Katy Trail Forum

Can you ride across the bridge going into Washington? Has any ine had any trouble getting across with the traffic?

It is not a bike friendly bridge...it is very narrow with no shoulder. Call a cab or check for lodging that will transport you.

I have ridden the bridge twice. The second time I was asking myself "What is wrong with you!? You lived once why push it?" It's not just the bridge either. The highway leading to it Has NO shoulder and FAST trucks. All of whom consider a bike jersey as a bullseye or litter. Call for a ride. Worth it no matter what you pay.

I rode the trail last fall having been warned about the "bridge at Washington". Went to the

bar-cafe next to the trailhead in Dutzow and called a shuttle....best $25.00 I spent as the gal

took me right to the Amtrak Station. Bridge is hardly safe for cars and trucks. Too bad

because Washington is a neat area around the Amtrak station. No matter how experienced

you are, DON'T RIDE ON THIS DEATH TRAP!!!!!!!!!

The bridge at Washington...a picture is worth a thousand words:



http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9420004

that pic is very telling. An extra coat of paint could be a problem. Agree, best way across is with a taxi/shuttle. thanks,

Does anyone have any ideas on how/where to transition from the Adventure Cycling's Trans-America Trail to the Katy Trail in Missouri? I am looking for some ideas. don

Search for these two threads here on bikekatytrail titled: Best bike route Chanute, KS to Clinton, MO and Girard, KS on TransAM route to Clinton, MO.



Google maps travel by bike feature may be an option...it's been recently talked about on crazyguyonabikedotcom. There is also information there on planning a bike route in Google maps and then the conversion to upload to your GPS.

My husband and I are thinking about riding the trail sometime in the first half of June. What can we expect for weather?

Muggy, buggy and chance of rain. Cool mornings, warm afternoons. It is still MO in June.

Rode the trail the last two years in this same time period.

Two years ago -- 90 degrees - clear - no rain - wind 5 - 10 mph SW

Last Year -- 70 degrees - clear - no rain - wind 5 - 10mph SE



I may see you this year - Old man on black bike

After a day biking the Katy Trail, Maggie and George graciously made us feel welcome in their beautiful home. Maggie greeted me with a cold beer as I had requested. The gourmet salad and pasta dinner after a much needed shower on the deck was delicious. (The wine from the cellar was not bad either!)The breakfast the next morning was more than we expected-the egg casserole fresh from their amusing chickens! The accomodations were clean and the described "loft" area perfect for a family stay and much nicer than anticipated. Next year when my daughter and I do this again we will plan our trip around our stay at Concord Hill B&B. Thanks Maggie, George, and dog Jesse, for making our biking trip memorable!

After a day biking the Katy Trail, Maggie and George graciously made us feel welcome in their beautiful home. Maggie greeted me with a cold beer as I had requested. The gourmet salad and pasta dinner after a much needed shower on the deck was delicious. (The wine from the cellar was not bad either!)The breakfast the next morning was more than we expected-the egg casserole fresh from their amusing chickens! The accomodations were clean and the described "loft" area perfect for a family stay and much nicer than anticipated. Next year when my daughter and I do this again we will plan our trip around our stay at Concord Hill B&B. Thanks Maggie, George, and dog Jesse, for making our biking trip memorable!

Anyone have an update on the New Franklin area of the Katy Trail? Is it closed due to construction on Hwy 5? Is there a manageble detour?

From a privious post:



Unfortunately, there is never a good time to schedule repairs on the Katy but we will be coordinating with the contractors so that these projects inconvenience Katy users and trail communities as little as possible. As we receive more information as to starting dates, etc., we'll be posting that information on our Web site: www.mostateparks.com and www.katytrailstatepark.com as well as providing periodic updates on bikekatytrail.com.



by Dawn Fredrickson, Katy Trail Coordinator



You may want to check their website.

I rode through New Franklin on Tues. Mar. 30 west to east and they are still working on the highway but there is a good marked detour to the north a few blocks then over the highway and back down to the trail. No problems.

