Katy Trail Forum

Is it possible to be picked up in Boonville? We will be biking tomorow from Sedalia to Boonville and will need transportation to come back in the afternoon.

It may be best to directly contact the shuttle service and ask them about it.....probably no one here gonna act on their behalf and give you a lift.

Right on Trek. People this has been covered before! If you want to know what service a business can provide then contact THEM! Asking here makes as much sense as walking down the street shouting at windows to find out if the laundry is open. Call the business. They will be more than willing and able to give you accurate answers to your questions about them.

Hay Guys do you think Juro might have just wanted the phone number of a local shuttle service and being from another state, not having that info available to them.

Ahhhhhhh, How about clicking on "Plan a Ride" in the above menu bar, and picking the shuttle box as one of the plan options?

Jeeeezzzz, I thought people who used the Katy Trail were nice?? How about helping the guy out instead of taking his head off. Some of us are new to this, you snobs.

Snobs? There are several resources available on this website to plan a trip down the Katy Trail. From the home page, there is a purple-colored bar running across the page horizontally, with several options:

1. The second one is "Towns & Services." Click on that option, and scroll down to "Boonville." Click on the word "Boonville" and there is a company listed with the telephone number.

2. From the previous page, the third option on the purple-colored bar is "Plan a Trip." This really is a great way to find everything someone would need to bike/hike the Katy Trail.



Though I would never discourage anyone from posting to the forum, I am not sure why you replied to a conversation from October 16th (last reply was October 20th) of last year. A point worth noting is that you are the only one who has resorted to name calling. Please think about what you write before you click on the green "Submit Comment" button.



Good luck on your ride.

Yea....gotta love it when an old thread is dug up just for sake of flame throwing. Isn't letting someone know how to get accurate information helping them out?

The Clinton to Sedalia stretch doesn't have too much going for it in the way of scenery. It's a lot easier to start at Sedalia, where the train can take you, instead of figuring out how to get to/from Clinton. If you do go through, consider going back to Sedalia (35 miles) to get the train to KC instead of biking there on the roads (70 miles).

I disagree with Ann I enjoyed the trail from Sedalia to Clinton.

Last Sept. my daughter and I biked the Katy Trail and we stayed at the "Bed and Bikefest" Bed and Breakfst. It was very nice. We never actually saw the owner, but a lady across the street took our money for us and showed us where we could store our bikes. The place was clean, quaint, and very relaxing. It did have a hot tub, but we didn't notice it until we were leaving the next day. A nice place to stay if you want something special (we had been camping and were ready for a real bed).

To continue with your positve review theme I would like to comment on the Dorms at School House. It is the perfect place to stay if you have a platonic relationship with your riding partner. Always clean, comfortable, and well stocked!

We walked through Clifton "City", MO yesterday (4-15-09) and it is one of the most

depressing, disheveld, untidy villages we have ever seen. Piles of litter alongside the trail,

etc. The residents should be ashamed. And the circular barn and graveyard described in

the Katy guide was nowhere to be seen. We continued to enjoy our walk as soon as Clifton

"City" disappeared behind us. Reg Edwards

One of the things that makes the trail interesting to me (besides the varied scenery and wildlife) is the different ways-of-life encountered along the trail. Some of the ones I've noticed include farmers (big & small); hill-types; fishermen; river-rogues; next-to-the-river dwellings; back-woods and/or redneck types; "Deliverance-movie" types; small-villagers; banjo-and-clogger types, winery-wino types, isolated businesses and homes, ethnic groups, friendly-or-unfriendly types, city-or-townie-people and so forth. Even the farm homes on the flatlands are different than those located on the shoulders of the river-valley. And some of the hamlets and villages seem to be doing better than others.

While Clifton City may not be the most scenic little town, one of its citizens saved my trip last fall. He lives just up the hill from the church and if you happen to limp into town with some bike trouble he is more than happy to help out. Thanks again, Al!

I rode from Sedalia to New Franklin a couple of Fridays ago. I stopped in Clifton City also. It was kinda scary. I asked a guy if i could get a soda anywhere. He pointed to a garage. They had cold soda in a big freezer. It was great! The guys were really nice. Could have been because it was 9am and they all had beers in hand!

