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What Kind of Bike You Ride?

Cary from St. Charles on 09/04/2008 11:55 PM

I'm shopping for a new ride, and I'm looking for something that's good for some street riding, but also the Katy (of course) and some light singletrack. Considering a Trek, but I wanted get some of your opinions. Make and models? I think I've set my budget at about $600.

Thanks for your input!

Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 09/05/2008 06:24 AM

I rode the entire trail in late July on my Kona Smoke. It did great! I have ridden some light trails and occasionally ride it to work. I'm getting ready to sell it to buy a nicer road bike. Let me know if you interested as I will be in St. Louis next week. It has a rear rack and computer. Asking $250

Anonymous on 09/05/2008 09:50 AM

Trek Hybrid. Get the best you can afford. If $600 is budget I would look for a higher end used bike. model 7200 on up..

Tom from columbia on 09/05/2008 02:50 PM

I personally don't think the brands make much of a difference. As long as you stay away from department store bikes, Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant and so on are all good quality. I bought my bike from an internet retailer, ibexbikes.com but they are risky since you can't test ride before you buy, you just have to know your size.

Trek on 09/05/2008 03:36 PM

Sometimes its prudent to shop the brand that the local bike store has. If you're not a bike geek it can be easier to have the dealer take care of your bike for you. Service can be an issue when you take an off model to the local shop.

Tom from columbia on 09/05/2008 06:12 PM

You're right trek, if I bend a derailer hanger on my Ibex, the only place I can get it is from the website I bought the bike, a local shop would not have it in stock. But my main point is I don't think someone should get hooked on any one brand, shop around, compare components, and get a good deal.

Michael Rodemeyer from Hartsburg, MIssouri on 09/05/2008 08:26 PM

Try the cycle Depot in Jefferson City, 573-636-9599. They build from scratch and also sell Raleigh Bikes in your price range. They are one of the few shops that can repair bikes in mid-Missouri. Besides you can't beat Pam and Mark Allchorn. They are great people.

Doug from Bluffton on 09/06/2008 06:51 AM

$600 will definitely get you in the game in a new bike. I agree with Trek tho. You can get a heck of a used bike for that amount. If you are only going to have one bike for all around riding, I'd go with a cross bike. You could even tour on it. A good source is Recycled Cycles in University City. He deals in high end used and last years model new bikes. Trek is also right on with going thru a dealer if you are not good at your own repairs. The right shop will save you money and a LOT of agravation down the line. If they are good, YOU don't have a problem, THEY do and they take care of it. Plus you benefit from their combined experience and the feedback they receive from other customers.

SgtMajor from Hemet, CA. on 09/06/2008 07:19 PM

After just spending the better part of two weeks looking at bikes....find a good bike shop and test ride before you buy. I have a Trek Mtn. bike I use some for off road but wanted a hybrid. Ordered a 2009 Trek 7000 which came in 4 days ago and found it was just not what I was looking for. Ended up buying a Trek 7500 yesterday that is JUST what I was looking for so will have to try to get rid of my 7000. Too bad you weren't closer.... I let you have it for $200.00 if it would work for you. (smile) Good luck...as someone else said... $600.00 should get you a nice bike that will do fine on the Katy Trail.

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Katy Trail Access on Sept. 13 form Page Bridge to Agusta

Father Ride from St. Charles on 09/06/2008 10:39 AM

Planning a ride on 9/13 from Page Bridge to Agusta at 2pm. Will Tour of Missouri restrict access to this section of the Katy at this time?

Anonymous on 09/06/2008 05:43 PM

The Tour of Missouri is a road race. There are places where you could see the race from the Katy Trail west of Augusta but that is the closest it gets to the trail. There are places where the roads will be closed for a short period during the stage but not the Trail.

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Mighty Mo Canoe Rental (Rocheport)

Anonymous on 08/31/2007 02:00 PM

How much does it cost just to rent a canoe for the trip on Sept. 29 for the Mo River cleanup afterwards?

allenkelaine@peoplepc.com

Anonymous on 08/31/2007 02:00 PM

How much does it cost just to rent a canoe for the trip on Sept. 29 for the Mo River cleanup afterwards?

allenkelaine@peoplepc.com

Kim from Independence on 08/31/2007 02:13 PM

Check the link on this site (under Rocheport) for the Mighty Mo Canoe Rentals website and it has availability and prices.

