Tent camping in Portland
- + Six riders from Iowa will be coming down in a week to ride Boonville to Portland, Portland to St Charles and then back to Boonville. Can any of you comment on the tent camping facilities in Portland? ...
Discussion started 07/11/2008 09:57 PM by buk - 5 replies (last reply by buk at 07/16/2008 03:44 PM)buk from marion, iowa on 07/11/2008 09:57 PM
Six riders from Iowa will be coming down in a week to ride Boonville to Portland, Portland to St Charles and then back to Boonville. Can any of you comment on the tent camping facilities in Portland? Previous comments in 2006 were very unflattering, I would like other suggestions if this place is still a hole. BUK
DougK from Troy on 07/11/2008 10:19 PM
Bypass Portland and try Steamboat Junction in Blufton or the city park in Rhineland. The city park is free, has toilets and running water, and is the spot the cop sits all night. Nice peaceful sleep!
Les from Lawrence on 07/12/2008 12:56 PM
The Rendlemanhome in Bluffton also has camping and hot showers.
Bill from North of KC on 07/12/2008 08:48 PM
I vote for Steamboat Junction near Bluffton (it's at mile marker 110.7) as well! Wonderful shower house, clean campground, and a stocked honor-system fridge. It was one of the best nights I spent on my solo thru-ride. Just be ready to walk your bikes up the steep hill into the back camping area.
A.Johnson from Denver on 07/16/2008 03:32 PM
BUK, you Iowans should stay home if your a little scared of the tent camping in Portland. Why don't you just do RAGRIA? I hope you get slapped in the face by a greasy pork chop from the guy selling chops out of the pink bus!
buk from marion, iowa on 07/16/2008 03:44 PM
Mr Johnson,
Since you will be visiting the Katy Trail shortly might I suggest a Whitetail Deer outfit? Then I would chuck you into the melee of flying lead at the newly proposed gun range. Those sharpshooting madmen, wild with the smell of gunsmoke in the air, would draw down on you so fast it could only make me smile. If that dosent finish ya, I would be more than happy to give you the coup de gracie bamboo cane job to the hamstring.
Keep your powder dry. BUK
Pittsburgh to Washington DC
- + There is a trail that I've ridden twice. About 320 miles from Boston, PA to Washington DC. Has anyone done the Pgh-DC ride and can compare it to this ride as far as 1) does it require any street det...
Discussion started 07/15/2008 06:56 AM by Jopa - 1 reply (last reply by Paulie at 07/15/2008 08:28 AM)Jopa from Atlanta on 07/15/2008 06:56 AM
There is a trail that I've ridden twice. About 320 miles from Boston, PA to Washington DC. Has anyone done the Pgh-DC ride and can compare it to this ride as far as 1) does it require any street detours (for the most part the PGH-DC ride doesn't) and 2) elevation (Pgh - DC has only 1 hill to speak of but it is challenging going to Pgh 2000 feet rise in about 15 miles). Thank you!
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 07/15/2008 08:28 AM
I havent had a chance to ride the GAP(Pitts PA to Cumberland MD) yet but I have done the entire C & O Canal trail(Cumberland to DC)You will find the Katy very similar to the C & O. The Katy is maintained better and has more options on lodging and food.
The Katy only uses the road in a few places-Sedalia and maybe a little in Boonville(somebody correct me if I"m wrong)but its brief and the street is marked.
The elevation on the Katy is no biggie, I still call it flat even though there has been some debate on this site about the issue.
Paulie
Jim's Bike Shop in Columbia
- + Jim's Bike & Key Shop has moved to Ste 102,
800 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, MO 65202
(573)442-7011.
Discussion started 07/14/2008 10:51 PM by David Owens - 0 repliesDavid Owens from Columbia, Missouri on 07/14/2008 10:51 PM
Jim's Bike & Key Shop has moved to Ste 102,
800 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, MO 65202
(573)442-7011.
rv
- + Is there any place in Clinton near the trail to camp with an RV?
Discussion started 07/14/2008 04:26 PM by sara - 0 repliessara from kansas city on 07/14/2008 04:26 PM
Is there any place in Clinton near the trail to camp with an RV?
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
rv
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=2242&tonly=1
CCW prohibited on trail
- + According to the DNR, carrying concealed weapons is prohibited in Missouri's State Parks, which would include the Katy Trail.
I respect Ray (webmaster) for shutting down the quickly-deteriorati...
