Katy Trail Forum

We spent two nights in Boonville. Our host at the B&B recommended Glen's on Friday night. The experience was so good there was no question that we would return on Saturday. They gave us a coupon for a reduced rate room in the hotel during the off season - I think we'll make the trip just for the food.......

We spent two nights in Boonville. Our host at the B&B recommended Glen's on Friday night. The experience was so good there was no question that we would return on Saturday. They gave us a coupon for a reduced rate room in the hotel during the off season - I think we'll make the trip just for the food.......

Stayed at the Hotel Frederick Labor Day Weekend........Super place unfortunately Glenn's is

closed on Sundays but from what I gather it is a great place. A beautiful restoration with a

great staff and located right on the trail at the Bridge. I rode in from Sedalia then on to Jeff

City.

Stayed at the Hotel Frederick Labor Day Weekend........Super place unfortunately Glenn's is

closed on Sundays but from what I gather it is a great place. A beautiful restoration with a

great staff and located right on the trail at the Bridge. I rode in from Sedalia then on to Jeff

City.

Glenn's isn't closed on Sundays. We had wonderful meals on two separate Sundays at Glenn's back in June. Perhaps closed just that Labor Day weekend Sunday?

Glenn's isn't closed on Sundays. We had wonderful meals on two separate Sundays at Glenn's back in June. Perhaps closed just that Labor Day weekend Sunday?

I want to concur. Glenn's is open on Sunday afternoons. The deal on Sunday is family-style dining on that day. Great food!

I want to concur. Glenn's is open on Sunday afternoons. The deal on Sunday is family-style dining on that day. Great food!

BEFORE you leave your hometown to cycle the Katy Trail, get in touch with Todd and Robin at Katy Bike Rental. We brought our own bikes so we didn't think we would need much help. Hah! Todd met us at the airport, and Lynn met us the next day AGAIN because our bikes hadn't arrived with us. She drove us to Sedalia, stayed close until she was sure we had the bikes assembled, and we ended up keeping in touch by phone, "rain shuttle" and emergency shuttle through the whole trip. When we finally got to their store in Defiance, we were surprised to see their prices are competitive with big city prices. These are the people to contact if you are nervous about taking the leap and going on your first long bike trip far away from home.

BEFORE you leave your hometown to cycle the Katy Trail, get in touch with Todd and Robin at Katy Bike Rental. We brought our own bikes so we didn't think we would need much help. Hah! Todd met us at the airport, and Lynn met us the next day AGAIN because our bikes hadn't arrived with us. She drove us to Sedalia, stayed close until she was sure we had the bikes assembled, and we ended up keeping in touch by phone, "rain shuttle" and emergency shuttle through the whole trip. When we finally got to their store in Defiance, we were surprised to see their prices are competitive with big city prices. These are the people to contact if you are nervous about taking the leap and going on your first long bike trip far away from home.

Hands down they are my favorite stop on the trail.

Hands down they are my favorite stop on the trail.

We loved our stay in Augusta last weekend. It was our last stop as we rode the Katy Trail from Sedalia to St. Charles, and everyone in the town was so friendly and welcoming. We spent the night at the Applegate Inn, which turned out to be our favorite inn along the trail. Lynne, the proprietor, went way beyond the usual attentiveness we had gotten used to on our journey, even calling in the evening to offer us a ride to the restaurant of our choice. The breakfast the next morning turned out to also be our lunch that day, all carefully packed by Lynne into a cute little gift bag. We will definitely return!

Oct. 06-09 Our stay @ the Globe was a very positive experience. We enjoyed the famous lemonade after eating at the bar next door. Jeanette was spot on with helpfulness. Each room had a sink in it(-: Even though the shower and tub were shared the lines were not long at all for thier use. Jeanette is continuously improving this jewel. The breakfast was very "healthy" and tasty. The hot hard boiled egg was very good. (nothing fried) We got warm muffins to go as we headed out. Thank you again!

