Katy Trail Forum

What a great find, fresh produce, nice to have a market in the neighborhood!!

Me thinks I have to sort through to many hotel and restaurants critics or self promotions to find things about folks ride on the trail..

These tidbits of information can be helpful to grubby hungry trail users at times. :)

Thanks anonymous #1, I didn’t even know there was a “Dorsey’s Corner Store”. I’ll try to remember that next time I’m over that way.



Anonymous #2, I smell what you are cookin’! The critiques are helpful but sometimes it is a little over done. Personally, I prefer more posts like this one. http://www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=3623¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=1



An example; Recently I chatted with a couple of fellows from Madison Wisconsin that were doing an end to end ride. Would like to know about their trip, how it went, the good, the bad, the things they would and would not want to do again.



I talk to many people out on the trail, from all over the country and beyond, it is an interesting part of one of my favorite hobbies. The “Ride/Run/Hike reports” section of this website is a nice feature, wish more people would post about their trips there. The most recent is a link to “Susan and Marks Katy Trail Adventure“. A really well done post, imo. Also, more comments in this section about day trips, weekend overnighters and longer tours would be interesting and fun to read about, even if limited in space.



Anon, finally someone steps up and uses a name to stand behind their words and opinion, how refreshing! :)

Our experience at Glen's Cafe was not good. Overpriced food, lousy service and limited menu. We were with two other couples after riding the Katy Trail. All parties of 6 or more are one check only, and gratuity is automatically added. Therefore, the wait staff doesn't work too hard for their tips. And, don't order the penne pasta, you will surely be disappointed. We won't be returning. Very, very disappointing.

I too have had a bad experience at Glenns Cafe. It seems that the owner, Steve Cupp has had no customer training. No separate checks, no split plates and poor service does not bode well for a cafe located in a historic hotel. Perhaps the owners of the hotel should pay closer attention to their tenants. If you are riding thru Boonville on Wednesday thru Saturday nite, try W. J.s restaurant where you as a guest are appreicated. No use spending your money where you are treated like you are eating at a fast food restaurant.

My wife and also did not have the best eating experience at Glenn's cafe. We also experienced slow service, and a below average meal. We noticed that all of the food items served had an inordinate amount of pepper added. Salting and peppering should be left up to the patron. Signed disappointed

We had some pretty good food but slow service. What we really enjoyed was the bar. Great decor and atmosphere. They had a gal singing in the lobby who was very good. We'll go back for drinks and music but we'll hold off on eating there until we hear they've improved their service.

So, (to paraphrase Trek) how was everyone's ride?

What ever happened to the extension to Pleasant Hill, as part of the Taum Sauk settlement? Are they working on it?

We were recently at the depot in Sedalia and the gal behind the counter said that they have started to work on the trail from Pleasant Hill and that they were still trying to secure some of the land/deeds...so yes they are working on it. It should meet up at Windsor, MO.

Took some friends riding on the Katy Trail in Rocheport on Saturday Nov 6th...hubby and I decided that on the way home we would stop in at the Blind Ref for lunch. Once again, it was amazing! Of course had the fried cheese curds and a great burger! The owner came over and talked to us and gave my husband a sample of some irish stew that was very tasty! Great place to eat with great atmosphere to boot! Hubby can't wait to get his Blind Ref hat.....

I recently hiked a portion of the KATY Trail. I parked my car in Hermann and too Amtrak to the town of Saledia. I then walked the 130 miles back to my car. I did this in six 20 mile days. I was carrying a full backpack and camped out each night except one. That night I spent in a comminity sponsered free hostel in Tebbetts.

I was walking during the last week of October. The leaves were still in full color but falling. The weather was cool (one cold night) and nice for hiking. I was suprised to see no other hikers on the trail. There were only a couple of longer distance bikers. Most people seem to just to day walks or bike rides.

There were tons on wildlife. I saw, fox, deer, turkeys, and even a groundhog. One day I saw a calf being born. The part of the trail I enjoyed most was the cliff lined Missouri. I enjoyed the Lewis and Clark history.

The Missouri communities were wonderful. Each town flew Old Glory proudly and I met several war heros. The women still make wonderful homemade pies like mom did. No Perkins on this trail (thank God).

My only complaint was that the surface was hard on my feet. Perhaps is was because I was doing 20 miles with a pack. I am 60 years old. I lost 10 pounds.

I had great fun. Didn't spend much money, communed with nature and met alot of nice folks.