Discussion started 07/10/2008 10:30 AM by Biker - 11 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/14/2008 04:23 PM)Biker from Farmington, MO on 07/10/2008 10:30 AM
According to the DNR, carrying concealed weapons is prohibited in Missouri's State Parks, which would include the Katy Trail.
I respect Ray (webmaster) for shutting down the quickly-deteriorating "gunrange" topic, but thought this might be OK to submit in terms of information, since several in the other topic were talking about how they bike CCW, or were looking forward to carrying their guns on the trail.
Hope that's OK.
Bike Cop from KCMO on 07/10/2008 05:06 PM
After reading the rules and regs on the MO DNR website, all I found was a prohibition against hunting or discharging a firearm inside state parks. Nothing about ccw. Also the ccw laws for MO have no prohibitions in regards to state parks.
Paul Toigo on 07/10/2008 07:50 PM
Just some facts:
1) In Independence, Missouri: An extremely popular mountain biking destination in the Kansas City area is Landahl Park. On the South edge of the trails is a gun range. There is a trail that skirts the North edge of the gun range called The Gun Barrel.
2) In Omaha, Nebraska: The Keystone Trail runs South out of town along the East side of The Big Pappillion Creek. On the West side of the creek is a shooting range called The Bullet Hole.
Biker from Farmington, MO on 07/11/2008 12:30 PM
Please allow me to point out that the Katy Trail is not an urban, semi-urban, or even semi-rural trail. It is 225 miles long, is state property, RURAL for the most part, wends across the state of Missouri, and if someone is wounded (fatally or not), emergency response may be severely delayed or limited due to the rural nature of its various points of location.
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/11/2008 01:08 PM
When people who use the trail start to want to control something that is "within earshot of the trail" I start to understand the landowners who oppose the trail. And as far emergency response times go....we already willingly take that risk everytime we go on the trail be it for crash and burns, heatstroke, lightening strikes, snakebites or any of the zillion things that might cause injury.
Robert from Columbia on 07/11/2008 01:13 PM
I agree with Jim.
People should be able to do whatever they want to with their property. Some of those
decisions might upset some people. They might build a hog farm, turkey farm, stink
factory.....whatever.
Its their land....not "Biker" from farmington.
Remember that this could become a railroad again someday as well.
Biker from Farmington, MO on 07/11/2008 03:13 PM
Thankfully, there are limits as to what people can do with their land, especially when those activities encroach upon and affect what people can do on "their" land (including hog farms, gun ranges, etc). Since many people pay taxes to support Missouri state parks, it could be considered the people's land. Sorry you seem to be taking this so personally.
As for snakebites, heatstroke, et. al., it could be argued that anyone could be killed by anything, certainly. But I was under the impression that guns were designed in order to kill in a particularly effective way, so I'm not sure you could put a gun-range and gun-toting bicyclists in the same classification as any of the other, more natural nuisances that might cause health problems (accidentally or intentionally) on the trail.
robert from columbia on 07/12/2008 04:46 PM
You should know that virtually every farm you pass on your katy trail trips have guns in
them. Practically every truck you see in rural missouri has a gun in it and I would suppose
that some of the bikers and hikers that you see on the trail are carrying guns.
I think that CCW is (or should) be allowed on the trail because I bet there are women out
there who are too frightened (probably should not be) to walk/bike the trail by themselves
but if they could carry something to defend themselves with then they might feel
comfortable.
99.9999% chance they would never have to use it but it might just bring some new trail
users around.
gc from Columbia, Mo. on 07/14/2008 07:24 AM
It might be a little hard to have a ready-to-use gun concealed under lycra and spandex.... sorry ;-)
Anonymous on 07/14/2008 09:49 AM
i doubt the gun owners are the ones wearing spandex LOL
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/14/2008 02:25 PM
Is that a concealed weapon or are you just glad to see me?
Anonymous on 07/14/2008 04:23 PM
Two words there Jim.......Main.....Tain.
Polly's B&B and Tea Room (Pilot Grove)
- + Hi Aunt Polly,
I just came across this site to comment on the B&B, and I just want to say that your place is great!! I may only make it home once every several years now since my Dad's passing, but...
Discussion started 07/14/2008 04:16 PM by Teri S. G. - 0 repliesTeri S. G. from once upon a time from Mo., now in Tx. on 07/14/2008 04:16 PM
Hi Aunt Polly,
I just came across this site to comment on the B&B, and I just want to say that your place is great!! I may only make it home once every several years now since my Dad's passing, but I hope to see you again soon. Everyone must go there for the pie!!! No one makes pie like my Aunt Polly, and I am not prejudice on bit!! Oops, I hope you are still making pie, if not you may be in trouble now.
