Traffic in June
-  + I'm looking at riding the KATY this coming June. How busy is the trail at this time? I know the 2011 KATY Trail Ride is later that month. I plan on doing the entire trail.
Discussion started 01/12/2011 05:11 PM by hacim2112 - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 01/15/2011 08:20 AM)hacim2112 from Joplin on 01/12/2011 05:11 PM
I'm looking at riding the KATY this coming June. How busy is the trail at this time? I know the 2011 KATY Trail Ride is later that month. I plan on doing the entire trail.
Trek on 01/13/2011 12:42 PM
It will probably depend on the weather. If it's raining....not so busy. If it's sunny and 70....there may be some riders out. Trailheads my be congested at times, but it's not a deal breaker. Unless you're bring a group of several hundred, there'll be room.
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 01/13/2011 06:05 PM
We rode the trail last June, the same week as the DNR ride, but in the opposite direction. Between Clinton and Sadalia I think we only saw 2 other riders. Between Sedalia and Boonville only 3 or 4 others. There were a dozen or so in the Rocheport area. We passed the DNR riders at Mokane, but we were on the trail before most of them, so only saw about a dozen of them also. There were a dozen or so on the trail between Weldon Spring and St. Charles, that was it for the entire week. It was very hot and humid that week and the flooding forced some off trail detours, so that may have made a difference in the traffic.
Anonymous on 01/13/2011 08:41 PM
If you're riding during the week you won't see much traffic. On the weekends you will probably see fairly heavy traffic around Rocheport and the stretch from Green's Bottom into St Charles. It's a nice time to ride - just watch out for families and slow down when you approach kids. Kids (being kids) will generally find something more interesting to watch than oncoming bikers.
Anonymous on 01/15/2011 08:20 AM
St.Charles area on the weekend would be what your traffic area on the weekend. I like to ride the trail during the week and there has been times that I might see 10 bikers on the entire trip, excluding the Metro area.
2011 Katy Ride
-  + Was wondering if the towns chosen had been done before? It looks like several shorter distance days and then longer days at the end? Since the heat has been a concern the last few years I would assume...
Discussion started 01/11/2011 09:46 PM by Don - 4 replies (last reply by Don at 01/15/2011 03:25 AM)Don from Plainfield, IL on 01/11/2011 09:46 PM
Was wondering if the towns chosen had been done before? It looks like several shorter distance days and then longer days at the end? Since the heat has been a concern the last few years I would assume doing the longer days first would be better. Any thoughts?
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 01/11/2011 11:20 PM
I didn't know they had already posted the route...thanks!
We've done the ride the past 4 years and have spent the night in each of the towns choosen for this year.
In 2010 was the first we stayed in Marthasville at the community center...was nice, food excellent, limited shade for tents though.
Jeff City in 2009 and was in a city park...lots of shade and was very nice.
Boonville in 2008 on grounds of Kemper (I think), some shade, some open.
Sedalia in 07, 08, and 10. Liberty Park is very nice, lots of shade.
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2010ride.htm
The link above will take you to a synopsis of all rides since 2001 (scroll all the way to the bottom for links).
We plan on doing it again this year. Hope to see you there!
Terry from Festus on 01/12/2011 02:41 AM
Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to participate in the ride this year. All of the towns are usual stopping points. I think these are some of the best places to stop. There are good arrangements and are in towns where there is more to do the rest of the day than just hang out at camp. I would prefer to get the long milage days out of the way early in the week just for the thought of knowing after the first couple of days it is all downhill from there.
Theron from Akron, ohio on 01/14/2011 04:11 PM
3 ft of snow outside! Doing spin classes 3X a week
I'm ready for that ride from Jeff to Marthasville!!
C U on the trail in June! Theron
Don from Plainfield, IL on 01/15/2011 03:25 AM
Theron, if you are doing spin classes 3x week now for 2 months then another 150-200 mi./week when the weather breaks, the Jeff City to Marthasville leg will be no problem at all. Even at 110 heat index. Come on, it's only 66 miles. The Katy will then be a tune up for the RAGBRAI? Right?
Katy Trail Ride 2011
-  + I am seeking to ride the Katy Trail this upcoming Spring (2011) in late March or April. I have
not been able to find organized rides for this time period, does anyone know of an organized
rid...
Discussion started 01/03/2011 01:38 AM by Brian - 5 replies (last reply by Brian at 01/15/2011 01:30 AM)Brian from Collinsville, IL on 01/03/2011 01:38 AM
I am seeking to ride the Katy Trail this upcoming Spring (2011) in late March or April. I have
not been able to find organized rides for this time period, does anyone know of an organized
ride? I would prefer to ride from West to East. If your looking to do the same, drop me a line,
maybe we can organize a small group.
Respectfully,
Brian
eaglewing@charter.net
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 01/03/2011 11:32 AM
I think the first organized trip starts May 22, http://www.touringcyclist.com/calendar/ev425.html. There are several the second half of June to pick from.
Jim on 01/04/2011 10:56 AM
Keep in mind that all (I think) trailhead water/restrooms are closed through approximately April 1st.
Do a solo trip, you will meet people on the trail and sometimes will ride a ways with them. If you do the B&B/hotel you can go with minimal gear.
Jim
Don from Plainfield, IL on 01/10/2011 06:01 AM
I rode it last year the last week in Mar. It was unseasonably warm in the 60-70s from west to east. You may have potential problems from the soft sections (Clinton to Booneville) from the thaw in the spring. Nothing is really open. I had my better half do the SAG duties and we stayed in hotels. Nice time.