Les Bourgeois is not open on Mondays. This is important to know before you hike up the hill hungry and out of water. We drove back on Tuesday and enjoyed our lunch.

Les Bourgeois is not open on Mondays. This is important to know before you hike up the hill hungry and out of water. We drove back on Tuesday and enjoyed our lunch.

This is a nice place, very convenient and would be particularly good for families with small children as there are swings and there is a children's park next door. The hot tub is out of commission and doesn't look as if it will be operating soon.

This is a nice place, very convenient and would be particularly good for families with small children as there are swings and there is a children's park next door. The hot tub is out of commission and doesn't look as if it will be operating soon.

Can anyone tell me what the current conditions are for this stretch of the trail? Thanks!

I walked this section on March 29. It is dry and fine for walking. For biking, the surface is not entirely smooth as the ruts have dried, but not bad.

We're hoping to visit the KT in early to mid April. Could anyone provide current weather and trail conditions, and what we might expect then? Also, what would be a good jumping off point for a couple of old northerners hoping for a couple of nice 1 day rides, followed by an overnight or two...thanks.

It's been unseasonably warm, but April can be tough to call in MO. Are you driving or

flying in? I live in St. Louis, so I recommend Washington or Hermann. Both towns are fun

small towns with lots of wineries and B&B's. You can go either direction from the trailheads

or catch the train for more mileage.

Turkey season is in April so wear bright clothing. I recommend Rocheport.

I would highly recommend the Rocheport area. Located right off I70 on the Missouri River.

You can go either way...the ride to McBaine is beautiful year round. You can also jump off on

the spur into Columbia.

I live North of Columbia so have rode the Hartsburg to Rocheport area a lot and I agree...it is a beautiful ride and offers several great side trips especially if you like to do a little hiking too. But, I am interested in hearing more about the Defiance to Washington area as I am planning on riding that area this spring (maybe this weekend if the weather holds)!!!

I live North of Columbia so have rode the Hartsburg to Rocheport area a lot and I agree...it is a beautiful ride and offers several great side trips especially if you like to do a little hiking too. But, I am interested in hearing more about the Defiance to Washington area as I am planning on riding that area this spring (maybe this weekend if the weather holds)!!!

I've been reading through these comments, and I just want to thank all of the locals for being so nice to us out-of-state riders! My brother, dad, and I are planning a ride on the Katy in July, and we're thrilled about it. We've done some long distance riding before-- about 450 miles on the Mississippi River Trail (which is actually more of a route than a trail), and then a good jaunt on Paul Bunyan in Northern Minnesota. We met some great people as we progressed south on the Mississippi River, and I am sure there will be more to come in Missouri! Thanks everyone. See you on the trail.

Seems like most people along the Katy are pretty good folks....as you get closer to any of the state lines.....well...not so much. The border states seem to corrupt them and there goes the neighborhood.

Being originally from Kansas, I resemble that remark, Trek. :)

What is the best way to get from the Amtrak station in Kirkwood to a hotel in St. Charles? Any recommendations for taxis or shuttle services? We'll be getting in on the train from KC at about 9:00 pm and hitting the trail the next morning. Looking forward to a great trip, thanks for any advice!!!

we have a B&B just three blocks from the trail in St Charles ----we would pick you up, you spend the night with us and be on the trail next morning ---call us at 636-946-0619 if we can be of help to you

Last year there was a cab company that would haul you and your bikes. We plan on using them this year. I'll have to search for the name.

We stopped at the Doll House when we passed through Rhineland (March 2010) and I highly recommend it. The house was beautiful and Amanda was SO NICE! She helped us plan out our next few days on the trail and suggested the bar and grill across the street. (We were pretty hungry!)I plan on staying there when I bike the trail again some day with my parents.

We stopped at the Doll House when we passed through Rhineland (March 2010) and I highly recommend it. The house was beautiful and Amanda was SO NICE! She helped us plan out our next few days on the trail and suggested the bar and grill across the street. (We were pretty hungry!)I plan on staying there when I bike the trail again some day with my parents.