Cool! Glad you enjoyed your hike Walkabout, sounds like fun. It's a great time to be out on the Katy. I did an out and back ride/campout this past weekend, had a ball just being out there. The weather was great and "the Mother" is in fine form, absolutely beautiful.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

glad you had fun, lost a pound or two, and enjoyed some good ole missouri hospitality. 20 miles a day with full backpack. i am very impressed.

I was biking across the trail the last few days in October ... we must have missed one another. I'm a backpacker typically. Was trying out touring. After seeing the entire trail ... I'd backpack it. It was excellent.

We just returned from a stay at the Cliff Manor Inn and we highly recommend it! Thom was such a good host and the room was lovely and well stocked with goodies. The view of the river last evening was beautiful and if it wasn't so cold, we would have sat by the fire he makes on the patio. The best part was the breakfast. The service and food were excellent. We weren't there to ride bikes this weekend, but we will return for a Katy trail trip and stay there.

Hope to ride 40-50 west to east this weekend somewhere on the st. Louis of jeff city.

Are any shuttles running that could get me back to wherever I leave my car Saturday

morning? Gary

Click on "Plan a Ride" above, fill out what you want including the shuttles box, click the submit button to get a list of them so you can contact them directly.

Call me at 573 236 4575 and I might be able to move your car up and ride my bike back depending on time.

Stopped here on our way back from Hermann...got some water for our bottles and had an amazing home grown apple! It was so sweet! Sat for a bit at the table and chairs right along the trail.

My buddy enjoyed some excellent pears here on Nov 1st. Would have loved to camp there.

Very warm welcome ... convinced us to sleep at the local campground. Great food. We stayed there on October 31st (Halloween) and loved seeing the local kids come around for candy. Highly recommend.

Great camping area. We stayed here October 30th. They had live music, showers, very friendly staff, and excellent Thai Food + various other options. Perfect stop.

If you have found a pager within the last month on the trail please contact me via e-mail at kevin.watson@va.gov



Thanks in advance

SGT. Kevin Watson

We stayed at the Globe over Halloween weekend. Jenette was a great host. She served a very tasty bicyclist breakfast. The old hotel is a very cool place to check out. And it is right next to the trail. I'd reccommend it to others.

Good Day, All! I just decided that I think I'd like to ride the Katy in a couple of weeks....no preparation or planning...I think I'll just drive down and then SAG myself....ride about 40 miles, turn-around, return to my car, and then "shuttle" myself to where I turn around each day. I guess restrooms and some trail amenities will be closed along the way, but can I count on no-reseration rooms being available wherever I opt to stop each night? Any other suggestions?

Probably, during the week. With a vehicle you'll be able to find lodging somewhere okay.

Hi Greg, If you have no problem with 70/80 miles per day consider this. Park in St. Charles, then ride or shuttle to the Amtrak station in Kirkwood. Catch the train to Sedalia, then take 3 days and ride almost the entire Katy back to your car. With a little planning, you can stay at B&Bs or motels along the way. Just a suggestion.



Paulie

Thanks for the suggestion, Paulie...I thought about doing that very thing....but I don't have Panniers on the bike I'm going to use, and I thought it might make sense to have the truck avail in case the weather takes a nasty turn.....gives me more options. Sounds like you've done the trail....any other lodging/dining/viewing suggestions are welcome!

I think your idea is a good one. The Katy is a good trail to do out-and-backs on. November should be a prime time to do it. One of my favorite times to ride the Katy is in the dead of winter when the ground is frozen. Things look very different than in the summer. Only problem is keeping your water bottles from freezing.

Fellow Cyclists

You have to stop in Pilot Grove for lunch at Becky's... the food is unbelievable and the people are great...you will not leave this place hungry!!!!

Thanks Becky for a great lunch last Friday!!! We WILL be back.

How many people ride road bikes on the Katy Trail? I'm looking at riding long distance on the Katy Trail and wondering how a road bike would hold up on the terrain? Please let me know for those of you that have used a road bike on the trail. Thanks so much!

Last year I did about 400-miles on this trail with a skinny-tire road bike. I made fairly good time on its hard surface when it was dry.

I was riding on the trail in late September 2010 pulling a Burley trailer. My bicycle has 700C

X 25 tires and I did all right with the hard surface crushed limestone. There are several

places where the trail is being worked on and it was tough getting through that. You'll do all

right.

I would recommend 700 X 28 as a minimum, especially following periods of wet weather. If no rain has fallen in the past week or more you could get by with 700 X 25, or during periods of real dry weather, 700 X 23 should get you by fine. In any case I would recommend Kevlar lined tires.

