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Your most memorable Katy Trail moment
 -  + Mine was watching the sun set over the river at Katfish Katy's. Anyone want to contribute to the list?
Discussion started 07/05/2008 11:36 PM by DougK - 18 replies (last reply by Captain Kirk at 09/08/2008 03:07 PM)
DougK from Troy on 07/05/2008 11:36 PM
Mine was watching the sun set over the river at Katfish Katy's. Anyone want to contribute to the list?

 
Randy from Illinois on 07/07/2008 03:13 PM
I only have four days to choose from, but it was happening upon the summer picnic in Tebbetts Sunday June 29. I had never tried mutton before. Apparently it is a river town delicacy. It's an ordeal to prepare it properly which explains why you hardly ever find it.

 
Biker from Farmington, MO on 07/08/2008 03:24 PM
Back in 1992, listening to Muddy Waters as I pedaled under the I-70 bridge, the Missouri River to my right and awesome bluffs to my left, having just graduated from MU and thinking Deep Thoughts (apologies to Jack Handey) about the future and its possibilities.

 
Trek on 07/08/2008 04:00 PM
Although they were certainly not the most fun by far, but our 75 mile ride in the rain attempting to do a century and then our next ride on the Katy sans rain where we did pass the 100 mile mark are the most memorable.

 
Opie from Lee's Summit MO on 07/09/2008 10:34 AM
Shredded a well-worn rear tire (I'm a bad Boy Scout and thought it had enough life left for

our Sedalia-JeffC-Sedalia trip) on day 2 heading back to Sedalia a few miles west of Pilot

Grove. Tried to patch the 4" gash by cutting a plastic section of a shampoo bottle & lining

the tire. Didn't work. Used that tube as a tire liner and it worked for a couple hundred

yards. Poof. Skeeters descended upon us. Tried to double up the next patch over the hole

but upon inflation the tire didn't seat quite right & then the inevitable hemorrhoidial tube

blast rang out across Cooper County. Sent our fastest rider uptrail to Sedalia to get the car

& drive back to Clifton City. Rider #2 rode stayed at Clifton. I started running & pushing

my bike for about 3 miles then thought of a way to keep the rim off the limestone. I cut

the valve stems off the 4 wasted tubes and crammed them into the tire — filling it enough

to keep the tire seated & from rolling off the rim — then rode the last several miles into

Clifton City.



Sometimes the worst experiences are the most memorable. :)

 
trinjboro from Jonesboro, Ar on 07/09/2008 11:47 AM
Riding from Jeff City to Hartsburg on a cool, crisp October morning with the foliage turning to orange and yellow.

 
Bill from North of KC on 07/12/2008 12:00 PM
Tough to pick... Most memorable recent moment would be pulling into the Hartsburg gazebo (where I planned to spend the night) on a Sunday afternoon just before it started raining. Some locals were having a fantastic bluegrass jam behind the caboose next door. I ran across the street and grabbed a bottle of SoBlue from Summit Lake Winery, then sat in the gazebo sipping wine and listening to music while it poured. That's a moment I'll never forget...

 
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 07/12/2008 09:40 PM
When I arrived in St. Charles this older couple had ask how far I'd riden that day. I told them I'd come from Jefferson City. The look on their face was priceless.

 
jason from eureka springs on 07/13/2008 08:53 PM
not sure where it was Tebbets I think, one of those long flat hot areas at an intersection with an isolated bar filled with grungy Harly riders.

a couple was stranded with a broken chain, they were trying to get help from a police officer who could really care less. he was there watching the scooter gangs at the bar. I was fully loaded on a 1400 mile trip using the katy to cross MO, so I had the tools. Fixed and lubed his chain, saving them a lot off hassle getting 18 miles back to thier car. they tried to give me twenty bucks, and I was cash poor at the moment and could have used it, but refused the money because the relief on thier faces when everything was fixed was great. peace of mind should be free. finaly let them give me a couple dollars to get a coke, went into the bar to get one as they rode off, and at once had my little toe broken by a drunk Bandito biker slamming the door open on me as I entered. then had to ride off with a broken toe as he and two of his biker buddys yelled abuse at me.(note, they were not all drunk jerks, just a few)