My wife, 15-month old, and I are planning on doing day trips on the Katy Trail on March 31

and April 1-2. Can anyone tell us what trail conditions are like right now? I've read a little

about flooding and muddy conditions, but I don't know the trail very well, so I can't

determine where conditions are poor and where the trail is rideable. Thanks!

We've just had some rain in that area and the trail is soft but rideable. However, the forecast calls for sun and clear skies for this week so you should have good riding conditions for your trip. The flooding has not been over the trail in this area. (Treloar to Tebbetts)

Any advice on riding the trail with small children (7 and under)? I believe we will ride in Rocheport but stay in Booneville.

When are you going? My 6-y.o. and I will be on the trail next week Sedalia to St Charles.



Advice depends on how the kids are going. If on their own bikes, just go at their pace and

don't turn into a field marshal. It's got to be fun or the whole thing spirals into misery

quickly.



Better still, get a tag-along. They can pedal when they're fresh and just get pulled when

they poop out. This has worked very well for me and my soon-to-be 7 y.o. for the last 2

years with many hundreds of miles of touring and day riding. We just upgraded to a

tandem with independent coasting: basically the same deal with a better and lighter rig.

Thanks for the idea about the tag-along. I had only thought about the trailer for the 2 year old. How long of a ride should I prepare for? What's too much? I do want to make it fun for the kids and not overly exhausting. We'll probaly go through Rocheport to Booneville.

East of Rocheport is a good kid friendly ride with some points of interest between town and the petroglyphs. And the tunnel west of town is neat for little ones. You might consider turning around at the depot in Boonville to keep from having to ride up Lard Hill. It is a rather long grade that might wear on small legs...not much to see past there anyway.

I've done the trailer behind tag-along behind bike thing. It looks ridiculous. Ok, it

actually is ridiculous, but you'll make a lot of friends. Handling is ok. You're simple not

going to go fast on the flats. Braking is the only big concern, but on the KT that shouldn't

be a big issue given the relative flatness. Distance then becomes a function only of your

own fitness/determination. Keep the kiddies fed and hydrated. Mine will go dawn till

dusk like that. The caveat is that the 6-y.o. rides his own bike daily and so doesn't get

saddle-sore. Your milage may vary.



Good luck

If you are planning on staying in Boonville, I would recommend the Hotel Frederick. Great place and rooms that can accomodate families. Also you can park in Rocheport, ride along the river, great scenery, and then drive to Boonville. Easier on little legs. The Frederick gives $25 discount for riding the trail, has bike storage and free continental breakfast, DVD player in room and movies at the front desk for the kids. Call 660-882-2828 or visit the web-site at HotelFrederick.com

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources takes great pleasure in announcing the 20th anniversary of Katy Trail State Park. To commemorate the anniversary, the department will be sponsoring several events throughout the year. An opening event is planned for May 8, 2010, at 2 p.m. in Rocheport, to honor founders who partnered with the department in making Katy Trail State Park a reality. Following the opening ceremony, there will an unveiling of the 20th anniversary exhibit panel, a cake-cutting ceremony, and a walk to the Ted Jones memorial. Additionally, a round-trip bicycle ride to McBaine and other community-sponsored activities will be held. We would like to cordially invite you to join us for this event.



Additionally, the department is partnering with Katy Trail communities on other events throughout the year. For more information on these events, visit www.katytrailstatepark.com.

That would be a great time for bikekatytraildotcom to have a booth set up promoting this website. Set up a computer so folks could get a good grasp of how to plan a trip, find info, etc. And you could sell caps, tshirts, etc. to generate some revenue also.

Riding TransAM from Portland, Oregon and want to do the KATY Trail during middle July 2010. Want to leave the TransAM route at Chanute, Kansas and head to Clinton, MO.

Thanks todd

Try out the new google feature. Go to Google map , get directions, drop down menu has bicycle route option. Give it a try, I will be curious to see if it picks the correct/best route for a bike.

