Katy Trail Forum

When we first did the Katy trail in 2005, I was terrified to stop here. It looked like a scene from "Deliverance."



BUT- - - after visiting it just a week ago, I can confirm it has done a complete 180 under new management!!! It was a fabulous place!!

Terrified?? Granted the majority of folks found at Cooper's are not wearing spandex and bike helments but I hardly find them terrifying. As far as I can tell Cooper's is the same great place to stop it's always been.

I remember my first experience with Mcbaine. My brother and I rounded the bend and smelled BBQ. Then I heard a guitar playing(deliverance!) and someone singing a John Prine song. "Sam Stone" I think it was. What a place! Perfect timing too. We had Perrier and gatorade at the one of the many picnic tables. Chatted it up with a couple from Columbia, had a snack and got back to it. It was real nice to sit by the river, take a break, and listen to the lone guitarist play some tunes. I pedalled off with the perfect mindset to get to Hartsburg.

Thanks, Mcbaine.

To correct my last post-I was referring to Coopers Landing. Sorry!

Real classy, Jim St. Thomas

See its website for more information... http://cooperslanding.net/

Wow, it took you two years to come up with that scathing remark?

Funny how most of the negitave comments are posted about the time Maggies bar opened. The Stein House is a nice restaurant, not a sports bar. Maybe the posters felt out of place because they weren't in a hamburger joint. I enjoy their steak selections and my wife likes stopping there because they cater to her vegitarian diet without making her feel singled out. We stop in Boonville about every two months as we pass through and always eat at the Stein House.

Definitely Bike friendly despite being in UN FRIENDLY ST. CHARLES COUNTY. Seemed very concerned after the damage done by Defiance Joe's bike ban. The cyclocross last weekend was definitely hard, enjoyable and nice to have a glass of vino afterwards. Bicyclists need to support their efforts!!! Without a doubt, the best venue on the cyclocross tour.

I don't understand why people continue to patronize Mt. Pleasant Winery. My experiences there have been decidedly UN-pleasant. I went there with friends on Columbus Day in 2008. In order to sit on the patio, we paid *double the retail price* for each bottle of wine. Drink it inside, it's $10; drink it outside, it's $20. Ridiculous! Went back on a Sunday afternoon with a different group and had to pay a fee just to enter the grounds. The place was so packed, there were no tables or chairs available for us. A member of the security team took pity on us and let us have a "reserved" table that hadn't been claimed. The food choices were quite limited: cheese cubes, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers and deli sandwiches...except the "market" had run out of lunchmeat, so sandwiches were no longer an option. A friend and I were hungry (we had cycled to the winery), so we went back down the hill and ate at the Augustry Brewery near the trailhead, which was less crowded and offered a better selection of food. Other wineries and restaurants along the Katy also are more appealing and hospitable than Mt. Pleasant; I suggest trying one of them...unless you like paying a 100% upcharge for the view and trying to fill up on cheese or pairing your wine with hot dogs.

I don't understand why people continue to patronize Mt. Pleasant Winery. My experiences there have been decidedly UN-pleasant. I went there with friends on Columbus Day in 2008. In order to sit on the patio, we paid *double the retail price* for each bottle of wine. Drink it inside, it's $10; drink it outside, it's $20. Ridiculous! Went back on a Sunday afternoon with a different group and had to pay a fee just to enter the grounds. The place was so packed, there were no tables or chairs available for us. A member of the security team took pity on us and let us have a "reserved" table that hadn't been claimed. The food choices were quite limited: cheese cubes, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers and deli sandwiches...except the "market" had run out of lunchmeat, so sandwiches were no longer an option. A friend and I were hungry (we had cycled to the winery), so we went back down the hill and ate at the Augustry Brewery near the trailhead, which was less crowded and offered a better selection of food. Other wineries and restaurants along the Katy also are more appealing and hospitable than Mt. Pleasant; I suggest trying one of them...unless you like paying a 100% upcharge for the view and trying to fill up on cheese or pairing your wine with hot dogs.

Ugh. Another restaurant critique, how was your bike ride?

Ugh. Another restaurant critique, how was your bike ride?