As far as the cat issue: Denise is highly sensitive to dander and she had no problem during our stay. No hair floating around. Watch out for Frank the cat. He has his mug shot on the front door so you can recoginze him and keep him out of the house.

Oct. 06-09 Our stay @ the Globe was a very positive experience. We enjoyed the famous lemonade after eating at the bar next door. Jeanette was spot on with helpfulness. Each room had a sink in it(-: Even though the shower and tub were shared the lines were not long at all for thier use. Jeanette is continuously improving this jewel. The breakfast was very "healthy" and tasty. The hot hard boiled egg was very good. (nothing fried) We got warm muffins to go as we headed out. Thank you again!

As far as the cat issue: Denise is highly sensitive to dander and she had no problem during our stay. No hair floating around. Watch out for Frank the cat. He has his mug shot on the front door so you can recoginze him and keep him out of the house.

A friend and I rode from St. Charles to Sedalia September 6-10. This direction worked well for us and we had good weather the entire time. Both of us are leisure riders, with the longest training ride of only 40 miles. We rode alternative days of long, short, long, short, long (23-54 miles). Some other notes:



Great B&Bs:

o The Little House B&B, Marthasville - Had the entire house, 2 Bdrm, 1 bath, big kitchen & Living room. Great place. Secure shed for bikes.

o Meyers Hilltop Farm, McKittrick. Maggie & Eldon are wonderful hosts and Maggie makes a fantastic breakfast for riders. It carried us 54 miles! Hosts also drove us into Hermann for the afternoon and picked us up in the evening.

o The Globe B&B in Hartsburg was very comfortable. Nice place.

o School House B&B, Rocheport. Excellent, self-serve everything. Secure place for bikes. Flat-screen TV. Easy, continental breakfast.



Be careful when planning Monday & Tuesday meals as some restaurants, wineries and grocery stores are closed. We lucked out coming from the east by stopping near Hermann on a Monday. Those we talked to traveling West did not have such luck. We stopped our ride in Sedalia to take the train back to Kirkwood (St. Louis) but heard of poor trail conditions between Sedalia and Clinton and were glad we'd decided to stop in Sedalia.



Someone did unzip our bike bags during a downpour while we were at one of the wineries. Nothing stolen, but some wet stuff. Also saw some questionable riders around Clifton City. I recommend carrying pepper spray.



Met many, many nice bikers (of all levels) along the trail. All-in-all was a great trip!!

I believe we met Cindy in Hartsburg as we were riding west to east and stayed at the Globe. I am glad your trip was a success. We enjoyed ours very much and we have recommended the ride to friends.

We finally managed to get our photos from our ride from Clinton to St. Charles. Have a look at http://www.CTinsley.com



Cheers!



Carl & Linda

Good pictures. Thanks for sharing..

Those are great pictures. I'm hoping to plan a ride for my sisters, sister-in-laws and others next summer. I'm going to bookmark your pictures for them to look at to convince them to come to Missouri and ride the Katy Trail. Thanks so much.

Hi Cindy, I visited with you at the N. Jeff Trailhead.....How bout them Cyclones? Sorry UNI

has lost a couple but sure they will get back on track this week. Hope you had a great

ride...wasn't Hermann neat?

We have always stayed at Hermann Motel each visit for the last 15 years. It is and older motel but is kept VERY clean they do a great job. The staff is so friendly and accomodating to any need and they really watch out for you. Since it is the ONLY motel in Hermann, the value is great. Rooms are affordable, continental breakfast plus coffee, tea and juices is a plus. Family Restaurant (passable) right next door and a Hardee's and a Mexican Restaurant down the street from the motel. The smoking rooms are in the older section and the non-smoking rooms are in the new section

