Ride between N Jefferson and Clinton
- + Hi, I am planning a bike ride from N Jefferson to Clinton. I heard that Amtrak is available only until Sedalia. How can I comeback from Clinton to Sedalia? Is there any shuttle available? Please advis...
Discussion started 04/27/2010 11:13 AM by Jim - 3 replies (last reply by anonymous at 04/28/2010 09:18 PM)Jim from ST Charles on 04/27/2010 11:13 AM
Hi, I am planning a bike ride from N Jefferson to Clinton. I heard that Amtrak is available only until Sedalia. How can I comeback from Clinton to Sedalia? Is there any shuttle available? Please advise.
Anonymous on 04/27/2010 11:36 AM
Just ride your bike back to Sedalia from Clinton.. It's only 40 miles.
Seems to be the simple solution.
jd from gkc on 04/27/2010 01:37 PM
Victory Shuttle and Taxi, Sedalia, MO
660-221-7783 / 660-221-7795
Anonymous on 04/28/2010 09:18 PM
Also, B&L Shuttle 660-221-4406
Bike Shipping
- + We are two cyclists coming from California to ride the Katy Trail in May. Is there a bike shop or other facility in the Kansas City area where we might ship our boxed bikes by UPS or FedEx and avoid t...
Discussion started 04/26/2010 06:46 PM by Pubmeister - 4 replies (last reply by Jack at 04/28/2010 02:55 PM)Pubmeister from Sonoma, CA on 04/26/2010 06:46 PM
We are two cyclists coming from California to ride the Katy Trail in May. Is there a bike shop or other facility in the Kansas City area where we might ship our boxed bikes by UPS or FedEx and avoid the expensive airline surcharges? We understand that there might be a fee for such a service.
Thanks for your help,
Pubmeister
Sonoma, CA
Skyguy9999 on 04/26/2010 11:42 PM
Why the Kansas City area, might I ask?
Depending on what area you look into starting the trail, you might consider searching bike shops and receiving areas (Kinkos or the like) in bigger towns along the trail where you wish to start. As long as you don't take too long to pick up the bikes after their arrival, I'm sure someone will accomodate you if you accomodate them for their time and storage space.
Anonymous on 04/27/2010 08:52 AM
Now this seems to be an idea for someone in Clinton to make a little money.. Have a place people can ship to in Clinton and pickup your bike for a fee... I would go for it.... Anyone in Clinton interested?
Anonymous on 04/27/2010 11:55 AM
call Epic Bike and Sport 816-382-3100 and see if they'll accommodate you. they are close to
the airport so you can pick up your bikes after you land.
Jack on 04/28/2010 02:55 PM
You may also want to consider shipping the bikes via Greyhound. I restore vintage bikes and sometimes use Greyhound shipping services because it is cheap and easy. Plus I've never had any problems with delays or damage. You would need to pick up your bike at the downtown KC Greyhound station.
Jims Bar & Grill (Tebbetts)
- + Jim's was boarded up when we rode through April 15, 2010. The lady at the post office next door said it was closed for good.
Discussion started 04/18/2010 08:04 AM by CG - 3 replies (last reply by vito at 04/28/2010 01:45 PM)CG from Rogers, AR on 04/18/2010 08:04 AM
Jim's was boarded up when we rode through April 15, 2010. The lady at the post office next door said it was closed for good.
CG from Rogers, AR on 04/18/2010 08:04 AM
Jim's was boarded up when we rode through April 15, 2010. The lady at the post office next door said it was closed for good.
jd from gkc on 04/20/2010 09:31 AM
Stunning news!
jd from gkc on 04/20/2010 09:31 AM
Stunning news!
Anonymous on 04/22/2010 08:23 AM
Stunning for sure. Mr low-key Jim and his sign-less antique-filled bar-grill have been iconic standbys to locals and trail users for years. You wouldn’t know his corner place was a bar-grill unless someone told you first or you knew it ahead of time. Often, Jim would open up his weekend place during the midweek for hungry bikers staying at the Turner-KT Shelter next door to the west. He served pizza and big sandwiches plus snacks of all kinds.
His place is renown for fun-filled evenings of karaoke and local jam sessions. If you’d never sung before in your life, you did at his place. Some of the jammers arrived on horseback, and played all kinds of instruments, from old-time mouth harps, strings, squeeze boxes, and horns, to wash-boards. Always an eventful evening for first-time visitors from the trail.