However, beware. We scheduled a trip with them on Memorial Weekend, and they cancelled. Have seen other people comment on this site that they scheduled trips that were either cancelled or rescheduled, even if you reserve with them, you might not get your trip.

Kim from Independence on 08/31/2007 02:13 PM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:04 PM

Kim, As I mentioned in another post, the river can fluctuate 10 feet in 2 days. Our top three priorities are safety, safety, safety. We hate to cancel floats b/c I know it leaves some people bummed out, but oftentimes we don't know the river level forecast until 48 hours beforehand. Several weeks back it was gorgeous weather here, but it had hammered some north country and brought the river way up. That is the most frustrating part. It is definitely a recreational sport that is at the mercy of the river. But we definitely have more "on" days than "off."

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 08:04 PM

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Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest (Rocheport)

Harry from Kansas City on 08/11/2008 07:55 PM

Beware: This is not a bed and breakfast anymore. Hence "Bikefest." I didn't read closely enough when I made my internet reservation, and got snookered into thinking the service was the same as when I stayed there one night two summers ago and enjoyed a full home-cooked breakfast in the morning. Anymore, somebody comes by to boil up a pot of coffee. Beyond that, it's continental fare. Too bad they cut back and resorted to trickery -- it's such a quaint little place.

Harry from Kansas City on 08/11/2008 07:55 PM

Biker from Farmington, MO on 08/19/2008 09:35 AM

"Continental breakfast provided. Items include yogurt, bagels, muffins, scones, fruit, juices, coffee, cereal and breakfast bars." On their "Rates & Such" page, under "rules." -- Although I'll admit, I'm not jazzed about how they process your credit card for the full stay at the time of reservation (and they require at least 2 wks' cancellation notice, or you're out the whole wad). But I can see how they might have gotten burned in the past without this policy, so they've had to implement it. Not sure a continental breakfast qualifies as "trickery," but I can see how you felt had.

Biker from Farmington, MO on 08/19/2008 09:35 AM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 10:50 AM

Our hearty continental breakfast includes yogurt, bagels, muffins, scones, fruit, juices, coffee, cereal and breakfast bars. It has brought kudos from many of our guests who prefer a flexible eating schedule. We made this change two years ago in response to our cyclist guests who were requesting an easy, early, hearty get-going breakfast. Our website states implicitly at least once on every page in scrolling text the following "Our hearty continental breakfast offers plenty of pedal power for your Katy Trail adventure." It even states that twice on our homepage. In addition, on our rates page it states "Continental breakfast provided. Items include yogurt, bagels, muffins, scones, fruit, juices, coffee, cereal and breakfast bars." Our chef Gregory, who married and moved away several years ago, will always be missed! I think he is probably keeping busy making breakfast for his four young girls.

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 10:50 AM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 12:21 PM

Hi Biker. Thanks for your thoughts. Our payment policies are pretty standard. You book a flight, they charge your card. You buy gas, they charge your card. You buy groceries, they charge your card. B&Bs are the same way. We do this because in the past, some guests would "reserve" entire blocks of rooms for whole weekends while they were trying to arrange family, friends, etc., and would cancel them or most of them at the last minute once they finalized (or canceled) their plans. That leaves any B&B in a bad spot. (Our canoe floats are the same way). Sorry if it rubbed you the wrong way. We're always looking for ways to improve the process and we're always open to new ideas and suggestions. Thanks for letting us know. Hope to see you back in Rocheport to see the fall leaves!

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 12:21 PM

Doug from Bluffton on 09/03/2008 02:34 PM

A two weeks in advance cancellation policy is pretty much the norm and still doesn't really cover the owners as most people have made their reservations by then so the owners can't just call customers back and say "The rooms are now available." The owners turned down guests to hold the room. That is why you pay in advance. So that the rooms are yours unless YOU change plans. Most of the B&Bs along the way are people that hold down full time jobs and then put themselves out even more while trying to make YOUR trip comfortable.

Doug from Bluffton on 09/03/2008 02:34 PM

Biker from Farmington, MO on 09/03/2008 03:20 PM

I can understand why they charge in advance. Again, I'm not keen on it, but now that I know what to expect, I'm OK with it. I've stayed in many B&Bs before where they don't charge your card for the complete total a month in advance of your stay (just a deposit, maybe). I was under the mistaken impression I was reserving a room, not paying for the room, because "credit cards are processed at time of reservation" meant, to me, that you had to use a credit card to reserve. Maybe "charged" might have clarified it. It was a simple misunderstanding, and a shock when my card was billed $350 right away. I hope to stay there again (if they'll have me, after all this), but I can see how others might miss all the fine print in their excitement to book rooms for their trip. Just an FYI. Please don't shoot me.