I hear ya about Mt Pleasant. We went there to get a cheap bottle of wine and a quick sandwich. Yea, they told us we could just buy our wine at the market with our lunch. When we got there the wine prices were outrageous!! But, the lady working there told us we could get our lunch and go back to the "take home" area, buy our wine and take it to the park across the street. Much cheaper and we could still hear the band very well. Even though they had only been open for an hour they were already sold out of a few wines. I have seen much better service elsewhere.

I hear ya about Mt Pleasant. We went there to get a cheap bottle of wine and a quick sandwich. Yea, they told us we could just buy our wine at the market with our lunch. When we got there the wine prices were outrageous!! But, the lady working there told us we could get our lunch and go back to the "take home" area, buy our wine and take it to the park across the street. Much cheaper and we could still hear the band very well. Even though they had only been open for an hour they were already sold out of a few wines. I have seen much better service elsewhere.

Went to the Cyclocross there. Definitely bike friendly despite being in un friendly St. Charles County. People brought dogs, kids and generally had a great time. They seemed very concerned to undo the damage done by Brasell and company. Wine was really good, the biking was hard. Make an easier course! Bicyclists need to patronize this place!!!

Went to the Cyclocross there. Definitely bike friendly despite being in un friendly St. Charles County. People brought dogs, kids and generally had a great time. They seemed very concerned to undo the damage done by Brasell and company. Wine was really good, the biking was hard. Make an easier course! Bicyclists need to patronize this place!!!

My husband and I were wanting to ride trail over thanksgiving break. What are the difficulties we might encounter as to lodging and shuttle issues because of holiday? How many miles is recommended per day for a physically fit person but has not conditioned on the bike? Does the small rock cause problems with a hybrid bike?

I just finished a ride Nov 6-7-8, clocked 233 miles over the three days. Biggest inconvenience I noticed was water being turned off at all trail heads (except restrooms at Rocheport. If you plan properly ahead of time my guess is the B&B's will be open, restaurants should be on the weekend. I packed a sandwich each day in case there was not a restaurant open - paid off on Monday.



If your tires are in good condition you will not have a problem. Most of my riding has been on regular hybrids, but did switch over to cyclocross for my ride only because of condition of my tires. Trail surface varies along the ride, can be packed dirt, loose fine gravel, or in a few place larger gravel packed into the base. In my opinion the trail west of Sedalia to Clinton is the best groomed section - well packed fine gravel.



Be sure you ride West to East - otherwise you will be going up grade most of time between Clifton City and Calhoun. If you get get a southerly or westerly breeze against you going east to west, it will really slow you down. Going West to East there is some uphill grade between Clifton City and Pilot Grove, but then generally downhill into Boonville. East of Boonville is mostly level.



Physical condition - depends on legs. I had ridden quite a bit this fall in preparation, but my quads were sore after the third day (89 mile day battling headwind half the day).



Hopefully you have ridden some in cooler weather - it does seem to me to make a difference.



Good luck.

I will be home over the holiday's if you want to spend the night in Sedalia. Have a great trip. Maxine's Rooms for Rent.

Well our trip was great! The weather held out for us. Got on the Katy Saturday morning after a long shuttle ride, by our new friends at Monette's cabin,at 11:30 temp about 52. The wind was blowing in our face all day, really wore us out, ended up at 61 degrees. Stayed in B&B in Rhineland Saturday night (Loutre Lane also a great place) then got back to the Katy at 9:30 Sunday starting temp 51 degrees. Wind was at our back for the first part of the day and temp was 69. It seemed like summer again. Picturesque views the entire trip. The bluffs and river most of the section we road. Can't wait to ride it again. The Katy is great and wish we had a nice riding trail like this in Indiana.

we are open 365 days a year for accomodations or shuttle service call 636-946-0619 ---- ask for Rhona ( Lococo House III, B&B )

We stayed here on a Friday night and Sunday night(beginning and end) of our cycling trip. They shuttled us to Tebbetts (for $$) then we road to Rhineland then on to Marthasville.

This place is a great stop and the view from the front porch is unbelievable. Very unique B & B (log cabin). Breakfast was great and nice welcoming hospitality. Very accommodating and would not have been able to do the trip without them shuttling us. Craig and Vicki keep up the good work, your the best!

