS locations for each trailhead on this site, but I...
Discussion started 04/21/2011 08:53 AM by Bill H. - 1 reply (last reply by MidSouth at 04/21/2011 11:44 AM)Bill H. on 04/21/2011 08:53 AM
Anybody have driving instructions from trailhead to trailhead, or know where to find them, from Clinton to Matchens (west to east)? I know there's GPS locations for each trailhead on this site, but I'm simply looking for "old-fashioned" driving instructions. Thanks for any help.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/21/2011 11:44 AM
You can use Google Maps to do it. Find the Clinton trailhead on the map, then right click and select "directions from here". Next, find Machens on the map, right click and select "directions to here".
Camping on the trail
- + I'm planning to ride from Machens to Clinton and back again in Mid June. I plan to tow my pup in a trialer. Do I need to make reservations for camping? I would rather see how far I get each day but...
Discussion started 04/21/2011 08:59 AM by Carol - 2 replies (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 04/21/2011 10:42 AM)Carol from Xenia, Ohio on 04/21/2011 08:59 AM
I'm planning to ride from Machens to Clinton and back again in Mid June. I plan to tow my pup in a trialer. Do I need to make reservations for camping? I would rather see how far I get each day but worry about finding the campgrounds full. Also, will I be turned away because of the dog?
Anonymous on 04/21/2011 10:17 AM
Carol, use the trip planner at the top of this page, that should help. I've seen people using kid haulers for their dog. Most have their dog inside on a leash. Missouri is a long way from Xenia, don't want the little fellow getting loose!
Ray (webmaster) on 04/21/2011 10:42 AM
I would echo the previous post - you may want to pull up a list of campgrounds and call them in advance, just to be sure about the dog.
You're using a trailer, but this topic gives me an excuse to pull out some great photos that I came across several years ago of a rack-mounted dog carrier. The dog looks nervous but they said he loves it:
dog carrier Hope you and your dog both have a great time on the trail.
Bike Type
- + Looking for a route for my road bike only, is there such a section on this trail. I can not have lose gravel or dirt, only paved. Thanks in advance.
Discussion started 04/17/2011 04:56 PM by JAK - 3 replies (last reply by ibikeslow at 04/20/2011 07:46 PM)JAK on 04/17/2011 04:56 PM
Looking for a route for my road bike only, is there such a section on this trail. I can not have lose gravel or dirt, only paved. Thanks in advance.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/17/2011 05:15 PM
The KATY Trail is not paved.
Chris J from Centralia, IL on 04/17/2011 06:17 PM
Many people ride the trail with road bikes, but MO 94 runs along the trail from Jeff City east. I have seen a lot of roadies on it. Just local traffic on it.
ibikeslow on 04/20/2011 07:46 PM
There are no paved sections on the trail, but we ride our road bikes with skinny tires 96% of the time with no problems. You do have to watch for washouts & when it gets really dry the trail bed cracks are wide enough to catch you wheel.
Pedaler's Jamboree
- + Anyone do this ride before? Sounds like a fun Memorial Day weekend ride.
Discussion started 04/19/2011 03:44 PM by MidSouth - 3 replies (last reply by Gary at 04/20/2011 12:33 PM)MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/19/2011 03:44 PM
Anyone do this ride before? Sounds like a fun Memorial Day weekend ride.
Anonymous from Whitefish Bay, WI on 04/20/2011 07:27 AM
My husband and 13 year old son are currently riding from St. Charles to Sedalia, MO on the Katy Trail. The biggest complaint is that not much (eating facilities) are open yet for the season. They have been camping along the way with a couple stops at B&B's like every other night.
Anon on 04/20/2011 10:43 AM
Luckily, they can tank-up at the B&B's since it's hard to know ahead of time what is open or not on the trail. A real adventure for sure!