The trail is smooth enough in the tire paths that the integrity of a road bike is really non issue. What concerns me is the amount of dust, and limestone slurry when the trail is wet, that gets on the chain, gears, brakes and wheels. I don't really care for the sound of the grit between the brake pads and the rim when slowing down when the trail is wet. For that reason, if we know it's gonna rain, we just stay at home and avoid the clean up when the trail is wet. When the weather permits and the longbike gets to make a trip, it gets the chains cleaned are relubed often when riding limestone. When you can hear the shifting gears, the drive system needs attention.



Tires can be a greater issue than the bike. We ride 28's and they are fine....could ride narrower and stay in the tire paths and be okay. I think if you tend to weave around and find yourself in the loose stuff you can go down on about any tire. It's a matter of paying attention and not so much tire size to me. We've ridden Bontrager Hard Case for several miles on the Katy and the back tire is starting to get chewed up a bit. It's carrying the weight of two and usually rear panniers with a trunk bag. No flats, but it has several small cuts on it that may be from riding on the road too. I'll probably go with Continental before spring and see how they hold up.

If road bike tires aren't in good shape to start with, they are vulnerable to flats on the trail from small stones, thorns, and twigs, and from bumps and twists etc. Tuff-skin and Kevlar types work best; thorn liners help too.

I've been back and forth a few times on 700 x 35s and they have generally held up better than the tires used by my brethern who ride mountain/hybrid bikes.

The best ride I ever had on the Katy was with old cheapo 27" 28MM Tires. It was dry, and in July packed down pretty hard. The few sandy sections were no problem really. I coasted a lot while fatter tires had to keep pedaling. Another trip was part of a longer tour, in 1.5" 26" tires, with a wetter trail, and I found it kind of tireing. I kept wishing that I was back on the 27" wheels.

This winter I will be tackling it with 32mm 700c tires, mostly because that is what is on my tourer right now.

This spring I plan on hitting it with a vintage path racer type bike on 25mm tires, about as thin as I would want to try. If its wet, I expect a slog on those, but I will be going for speed that trip.



Regardless of the tire, it is best to realize that conditions change a lot, and bringing lots of patches/spare tubes is a good idea.

I rode a mountain bike....this past summer we rode from Clinton to St.Charles and the bike did well...make sure you have good tires!

As cyclists, the Dormitory at the School House B&B perfectly fit our needs. First of all, the rooms where immaculately clean and each room had a stocked refigerator where you can help yourself. Since we like to leave early in the morning, this was great -- no waiting around for breakfast. We were able to secure our bikes in the shed for the night. Each room had TV with video player with a number of movies to chose from. This is the third year I've biked the Katy Trail and this is the best accommodations I've found. I'll definitely will be back.

My friend and our two teenage boys stayed at Monette's Cabin one recent night in October. We could not have been more pleased with not only the accommodations, but the innkeepers themselves. The cabin is spacious and beautifully decorated, spotlessly clean and provided every comfort of home. The view from the front porch is fantastic--esp. with the colors of fall on display. Vicky and her husband are naturals at hospitality, both are warm, welcoming, and easy-going. Vicky is an incredible cook; she made the best Quiche Lorraine I've had, along with amazing sticky buns and a fruit cup that even my (devoted carnivore) son, devoured. Her husband happily picked us (and our 4 bikes) up from the trail and brought us back the next afternoon. This is a special place and we plan on visiting again!

Can't say enough much we liked Monette's Cabin, They treated me and my wife like

royalty and what a view, great food and some of the best hosts if we have had at a B

and B

We decided to eat in Rocheport after biking from New Franklin. We weren't sure where to eat on a Sunday for lunch but stopped by Abigail's and decided to try it. Waited about 15 mintues for a table and it was worth the wait! One man cooking the food FRESH!!! Service was great and the food was awesome! We will definitely be coming back again even if it is just for a Sunday drive 1.5 hours from home to eat here! Full tables is always a good sign!

My college roommates (from almost 40 years ago) are considering riding the Katy Trail for

three to five days, probably riding 50-80 miles a day, exploring the area as we go along. We'd

like to get some idea of the "best" areas, according to the opinions of others. We've already

ridden along the C&O Canal in West Virginia and Maryland (from Paw Paw to Harper's Ferry),

along the Raritan and Delaware Canal, in Joshua Tree National Park, and on Cape Cod. So

we've seen some good spots; we're just missing the Midwest! Any suggestions, friends?

80 miles a day in 3 days and you've seen it all with 2 days to spare.