My daughter and I biked the Katy Trail last Sept. and the second night we stayed in Booneville. We were biking from Windsor (and we are not bike every day kind of people!) so when we crossed I70 and saw Booneville, it was a sight for sore eyes. A little ways up the trail there was a sign that had hotel numbers, etc. on it. There was also a small path leading up to what the sign said was a certain hotel. I think a Super 8 or something. We called, booked, said Holiday Inn possibility. Gave me the number, called, some old cranky guy answered. Continued on to Depot Trailhead Did I mention we were dog tired by now and it was getting dark?! No room at Casino, called H.I.-got directions-started out. UP huge hill, down a huge hill and back up - dark, no lights - did I mention we were pulling trailers At top of hill we see I-70. See car-ask if Holiday Inn around - said was one about 2 miles down outer road. Took that-up another huge hill,at top, we saw it-along with the Super 8 we had called! Yes, folks, that's right. Instead of biking 4 more miles in the dark up more hills, we could have taken the original path we saw when we first came over the bridge and it would have been less than a mile and very little hills compared to what we did. The Holiday Inn was great, though. They locked our bikes up for us in the room and had a nice room for us. Just remember, that first trail will take you to a Holiday Inn and (I think) a Super 8. Needless to say, the next morning we looked for that trail (again the directions we got were not too hot!) found it, and re-rode the part we had ridden the previous night. I was not going to go up those hills again. From this path to the trail was mostly downhill, and to the Train Depot Trailhead it is downhill, so not too bad.

The path with the sign just north of I-70 is your road to Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Petro (I think) truck stop...via the moble home manufacturers business. It is rather confusing in Boonville if you are not familiar with the town.

I rode from Clinton to Windsor the evening of 6/13. I arrived in town about 8:20 and wanted to get my tent set up at Farrington Park before it got dark and get some dinner before the Subway shop closed. Several people were fishing on the near side of the lake and I did not see the designated camping area (never did find it for sure), so I pitched my tent on the far side of the lake near a shelter house and bathrooms, beyond a gate with a sign stating that the gate was closed after 10pm. While not exactly secluded, this looked like a very quiet spot with the added benefit of no vehicle traffic (I would not be locked in - I could easily ride around the locked gate if i needed to leave).

While back in town getting a sandwich, I spoke with a sheriff's officer and told him where I was camped and asked who I should pay for camping. He replied that he did not think there was a charge for tent camping, but that I may need to move my tent from behind the gate that would be locked. He added that he had no problem with where I was camped, but he could not speak for the night officer. I decided to stay where I was, but be ready to cheerfully agree to move if told to do so. Shortly before ten a man in a pickup arrived to lock the gate and bathrooms. He was a councilman and park board member, worked for W-K Chevrolet, and I think he said his name was John. He said there was no charge for tent camping and that I was fine where I was, if anybody asked to tell them he said it was okay. He also left the mens bathroom unlocked for me. He said they were happy to have Katy Trail users visit Windsor and camp in the park and he invited me to come back and watch the cardboard boat races across the lake on July 4th. My only complaint about Windsor was the backyard dogs barking during the night. Farrington Park is beautiful and everyone I spoke with was freindly. I plan to make a small donation to park board and would camp there again.

I rode from Clinton to Windsor the evening of 6/13. I arrived in town about 8:20 and wanted to get my tent set up at Farrington Park before it got dark and get some dinner before the Subway shop closed. Several people were fishing on the near side of the lake and I did not see the designated camping area (never did find it for sure), so I pitched my tent on the far side of the lake near a shelter house and bathrooms, beyond a gate with a sign stating that the gate was closed after 10pm. While not exactly secluded, this looked like a very quiet spot with the added benefit of no vehicle traffic (I would not be locked in - I could easily ride around the locked gate if i needed to leave).