Todd.....it appears that you made the post below in January:



We are riding the TransAM route from Portland, Oregon and want to ride the KATY Trail. What is the best route to get to Clinton via Girard or Farlington,KS ??? Thanks

- posted 1/23/2010 12:50:09 AM by Todd Morrison , Portland, Oregon



The posters here didn't dupe ya.....there were several suggestions on how to find a viable route. You have changed your route appearantly, as now you want to cut over from Chanute instead of Girard or Farlington. But most of the advice given probably still applies as the towns that you want to cut over to Clinton from are pretty close together.



Did you read the replies to your previous post?? Gotta help yourself some ya know.

A set pathway there doesn’t exist I think. From the cross-country journals I’ve read, however, the riders often head northward from several KS towns toward Iola. From there, they zig-zag to Butler, MO anyway they can, and from Butler to Clinton by the seat of their pants. :) Sounds like fun.



They tend to enjoy whatever unique things, place, sites, and cafes they run across on the backroads, taking pictures along the way. Some have also taken a 25-mile stretch of the Prairie Spirit Trail from the northwest end of Iola (on N. State Ave) to Garnett, and from there, have cut over to Butler on the backroads and state routes there. Looks like a hodgepodge of adventurous road choices in one general direction.

What is the best route to bike from Kansas City to the trail head? Also does anyone know of a good bike shop in Kansas City to rent bikes suitable for riding the trail with panniers etc?

Karen, This subject has come up before. I tried to search for it, but had no luck. Anyway, traversing the KC metro area by bicycle is not an easy thing to do. I would be happy to research a route for you and possibly offer other logistic support. Feel free to contact me at dwalc [at] netzero [dot] com. When are you planing your trip?

BTW, you live in a beautiful part of the world! I spent three days riding around the San Juan Islands on a tour in 2007.

I screwed up my own email address!

Dwalc [at] netzero [dot] net

Hi Karen,



KC has several rivers, interstates, and hills with only so many bridges allowing passage thru the city. If biking to the Katy's west-end trailhead in Clinton from KC is the intent here, consider shuttling to the south side first, where the back roads and/or MO-7 will take you there fairly safely.



Both the KC and JC bike clubs here list bikeshops on their websites, below.

http://www.kcbc.org/shops

http://www.jcbikeclub.org/

I agree with the previous poster in that it seems the best path would be to get yourself to Harrisonville somehow outside of biking it yourself, and then take 7 down to Clinton. If Sedalia is your intent, however, you can look into the routes the MS150 run out of KC has used (that's its usual destination).



In a way, it's still a good deal of riding in traffic (38 miles from the 71/7 interchange to Clinton), so hopefully you are very used to it and are fit enough to do it. I would also plan on staying in Clinton.



The state also has a good resource in the biking/walking road maps that the DOT produces.

This is more daunting than I expected. It makes me ask whether it is reasonable to plan to fly to either St. Louis or Kansas City, rent bikes, do the trail, return to the rental city by trail and fly home? Has anyone done this? Or have a clear idea how to manage it?

Thanks, Karen

Whoops! I meant "return to rental city by train. . ."

I am on the KC end of the trail and have done business with several local KC area bike shops....Olathe, Overland Park, Liberty, etc. and am not aware that any have bike rentals.



You'd probably be better served by renting from a bike shop along the Katy...Rocheport has rentals as well as Defiance on the eastern end. Maybe St. Chuck has a bike rental shop...check this site for more info about businesses there. You might consider flying to St. Louis with lodging in St. Charles with someone who will pick you up at the airport and take you to St. Chuck. The Lococococo B&B does that sort of thing to my knowledge with a stay at their place. A good deal, but she is rather vague on what the rate is.(doesnt like to post it here.....would rather you call her than let everyone know what the tab is) Or.....rent a car.... or try to arrange a Uhaul pickup with a drop in Clinton or St. Chuck after you get your bikes rented.

Hi Karen. It's probably been done. Yet, I suspect most arrivals have brought their own bikes, and have shuttled to the trail rather than riding their bikes to it. I’ve met folks on trail who’ve shuttled to it, but do not recall any posts about riding to it, although it’s been done by locals and visitors.