Rhona Lococo from St Charles Mo on 01/10/2011 01:50 PM
you might contact (2nd Street Bike Stop in St Charles) thay have smaller organized rides
Brian from Collinsville, IL on 01/15/2011 01:30 AM
Thanks for the info. Still planning.
Best Direction
-  + I'm considering riding the whole trail in 4-5 days but couldn't seem to find any information on which direction is better to ride. East to West or West to East. I have ridden various parts of the trai...
Discussion started 12/20/2010 10:12 PM by Luke - 3 replies (last reply by Joe Giovanini at 01/08/2011 12:05 PM)Luke from Kearney on 12/20/2010 10:12 PM
I'm considering riding the whole trail in 4-5 days but couldn't seem to find any information on which direction is better to ride. East to West or West to East. I have ridden various parts of the trail but this would be my first ride of this magnitude. Thanks for your help.
Anonymous on 12/21/2010 10:46 AM
There is an elevation chart, which shows west to east is more downhill if you want to call it "downhill".
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/elevations.aspx?
Anonymous on 12/30/2010 12:36 AM
From my experience and the experience of several friends....go WEST to
east.
Joe Giovanini from Columbus, IN on 01/08/2011 12:05 PM
Would agree that it does not make much difference except for places you are going to stay (hotel, b&b, tent camping)and possible wind direction. In theory wind is west to east but after riding west to east across US and south to north across US one never knows.
Boonville City Council approves Katy Depot, Gingrich Warehouse agreements
-  + [ link ]By Eric Berger Boonville Daily NewsPosted Dec 07, 2010A pair of agreements that give the City of Boonville control of buildings envisioned to be part of a tourism hub near the Katy Trail rece...
Discussion started 12/08/2010 08:11 PM by Ray (webmaster) - 2 replies (last reply by Gary at 01/05/2011 03:26 PM)Ray (webmaster) on 12/08/2010 08:11 PM
[ link ]By Eric Berger
Boonville Daily NewsPosted Dec 07, 2010A pair of agreements that give the City of Boonville control of buildings envisioned to be part of a tourism hub near the Katy Trail received the City Council’s approval at a meeting Monday.Tourism Director Lisa McClary said that acquiring and renovating Katy Depot and Gingrich Warehouse building would attract more travelers from the trail.“The end goal is a tourism hub,” McClary said.Several residents and business people spoke in support of the projects during the public comment section.Barron Fuller, general manager of the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel, said he had experienced a similar situation in Marquette, Iowa where there had been attempts to develop an old railroad depot. He said the efforts dragged on for 16 years until the city found a developer.The project is expected to take five years and estimated to cost between $300,000 and $500,000. That includes acquiring the Gingrich building, renovation of both buildings and finding a new location for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources office currently in the Katy Depot.
savage24 from KC, MO on 01/05/2011 11:10 AM
Can anyone shed more light on the "Gingrich warehouse" mentioned in the article? Thanks.
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 01/05/2011 03:26 PM
I got this off a blog about the city counsel meeting post by Lisa McClary........
I would be happy to answer questions outside of a city council meeting, where there's room for back-and-forth discussion. Unfortunately, no one calls. If this is the only forum where these issues are getting raised, I feel compelled to clear up any misinformation that might be going around. I will try to do it in a less clumsy manner next time! I welcome any questions from anyone, anytime, about anything tourism-related. We might still disagree, but it's always better when disagreements are based on facts. My office phone is 882-2721; cell is 888-1470. Thanks!
Trike on Amtrak
-  + Has anyone taken a trike (tadpole) on Amtrak between Sedalia and Washington, MO?
Thanks, John
Discussion started 01/03/2011 04:15 AM by John - 1 reply (last reply by Trek at 01/04/2011 04:18 PM)John from Tulsa on 01/03/2011 04:15 AM
Has anyone taken a trike (tadpole) on Amtrak between Sedalia and Washington, MO?
Thanks, John
Trek on 01/04/2011 04:18 PM
Unfortunately, only regular, old school types bikes can be rolled on the train. From their 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.
Happy New Year and Happy Tails
-  + Here's to a Happy New Year, happy trails, and a safe and fun year of riding ahead!
Discussion started 01/01/2011 12:50 PM by MAH - 2 replies (last reply by Terry at 01/02/2011 01:30 AM)MAH from Blue Springs MO on 01/01/2011 12:50 PM
Here's to a Happy New Year, happy trails, and a safe and fun year of riding ahead!
Darrell from Jeff City, MO on 01/01/2011 07:39 PM
Right back at ya, MAH! Looking forward to another fun year on the Katy. Happy New Year to all!
Terry from Festus on 01/02/2011 01:30 AM
I hope yours is a great 2011. I hope to spend more time on the Katy this year. Unfortunately, I will probably be sitting out the DNR ride this year.
Klondike Park (Augusta)
-  + Does Klondike have a path directly to the Katy Trail? I cannot tell
from the map. It shows no roads in the road view. I see a route way to
the west in the "satellite view". thanks
Discussion started 12/29/2010 11:40 PM by Tom - 2 replies (last reply by Cvrz at 12/30/2010 12:55 AM)Tom from Cleveland on 12/29/2010 11:40 PM
Does Klondike have a path directly to the Katy Trail? I cannot tell
from the map. It shows no roads in the road view. I see a route way to
the west in the "satellite view". thanks
Cvrz from St Peters on 12/30/2010 12:50 AM
Yes it does! And it's one heck of a hill!...Very steep! It's near the lake by the picnic areas and it is marked.
Cvrz from St Peters on 12/30/2010 12:55 AM
There is also a trail from near the boat ramp to the park entrance. It is flat. It is also a bit harder to spot right off the bat from the trail side, easy to miss.