Anonymous on 04/22/2010 08:23 AM
Stunning for sure. Mr low-key Jim and his sign-less antique-filled bar-grill have been iconic standbys to locals and trail users for years. You wouldn’t know his corner place was a bar-grill unless someone told you first or you knew it ahead of time. Often, Jim would open up his weekend place during the midweek for hungry bikers staying at the Turner-KT Shelter next door to the west. He served pizza and big sandwiches plus snacks of all kinds.
His place is renown for fun-filled evenings of karaoke and local jam sessions. If you’d never sung before in your life, you did at his place. Some of the jammers arrived on horseback, and played all kinds of instruments, from old-time mouth harps, strings, squeeze boxes, and horns, to wash-boards. Always an eventful evening for first-time visitors from the trail.
vito from Iowa on 04/28/2010 01:45 PM
I just talked to Jimtoday at 573-295-6100. He is only open 3 days per week, but give him a call. He is most accomodating
vito from Iowa on 04/28/2010 01:45 PM
I just talked to Jimtoday at 573-295-6100. He is only open 3 days per week, but give him a call. He is most accomodating
shuttle from Clinton
- + I have a group of five that will finish the trail late May 31st. We need a way back to St. Charles by shuttle or a way to Sedalia so we can take the train to Kirkwood. The Clinton Cab number is disc...
Discussion started 04/28/2010 08:43 AM by Craig - 0 repliesCraig on 04/28/2010 08:43 AM
I have a group of five that will finish the trail late May 31st. We need a way back to St. Charles by shuttle or a way to Sedalia so we can take the train to Kirkwood. The Clinton Cab number is disconnected and the website does not come up. Did they go out of business? Does anyone have any suggestions on a return trip method for our group? I would prefer not to turn around and ride back to Sedalia if at all possible. It would be nice if we could catch an empty shuttle dropping off people who were heading to St Charles but thats unlikely at the end of the weekend.
Katy Trail Round Trip in Six Days?
- + Hi All,
I am planning on riding The Katy round trip starting from Clinton. My goal is to ride 3 days each direction. Day one - Clinton to New Franklin (camp), Day two – New Franklin to Bluffton or...
Discussion started 02/09/2010 08:38 AM by Jim - 18 replies (last reply by Skyguy9999 at 04/26/2010 11:36 PM)Jim from Denver, Co on 02/09/2010 08:38 AM
Hi All,
I am planning on riding The Katy round trip starting from Clinton. My goal is to ride 3 days each direction. Day one - Clinton to New Franklin (camp), Day two – New Franklin to Bluffton or Rhineland (camp), Day three – Bluffton to St. Charles (hotel). Return will be – Day four – St.Charles to Hermann (hotel), Day five – Hermann to Rockeport (B&B), Day six – Rocheport to Clinton (hotel).
My goal is 75 – 85 miles a day is this realistic?
I’m planning on mid-May and I will be coming from Colorado on Friday. I will hit the trail on a Saturday morning ready to roll. I will be solo and with a BOB trailer and no more than 35lbs in the trailer.
I have done some touring and averaged 50 miles a day, but always in high altitude. That’s why I am thinking 75 – 85 miles is doable. I welcome your comments, please?
Jim
brad from st louis on 02/09/2010 10:02 AM
I once did a round trip of the katy (plus side trips) for 540 miles in 7 days, and it sounds like you are probably in better shape than I was.
The flatness of the trail is faster than a hilly road, but the gravel surface will slow you down compared to pavement.
Jim from St. Thomas on 02/09/2010 11:57 AM
We do a 4-day ride every year - 3 60-mile days and 45 miles on the last day. Your first and last legs will probably be your hardest. They will have the only inclines of the whole trip. That said, if you are in decent shape 75 - 85 mile days are very doable on the Katy. The only caveate I would throw out is to get a lot of seat-time in before you ride. If your butt is not used to sitting on a bike for 6 hours a day it can make for a pretty miserable trip.
trinjboro from jonesboro,ar on 02/09/2010 03:43 PM
I echo the saddle time. The KATY is really flat, especially compared to CO and you won't need to get out of the saddle any. You'll have to make yourself do so and this will really be hard on your backside.
maxine from sedalia on 02/10/2010 11:49 AM
If you plan on doing that many miles per day you won't have time to stop and enjoy the sights. We are not as scenic as Co. but have lots of nice things to see and do, the Katy Depot in Sedalia is a must, the winery's along the way etc. "Take time to stop and smell the roses". Enjoy your trip. Maxine-"Maxine's rooms for rent".