While back in town getting a sandwich, I spoke with a sheriff's officer and told him where I was camped and asked who I should pay for camping. He replied that he did not think there was a charge for tent camping, but that I may need to move my tent from behind the gate that would be locked. He added that he had no problem with where I was camped, but he could not speak for the night officer. I decided to stay where I was, but be ready to cheerfully agree to move if told to do so. Shortly before ten a man in a pickup arrived to lock the gate and bathrooms. He was a councilman and park board member, worked for W-K Chevrolet, and I think he said his name was John. He said there was no charge for tent camping and that I was fine where I was, if anybody asked to tell them he said it was okay. He also left the mens bathroom unlocked for me. He said they were happy to have Katy Trail users visit Windsor and camp in the park and he invited me to come back and watch the cardboard boat races across the lake on July 4th. My only complaint about Windsor was the backyard dogs barking during the night. Farrington Park is beautiful and everyone I spoke with was freindly. I plan to make a small donation to park board and would camp there again.

Thank you for your comment on the camping. We will be going in that direction over the weekend and were planning on camping there.

Thank you for your comment on the camping. We will be going in that direction over the weekend and were planning on camping there.

My daughter and I stayed at the Farrington Park in Windsor last Sept. when we biked the trail. There was a house to the right of the lake as you rode up from the trail (you had to go up a hill and then down) who took money for camping, so I assumed it cost to camp. It wasn't much, $10 maybe, but there were no bathrooms where she directed us except for a porta-potty. It was a nice grassy area, but would have been nice to have known about the above place and that it really didn't cost. We found out the next morning that we could just continue on down the street (gravel) we were on, hit the Sonic, and then a short distance to the trail. The way we came the night before was longer. That happened a lot - especially at Booneville - go there to read our saga on that.

My daughter and I stayed at the Farrington Park in Windsor last Sept. when we biked the trail. There was a house to the right of the lake as you rode up from the trail (you had to go up a hill and then down) who took money for camping, so I assumed it cost to camp. It wasn't much, $10 maybe, but there were no bathrooms where she directed us except for a porta-potty. It was a nice grassy area, but would have been nice to have known about the above place and that it really didn't cost. We found out the next morning that we could just continue on down the street (gravel) we were on, hit the Sonic, and then a short distance to the trail. The way we came the night before was longer. That happened a lot - especially at Booneville - go there to read our saga on that.

The "Best Value Inn" is no where near the trailhead in Jeff City. The Guidebook says they have a shuttle. We checked with them when we made a reservation and asked if they had a shuttle and they said they did. When we got to the trailhead, they said they didn't have a shuttle and that we should just clinb the hill and take the 4 lane highway to their place. We took backroads and got there but it was a major pain.(March 16th) They do not have a shuttle and they were rude when we asked about it. They said they gave us some discount so they didn't have to come and pick up. It would have been easier to call Checkered cab and go into Jeff City. I will never stay there again.



Mike T

The "Best Value Inn" is no where near the trailhead in Jeff City. The Guidebook says they have a shuttle. We checked with them when we made a reservation and asked if they had a shuttle and they said they did. When we got to the trailhead, they said they didn't have a shuttle and that we should just clinb the hill and take the 4 lane highway to their place. We took backroads and got there but it was a major pain.(March 16th) They do not have a shuttle and they were rude when we asked about it. They said they gave us some discount so they didn't have to come and pick up. It would have been easier to call Checkered cab and go into Jeff City. I will never stay there again.



Mike T

#1. When called about shuttle was told not not available because it

was off season .. Shuttle is available from about April 15th

until October 31st

#2 Was told to ride up Summit Dr(old 54)two lane blacktop that

parallels hwy 54.Have know idea what backroads you took.

#3. were givin a 15% discount because shuittle was not available.

#1. When called about shuttle was told not not available because it

was off season .. Shuttle is available from about April 15th

until October 31st

#2 Was told to ride up Summit Dr(old 54)two lane blacktop that

parallels hwy 54.Have know idea what backroads you took.

#3. were givin a 15% discount because shuittle was not available.

Two years ago, a rainstorm threw my ride schedule off, causing me to stop at the N. Jefferson trailhead. Not knowing my way around there that evening, I followed the trail spur south to the parallel-running Hwy-63, and then went over the bridge on the west southbound side (the traffic wasn't heavy at that time), but one needs to watch for any grates. I then turned east on Hwy-50 for a couple of blocks. On the south side there, the 'Deville' put me up in a two-bed room for about $70, which would have been less if shared with anothr rider or two.