Biker from Farmington, MO on 09/03/2008 03:20 PM

stevie from saint louis on 09/04/2008 10:17 AM

I can also understand why they charge in advance. However, the only B&B that I have ever stayed in along the Katy Trail did not ask me for an advance credit card or check of any kind.

Another one that I contacted wanted an advance check, but would keep ½ the room rate if I cancelled. In addition, in this latter case, if they rebooked the room, I would not be charged for anything.

I would advise that people reading the above not assume that these generalizations on the cancellation policy apply to every B&B along the Katy. Not to mention the fact that hotel options that are available along the Katy generally have a much less stringent cancellation policies for their guests than what is discussed above. So, I would advise that people shop around and contact hotels and B&B’s directly before booking a room if the cancellation policy is a concern.

stevie from saint louis on 09/04/2008 10:17 AM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:47 PM

Biker in Farmington, No worries! We're all friends here. All of the feedback is really great. I'm excited to mention that we are working on reconstructing an 1880s two-story log cabin at our B&B which should break ground in October. It has a double porch on the front -- should be a real nice place to kick back and watch the bikers go by...

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:47 PM

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Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest (Rocheport)

Claire from St. Louis on 08/01/2008 05:16 PM

This is a good, little place and perfect for through-riders. I have stayed there a few times. Its not as fancy as the others, nor is it as expensive. We have had to call them for supplies and someone always came right over. We landed there once after a 60+ mile day and found everything we needed including a laundry we could use for our soaking wet and dirty gear. One time we came we shared the house with another couple were not not very considerate of us. Our room was next to the dining area and they did not even try to be quiet at 6am.

A couple of other quick remarks. They are very forthcoming on their website of what to expect. Please take time to read about the places you are staying in detail so you don't get surprised.

Also, think it is tacky of the Boonville B&B to promote themselves on this comment page - sheesh.

Claire from St. Louis on 08/01/2008 05:16 PM

gc from Columbia, Mo. on 08/01/2008 07:54 PM

Claire,

I am sure the owners of Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest would rather take a Missouri River canoe trip or publish a series of books than to ever be so tacky as to use the comment forum to promote any businesses that they may own.

;-)

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

gc from Columbia, Mo. on 08/01/2008 07:54 PM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 12:24 PM

Claire, Thanks for your thoughts. We really strive to make the B&B a comfortable home away from home. A lot of our guests comment on how cozy and inviting our place is. I'm glad you felt the same way and enjoyed your stay. Hope to see you in Rocheport this fall!

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/03/2008 12:24 PM

kim from independence, mo on 09/04/2008 01:11 PM

Brett - Have to set the record straight. We did try calling the numbers posted in the kitchen (in search of the elusive TP) but never got a response. Message was left. You offered a free nights stay or free canoe trip. We opted for the canoe trip while on a short camping/biking trip Memorial Weekend of 2007. You (or someone at Mighty MO) called my cell the day before the trip and cancelled the trip. We have never been able to use that free stay/trip.

kim from independence, mo on 09/04/2008 01:11 PM

kim from independence, mo on 09/04/2008 01:19 PM

I imagine it can be quite challenging running a place like this - and I don't want my "missing TP" experience to keep people from riding the trail. I posted the original post when posting general experiences from riding the whole trail. I want to re-state - it's good to know others experiences when planning a ride. I take it all into account when planning. I see good & not so good experiences posted for almost every place that you can stay at, eat at, etc. along the trail. And what is a "great stay" for one person, may not be the same for someone else. And by the way, the Hot Tub at Katy B&B is a great addition for the price - and helped make up for the missing TP. Look at all the places along the trail and see how many you can stay at for the price that have a hot tub. Nothing feels quite so good after a long day on the trail!

kim from independence, mo on 09/04/2008 01:19 PM

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:41 PM

Hi Kim, Great to hear from you. Yep we have had to cancel numerous floats due to the fluctuating river levels. I know it is frustrating for our guests and for ourselves as well. The river is real low now and we should have two great months ahead of us for floats in Sept & October. Lots of sandbars, and watching the leaves change and the eagles return...

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 09/05/2008 07:41 PM

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