I will probably remember that day. jason

 
John from Los Angeles on 07/15/2008 10:51 AM
During a St. Charles to Hartsburg ride my son and I met some of the people that give Missouri a great reputation for being one of the friendliest states I've ever been to. A older couple we met and talked to on the AMTRAK train from Chicago to St. Louis offered and gave us a ride to St. Charles. When we got to St. Charles they stopped by their home and filled up our water bottles with crushed ice and bottled water before dropping us off by the trailhead. In Hermann, at the Stone Hill Winery I left a huge tip for the waitress after a nice lunch and as we were leaving she came running out the door and told us we forgot our change. It seemed like people just went out of their way to nice, but when I thought about it, it wasn't that they were going out of their way, it was simply the way people are in Missouri - friendly and having a way of making you feel welcome.

 
Laura from Webb City, MO on 07/16/2008 01:00 AM
I used to live in Columbia. One Sunday, my husband, son, and daughter who were

probably 7 and 5 at the time, rode to Rocheport. Unfortunately, by the time we reached

our destination, the kids were too tired to return. So, my husband decided to ride back to

Columbia on his own to get our van while the kids and I waited at the Katy Trail Bike shop.

On the way back, it got dark and my husband didn't have a light. He caught up with some

riders who had lights. As they were going to be exiting before Columbia, they suggested

putting my husband's bike on their vehicle and driving him to Columbia. It was way after

dark when my husband came to pick us up. That was an experience I will never forget. I

am so thankful that my husband found the gracious riders.



Other than that, I recall one of my nightly rides on part of the trail in Columbia where I

looked into a field of at least twenty deer. Shortly after that, a deer jumped across the

trail not more than ten feet in front of me!


 
Pat from Home of Harry Truman on 07/18/2008 09:34 AM
Most memorable you ask ? Has to be when my brother and I first discovered the KATY back in 03. We rode from Clinton to Booneville in 28 hours. Never again.

 
Trek on 07/18/2008 10:45 AM
Just a bit faster and you would have broke 3 mph!

 
St. Louis Bicycle Works from South City St,louis on 07/19/2008 10:40 PM
I know it will be this weekend as we do a fund raiser for this group

Http://www.stlbikeworks.com

 
St. Louis Bicycle Works from South City St,louis on 08/05/2008 09:14 AM
here is mine



http://stlbikeworks.com/katy_trail_ride.php


 
cunninghamair from O'Fallon, MO on 08/09/2008 02:18 PM
Not as good as some of the others, but--my first 2-day ride with my husband. We took

the train from Washington to Jeff City, navigated through town, across the bridge, to the

trailhead (at which point, my husband tried to convince me to turn left instead of right--

but he denies it now). Just as we started through the parking lot, I yelled, "Wait a

minute!" and laid on the brakes--I wanted to flip my map over so I had the mileage

markers--but I had new clipless pedals and I forgot to clip out. I wiped out in the gravel

parking lot on my new Trek bike I had just gotten for my birthday (and this ride!) My

normally adoring husband turned around and said, "What are you doing?" I had a bloody

knee in front of a Saturday morning trailhead crowd. I didn't even flinch. I knew the car

was two days away--so I rinsed off my knee with my water bottle, gave the bike a once

over and headed down the trail. (When I took the bike in for it's first "free" tune up, they

politely informed me they had to charge me $10 for a new part because it looked like the

bike "had been on the ground." No kidding!) Priceless.

 
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 08/09/2008 03:01 PM
Not as exciting as some of my Katy Trail moments (thoses are for other stories), but for memorable, this is definitely mine.

It was 2003, had started riding my bike again that summer (after 30 years off to raise a family). I had done quite a few day rides on the western half that summer, but had never gone past Boonville. That fall I did my first overnight multiple day ride and as I rode under the I-70 bridge south of Rocheport for the first time, I was so happy to finally be ON the trail looking up at the bridge instead of always going over it looking down and wishing I was there. I even got my camera out and took a self portrait of me with this goofy ear to ear grin on my face and the bridge up in the background. Silly I know...but memorable to me!

