Katy Trail Forum

I live in the area of the Bittersweet Inn and feel people have a right to know the type of person behind the business. This woman has caused endless problems with the neighbors. Complains about everything and everyone. Bottomline a hater. People feel if people knew what was behind her mask they might choose a better person to give their business to. The neighbors dispise her. Just sick of her nastiness. The dog the yard the paint the car the ...you name it. If it were my money I would choose a friendlier person to give it to. Basically its all about money for her.Well she'll pretends to like you if you pay her money.Please search yout moral before you consider this place. This type of behavior shouldnt be rewarded.

This type of comment shouldn't be allowed. Please Ray, delete this thread. There is absolutely nothing here of substance.

Our family also ate at Abigails last Thursday night, Sept 4th.

Yes, the food was outstanding but the staff was very unfriendly and borderline rude!

Our family also ate at Abigails last Thursday night, Sept 4th.

Yes, the food was outstanding but the staff was very unfriendly and borderline rude!

We had other plans and just carried there number with us as they suggested. Sure enough, got to feeling sick and wanted to leave when no one was scheduled to meet us. The cell phone worked, we called and they came. I went home to my own bed and toilet. How easy is that. Thanks!

We had other plans and just carried there number with us as they suggested. Sure enough, got to feeling sick and wanted to leave when no one was scheduled to meet us. The cell phone worked, we called and they came. I went home to my own bed and toilet. How easy is that. Thanks!

Does anyone out here use the Katy for transportation? I'm sure there is someone out there

who uses it at least occasionally.



I use it about 4 times per year to visit family.



Anyone else? Tell us your distance, route and reason!

I ride it several times a week to go 12 miles in to town to the bakery, bank, post office, grocery store, micro brew, lumber yard, etc. and sometimes I ride further just for fun. I have a trailer set up to hold an ice chest so that I can get milk meat and eggs but mostly I use saddle bags. Last night I rode in to watch the fireworks from the new bridge and put my lights on while I waited and then rode home. Best ride of the week.

In order to save gas, I drive to Rocheport then ride the 14 miles to Boonville to work. With weather permitting, I can do this several times a week and it saves me 28 miles of driving.

the food was horrible.... kinda like a sirloin stockade... but a step down believe it or not...

the food was horrible.... kinda like a sirloin stockade... but a step down believe it or not...

I've eaten there several times and always found the food to be delicious, especially for the price you can't beat it!!

I've eaten there several times and always found the food to be delicious, especially for the price you can't beat it!!

It was too bad that Matt had a bad experience and then had to take the time to create a topic due to his bad experience. I believe that people that find it necessary to comment on bad experiences without being asked have many bad experiences in their life due to a bad attitude in general. Matt, don't take it personally, this is just an observation. As someone that lives near the Isle of Capri and eats there on average at least once a month I have found it a delight to dine there and the food is really good. My favorite is the Fri and Sat seafood buffet where you can get the all you can eat crab legs. Matt, come on back and try the Isle again, they might surprise you.

It was too bad that Matt had a bad experience and then had to take the time to create a topic due to his bad experience. I believe that people that find it necessary to comment on bad experiences without being asked have many bad experiences in their life due to a bad attitude in general. Matt, don't take it personally, this is just an observation. As someone that lives near the Isle of Capri and eats there on average at least once a month I have found it a delight to dine there and the food is really good. My favorite is the Fri and Sat seafood buffet where you can get the all you can eat crab legs. Matt, come on back and try the Isle again, they might surprise you.

Mine was watching the sun set over the river at Katfish Katy's. Anyone want to contribute to the list?

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.

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.

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.

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. :)

Riding from Jeff City to Hartsburg on a cool, crisp October morning with the foliage turning to orange and yellow.

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...

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

Just a bit faster and you would have broke 3 mph!

I know it will be this weekend as we do a fund raiser for this group

Http://www.stlbikeworks.com

here is mine



http://stlbikeworks.com/katy_trail_ride.php

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.

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!

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!

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.

For a multi day trip, what is a manageable distance? I plan on carrying very light. Thanks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ate at Abigails last Thursday night (9/04).

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

Ate at Abigails last Thursday night (9/04).

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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...

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...

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?

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?

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.

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.

Are there sections of the Katy Trail that are paved? If so, where do they start and begin?

The entire Katy is crushed limestone. Unless wet, it is very hard packed in most places and it rolls good.



Paulie

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.