We have always stayed at Hermann Motel each visit for the last 15 years. It is and older motel but is kept VERY clean they do a great job. The staff is so friendly and accomodating to any need and they really watch out for you. Since it is the ONLY motel in Hermann, the value is great. Rooms are affordable, continental breakfast plus coffee, tea and juices is a plus. Family Restaurant (passable) right next door and a Hardee's and a Mexican Restaurant down the street from the motel. The smoking rooms are in the older section and the non-smoking rooms are in the new section

We paid $85 a night for the rooms and when you were in bed and could see under the vanity, it was filthy. Must not have been cleaned since the last post back in January of '07. The tub was kind of icky. We did not take showers because of the looks of it. The curtains were hanging off the hooks and the door handle on one of our rooms took some work to get it open from either the outside or inside. A good thing, the beds were comfortable and clean. I wouldn't have minded the room except for the fact we paid $85 a night. We stayed in Columbia the night before at a truck stop for $50, same caliber of room. It was MUCH cleaner. I wouldn't post complaint if room was in the range of $50, but for $85, too much!!!

We paid $85 a night for the rooms and when you were in bed and could see under the vanity, it was filthy. Must not have been cleaned since the last post back in January of '07. The tub was kind of icky. We did not take showers because of the looks of it. The curtains were hanging off the hooks and the door handle on one of our rooms took some work to get it open from either the outside or inside. A good thing, the beds were comfortable and clean. I wouldn't have minded the room except for the fact we paid $85 a night. We stayed in Columbia the night before at a truck stop for $50, same caliber of room. It was MUCH cleaner. I wouldn't post complaint if room was in the range of $50, but for $85, too much!!!

I highly recommend the Hermann Haus just a stone's throw from the south end of the

beautiful and bike friendly Hermann Bridge. Great people and very reasonable rates. My

room was spotless and within walking distance of downtown. Stayed there first week in

October.

I highly recommend the Hermann Haus just a stone's throw from the south end of the

beautiful and bike friendly Hermann Bridge. Great people and very reasonable rates. My

room was spotless and within walking distance of downtown. Stayed there first week in

October.

Oct. 5-09 The Doll House lived up to the reviews. Amanda was a superb hostess. We piggy backed with the family who stayed there that night too as they ordered chicken and dumplings for supper. Great stuff! The cost was very resonable @ $10/person for supper. Breakfast was equally fantastic. We were met with a warm smile and plenty of cookies, coffee, and lemonade. The washing of our clothes was a GIANT +. We would not be hesitant to stay again should the schedule put us there. Thank you Amanda for a great stay.

Oct. 5-09 The Doll House lived up to the reviews. Amanda was a superb hostess. We piggy backed with the family who stayed there that night too as they ordered chicken and dumplings for supper. Great stuff! The cost was very resonable @ $10/person for supper. Breakfast was equally fantastic. We were met with a warm smile and plenty of cookies, coffee, and lemonade. The washing of our clothes was a GIANT +. We would not be hesitant to stay again should the schedule put us there. Thank you Amanda for a great stay.

Oct. 4/09 Peers Store is a must stop for any who appreciate history, hospitality, and the out of the ordinary. Barb is one fantastic hostess. She and her store bring you back to a time when a handshake was better than a contract. Her culinary skills and last minute flexability saved us from a sure night of hunger for want of real food. The dinner plans were formulated via cell phone as we headed West. We had been pedaling all day against the wind and seeing the store to the North of the trail was a very welcome sight. Do not expect Hilton accomodations but the ambiance experienced is not found a Hilton either. You will enjoy the clean warm rooms and breakfast with the "regulars" is a plus also. Thank you Barb for a great stay. We will be back if you will have us.

Oct. 4/09 Peers Store is a must stop for any who appreciate history, hospitality, and the out of the ordinary. Barb is one fantastic hostess. She and her store bring you back to a time when a handshake was better than a contract. Her culinary skills and last minute flexability saved us from a sure night of hunger for want of real food. The dinner plans were formulated via cell phone as we headed West. We had been pedaling all day against the wind and seeing the store to the North of the trail was a very welcome sight. Do not expect Hilton accomodations but the ambiance experienced is not found a Hilton either. You will enjoy the clean warm rooms and breakfast with the "regulars" is a plus also. Thank you Barb for a great stay. We will be back if you will have us.