Plan to spend a day in Jefferson City. Depending on when you come, you could book a spot on one of the tours of the old Prison (MSP). Go to www.missouripentours.com for more info. Tour the State Capitol. The most important thing to see in the Capitol is the Thomas Hart Benton Mural. The Capitol is open M-F, 8-5, ask about the mural at the information desk, or take one of the free tours, offered hourly I think. Ride your bike to Lincoln University and see the Soldiers Memorial Plaza. Have dinner on the east side at O'Dohohue's Steak and Seafood House, then go to our micro brewery, Prison Brews, and play Bocci Ball, if it's the season for it. If you're here on a weekend finish your night at The Mission for live music and dancing.



Since the entire trail is about 264 miles, the pace you are considering will cover it in about 3 days, as the previous poster pointed out. You sound like experienced bikers. Stop and smell the roses in the Showme state. Check out the wineries on the eastern part of the trail (Augusta, and that area). Rocheport and Hartsburg are 2 great little towns. Enjoy the bluffs and the river views between Rocheport and Hartsburg, and from Mokane to Portland, and on to Rhineland. Get Brett Dufur's book on the Katy Trail, if you haven't already, read up on things ahead of time, and have a great time.

We seem to migrate to a few sections of the Katy over and over.



Sedalia to Boonvile is scenic and the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia and the Frederick Inn in Boonville are both historic and worthy of a nights stay.



Rocheport to McBaine has some very majestic limestone bluffs and nice river views. Some nice B&B's in Rocheport and eateries too. The bistro at the winery on top of the bluff has a good view as well as food and wine.



Hartsburg to Defiance is mostly all a good ride. The Hermann area is worth a stop.....good wine country here of course with community names like Rhineland and Portland. The tour of the Stonehill winery is a nice side trip. Some fantastic B&B's in Hermann also.



The Augusta area and east to Defiance is a good ride. East of Defiance is not one of our favorites. Historic St. Charles though, has some nice places to stay and eat to wind down after a day out.

I've done the entire trail, and my two favorite sections are from Sedalia to Boonesville, and from Rocheport to Hartsburg. I think the only section I would not bother doing again is from Defiance to St. Charles, but this is a short section of the trail. A person might as well ride it just to say you've covered the whole trail.

Joe picked us up at the Dutzow trailhead and shuttled us across the bridge to Washington. He was prompt and courteous and even took us to his shop to repair a flat ----- all in time to catch our 5:00 train. If you need a shuttle across the bridge or anything bike-related, give Joe a call.

Hi which trail has the best fall foliage color ?

Can someone please recommend the route to take ?

I think I would like to exit on the Weldon Spring trailhead; however, your map shows NO cross street with 94, so exactly where is this trailhead? Could someone please tell me...

Kim - click on Towns & Services, then Weldon Springs....the page annotates that the trailhead is not well marked off of 94 but shows a picture of the sign to look for. enjoy the voyage....Mark of the Dalton Boys

There is a dirt road leading off of Highway 94 to the acess point called Weldon Springs. It has no number to best of my recall because it is more or less a sort of driveway. mabe 100 yard long, slightly curving so you cannoy see the Trail and associated parking until you are upon it.. It crosses the Katy and than meanders down to the Missouri River where there is a concrete boat ramp for putting into the river. On highway 94 there is a very clearly marked sign. Brown in color because it is a State Park sign.I do believe it is labelled as the Weldon Spring boat ramp/Katy Trail access point ( something like that). It is the only such marker and the first access to the Katy Trail available as you come from Highway 40/64. From 40/64 it will be on the left side of 94.

When you arrive try pedaling down to the river, take off your shoes and socks and soak your tired tootsies in the river. Ahhh!

To add to my previous above: There are other marked pull off areas between Highway 40/64 and Weldon Spring access to Katy BUT they are parking for hiking trails only and will not take you directly to Trail. The access road I referred to above is, I estimate, roughly 2.5 miles from 40/64.

As you're headed west on 94, you will pass a water treatment plant of some sort on your right. Not far past that will be the road for the Weldon Spring access. It comes up on you quickly after a lefthand curve.

I recently talked to someone in State Parks and they stated they have ordered new signs to put up at the access road (on HWY 94) that say Katy Trail State Park Trailhead. They are just waiting for the Highway Department to produce the signs and get them up.

The new signs for this trail head are up on HWY 94. They must have just got them up, but you can't miss them.

This is the turnoff:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=38.66172,+-90.74466&ie=UTF8&ll=38.661721,-90.744667&spn=0.025401,0.055618&t=h&z=15



or:

http://tinyurl.com/53jcc6



If you get to "Highway DD" (while going West), then you've gone too far.

Thank you Jeff. This is what I was looking for.