 
Jeremy from Columbia on 08/12/2008 09:47 AM
The feeling I got as I pedaled into Clinton, 2 days after beginning my ride across the entire Katy Trail. It felt really good to finish the entire trail that evening. The sun was about an hour from falling below the horizon, so I had a little time to relax at the trailhead and call back home to Mom and Dad. I just wanted to let them know their son did it!

 
Captain Kirk from Fayette, MO on 09/08/2008 03:07 PM
I ride the trail alot before the break of day. Many times I get on the trail before the sun comes up in order to get my fitness ride in prior to going to work. At the end of August 07 I was riding about an hour before the sun came up and there was a full moon. I left Rocheport heading towards Boonville and about 15 minutes into the ride the moon began to eclipse. It wasn't a full eclipse, but it was eventually about a 7/8th coverage of the moon. Due to this sight I was looking up more than I usually do and managed to see a couple of shooting stars to add to the majesty of the sky. After passing the Katy Roundhouse in Franklin the trail turns South toward Boonville. Shortly after crossing over Sulpher Creek there is a field on the left that was planted in soybeans that year. It was covered in fog and as the sun began brightening the sky in the East the reflection of the pink sky on the fog made the field look as if it was covered in pink cotton candy. The scene and ride that day have been permanently embellished in my mind.

I might add that these rides in the dark are extremely fulfilling. Riding under a full moon, in my opinion, is safe and a really neat experience. It is similar to this summer when I competed in the Missouri River 340 and paddled the river under a full moon. Being on the trail early in the morning can be a pain when you are the first person to clear out all the cobwebs, but that is the price you pay for the benefit of having the trail to yourself.


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daily distance
 -  + For a multi day trip, what is a manageable distance? I plan on carrying very light. Thanks.
Discussion started 07/20/2008 11:17 PM by Mark - 4 replies (last reply by Captain Kirk at 09/08/2008 02:25 PM)
Mark from Oregon on 07/20/2008 11:17 PM
For a multi day trip, what is a manageable distance? I plan on carrying very light. Thanks.

 
Trek on 07/21/2008 08:28 AM
The age old question.....how far can I ride? It all depends on your fitness level, how well your seat fits the bike seat and your motive. That varys for each individual. If you are in shape and the saddle is agreeing with the hind quarter push 100. If you are not in shape and are not familiar with the saddle go for 5 to 10. You should know from your daily activity/rides how in or out of shape you are. And you should know when the saddle becomes uncomfortable. And of course, only you know your motive....whether it be to enjoy the wildlife or to speed past everyone on the trail. The answer to your question lies within.

 
Les from Lawrence on 07/21/2008 06:47 PM
Well, as right as Trek is, and he is; if you ride regularly(several times a week) 25-30 miles for exercise then 40-60 mile days shouldn't be too much. If you ride 10-30 several times a week then top out at 45 miles a day and you should have a good time.

 
Matt from St. Charles on 08/16/2008 12:32 AM
I'd say that a good way to judge how in shape you are for riding the Katy is to think about how walking or jogging long distances tires you. If walking all day is no problem for you, you can probably ride all day at a medium pace with out a problem. This will probably allow you to ride about 30-40 miles. If you can walk for only an 1 to 2 hours before you start to tire, plan on riding for only a couple hours. This will allow you to get in 10-15 miles. The more you ride your bike, the farther you will be able to ride each time before getting tired. If you ride two or three times a week for a few weeks, 30-40 miles will probably become a pretty standard ride and 60-80 miles a day will start to seem very reachable. I recommend getting a digital bike speedometer/odometer from Wal-mart for like 10 bucks because it makes it easier to pace yourself.

 
Captain Kirk from Fayette, MO on 09/08/2008 02:25 PM
Most of my two cents has been addressed already, but there is one thing I would like to add as far as tolerating your seat, or the problem of sitting for extended distances. This is a problem that vexes many people. I found a strategy that worked for myself and for many people I have suggested try this idea. What I do is, at every mile marker I stand up and pedal for about 1/10 of a mile or a certain number of pedal strokes. This allows your rear to get some blood flowing again. I found that I went from making daily rides of 25 - 30 miles then increased up to 100 miles with ease by using this technique.