The Katy Trail Family Church in Clifton City is raising money for church repairs by selling cookbooks. We bought a few and have one listed on Ebay for sale to the highest bidder. All of the money raised will be sent to the church to help them out....I'll ship for free...stateside only.



They only have an outhouse and would like to put a restroom inside. They would also like to replace the wood boards with siding on the outside.



For those of you who frequent the forum here you may recall that this is the trailside church that offered water to Katy users whilst we were all complaining that we don't have water at the trailhead.



If you've enjoyed the water....the free music on a Sunday morning while resting at the trailhead....would like some good local food ideas.....or would just like to help....please go to Ebay and search "Katy Trail" to find our listing and help pay forward this churches generosity.

Below was the church off to help Katy users out:



As an act of kindness to those who travel the trail. Katy Trail Family Church (the little white church by the trail) is providing bottled water on Saturdays and Sundays. Please feel free to stop in at the Church and say hello. You will always welcome. Were also praying for you! Have a good ride :-)

- posted 11/20/2007 8:21:46 PM by Pastor Ernest Jennings , Jefferson City, MO

I purchased a few of these books for family and friends. This one has many excellent recipes. Trail users might be interested in the "GET UP AND GO" ENERGY BARS from Bolivar-MO, which contain several ingredients: peanut butter, rolled oats, almonds, dried cranberries, grapenuts etc. Real food! :)

There is still time to help this little church out. I'm beginning to think that I'm the only one other than jd that's working a full 4 day week. : )

Two days a week! :)



By the way, the COWLESS COW PATTIES in this book look good too. They're large/giant cookies with all kinds of stuff in them. We can probably add more if we want. :)

Trek Will you email me at bicyclinghappy@yahoo.com the particulars for purchasing a

cookbook?

I rode the Katy Trail from Rocheport to McBaine on Saturday 10/24/09. At McBaine I decided to try the 8.8 mile MKT trail into downtown Columbia. This is a great trail. It seemed to have a very slight upward grade moving towards Columbia and the surface was just a bit more rough than what you will find on the Katy. Other than those two factors, this trail is an almost perfect trail to ride. It has a lot of tree cover and is carved through several very interesting rock walls. It also crosses several very nice wood bridges. Even after you arrive at the Columbia city limits you never have to cross a street as all crossings pass through tunnels under the surface. The trail terminates at a very nice little park right in downtown Columbia which means you have a great selection of places to eat if that is your mission. I am really glad I gave it a try.

Biked from Clinton to St. Charles with my daughter and several friends

and 4 of us had lunch here! It was a needed rest and very needed hot

meal. Good food, good service, clean restroom, most delicious cheese

sticks ever and we were so glad we ate here! ONLY drawback, they do not

accept credit cards.

Biked from Clinton to St. Charles with my daughter and several friends

and 4 of us had lunch here! It was a needed rest and very needed hot

meal. Good food, good service, clean restroom, most delicious cheese

sticks ever and we were so glad we ate here! ONLY drawback, they do not

accept credit cards.

Goodness! That little winding section that links the park to the "reasonable" part of Marine is a total deathtrap. I won't even bike DOWN that steep stretch, even though I could easily do it faster than I can in a car.



But going UP? Goodness no! NO curb and a dangereous drop-off that will break your bike if not your leg... Total blind snaking blacktop... Very steep grade to slow you to a crawl as you take your life in your hands... I cannot impress upon you how dangerous this is. I'm not a drama queen, you are gambling with your life.



BUT... Creve Coeur park is really a collection of many parks.