Love,
Your Texan niece, Teri
Teri S. G. from once upon a time from Mo., now in Tx. on 07/14/2008 04:16 PM
Hi Aunt Polly,
I just came across this site to comment on the B&B, and I just want to say that your place is great!! I may only make it home once every several years now since my Dad's passing, but I hope to see you again soon. Everyone must go there for the pie!!! No one makes pie like my Aunt Polly, and I am not prejudice on bit!! Oops, I hope you are still making pie, if not you may be in trouble now.
Love,
Your Texan niece, Teri
Polly's B&B and Tea Room (Pilot Grove)
- + My son and I stayed at Polly's on June 12 2007, and had a great time. As with another entry, you gotta go for the home made pizza at the local general store.
Our room was perfect, no detail or...
Discussion started 07/08/2007 09:04 PM by John Seng - 6 replies (last reply by Teri S. G. at 07/14/2008 04:00 PM)John Seng from Rockville, MD on 07/08/2007 09:04 PM
My son and I stayed at Polly's on June 12 2007, and had a great time. As with another entry, you gotta go for the home made pizza at the local general store.
Our room was perfect, no detail or need overlooked.
Polly's Perch is a unique find, being a tea room nestled in rural Missouri. Polly prepared a sumptious breakfast, giving us bikers nearly a day's full of delectable calories to ride another 50 miles or so. For a tea room, try the coffee at Polly's. It's great.
John Seng from Rockville, MD on 07/08/2007 09:04 PM
My son and I stayed at Polly's on June 12 2007, and had a great time. As with another entry, you gotta go for the home made pizza at the local general store.
Our room was perfect, no detail or need overlooked.
Polly's Perch is a unique find, being a tea room nestled in rural Missouri. Polly prepared a sumptious breakfast, giving us bikers nearly a day's full of delectable calories to ride another 50 miles or so. For a tea room, try the coffee at Polly's. It's great.
Rick from Wichita on 08/07/2007 09:03 AM
This place is truely a wonderful B&B!!
It has to do with the attention to details. Chocolates on the towels, two types of body wash for man or woman, iced tea upon arrival, as well as some homemade peach pie a la mode! I swear I can think of nothing that could have been better! She even woke up early to serve us homecooked breakfast-blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cerial, and bannanas. Polly was sweet and caring, and interested in talking about anything. She also washed our bottles, and filled them with ice water the next day...like I said details...I don't think you could go wrong staying here!
Rick from Wichita on 08/07/2007 09:03 AM
This place is truely a wonderful B&B!!
It has to do with the attention to details. Chocolates on the towels, two types of body wash for man or woman, iced tea upon arrival, as well as some homemade peach pie a la mode! I swear I can think of nothing that could have been better! She even woke up early to serve us homecooked breakfast-blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cerial, and bannanas. Polly was sweet and caring, and interested in talking about anything. She also washed our bottles, and filled them with ice water the next day...like I said details...I don't think you could go wrong staying here!
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 08/07/2007 09:25 AM
There's been so many glowing comments about Polly's on this board, I think I'll plan my next ride just so I can overnight in Pilot Grove at Polly's.
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 08/07/2007 09:25 AM
There's been so many glowing comments about Polly's on this board, I think I'll plan my next ride just so I can overnight in Pilot Grove at Polly's.
Rick from Wichita on 08/07/2007 02:32 PM
I promise you won't be dissapointed! Also, Pilot Grove is about 45 miles from Windsor, and 60 miles from Clinton, so hope that helps your planning. Be aware that there is a steady climb into Pilot Grove from both directions...Polly's is well worth the climb though!
Rick from Wichita on 08/07/2007 02:32 PM
I promise you won't be dissapointed! Also, Pilot Grove is about 45 miles from Windsor, and 60 miles from Clinton, so hope that helps your planning. Be aware that there is a steady climb into Pilot Grove from both directions...Polly's is well worth the climb though!
Douglas Smith from Wentzville, Missouri on 06/30/2008 09:19 AM
We made a return trip to Polly's this past Thursday evening and had another great experience. Polly is such a great hostess and even took us in and made us a great breakfast early on the morning of her birthday. We rode the entire trail, and staying at Polly's was once again one of the trip's highlights.