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Abigails (Rocheport)
 -  + Ate at Abigails last Thursday night (9/04).
The food was excellent but the owners (I assume) were not very friendly.
Discussion started 09/07/2008 10:22 PM by Michael - 0 replies
Michael from Kansas City on 09/07/2008 10:22 PM
Ate at Abigails last Thursday night (9/04).

The food was excellent but the owners (I assume) were not very friendly.

 
Michael from Kansas City on 09/07/2008 10:22 PM
Ate at Abigails last Thursday night (9/04).

The food was excellent but the owners (I assume) were not very friendly.


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Mighty Mo Canoe Floats in Sept & Oct
 -  + We are in the best two months of the year for canoe floats on the Missouri River. Consider joining us for a Sat float to watch the river at its lowest, most interest level -- come rock hound w/ us on ...
Discussion started 09/05/2008 08:08 PM by Brett Dufur - 1 reply (last reply by Brett Dufur at 09/07/2008 03:58 PM)
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:08 PM
We are in the best two months of the year for canoe floats on the Missouri River. Consider joining us for a Sat float to watch the river at its lowest, most interest level -- come rock hound w/ us on sandbars for a great time, enjoy some cold watermelon, and welcome the eagles back to the river valley while watching fall paint the forested blufftops with autumn's magic palette of colors!

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:08 PM
We are in the best two months of the year for canoe floats on the Missouri River. Consider joining us for a Sat float to watch the river at its lowest, most interest level -- come rock hound w/ us on sandbars for a great time, enjoy some cold watermelon, and welcome the eagles back to the river valley while watching fall paint the forested blufftops with autumn's magic palette of colors!

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 03:58 PM
Saturday's float was great! Plenty of wildlife to see -- the weather is just as perfect as could be for floats right now. The sandbars are really coming up right now... If you are interested in joining us on a float, visit www.mighty-mo.com. We'll be doing them through the first week in November... See you on the river!

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 03:58 PM
Saturday's float was great! Plenty of wildlife to see -- the weather is just as perfect as could be for floats right now. The sandbars are really coming up right now... If you are interested in joining us on a float, visit www.mighty-mo.com. We'll be doing them through the first week in November... See you on the river!


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Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest (Rocheport)
 -  + My husband and I just biked through Rocheport on Friday, March 28, 2008. We stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest. We stayed in the Attic room and really enjoyed ourselves. The downtown has a coup...
Discussion started 03/31/2008 10:49 AM by Bike 4 LIfe - 3 replies (last reply by Brett Dufur at 09/07/2008 03:56 PM)
Bike 4 LIfe from Smithville, MO on 03/31/2008 10:49 AM
My husband and I just biked through Rocheport on Friday, March 28, 2008. We stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest. We stayed in the Attic room and really enjoyed ourselves. The downtown has a couple local hot spots you must see. The old General store has live music and food. There is a cookie store and a great local restaurant. Abigail’s. Yummy. We would defiantly stay in Rocheport again.

 
Bike 4 LIfe from Smithville, MO on 03/31/2008 10:49 AM
My husband and I just biked through Rocheport on Friday, March 28, 2008. We stayed at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest. We stayed in the Attic room and really enjoyed ourselves. The downtown has a couple local hot spots you must see. The old General store has live music and food. There is a cookie store and a great local restaurant. Abigail’s. Yummy. We would defiantly stay in Rocheport again.

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:17 PM
Bike4Life, Glad you hear you had a refreshing and relaxing Rocheport Getaway. When you come back, there's a great hiking trail and overlook of the river you can get to by hiking off to the left of the old Rocheport Tunnel. There's a bird viewing blind w/ benches, too, which makes for a great place to watch the geese come and go on the wetlands there...