INSTEAD of going up that road, as you look at the base of the road where it starts up the hill, on the left you'll see stairs. Carry your bike up that long, long flight of stairs. There is a small park at the top (and yes, there IS a top to that flight of stairs! Rest along the way!). Just go right and follow the main park road. It will dump you out less than 30 feet from the top of Marine Ave. (slight jog to the right on Dorsett, and then left onto Marine.)



I hate to even drive that dangerous stretch of Marine. I implore you to use the stairs and avoid it.

Marine Ave is for the serious roadie. I've ridden up it once. If it was my only choice, I'd do it again over the stairs. However, I found that you can take Creve Coeur Mill Rd to the South and then up the hill on Amoit Dr. It adds a mile or so to the ride, but it isn't as steep and Amoit is a quiet residential street.

Marine isn't that bad.

I'm sorry, what part of the Katy Trail is this?

Its not on the Katy, its one of the routes out of Creve Coeur Park.



Paulie

So what does that have to do with the Katy trail? Shall we all just post any road, bridge, intersection, light, neighborhood that upsets our own personal sense of safety here?

Doug I appreciate your efforts to keep the forum on-topic, but in this case there really is a valid Katy Trail tie-in (although admittedly it is not apparent in the discussion above).



Creve Coeur Park is the preferred way for cyclists to get into St Louis County from the Katy Trail, and Marine Road is the main road out of the park. This route is mentioned on a few different pages within this website, such as how to get from the Katy Trail to downtown St Louis and how to get from St Louis Lambert Airport to the Katy Trail, and getting from the Kirkwood Amtrak Station to the Katy Trail.



For anyone riding the Katy Trail near St Charles, I highly recommend the side-trip over the Page/364 bridge (nice perspective on the River) and maybe a spin around Creve Coeur Park (nice lake). I personally would be too chicken to ride Marine Rd, but there are braver cyclists out there than me. :-)

Thinking of one final day bike ride starting in Rocheport Saturday 10/24. Hoping to see the fall colors at their finest. It is supposed to be 55 and sunny. Anyone else?????

KIM,

IT MAY BE VERY BUSY AT THAT PART OF THE TRAIL. CALHOUN HAS BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS, NOT SO BUSY, CLOSER ON THE GAS BUDGET, AND A B&B IN CABOOSES WITH A CAMP FIRE, DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

DAMON

My wife and I will start a 3 day trip from Sedalia on Saturday and will probably stop for some food at the winery on top of the hill in Rocheport. A couple years ago we rode our bikes on the road out of Rocheport to the winery and had lunch. It was quite good, very reasonably priced, even a good selection for vegetarians. After our meal, we took the gravel trail from the winery down to the KATY trail. It was a nice shortcut and we were able to ride the path some of the way. If I'm not mistaken, there is a sign at the KATY trail for the winery and had we known the shortcut was there, we would have used it instead of the road to get to it.



If you do take the shortcut from the KATY trail, you probably will have to push your bike up the hill, however some people just park their bike at the trail head.



We will end our journey in Hermann on Monday (shouldn't be so busy that day) and take the evening train back to Sedalia and drive home to Kansas City that night.



The train transportation seems like a great option. It will be our first train/bike combo on the KATY.

Yes, it will be busy. We have biked all of the katy at various times, but our favorite towns to bike out of are Rocheport and Hartsburg. This will be a day trip - just the last of the year.

I think you will enjoy peak foliage color this weekend. We saw some brillant patches of color despite the gray overcast sky earlier this week, Wed. 10/21. We had a great ealy lunch at Abigails then rode east to Hartsburg and back. Be sure to stop and make the climb at Eagle Bluffs CA Overlook, stunning views!



I knew we were in for a good day when, as we were driving past the winery entrance heading to the trailhead, we caught the sight of a large flock of white pelicans soaring over the bluffs above the A-frame. We enjoy watching the pelicans winter on the Missisippi River in the Alton, IL. It is always a treat to observe the pelicans surprisinly graceful soaring style, truly an unexpected plesure to see them over Rocheport.