Douglas Smith from Wentzville, Missouri on 06/30/2008 09:19 AM
We made a return trip to Polly's this past Thursday evening and had another great experience. Polly is such a great hostess and even took us in and made us a great breakfast early on the morning of her birthday. We rode the entire trail, and staying at Polly's was once again one of the trip's highlights.
Polly from Pilot Grove on 07/13/2008 10:35 AM
I want to thank all my bikers for the wonderful comments. I don't mind getting up early to fix breakfast (even on my birthday!) All my guests have been interesting, polite and considerate and being a "down-home" person it makes the experience even more enjoyable for me. Meeting new people and learning about the world through my guest's experiences is like a vacation for me every time someone stays at Polly's. (One biker told me I ought to pay him to stay here) Thanks you - Love Polly
Polly from Pilot Grove on 07/13/2008 10:35 AM
I want to thank all my bikers for the wonderful comments. I don't mind getting up early to fix breakfast (even on my birthday!) All my guests have been interesting, polite and considerate and being a "down-home" person it makes the experience even more enjoyable for me. Meeting new people and learning about the world through my guest's experiences is like a vacation for me every time someone stays at Polly's. (One biker told me I ought to pay him to stay here) Thanks you - Love Polly
Teri S. G. from once upon a time from Mo., now in Tx. on 07/14/2008 04:00 PM
Hi Aunt Polly,
I just came across this site to comment on the B&B, and I just want to say that your place is great!! I may only make it home once every several years now since my Dad's passing, but I hope to see you again soon. Everyone must go there for the pie!!! No one makes pie like my Aunt Polly, and I am not prejudice on bit!! Oops, I hope you are still making pie, if not you may be in trouble now.
Love,
Your Texan niece, Teri
Teri S. G. from once upon a time from Mo., now in Tx. on 07/14/2008 04:00 PM
Hi Aunt Polly,
I just came across this site to comment on the B&B, and I just want to say that your place is great!! I may only make it home once every several years now since my Dad's passing, but I hope to see you again soon. Everyone must go there for the pie!!! No one makes pie like my Aunt Polly, and I am not prejudice on bit!! Oops, I hope you are still making pie, if not you may be in trouble now.
Love,
Your Texan niece, Teri
Cell Phone Coverage on the trail?
- + Is there decent coverage on the trail? Any dead spots that you know of?
Discussion started 07/13/2008 01:45 PM by Marvin Winston - 5 replies (last reply by Jim at 07/14/2008 03:02 PM)Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 07/13/2008 01:45 PM
Is there decent coverage on the trail? Any dead spots that you know of?
Anonymous on 07/13/2008 03:16 PM
It really bugs me when I am riding along the katy trail, chatting on the cell phone, text messaging and then I hit a dead spot and I lose my connection. Sometimes it takes me 10 minutes of riding to get out of the dead spot! ARRGGH!! And then there is the tunnel in rocheport, don't get me started there!
sbikes from Kansas City on 07/13/2008 05:05 PM
Cell phone coverage isn't great on the Trail. I have Verizon and there are lots of dead spots -
in fact, I would say there are more dead spots than not. Sharon
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/14/2008 02:29 PM
"It really bugs me when I am riding along the katy trail, chatting on the cell phone, text messaging and then I hit a dead spot and I lose my connection."
I have the same reception problem with my bike's wide-screen tv.
Ray (webmaster) on 07/14/2008 02:35 PM
"It really bugs me when I am riding along the katy trail, chatting on the cell phone, text messaging and then I hit a dead spot and I lose my connection."
I have the same reception problem with my bike's wide-screen tv.
Jim, try a trailer with a satellite dish. :-)
I concur regarding cell phone coverage - very spotty (T-Mobile). A long time ago I wanted to try to map out where I could get a signal, but when I'm riding I couldn't remember to keep checking for a signal.
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/14/2008 03:02 PM
Ray, There's no room in the trailer....the 5000w generator takes up all of the space.
Scooters
- + Does anyone know if you can ride motorized scooters on the trail?
Discussion started 07/13/2008 12:13 PM by Denne - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 07/13/2008 03:08 PM)Denne from Marshall on 07/13/2008 12:13 PM
Does anyone know if you can ride motorized scooters on the trail?
Anonymous on 07/13/2008 03:08 PM
From the katy trail brochure available at trail heads
"All motorized equipment is prohibited except official and emergency vehicles. Electrically assisted pedal powered bicycles and tricycles (maximum speed 20mph) as well as electronically powered mobility devices for persons with disabilities such as motorized wheelchairs and scooters are allowed"
If you're disabled and your scooter is electric it sounds like you can ride it.