Assuming you’re bringing your packed panniers with you, you might buy a used bike outfitted for the trail just as easily as renting one. You can check with some of the local ones to find out. A few shops on the trail also rent bikes for casual riding (phone numbers this website).



Even the cross-country riders who use the Katy come to the trail from south of the city or from around it where it’s illegal to ride on the Interstates passing thru it. Thus, bicycle bridge passage here is limited, but possible if riders know their way around well during the daytime. Some of these passable roads do not have shoulders, and the traffic can be heavy with the construction and orange barrels here now.



If flying into the KCI airport with the intent to bike ride to a westside Katy trailhead, I’d be tempted to shuttle over to Leavenworth, KS from KCI, just west of it, buy a used trail bike at a shop there, and ride south on KS-7/10/69 (which have shoulders) to KS-68. Then turn east; KS-68 turns into MO-2 to Harrisonville. From there, south a short distance on secondary Hwy-71 (with shoulder) to MO-7 (has shoulder), which will take you directly to the Clinton trailhead at MO-7/52. That’s at least 100 miles of heavy road traffic to ride fairly safely. The Katy will look great after that! :) :)



Other Katy trailheads accessible from different starting points would include: Sedalia (112-miles from KCI at least) and Rocheport (134-miles at least). Apparently you like to tour.

It has definitely been done before, many times, but of course requires quite a bit of planning. As JD pointed out, many fly-in riders bring their own bikes, so at least they don't have to worry about how to get to a rental place and how to return the rental bike. But of course there are plenty of other issues to deal with when transporting a bike by air.



You may find it much easier to fly into St Louis rather than KC. The St Louis airport is less than 10 miles from the Katy Trail, whereas KCI is about 100 miles from the trail. Also Amtrak is pretty easy to reach from the St Louis airport, via "Metrolink" (which may or may not matter to you, depending on how rail figures into your plans).



One idea: Katy Bike Rental in Defiance, which is on the St Louis end of the trail, does both bike rental AND shuttling, so they might be able to help you out. Suggest you talk to them anyway just to help you figure out what your most feasible options are (this time of year the shop might be closed on weekdays): 636-987-2673



If you are considering the St Louis airport, be sure to look at this web page (which also includes a shuttle listing): getting from St Louis Airport to the Katy Trail.



Sure it takes a lot of work and planning to pull off a trip like this, but that's part of the adventure, right? Good luck!

If you take amtrak from Kansas City to Warrensburg, then it is only 35 miles of road hell you have to contend with.



Better yet. If you take amtrak from KC to Sedalia. Then it is 35 miles of riding pleasure on the katy trail to get from Sedalia to Clinton.



Seriously, if your coming into KCI, your best bet is to take the train to Sedalia and then ride the 35 miles on the Katy down to Clinton. 35 miles on the Katy versus 35 - 100 miles of road riding on busy roads. It really is a no brainer.

Oops. One more thing. I believe the kcata bus 129 connecting the airport to downtown KC (amtrak station) has a bike rack. Double check kcata.org

I really appreciate all the comments. This trip is much more complicated than I thought it would be, but there are a few lights at the end of the tunnel based on the posted suggestions. Thanks to all of you. Karen

One thing I must keep in mind is that bicyclists definitely come into these MO cities to rest and refresh, although I don’t know how they do it in the bigger ones. On their bikes? I know of one cross-country pair that come to KC from the Katy at Sedalia. Most such riders will enjoy KC’s Plaza and the more recent Power Light Entertainment District.



While on this subject, I wonder about the possibility of any bicycling hospitality sources in this area. Aren’t they the no-fee volunteer services that will help touring bicyclists get around, or give them a place to bathe, eat and stay? Recently, I’ve read about such bike-friendly services on the crazyguyonabike.com and warmshowers.org sites, something most viewers here have already done. One cross-county journalist type went for hundreds of miles before paying for overnight lodging.



Even tho bicyclists are expected to execute most of their planning on their own, including pulling themselves out of any unexpected jams whatsoever, these hospitalities could be nice to have occasionally. Most of these services seem to be offered by committed bicyclists who like to help other touring ones. Might they be worth checking into in this area?