Not bad considering the cost of some of the sought-after B&B's. More importantly, this hotel is only 1.5-miles from the trailhead, which makes it fairly easy to get to by bike. Other motels also exist in Jeff City, but a rider might need a map or further information to find them easily.

Two years ago, a rainstorm threw my ride schedule off, causing me to stop at the N. Jefferson trailhead. Not knowing my way around there that evening, I followed the trail spur south to the parallel-running Hwy-63, and then went over the bridge on the west southbound side (the traffic wasn't heavy at that time), but one needs to watch for any grates. I then turned east on Hwy-50 for a couple of blocks. On the south side there, the 'Deville' put me up in a two-bed room for about $70, which would have been less if shared with anothr rider or two.



Not bad considering the cost of some of the sought-after B&B's. More importantly, this hotel is only 1.5-miles from the trailhead, which makes it fairly easy to get to by bike. Other motels also exist in Jeff City, but a rider might need a map or further information to find them easily.

When we called we were told there was a shuttle. We were not given directions to old 54. Nice try. My opinion is the same.



Mike T.

When we called we were told there was a shuttle. We were not given directions to old 54. Nice try. My opinion is the same.



Mike T.

The shuttle issue seems to be a reoccuring theme here. This is not the first time to my knowledge that someone has had issues with the supposed shuttle service.

The shuttle issue seems to be a reoccuring theme here. This is not the first time to my knowledge that someone has had issues with the supposed shuttle service.

I imagine Ray already gets plenty of great feedback, but I wanted to take a minute to say that bikekatytrail.com is the most awesomely awesome travel website evah! The simple look & feel deceptively hides some really innovative functionality that makes planning a bike trip sooooo easy! I wish other travel sites could use the same format. My hat is off to you, sir!

Gosh, thanks - you're making me blush! Honestly, I have a lot of fun running the website. Thanks to all of you who make the forum a wealth of information, who help keep me updated on business changes, who submit your ride reports and photos - and thanks to all who just visit and use the site. We've got a great little community here, thanks for being part of it.

I have to agree! While the book is helpful, naturally some info is outdate as soon as it is published (just the nature of the business).



The only problem is, you have spoiled us Ray! None of the other rails/trails out there have anything even close.



This website is one of the things that keeps so many of us on the Katy!

bikekatytrail.com is awesome and yes....Ray has spoiled us!



There are so many of us Missouri locals who use this site and help make it usefull to newbies and out of staters. I've often wondered if as a group we could be more awesome. Has anyone else out there ever had thoughts or potential interest in a bikekatytrail.com users group? As a group we could perhaps raise money for a kids bikes for Christmas program, support to the Missouri Bike Fed., charitable Katy events, a tent at a Tour of Missouri leg or two, or even a bikekatytrail.com bench or two on the new KC leg. Maybe social or charitable users group rides?

Is there a place in Clinton to rent bicycles by the hour/day?

I rented a bike from a small lawnmower business (family owned) back in 2005 or 06. The son that works there is a big cyclist. After talking with him, he let me and my girlfriend rent two bikes as a favor as there is no rental place. Really nice people. I dont remember the name but it must be in "an easy to spot" location. We biked to Calhoun and back.

Two couples -- all seniors -- will be riding 100 to 120 miles of the trail over 4 days this September. For scenic beauty, what section of the trail would you recommend we ride? Secondary considerations are ease of riding and places to spend the nights (25 to 30 miles apart). Are any of the Missouri counties that the trail passes through dry (non-alcoholic)? Thanks for your help!

I would start at Rocheport and go east.

Me too.....100 miles or so would take you from some good Rocheport wine through more very good wine at Hermann and on to even more at Augusta. To my knowledge none of the counties in Missouri wine country are dry.

We are two senior couples that plan to ride the Katy trail in September 2010. If you would like a copy of our itinerary, I would be happy to email it to you. It is too long to post here.

If your ride is one-way, you might consider riding between the Booneville and Dutzow/Augusta regions for a complete spackling of the varied autumn-scenery, wildlife, sites, bridges, cafes, sandwich-stops, bar-grills, fishing/camp-grounds, shops, lodging, and wineries offered along the trail. Depending on your likes and wants, Hermann could be getting ready for their annual Oktoberfest then as well.