Wow, thought it was going to be the usual B&B when we saw the place. Boy it was much more than we expected. Fantastic room, great breakfast, and Lucy even drove us to Hermann for dinner and picked us up afterward. She and I even shared some of our Floral Design life experiences. Each of us had been in the business many years ago. If back in the area definitely would go here and recommend this place to our friends. Lucy's home decoration expertise is suburb, she was getting ready for Christmas sorry we missed seeing all her Christmas trees. Thanks Lucy, you are a great hostess!

Awesome! We went in October, which obvioiusly is REALLY busy, but we found the food, beer, and atmosphere great. I love the laid back atmosphere and chill staff. There was a line for lunch to get a beer but it's to be expected during peak times. We stayed for dinner and were really impressed. We will definately come back!

Very nice establishment. Food was great, but the locals gave me a few odd looks...must have been my shoes. Good Food and nice selection!

Very nice establishment. Food was great, but the locals gave me a few odd looks...must have been my shoes. Good Food and nice selection!

My boyfriend and I were coming from Lake of the Ozarks home to Leadington, Mo and stopped to have a bite. He had the grilled ham and cheese and fries and I had fried chicken gizzards and tater tots. The food was so delicious that we got second orders of the same foods! The service was excellent and the prices very fair. Keep up the great work!

My boyfriend and I were coming from Lake of the Ozarks home to Leadington, Mo and stopped to have a bite. He had the grilled ham and cheese and fries and I had fried chicken gizzards and tater tots. The food was so delicious that we got second orders of the same foods! The service was excellent and the prices very fair. Keep up the great work!

What time are the masses?

Looks like mass is celebrated Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

My husband and I are getting ready to bike the Katy and just learned the trail will be closed around Pilot Grove. Any suggestions regarding a detour? I'd like to stay off the street as much as possible. Any suggestest would be great.

Any suggestions would be great!

I noticed that too. I didn't see anyway not on roads to get around it. I am starting the trail east from Clinton on the 17th of October. I am planning to try: Turn off trail to left on Walker Road to a right on Georgetown Road to a left on Harrison Station Road and back to the trail. It totals 4 miles on roads. I haven't been there before so I don't know what this will be like but it is my plan.

Important information regarding the trail closure! read below:



Tom,



This is a follow-up on our phone conversation. Although the trail is technically closed, per a discussion with the contractor it sounds like the trail will be passable except for a couple of days when they have their cement trucks on the trail to pour concrete. Except during those days, Katy users should be able to walk their bikes through this section. For your upcoming trip, you will see signs warning of the closure and you may also see vehicles on the trail, but as long as they aren't pouring concrete, you should be able to get through. The concrete pour hasn't been scheduled yet but Keith Petersen, who is the section manager for this area, has provided his cell number for Katy users to call for updates: 660-422-2360. Good luck on your trip!



Thanks,



Dawn Fredrickson, Field Operations & Katy Trail Coordinator

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Div. of State Parks, Northern Parks District

(573) 449-7402, dawn.fredrickson@dnr.mo.gov

That's great news!



A far cry from the previous post by Dawn:

The Katy Trail will be closed west of Pilot Grove, from Harriston Station Rd. (mile marker 206.5) to Ewing Rd. (mile marker 209), for repairs to the Taylor Branch culvert. The trail is estimated to be closed for a month, from Oct. 4 to Nov. 5. There are no safe detour options, so Katy users will need to avoid the area. Signs will be placed at Pilot Grove and Clifton City trailheads announcing the closed section. Signs and barricades will be placed at Harriston Station and Ewing roads to prevent users from accessing this section. For a status update, check our website: http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html. Or, email me at dawn.fredrickson@dnr.mo.gov. Thanks.

- posted 9/29/2010 9:10:50 PM by Dawn Fredrickson, Katy Trail Coordinator



When the rubber hits the road there is considerable difference between "so Katy users will need to avoid the area." and "Except during those days, Katy users should be able to walk their bikes through this section."



You dropped the ball DNR (Dawn)!

Sounds to me more like she just had the conversation and relayed new info as soon as she received it. You big whiner! I hope you realize I am smiling as I send this.

I know....I'm a whiner. But why post on here 9/29/2010 9:10:50 PM to avoid the area as there are no safe detour options and then near a week later leave it to someone else to post a private email telling one person that you should be able to walk your bike through the area?