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:17 PM
Bike4Life, Glad you hear you had a refreshing and relaxing Rocheport Getaway. When you come back, there's a great hiking trail and overlook of the river you can get to by hiking off to the left of the old Rocheport Tunnel. There's a bird viewing blind w/ benches, too, which makes for a great place to watch the geese come and go on the wetlands there...

 
Doug from Bluffton on 09/06/2008 09:30 PM
I am sure you would be welcomed. You would not have to go there defiantly. You probably saw that as soon as you hit "submit" didn't you?

 
Doug from Bluffton on 09/06/2008 09:30 PM
I am sure you would be welcomed. You would not have to go there defiantly. You probably saw that as soon as you hit "submit" didn't you?

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 03:56 PM
Bike 4 LIfe, That hike beside the Rocheport Tunnel I mentioned takes you to a nice wetland cell that is full of water right now. You might consider bringing your fishing pole. I hear it's good fishing.

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 03:56 PM
Bike 4 LIfe, That hike beside the Rocheport Tunnel I mentioned takes you to a nice wetland cell that is full of water right now. You might consider bringing your fishing pole. I hear it's good fishing.


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bicycle trails
 -  + Are there sections of the Katy Trail that are paved? If so, where do they start and begin?
Discussion started 09/06/2008 09:56 PM by Emily - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 09/07/2008 01:44 PM)
Emily from St. Louis on 09/06/2008 09:56 PM
Are there sections of the Katy Trail that are paved? If so, where do they start and begin?

 
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 09/07/2008 08:45 AM
The entire Katy is crushed limestone. Unless wet, it is very hard packed in most places and it rolls good.



Paulie

 
Anonymous on 09/07/2008 01:44 PM
Officially no. Technically, yes. The detour from Franklin to Boonville is paved. The bridge on the detour will wake up your heart rate for a few minutes but it will soon be back to normal in the neat park on the Boonville side.


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Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest (Rocheport)
 -  + Probably OK for people who are just stopping through on the trail, but not good for people like us who just want to get away and bike some of the trail while hanging around Rocheport. This B&B lacks t...
Discussion started 07/06/2008 05:42 PM by MUDoc - 20 replies (last reply by Brett Dufur at 09/07/2008 09:05 AM)
MUDoc from Columbia, MO on 07/06/2008 05:42 PM
Probably OK for people who are just stopping through on the trail, but not good for people like us who just want to get away and bike some of the trail while hanging around Rocheport. This B&B lacks the "little things" that make these types of places so fun: a chance to get to know the hosts is a big one. The owners are never around, and this is a way to make guests feel welcome without adding any cost. The breakfast was fine, but it's the same thing every day so you're sick of it by Day 3. Worse, our place ran out of milk halfway through one day, so no chance to have cereal or put milk in the coffee. When the breakfast options are so modest, that's just inexcusable. And having to do your own dishes, I felt like we were doing KP at camp or something. Like I said, we were expecting more but I understand that to someone who just biked 30 miles on the Katy, the place probably is an oasis for the price. For us, it felt like the owners' hearts weren't really in it, and because of that you don't feel all that welcome. Wouldn't stay there again, maybe next time we'll try the Schoolhouse.

 
Anonymous on 07/06/2008 06:53 PM
Maybe next time you stay at a b&b you can check the website, on the front page of katytrailbb.com they write " Innkeepers don't live on site --allowing guests solitude and privacy." the also mention they only have a continental breakfast. I hate being disappointed too, so I try to educate myself the best I can before taking a trip even if its a few miles down the road.

 
MUDoc from Columbia, MO on 07/06/2008 08:11 PM
Yeah, we were aware the innkeepers weren't on the site, I guess we expected to meet them at some point, like around breakfast time. We actually really enjoy that. Plus, web sites don't tell you everything ... it says nothing about having to do your own dishes, we probably would've picked a different place had we known that.



I don't want to be too critical, because I think if it was a biker passing through they might like this place. But it's not an ideal getaway place and want to help others make their decision.

 
Trek on 07/07/2008 08:04 AM
So, you will be billed if you leave dirty dishes??