I agree too...the Rocheport area is my favorite part of the trail as well. Just don't forget to take the short ride west of the Rocheport TH to see the old train tunnel before heading east.

For those of you who enjoy visiting the Katy Trail Forum but might not have time to come by every day, I have built a "daily digest" email. This is an email which goes out each morning, providing a summary of the comments that were posted the previous day. There's also a brief advertisement (gotta pay the bills) and the current trail conditions from the DNR's website.

In the digest, you'll see the full text of any threads that had activity the prior day. Postings made on that day appear in bold.

If you'd like to sign up for the digest, please visit the subscription page and provide your email address.

Thanks for visiting the Katy Trail Forum!

I'm adding a new post to this thread so that it will rise to the first page again, just to make sure everyone is aware of the forum digest option.

I agree Brian L.! I have developed a habit of checking in to see what is going on almost everyday. It is a great website and getting better, just sent my email to get the “daily digest” email, I had missed the original post about it. The Katy Trail is a fun place, I spend as much time out there as possible. Spent 4 of the windiest days I have ever spent on a bike last week, but had a ball. I used this site to plan most aspects of the trip, how far to ride each day, where to camp or to B&B for the night, points of interest, etc. There is a ton of information to be had, right here. So, I say, thanks to those who pass on their comments and thanks especially to Ray for all you do.

Oops!

From the DNR:



The trail is closed at the following locations due to flooding:



MM 178.9 to MM 181.5 near Rocheport (detour on Hwy. 40 to Hwy. 240 to Rocheport)

MM 169.7 to MM 169.8 near the junction with the MKT Trail

MM 155.9 west of Hartsburg to MM 157.9 west of Wilton

MM 151 east of Hartsburg (detour onto the adjacent road)

Trail users should avoid closed sections and should never go around the closure fencing.



Due to area flooding, the gates near Easley (MM 162.5) have been opened to local vehicle traffic. Trail users should be cautious of vehicles in that area.

We were planning to bike the Katy Trail on 5/4 and 5/5. We were planning to be in the Pilot Grove-Rocheport area. Are there daily postings about flood conditions or should we just go and take our chances?

According to the DNR trail conditions page (http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/conditions.htm), you can call 800-334-6946 for current conditions, even on weekends. They don't say so explicitly, but they imply the web page is updated every weekday.

The route is great to Creve Couer park, but after that there is lots of street riding (sometimes no breakdown lane) and hills through the last 15 miles or so to the Kirkwood station. I thought it was dangerous and wouldn't recommend it unless you are very experienced riding traffic.

I live in this area and ride the streets all the time. Take the bike trail across the Hwy 364 bridge to Creve Coeur Park. (3.4 mi). Go South (right) on the bike trail to Creve Coeur Mill Rd. (1.1 mi). Continue South (left) on Creve Coeur Mill to Olive Blvd. (.8 mi) This is a 2 lane road with traffic, use caution.



Go East on Olive Blvd. (left, up the hill) .4 miles in the bike lane. Olive is a busy 4 lane road, but it has a wide shoulder striped as a bike lane. It is not an elegant bike route, but I have never felt unsafe here. At the top of the hill, turn South (right) on Fernview Dr., which bends East and changes name to Bellerive Estates Dr. Continue to Mason Manor Rd. (1.4 mi) Turn East (left) on Mason Manor to Mason Rd. (.25 mi).



Turn South (right) on Mason. Stay on Mason as it bends left and right several times. Continue South on Mason at the Ladue Rd. intersection (1.34 mi). After another .5 mi. jog right then left at Conway Rd. and continue South on Mason. Cross I-64 and continue South to Clayton Rd. (1.47 mi).



Turn East (left) on Clayton. This is one of the most popular bike routes in the area. Cross I-270 and Ballas Rd. to Geyer Rd. (3.5 mi) Turn South (right) on Geyer, cross Manchester Rd. to W. Adams Ave. (3.6 mi, Kirkwood Park on right) Continue 2 blocks South to Argonne Dr. Turn East (left) on Argonne, go 4 blocks and you are there.