I would have thought DNR Dawn would have posted here telling everyone that the trail was passable. Especially when there have been posters here trying to figure out how to get through.



I'll contend that it is poor timing on Dawns part as well as the MO DNR. October is a busy month for the Katy. Otherwise, someone would not be posting on here about overflow places to stay in October!

I guess because she's a busy girl! Maybe more busy than me even!

Regarding the comments about Dawn. I usually do not inject any comments but had to speak up this time. I know Dawn and she takes the Katy Trail very seriously and the riders safety is a major concern for her. Remember she has a boss too and we do not know the whole story maybe she was told to do the work at this time because of weather conditions and a hope that the trail would be opened back up quickly. Again we do not know the whole story, I feel she and the workers will be working hard to get that trail opened up again as quickly as possible. So give her a break and pass along this last info from her along to other bikers if you see them. We can't change it so we just need to adapt and improvise.

Through Tom's inquiry things did change though Linda. The trail went from no safe detour options with the need to avoid the area to being passable. Sometimes situations are best handled when we lean into them, instead of laying back. I personally think it is in the best interest of the Katy merchants and the state of Missouri that the trail is passable during such a popular riding time. My thanks to Tom.

Yes, thanks to Tom for sharing the information with us. I am inclined to go to that section of the trail and see if we can walk our bikes through the area being worked on and report on what I find here so everyone will know,,, but I won’t. It is good to know that those that have come long distances to ride the trail can get through. I suspect that some trail users walking through may not be a problem but the usual traffic would be a hindrance to the work being done. My speculatory two cents.

I do sincerely apologize for the inconvenience of having a construction project scheduled for October since it is one of the busiest months on the trail. However, this project is weather-dependent; the contractor is trying to take advantage of a short window of opportunity to complete. Additionally, the Mo Dept of Natural Resources did not set the construction schedule, so was unable to avoid having the construction occur during October. The dept takes user safety very seriously, thus the earlier post about avoiding the Pilot Grove area. This is the same message that we've posted on our Katy Trail website. Please note, however, that I included my phone number and email address for status updates in the earlier post. I encourage Katy users to contact me if they have questions about this area. Several Katy users did contact me after the post and I was able to relay information to them that the department had just received from the contractor, indicating that users planning to travel the area this week or weekend could get through the area. However, it is still best to avoid the area, particularly since there aren't any safe detour options. Heavy equipment and other vehicles will be driving on the trail while the project is underway. The steep slopes and drop-offs along both sides of the trail in this section prevent vehicles and heavy equipment from pulling to one side of the trail, so they will be taking up most of the trail surface. Additionally, we don't know when the contractor will be pouring concrete so are unable to anticipate when the concrete trucks will be on the trail. Because of the unknowns, we thought it best just to tell Katy users the trail was closed and to avoid the area. We are trying to accommodate Katy users as much as possible, however, which is why Keith Petersen, the Katy superintendent on the west end of the trail, posted signs in the area with his cell number so that Katy users could call him for immediate updates (660-422-2360). Thanks.

All, sorry, I forgot to include my phone number in either of my two early posts: 573-449-7402. Thanks.

I don't know Trek - no matter how much you lean into a cement truck on the trail - you lose. ;-)

I am not a religious person but all I can say is God Bless the DNR! They are the people that are entrusted to create and maintain our fabulous Missouri state park system and given their limited financial resources and I for one think they do a marvelous job.



Whenever I hop aboard my bicycle I can be sure of one thing. Not everything will go as planned. I have had bunnies, deer, snakes, humans and large vehicles pass unannounced in from of me at all hours of the day and night. To quote Forest Gump "It Happens!"



When I leave Clinton heading for St. Charles if there is a "situation" near Pilot Grove I will have to find a way around it. There will likely be other "situations" along the way.



Keep up the good work Dawn! However I be VERY disappointed if you don't provide perfect weather conditions during the week of Oct. 11-15 and your boss WILL hear all about it!!



Biker Dude

I do enjoy levity. Thanks Dude.

Nate from Maryland:



I rode that section of the trail a couple days ago. Those roads you are talking about are not on the same plane as the trail. The road is about 15' - 18' above the trail where it crosses it. You would have to carry your bike up about a 70 degree embankment through brush, lift it across a 4' fence to get to the road.