 
Les from Lawrence on 07/07/2008 02:12 PM
Hey Trek; I think it was Will Rogers said it best "Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain; and most of 'em do." I sure don't understand the need some people have to put their two cents worth in as a negative all the time. If you're not happy, don't go back or take it to the owners, but no need to try to ruin life for others.

 
MUDoc from Columbia, MO on 07/07/2008 03:25 PM
Give me a break, I post raves when I like a place as well, I'm not some nut posting negative reviews only. I'd say my review is realistic at least, but certainly not trying to ruin someone's life or anything. This site is supposed to be a guide for people and I think they should have a more complete view of what to expect than what the B&B's web site says (we read the owners' site and the experience was much different than advertised, and that's not all bad, but it is what it is). And if they pick it and like it, that's great. That's what guides are for.

 
Kriss from Boonville on 07/07/2008 04:19 PM
Hi KatyTrail Riders, we are a new B & B along the Boonville Katy Trail next to the Boonville Bridge on High Street (just up from the Fredrick). I'd like to encourage you to give us a try. I don't want to use this forum to advertise, but i just wanted to make you aware we are here. Thats all. Check out our web site (be sure to read our guest book too).

Have a good ride!

 
Kim from Independence, MO on 07/08/2008 01:50 PM
I related to MUDoc. We experienced the same type of frustration when we stayed here 2 years ago - except for us it was good old TP that was missing in the bathroom. At that time, they had someone come in and make breakfast, which was good. But this really can't be compared with your typical B&B, or even your not-so-typical B&B (Rendleman, Globe Hotel) where the owner is on site and can make sure you have the necessities.



I would compare it more with staying at the Shelter/Hostel in Tebbetts, where you expect to have to hunt for TP if it has run out, and finding milk you can use in the frig is a bonus, because you aren't paying for it.



There's nothing wrong with posting your experience. If these things don't bother you, than this isn't going to be a deterent for staying. Personally, I like to know what to expect, and these types of postings help me make my trip plans.

 
Trek on 07/08/2008 02:33 PM
Agreed....it helps us make educated decisions before spending hard earned dollars on something we didn't want.

 
Trek on 07/08/2008 03:12 PM
My question got lost in the mix.....do you get billed if you leave dirty dishes? Or are they dirty when ya get there and you have to wash them or what?

 
Biker from Farmington, MO on 07/08/2008 03:19 PM
I've stayed there before, and MUdoc is right on in his observations, really. -- But I chose it for those reasons. My three other friends and I appreciated the bare-bones experience, it was kind of like our version of camping (which is to say, climate controlled and nice-mattressed). We weren't in it for the normal B&B experience, because we didn't want to pay $80 more for glorified french toast and overstuffed decor. If you need a lot of interior decoration to enhance your "atmosphere" and experience, the other B&B's are probably more to your taste.

 
MUDoc from Columbia, MO on 07/08/2008 05:10 PM
Hey Trek,

I don't think we would've been billed had we not done them, but they were posted in the "house rules" and there were multiple signs that tell you to be kind to the staff and do the dishes. I don't think it would've been the end of the world had we not done them, but I know some people like the fact this B&B is low cost and if everyone left them in the sink maybe they'd hire more staff and the price would go up. So we did it not to ruin it for others I guess, although who knows what would've happened had we left them in the sink because one day we were the only ones staying there.



I'm glad to see others relate to our experience. I didn't want to be harsh and I think the fact others agree shows it was a realistic review. I think another reviewer comparing it to something between a B&B and a hostel is pretty right on. If you're biking the Katy trail that should be adequate, but if this is for a romantic getaway with some light biking/walking on the trail, I'd highly recommend trying something else.

 
Trek on 07/09/2008 07:47 AM
Perhaps the key to the joint is in it's name, Bed and Bikefest not Bed and Breakfast....a slick way to provide a bed and a place to park the bike without the routine B & B service.

 
MUDoc from Columbia, MO on 07/19/2008 02:57 PM
Yeah you're probably right, Trek. But I think using the B&B image to sell a product conjures up something a little different than what it was. I think if they used a name like "inn" and advertised a continental breakfast, they would have no complaints and people would love the place. And in turn we would never have chosen this place and been happier altogether. Win-win for everyone, really.