You might also check an Internet artilce at the following site: http://www.chickenup.com/gumbo-soup/cajun-okra/bicycling-how-and-where-to-chow-down-along-the-missouri-katy-trail.htm
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 04/20/2011 12:33 PM
I did not do the organized Peddlers Jamboree ride from Columbia to Booneville but did happen upon the group last year on a ride from my house to Rocheport and rode on in to Booneville to see what is was like. The park in Booneville has places for people to set up their tents and there are hotels close to the park. They have a band playing in the evening (this year it will be the Ozark Mountain Daredevils) and, of course, they have drinks, food and souvenirs for sale in the park.
Any prairie or other nature exhibits on display?
- + I like "interpretive displays" because I don't have all the names memorized. I was told that there was a "prairie" exhibit near the Klondike Campground or Dutzow. The countryside transitions to prai...
Discussion started 04/12/2011 03:37 PM by Thomas - 4 replies (last reply by Thomas at 04/19/2011 07:56 PM)Thomas from Cleveland on 04/12/2011 03:37 PM
I like "interpretive displays" because I don't have all the names memorized. I was told that there was a "prairie" exhibit near the Klondike Campground or Dutzow. The countryside transitions to prairie west of Boonville, and I have seen a few "prairie conservation areas" south of the trail near Cole Camp.
I bought the Katy Trail Nature Guide from Pebble Publishing.
I plan to tour the whole trail in May. I would expect that there is dazzling nature on display all through the route at the many wetlands and woodlots. I rented a bicycle and rode the trail for two days ten years ago. Thanks
eht from columbia, MO on 04/16/2011 06:40 AM
Best prairie examples are western end of trail, from Sedalia to Clinton. As I recall, some of the RR rights of ways were the only bits of prairie preserved when the land was plowed up for agriculture, and has been restored with fire to many of the native plants. It's been a while, but I believe there are some interpretive signs along that section. Every trailhead has a nice display board put up by DNR with info about interesting natural or historical features on the next section.
If you are really interested in seeing the natural areas, you might want to take a detour to the Eagle Bluffs nature area near McBaine. There are lots of gravel roads there, so it wouldn't be easy on a road bike, but I think a hybrid or mtn bike would be okay.
Hope this helps. The trail will be beautiful in May, and you should see plenty of wildflowers and bird life, if nothing else (oh, and probably lots of snakes and lizards sunning themselves in the trail!)
Michael Rodemeyer from Hartsburg, Missouri on 04/17/2011 06:32 PM
A few years ago the state was working on a "prairie" just south of Sedalia off Hwy 63. Its not the KATY trail but it is a little bit left from the "old days".
Linda from Sedalia on 04/18/2011 08:42 AM
In response to the Sedalia area it is called "Paint Brush Prairie" it is 74 acres of natural wildflowers , etc.. It is 10 miles south of Sedalia on 65 highway on the east side of the road. It is marked with signage
Thomas from Cleveland on 04/19/2011 07:56 PM
Railroad corridors were never plowed so they remainded as prairies. The railroad would burn the grass so that it did not grow trees. Or so I read. Thanks, Michael, Linda, and eht.
time to plan
- + I am planning a mid june trip from. Clinton to Machens, and wondering how long I should plan to take? I saw one reference for six days, and another round trip in eight days. How long do other riders ...
Discussion started 04/11/2011 08:43 PM by david - 9 replies (last reply by MidSouth at 04/19/2011 03:38 PM)david from coloradoe on 04/11/2011 08:43 PM
I am planning a mid june trip from. Clinton to Machens, and wondering how long I should plan to take? I saw one reference for six days, and another round trip in eight days. How long do other riders take?
Thanks to all responses.
Jules from Lake Saint Louis, MO on 04/11/2011 09:53 PM
Depends entirely on your fitness. Keep in mind that Mother Nature enjoys mixing it up which means you may find yourself riding through driving rain on a water-logged, achingly slow trail. That can add hours to your overall time. I am a fit female rider, mid-40s. I rode Clinton to St. Charles in four days then came back the next year and did it in three. The four-day trip was definitely more enjoyable as there are interesting towns and Lewis & Clark markers scattered all along the trail. Trying to get in 75+ miles AND take in the sites is pretty damn hard. I would recommend four or more days and if you're going through to Machens you'll have to double back the 13 miles to St. Charles as there are no services in Machens.