My guess is the trail will still be open when you ride it. The work is being done about two or so miles north of where you cross Hwy E/Hwy 135, and the actual work is about 30' below the trail bed. If the trucks are not running you will be fine. If they are running, you could double back to E/135, head NE. Then you have the option of getting on Walker Lane (a gravel country road) there and going to Georgetown until it parallels the trail where you can get back on the trail. If you did not want to do that you could follow 135 (paved highway) into Pilot Grove, then catch the trail again. Google bike map shows 135 heading into Pilot Grove as "A Road".



Enjoy the ride.

Although the Taylor Branch culvert construction project is still underway west of Pilot Grove, the trail is no longer closed from MM 206.5 to 209. Users will still need to exercise caution in this area, as they may encounter parked vehicles on the trail. Signs will be posted at Harriston Station Rd. (mile marker 206.5) and Ewing Rd. (mile marker 209) cautioning users that they are entering a construction zone. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, at dawn.fredrickson@dnr.mo.gov or 573-449-7402.

That was a short month.

I just completed the ride from Clinton to St. Charles and what a joy it was! Even though Dawn allowed me to get wet a few times the trail was wonderful. In my opinion it is nicer west of Booneville. Better maintained and more scenic although the Hermann area is nice as well. We need to cough up a few more tax dollars so the DNR can smooth it up a bit on the eastern half. Lots of rough spots but nothing life threatening that hasn't been roped off with snow fencing.



If you would like to see photos of my trip cut and paste the link below into your browser. Enjoy!



http://www.pbase.com/jimslug98/katy

I just rode from Sedalia to N jefferson and back, looks like they doing some work but was able to ride by with no problems. Wasnt close and dint see any detours

The Taylor Branch culvert project near Pilot Grove is complete. Trail users no longer need to be on the alert for construction equipment or vehicles on the trail. Thanks for your patience.

We have stopped twice on our way from St. L to K.C.....each time were

treated like welcome visitors. Friendly owners and waitress but also

friendly patrons...feels like the perfect "hang out". We plan to spend

New Years Eve at a B & B in Rocheport because of the General Store.

My son and I, and my friend and her son, rode from St. Charles to Marthasville in October. We had a fantastic day, then stayed at a charming B&B called Monette's Cabin. It was a warm welcome after a long day with a beautiful view of the fields and hills of Missouri. Vicki made us an excellent breakfast and was delightful to talk to. I would highly recommend this B&B.

I wanted to add this under the post about some general store in St. Chuck after Snarkydoodles post, but didn't want to rob the thread.



I think perhaps the comment forum would be more functional if it were by catagory. If someone wanted to know about a specific town or had a specific question, they could go to that catagory. We'd all have to make sure and keep on topic. Hijacking a thread causes misplaced information.



There are questions that seem to come up over and over and over. What is the most scenic part of the trail? What is the best section to do a day ride? Will my road bike work on the trail? For those asking the question, maybe they could find their answer by looking under a relevant topic. As it stands.....the same questions get answered again and again. And there is a wealth of posts about how good/bad a restaurant or B&B is. Lodging, bike shops, etc., as well as Restaurants would all be good catagories.

I plead guilty! I hijacked, robbed, poked with a stick, and raddled the cage of that thread, such as it was. And look, your post popped out.



Have visited other forums that are structured similar to what you have described, they work pretty well. I can't say that I favor them over the way this one is structured. Like them both. The way this one is, all of the new posts are right there, first thing, when you come to the comment forum. For those that come here often, that works out well. But if we want to know about a particular section of the trail or subject, what you describe would absolutely be a better way. Although, it wouldn't necessarily keep a sap like me from hijacking a thread or perpetuating such. But I see your point and appreciate your input.



I did not take a hike or ride my bicycle today. Didn't even read about anyone else riding their bike or taking a hike on the trail,,, yet!



Thanks Trek.

Thanks for the feedback and ideas. I agree that it would be nice to have categories for the forum, and enable web visitors to either view all comments at once, or choose specific categories to read.



I've got some ideas on how to implement this, but realistically it will be a few months before it can be done, because I'll be working on a technical upgrade to the website through the end of the year.



I always appreciate your feedback on how to make BikeKatyTrail.com better - thanks again for sharing your ideas. This is a good one and I look forward to building it. Happy trails!