The route is complex, total distance is probably close to 20 mi., and there are typical Missouri rolling hills. So it is a significant addition to your ride. But if your heart is set on one final challenge at the end of your ride, it can be done. Once you deal with Creve Coeur Mill Rd. and Olive, you are on residential streets or secondary streets that are popular biking routes. This is the city, however, and you have to be comfortable sharing the road with cars.

For the solo traveler a shuttle works out to be pretty expensive. Consider a taxi to Kirkwood (just taking off your front wheel). Or maybe there's a city bus that accepts bikes from St Charles to downtown St Louis, where you can also catch Amtrak.

Doug, a very interesting and engaging guy, went out of his way to make me feel welcome. Dinner was great, and I heard lots of stories about history/making the Katy trail. By the way, his washroom is for campers, the bathrooms inside the house have nice showers. It had rained all day, and Doug's washroom was also be used for cleaning up my bike - and he graciously chain-lubed and checked/tightened up everything for me too. Maybe it's not 5-star, as some below have noted, but I will definitely stay there again for the one-of-a-kind experience. His little dog Honey is also a plus!

Doug, a very interesting and engaging guy, went out of his way to make me feel welcome. Dinner was great, and I heard lots of stories about history/making the Katy trail. By the way, his washroom is for campers, the bathrooms inside the house have nice showers. It had rained all day, and Doug's washroom was also be used for cleaning up my bike - and he graciously chain-lubed and checked/tightened up everything for me too. Maybe it's not 5-star, as some below have noted, but I will definitely stay there again for the one-of-a-kind experience. His little dog Honey is also a plus!

I'm planning a ride for next week (probably Sedalia to Augusta) and was wondering what the condition of the trail is after all the recent rains & flooding in the Midwest. How is it? Muddy? Rutty? Any washed-out sections? Thanks, all!

My stay here was one of the highlights of my Katy trip! Lynn's passion for running the perfect B&B was obvious in everything! What she has done to this B&B is incredible (rehab, decoration, comfort, and amenities). She packed me a nice lunch for the no-service Weldon Springs area the next day too. Five stars!

My stay here was one of the highlights of my Katy trip! Lynn's passion for running the perfect B&B was obvious in everything! What she has done to this B&B is incredible (rehab, decoration, comfort, and amenities). She packed me a nice lunch for the no-service Weldon Springs area the next day too. Five stars!

I didn't have the good luck to stay here (next time I hope it will work out!), but want to rave about Thom's hospitality. I arrived at the No. Jeff trailhead after wet and muddy, and he graciously gave me a ride across the bridge to the front door of my hotel. He wouldn't accept anything for the transfer. He also gave me restaurant and tourist advice. This guy's the real deal!

I didn't have the good luck to stay here (next time I hope it will work out!), but want to rave about Thom's hospitality. I arrived at the No. Jeff trailhead after wet and muddy, and he graciously gave me a ride across the bridge to the front door of my hotel. He wouldn't accept anything for the transfer. He also gave me restaurant and tourist advice. This guy's the real deal!

My son and I stopped here and was very hungary. We called Pizza Hut in Holts Summit and they delivered Pizza and Pepsi right to the Trail Head. It was very good. Be careful about saving leftovers, we strapped leftovers on my bike and parked it on a bike rack in Hartsburg. A big dog ate the pizza and bent my front wheel.

My son and I stopped here and was very hungary. We called Pizza Hut in Holts Summit and they delivered Pizza and Pepsi right to the Trail Head. It was very good. Be careful about saving leftovers, we strapped leftovers on my bike and parked it on a bike rack in Hartsburg. A big dog ate the pizza and bent my front wheel.

Bent your front wheel? Are you sure that was a dog and not the Hartsburg Bigfoot?

Bent your front wheel? Are you sure that was a dog and not the Hartsburg Bigfoot?

My son and I stayed in one of their cabins the second night on the trail. It was 100% better than I was expecting. The price was awsome. This was one of the cleanest places I've seen. I have never in my life seen a port-a-pottie as clean as this one. It was a long walk to get to the showers, but worth it, very clean.

My son and I stayed in one of their cabins the second night on the trail. It was 100% better than I was expecting. The price was awsome. This was one of the cleanest places I've seen. I have never in my life seen a port-a-pottie as clean as this one. It was a long walk to get to the showers, but worth it, very clean.