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 12:39 PM
Well I just have to chuckle. There's two phone numbers to call and if anyone needs anything, our B&B manager lives 10 steps away, and we live 4 blocks away. Just pick up the phone and call. Easy. The numbers are right there posted on the fridge and in other areas. It is a much better experience for everyone when we as innkeepers are given an opportunity to make something right while you are there, rather than facing years of torment about it in the blogosphere. Kim's story of the TP that went AWOL.... Some guest took it for their extended camping trip --- I guess that's why they lock it up at the state parks. We gave her a free night's stay. Ever since there's been 4 rolls in a basket right there in all three bathrooms. As for milk, well, people drink it. Some faster than others. We restock it like crazy, and we pride ourselves on keeping the fridge LOADED. We bend over backwards to make our guests comfortable, feed, and to keep the place fully stocked. We appreciate the suggestions on making it even better. Hope to see you guys in Rocheport this fall. Keep the comments & suggestions coming. Thanks.

 
Trek on 09/03/2008 01:37 PM
I'm up for a chuckle too! Your B&B manager lives "10 steps away" ....and you have to call to get help? At reasonable voice levels, they should be able to hear a request for TP. Seems odd unless you're 20 feet tall with a 15 foot stride.

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:36 PM
Trek, She lives across the street. Why are you smart assing me?

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:53 PM
MUDoc, Thank for the ideas and feedback. We are down at the B&B a lot to greet guests and say hello. It is always a pleasure to connect w/ all of the like-minded and interesting people coming from all over the country to bike the trail. It's tricky sometimes to meet everyone b/c a lot of people arrive late (like tonight I was down there til 7 p.m. and no one had checked in yet), then they often hit the trail and shops early, etc. We have a lot of repeat couples and families and it is always fun to see the kids moving up from Burley cart to training wheels and beyond...

 
Trek on 09/06/2008 11:53 AM
Geeezzzz Brett.....my comment was no more "smart assing" to you than yours was to general population here when you said "our B&B manager lives 10 steps away." If that is true, which I was trying to find out, then you have my most sincere and humble appologies. Honesty is the best policy...and its good to live by your words in a previous post...."No worries! We're all friends here. All of the feedback is really great."

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 08:54 AM
Fair enough Trek, My apologies. These forums are hard to "read" sometimes. So in fairness to answer your question, she lives right across the street. She has no front yard, and she's literally in the street in 2 steps. So I didn't really think it was a stretch to say 10 steps. But technically, yes, it might be more like 15 or 20, max. The point I was trying to make, and should emphasize, is that we're offering the best of both worlds -- an unhosted B&B that also has numerous people "on call" to answer any questions, or to help out in any way with anything. And the price reflects that. Town is tiny, and between myself, my wife and the innkeeper, we're always around. This offers our guests the flexibility to check in at their convenience, which is a real plus. Also, you can eat breakfast whenever you want, and check out at your leisure. We have 2 kids, ages 5 and 2. It would be a stretch to do it any other way (especially since we have to get Everett up and on the bus by 6:50 a.m.). Anyway... the vast majority of our guests LOVE our place and the way it is set up. We have a very high rate of return visitors. It is what it is, and the website projects that very clearly on every page. We have books of rave reviews by many guests at our place. For those on the forum that prefer the high end B&B experience, by all means, pay for it at one of the other B&Bs. That's not the niche we're in. We are into offering an affordable, clean, cozy place for couples, families and cyclists to enjoy Rocheport. A home away from home. Remember, this is Rocheport. One of the top ten coolest small towns in the US according to Frommer's Magazine. The town is small, scenic, historic and funky. Everywhere you stay there has character.

 
Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/07/2008 09:05 AM
Regarding the dishes, no you don't have to wash the dishes. We have paper plates and bowls even. The note by the sink is for our guests who use the fully stocked kitchen to make elaborate meals during family reunion weekends, etc. That's more what the note was addressing there. That little note isn't really targeted for the bowl and spoon crowd.

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