Finished off a great day with a wonderful meal at Les Bourgeois Bistro, try the trout best I have ever had.

We are wanting to get away for the weekend, would love to ride a small portion of the Katy trail. Any suggestions on where would be good place to see some fall colors, we will need shuttle service to get us back to the start. Could go a little farther if necessary. Thanks!

Hermann to Trelor is great about 16 miles on way. Jeff City to Hartsburg about 10 miles.

I second the Jeff City to Hartsburg route for great fall colors.

Someone sure has it in for bike riders. If this person doesn't like riders so much was is he on

a bikers forum. He obviously owns the roads so must be a pretty big wig. Maybe this is the

phantom KFC guy. I know he's a restaurant critic!!

Someone sure has it in for bike riders. If this person doesn't like riders so much was is he on

a bikers forum. He obviously owns the roads so must be a pretty big wig. Maybe this is the

phantom KFC guy. I know he's a restaurant critic!!

Hi all! Canoes & kayaks ready to take you on your next river adventure! Plan a "rest day" mid-trail in Rocheport to come paddle with us! Mighty Mo Canoe Rental will begin its fourth season of offering guided canoe and kayak floats starting on May 26, 2007. Our guided floats offer you an incredibly scenic and relaxing way to enjoy Mid-Missouri's gorgeous bluff-lined stretch of Katy Trail country from Rocheport down to Huntsdale. This is an easy afternoon float that starts each Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Pebble Publishing Bookstore in Rocheport. We shuttle you back at the end, or if you prefer to do the "Rocheport Bi-athlon" we can take your bikes down to the take out and let you pedal back on the Katy Trail! Our guides offer insight into local history, Lewis & Clark, how the river has changed and more. Come along as we "Float through Life, Paddle Through History." Visit www.mighty-mo.com for more information or call us at (573) 698-3903. This is the best way to expore, paddle and float the Lewis & Clark Trail in Missouri! Great for beginners to seasoned paddlers. Ages 7 and up. Floats for groups can be arranged on other days of the week as well. See you on the river! ~Brett

Hey, Mayor Brett! It was great talking with you early in the MR340; thanks for sharing your wisdom on where to find max current on the Missouri! It was great help for a slow paddler like myself.

When I paddled through your area of operations second day of the MR340 I realized what I missed having never gotten out on the Big Muddy while growing up in Boone County and at Mizzou: I could kick myself for never trying it back in olden times (only to discover that my oldest sister partied on sand islands back in her college days, but didn't tell me about it!)

You definitely have the prettiest part of the river in your backyard!

(Btw, while paddling past that amazing sandbar off Katfish Katy's, I wondered, have you ever thought about trying a sailing kayak, like the ones Hobie sells, or a kit? Might be a fun variation to cruise to a sandbar for a picnic with paddles to bring one home.)

Congrats on your river touring business, and Godspeed!

Look me up for cruisin' the Lower Potomac!

Dave

Brett, I also enjoyed your company on the MR340. The Katy trail is something on my list after paddling next to it on the river. The bluffs are amazing. Hope to make it out to Rocheport some day to visit!

Hogan

Dave & Hogan, Yep that MR340 was crazy awesome! The gifts were definitely the people we all met and those gorgeous nights paddling under the full moon (three nights in a row!!!). I was happy to see St Charles just 80 hours after the start, when I had been wondering if I could even paddle 50 miles! Stay in touch -- I'll be happy to paddle w/ you guys anytime, anywhere!

Actually my comment is a question. Please five information about the canoe/camping full moon floats I heard about. Will there be one in August and/or September 2010? How many need to sign up? There are 3 of us very interested. Maybe 4. Any other information will be appreciated.

Thanks

I read comments by some who reserved a canoe trip and had it canceled. How about you letting me know when the river is best and I build my trip around that? The months of August, September or October would work best. My group is really interested in a moonlight camping adventure.

Nelda

Okay I got it.