Almost Retired on 04/12/2011 06:24 AM
Join us on the DNR ride June 20 - 24 Very well organized! Meals, camping, SHOWERS, sag stops, etc. Plus bus transportion back is available.
Longest day this year is Thursday with 68 miles
daveoh from lowry city,mo on 04/13/2011 02:33 PM
hi i rode to sedala and back to clinton, a nice 69 mile trip. trail in good condition.
David from Colorrado on 04/16/2011 07:32 PM
Jules - tell me more about Machens. I plan to ride from there to a bike shop to get my bike boxed and shipped. Feasible, or will I still have to go back to St. Charles ?
Jules from Lake Saint Louis, MO on 04/17/2011 03:25 PM
David, there is absolutely zip in Machens. Just a trailhead and the trail ends in the middle of farmland. If you didn't want to double back the 13 miles to St. Charles you could make your way by country roads a few miles to Portage Des Sioux which does have a post office but I'm not sure if they have a bike shop. I would recommend you call ahead to make sure they have the proper shipping supplies you will need. Use google maps and you should be able to get directions. Good lick!
Jules on 04/17/2011 03:49 PM
I should add if you're planning to eat ice cream, then good lick. Otherwise, good LUCK. Ha!
David from Colorrado on 04/17/2011 09:13 PM
Jules - thanks so much for your info. I'm going from end-to-end. I'm pretty fit for a 50-year old guy (ha), but 3-days is hardcore! I'm going to pace myself for 5-days, travel light, and enjoy the trip. thanks again.
Cat from Higbee, MO on 04/18/2011 08:47 PM
Sounds like you have a good plan. A friend and I rode it last year in 3 days. No time for siteseeing and parts of the trail were closed and/or rough due to recent high water. We still had a GREAT time. Enjoy!
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/19/2011 03:38 PM
My wife and I rode Clinton to St. Charles at a leisurely 6 day pace last June, also rode various sections again during the summer and fall. Leaving solo Apr 30th and plan to ride Clinton to St. Charles in 3 days. Ride St. Charles to Machens and back on the 4th day. Then ride St. Charles back to Clinton in 3 days. My wife thinks I'm nuts!
Contact Steamboat Junction Campground
- + I've called Steamboat Junction's campground number several times now, on different days. I don't get an answering machine or anything, it just keeps ringing. Does anyone know what their hours and days...
Discussion started 04/13/2011 05:15 PM by Anonymous - 3 replies (last reply by MidSouth at 04/19/2011 03:34 PM)Anonymous from Crestwood, MO on 04/13/2011 05:15 PM
I've called Steamboat Junction's campground number several times now, on different days. I don't get an answering machine or anything, it just keeps ringing. Does anyone know what their hours and days for answering the phones are? I can't remember that. Or are they out of business? Please Help!
Anonymous on 04/19/2011 09:08 AM
My friend emailed them and finally heard back from them as she is planning our trip in May. They are still in business. You can email them - steamboatcamp@att.net
Hope this helps.
Janae from Kansas City on 04/19/2011 12:51 PM
I emailed them around the time you posted this. Just got a response back this morning, so apparently they are just opening for the season. You may want to call on a weekend since they're most likely open then.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 04/19/2011 03:34 PM
I also got an email reply from Sandra at Steamboat Junction within an hour today.
Cafe Bella in Augusta
- + I am a local, and my wife and I often go to Cafe Bella for a treat. The cafe is run by a mother/daughter team, who serve the most delightful and delicious food. The menu is usually limited, but the ...