chris J from centralia IL on 02/10/2010 12:22 PM
Jim, if you are an early riser, and get on the trail near sun-up, you will have plenty of time to enjoy, and still finish each day by early afternoon. For some people, it's all adout the winerys, B&B's, antique shops..., for me, it's about the isolation of the trail, the river, the bluffs, nature, and being able to propell myself 400+ miles in less than a week. I did it once in 5 days and once in 4. But I did St Charles to Sedalia and back. So if you are fit enough to do 50-80 miles, you will have no problem. Enjoy!
jd from gkc on 02/12/2010 07:44 PM
Agree with the above comment. It's fairly easy to do 90-miles/day with an early start. Yet, mid-summer heat or rain could be a problem at times? Have you considered a rest day or two if needed? Otherwise; you should be okay with it. Enjoy.
Anonymous on 02/13/2010 09:17 AM
Fairly easy to to 90 miles a day on a rail trail? There are probably few who post here that would find that to be so.
jd from gkc on 02/14/2010 05:59 PM
Maybe. But I've seen distance riders do it quite a bit with time to stop and take pic's as well. Early birds also see neat game, like, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and lots of deer. Also, a rest day or a big breakfast helps a lot too, I think. :) :)
Anonymous on 02/15/2010 08:27 AM
Of course it's always easier to see someone else do it jd. wink wink wink
ChrisJ from Centralia, IL on 02/15/2010 11:04 AM
Quote: "Fairly easy to to 90 miles a day on a rail trail? There are probably few who post here that would find that to be so.
- posted 2/13/2010 9:17:54 AM"
Clairifaction: There are many levels of bike riders; those who only ride nice days 5-10 MPH and consider 10 miles a "long ride". And then there are those who ride 100+ miles per week 10 months out of the year and enjoy the occasional (with some pain) century (100 mile ride). The trail is for both, and everyone in between.
I would be willing to bet that most of those "90%" that you speak of could do 90 miles if they wanted to bad enough.
Jim from Denver, CO on 02/15/2010 01:42 PM
Thanks for all the comments everyone.
I do have rest days built in if needed and yes I'm an early riser. I will be trying to be on the trail around 6:00ish. Break camp and set off after a few hours of riding stop for some breakfast. It’s easy for me not to fix breakfast at a campsite because before you know it there goes another hour of fussing around.
Thanks again,
Jim
Trek on 02/15/2010 03:10 PM
Fitness is key. My guess is that most folks that I see on the Katy would not beleive that a Century (or 90 miles) would be fairly easy to pull off in a day.
There are those who can ride 100+ in a week. That's just 20 miles a day for 5 days or so. That is somewhat different than doing a near Century for six days straight. I'd have to reclassify a ride from "fairly easy" to something else if it involved pain.
Mike from Rocheport on 02/16/2010 06:23 PM
Jim, your plans to stay in Rocheport on the "flip-flop" should include us, www.schoolhousebb.com. Check it out and best of luck!
greg from glasgow, mt on 02/19/2010 11:04 PM
With 14+ hours of daylight, doing a Katy round trip in 6 days is very doable. I'm planning a similar trip for late April or early May. I would recommend doing a 75 to 100 mile day trip in a rural area with your loaded trailer a few weeks before your trip to make sure you and your bike are ready to handle it.
savage24 from KC MO on 03/03/2010 11:49 AM
Jim- It sounds like you will be traveling relatively light and not carrying much food. Plan your stops carefully! Do not assume services will be available in the small towns along the trail until you have confirmed it with a phone call.
Daytoncapri from Dayton OH on 04/26/2010 07:21 PM
Jim - wishing you a great trip.
Pubmeister from Sonoma, CA on 04/26/2010 09:01 PM
I agree with Maxine from Sedalia. When you return from a butt-busting 90 mpday bike
trip, what you come home with is bragging rights and a feeling of accomplishment, but
you won't come close to seeing the area and enjoying the uniqueness of the historic Katy
Trail. You can do all that mileage stuff at home. I know I won 't change your mind, I used
to do 80 mile days on tours, and I came home feeling good about it, but when I slowed
down to 45 mile days, I found out about the food, the local beers, the friendly people in
the cafes. I took more pictures and learned to sketch. I like it better now, and one of
these days when you're a geezer biker like me, you will also like it better. Meanwhile,
have a good trip, I'll be on the Trail in May, look for the old guy on the Blue Bianchi in the
slow lane. One word regarding saddle angst -- Vicodin.
Pubmeister
Skyguy9999 on 04/26/2010 11:36 PM
I can understand both sides of this one. In one respect, there are a few sights to see along the way (in some respects), and there are many folks who would appreciate it if people were to. But in the other respect, the Katy offers something that's rare when it comes to riding - the opportunity for distance without much pressure. It's flat, and has very little traffic concern compared with "back home" for most of us (rolling steep hills in MO and probably mountains in CO) and resources are generally easy to find without too much effort and planning. So it's a good intro to long-distance riding. And even if you already are versed in riding with all those stressors, it's always nice to get into nature and have a stress free time and see how your performance translates to an environment like the Katy.
Terry's Suds and Grub (Steedman)
- + Picked up some gossip about this bar, formerly known as "Steedman's Only Bar (SOBs)", at another tavern down the trail. It's had a bit of bad luck since Terry skipped town taking inventory and who kno...
Discussion started 04/23/2010 05:39 PM by Jeremy - 1 reply (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 04/26/2010 06:30 PM)Jeremy from St. Louis on 04/23/2010 05:39 PM
Picked up some gossip about this bar, formerly known as "Steedman's Only Bar (SOBs)", at another tavern down the trail. It's had a bit of bad luck since Terry skipped town taking inventory and who knows what else. Apparently, Bernie (the proprietor), is looking to get a new liquor license, and wants to open up again soon. Not sure how true any of this is, but it would be nice to have one more stop on the trail open for business.
Jeremy from St. Louis on 04/23/2010 05:39 PM
Picked up some gossip about this bar, formerly known as "Steedman's Only Bar (SOBs)", at another tavern down the trail. It's had a bit of bad luck since Terry skipped town taking inventory and who knows what else. Apparently, Bernie (the proprietor), is looking to get a new liquor license, and wants to open up again soon. Not sure how true any of this is, but it would be nice to have one more stop on the trail open for business.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, Texas on 04/26/2010 06:30 PM
Just passed through 3 days ago and the loading dock still had a huge pile of "remodeling"
garbage and was disappointed to see it...had a great time there in '02 when it was the SOB.
A lot of trail industries were still shut down (except KATY Roundhouse) including Trailside in
Rocheport. While it might have been technically open it wasn't at 10-ish in the morning.
Really need to think about water availability at all trailheads. I can do vault toilets just fine,
but water....gotta have it...rule of 3's. All in all without SOB, or TSG a real loss hope it rises
like the phoenix. Mark
The Dalton Boys from Austin, Texas on 04/26/2010 06:30 PM
Just passed through 3 days ago and the loading dock still had a huge pile of "remodeling"
garbage and was disappointed to see it...had a great time there in '02 when it was the SOB.
A lot of trail industries were still shut down (except KATY Roundhouse) including Trailside in
Rocheport. While it might have been technically open it wasn't at 10-ish in the morning.
Really need to think about water availability at all trailheads. I can do vault toilets just fine,
but water....gotta have it...rule of 3's. All in all without SOB, or TSG a real loss hope it rises
like the phoenix. Mark
Katy Trail
- + A girlfriend and me (also a female) will be biking the Katy Trail, Dutzow to Hermann, and would like a recommendation on where to stay in Hermann. A B&B is ok if there are two beds, which is very har...
Discussion started 04/25/2010 06:57 PM - 1 reply (last reply by SteveK at 04/26/2010 08:51 AM)Anonymous from St Louis on 04/25/2010 06:57 PM
A girlfriend and me (also a female) will be biking the Katy Trail, Dutzow to Hermann, and would like a recommendation on where to stay in Hermann. A B&B is ok if there are two beds, which is very hard to find. Anyone stay at the Hermann Motel?
SteveK from saint louis, MO on 04/26/2010 08:51 AM
The Herman Motel was acceptable as far as cleanliness, etc. when I was there last fall. It is also very easy to get to these days with the new bridge on Hwy 19. However, their so called "continental breakfast" should be renamed to something like "cheapest breakfast we could think of" cause I had to go to Casey's afterwards to avoid starving to death. I believe it has a few rooms with double beds and it may very well be your most economical option around there.