Discussion started 04/19/2011 10:45 AM by Dan - 0 repliesDan from Augusta on 04/19/2011 10:45 AM
I am a local, and my wife and I often go to Cafe Bella for a treat. The cafe is run by a mother/daughter team, who serve the most delightful and delicious food. The menu is usually limited, but the items on the menu are excellent. The atmosphere is quaint, and you feel like aristocracy from the 1800's when sitting inside, or like a tourist in Italy when on the patio. There is a good choice of wines to choose from, and the desserts are just as good as the appetizers and main courses. Highly recommended. 5 stars!
Jeff City Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
- + Did our firt ridw across the new bike/pedestrian bridge yesterday. It is pretty narrow and has a lot of pedestrian traffic ie; families with small children on it now so be prepared for sudden stops t...
Discussion started 04/15/2011 02:14 PM by Jim - 2 replies (last reply by Bob Jenkins at 04/17/2011 12:03 PM)Jim from St Thomas on 04/15/2011 02:14 PM
Did our firt ridw across the new bike/pedestrian bridge yesterday. It is pretty narrow and has a lot of pedestrian traffic ie; families with small children on it now so be prepared for sudden stops to avoid the little ones. Hopefully they will put signs up at both ends with the "rules of the road". The ramp on the north end is pretty easy to come up but it does have square turns. I don't know if you could make the turns with a tandem - someone will have to try it. All in all a big improvement over what was there.
Michael Rodemeyer from Hartsburg, Missouri on 04/16/2011 12:13 PM
I read in the paper that they made the ramp square, instead of rounded, so bikers wouldn't race up or down and run over walkers. I guess from your comments it works as planned.
Bob Jenkins from Holts Summit, MO on 04/17/2011 12:03 PM
Big improvement over what we had before, but I agree that people need to do a better job keeping their kids reeled in.
I love this bridge.
Technical Tire Question
- + Sorry if this is an old topic, went through ~100 subjects without seeing any similar topic. Couple of us will make the Clinton to St. Charles ride the first week in May, taking 5 days, ~ 50 miles/day...
Discussion started 04/13/2011 06:20 PM by Bobbee - 4 replies (last reply by Gary at 04/15/2011 12:25 PM)Bobbee from St. Louis on 04/13/2011 06:20 PM
Sorry if this is an old topic, went through ~100 subjects without seeing any similar topic. Couple of us will make the Clinton to St. Charles ride the first week in May, taking 5 days, ~ 50 miles/day. I'm no stranger to long rides, have done RAGBRAI and other long rides but always on pavement. First time on the KATY surface although I've done several 35 mile training rides. My local bike shop has two opinions on tires, both riders/advisors have done the entire cross state ride multiple times. One says keep my 35MM knobby tires, the other says change out to 28mm slick tires and the ride will be far less effort. Any advice out there? Lets assume decent weather with only one wet day. Thanks in advance
Trek on 04/13/2011 08:19 PM
Knobbies aren't necessary on the Katy. I've ridden slicks for several years on my hybrid and they work fine. The tandem has 28's on it and they work well...as always, watch for the track and stay in it. I'd go for the 28 slicks over knobbies anyday.
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 04/13/2011 09:15 PM
Full knobbies not needed as Trek says, they would be slow rollers for sure. Have Hutchinson Acrobats 700x37 on the Hybrid, they work well. Have Vittoria Adventure Touring 700x32 on the touring bike, they work even better. Neither of these tires are slicks but are fairly low resistance tires. I furnished the names of the tires for reference to see what they look like, other brands have similar tires.
The Katy is for the most part hard packed, but softer in the center and to the outer edges.
Bobbee from St. Louis on 04/14/2011 08:46 AM
Great feedback, thanks Trek and Darrell. Bobbee
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 04/15/2011 12:25 PM
Time Saver Tip of the Day:
If you are looking for a specific topic - go to the Katy Trail Home page, click on the Search the web site link, type in your topic in the google search box, click the BikeKatyTrail.com button and then click the search button.
It's a lot quicker than paging through all the comments looking for what you want.