Amtrak in Washington and Kirkwood
- + Do either of the amtrak stations in Washington or Kirkwood give you the option to buy train tickets at the station or do I need to order them ahead of time? thanks, Brian
Discussion started 05/09/2008 09:38 PM by Brian - 3 replies (last reply by cunninghamair at 06/20/2008 08:13 PM)Brian on 05/09/2008 09:38 PM
Do either of the amtrak stations in Washington or Kirkwood give you the option to buy train tickets at the station or do I need to order them ahead of time? thanks, Brian
Joe from Sarasota, FL on 05/13/2008 05:08 PM
My wife and I rode amtrak from St Louis to Sedalia on Labor Day 2 years ago. We had brand new recumbents. I had purchased tickets for us and our bikes, recumbents, 2 months prior. The conductors were great. They evened helped us load. I would suggest getting your tickets and the tickets for your bikes in advance.
Enjoy the trail.
trinjboro from Jonesboro, AR on 05/14/2008 11:42 AM
If you are taking a bike on the AMTRACK I would not chance trying to buy a ticket at the station. The train only allows so many bikes and the only way to guarantee getting your bike on the train, is to buy the tickets in advance.
cunninghamair from O'Fallon, MO on 06/20/2008 08:13 PM
I recommend buying tickets on the amtrak website (don't forget to pay extra for the bike!)
I've heard of people being turned away, but they didn't blink when we rolled up.
Dutzow Deli & Restaurant (Dutzow)
- + Right on the trail. Bright, clean, friendly. We sat on porch: wicker & flowers. Have lunch & interesting german beers - yum! The bathroom, which can be used only if you patronize (understandably), is ...
Discussion started 05/18/2008 08:34 AM by annie&jeff - 1 reply (last reply by cunninghamair at 06/20/2008 07:59 PM)annie&jeff from Columbia MO on 05/18/2008 08:34 AM
Right on the trail. Bright, clean, friendly. We sat on porch: wicker & flowers. Have lunch & interesting german beers - yum! The bathroom, which can be used only if you patronize (understandably), is nice & clean.
annie&jeff from Columbia MO on 05/18/2008 08:34 AM
Right on the trail. Bright, clean, friendly. We sat on porch: wicker & flowers. Have lunch & interesting german beers - yum! The bathroom, which can be used only if you patronize (understandably), is nice & clean.
cunninghamair from O''''Fallon, MO on 06/20/2008 07:59 PM
We stop here regularly. The only complaint is--get there early! It can get crowded!
Sometimes we round the corner and head up to the Blumenhof Winery.
cunninghamair from O''''Fallon, MO on 06/20/2008 07:59 PM
We stop here regularly. The only complaint is--get there early! It can get crowded!
Sometimes we round the corner and head up to the Blumenhof Winery.
Cleaning up in Rocheport
- + We are planning to stay a night in Columbia while traveling to Colorado. I want to bike the MKT (again), but go on to Rocheport and have my wife meet me there. Because trail is dusty, I'm hoping to cl...
Discussion started 06/18/2008 12:31 PM by Mike U. - 4 replies (last reply by sbikes at 06/20/2008 06:16 PM)Mike U. from Louisville, Ky. on 06/18/2008 12:31 PM
We are planning to stay a night in Columbia while traveling to Colorado. I want to bike the MKT (again), but go on to Rocheport and have my wife meet me there. Because trail is dusty, I'm hoping to clean up before climbing in the car. Anyone have any suggestions on somewhere to get a quick shower? I hate to make a mess of trailhead bathroom sinks, except as a last resort.
Trek on 06/18/2008 12:44 PM
I've never been on the trail when it was sooo dusty that I couldn't get in the car. I don't drive an Aston Martin either tho. I have done long distance rides in the rain, where I felt compeled to clean up a bit and put on dry clothes before the road trip home. The trailhead bathrooms are an option tho....you should be able to reasonably clean up any mess you make and recover nicely provided you can't make the 12 mile trip back to Columbia without cleaning up a bit.
sbikes from Kansas City on 06/18/2008 06:11 PM
I have taken a "trailhead" shower in the bathrooms at the TrailHead at Rocheport as well --
the floors are concrete with a big drain in them ... use your water bottle (or 2) and the
handicapped stall (which is close to where the drain is) and voila! instant shower. Sharon
Mike U. from Louisville, Ky. on 06/20/2008 10:24 AM
Trek and sbikes:
It sounds like a trailhead shower it is. My problem is I sweat like mad and my legs get coated with trial dust, which burns my skin if I don't clean it off. It happened last year after I did a very dusty MKT to and from the river. I was itching like mad by the time I made it back to the hotel along I-70. It's either clean up or bungee myself to the roof and hope for rain. Thanks for the suggestions.
sbikes from Kansas City on 06/20/2008 06:16 PM
Well, you could also bungee yourself to the roof of the car and look for a car wash!! LOL
Sharon
KATY trail to Eureka, MO
- + Me and a buddy are starting our trip in St. Charles heading to Clinton then back to Windsor via the KATY trail and thought we would stop by Route 66 State Park on my way. We are planning on getting o...
Discussion started 06/20/2008 02:42 PM by Benji - 0 repliesBenji from currently Winsor on 06/20/2008 02:42 PM
Me and a buddy are starting our trip in St. Charles heading to Clinton then back to Windsor via the KATY trail and thought we would stop by Route 66 State Park on my way. We are planning on getting off the path a few time to take in some scenery I've tried to do some research to find some good mountain bike or even just road bike trails to get me from the KATY trail to Eureka, MO. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
benjic0125@msn.com
Trail Conditions between Rocheport & Boonville
- + What are current conditions of the trail between Rocheport and Boonville? We are planning to ride in this area if the trail is open, after the recent flooding.
Discussion started 06/20/2008 12:03 PM by biker - 3 replies (last reply by brad at 06/20/2008 12:19 PM)biker from wichita, ks on 06/20/2008 12:03 PM
What are current conditions of the trail between Rocheport and Boonville? We are planning to ride in this area if the trail is open, after the recent flooding.
Ray (webmaster) on 06/20/2008 12:12 PM
As of 6/20, the DNR reports that flooding has subsided and there are no closures. Let's hope the sky remains sunny.
brad from st louis on 06/20/2008 12:18 PM
according to state website:
Trail Conditions
6/20/08 -- No closures to report at this time.
brad from st louis on 06/20/2008 12:19 PM
D'oh!
St. Charles to Machens
- + Planning on completing the Katy Trail (West to East)by bike next week. What is the situation from St. Charles to Machens. Is it open to bikers yet and is the trail easy enough to see from St. Charles...
Discussion started 06/18/2008 10:16 PM by Tim - 1 reply (last reply by DougK at 06/19/2008 10:46 PM)Tim from Manchester on 06/18/2008 10:16 PM
Planning on completing the Katy Trail (West to East)by bike next week. What is the situation from St. Charles to Machens. Is it open to bikers yet and is the trail easy enough to see from St. Charles to Machens? Please only comment on this portion of the trail. Have completed the rest of it.
DougK from Troy on 06/19/2008 10:46 PM
There's a 6 mile stretch from St. Chas to mile marker 33 that's not hiker friendly so I doubt you could ride that section. From mile marker 33 to Machens is nice and clear just like the rest of the trail.
Hotel Near Trail
- + I'm riding the trail next month with my 3 boys (5,9 and 12 yrs old) and want a hotel near the trail. Swimming pool would be nice! Any suggestions?
Discussion started 06/16/2008 05:49 PM by Marvin Winston - 5 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/19/2008 08:51 PM)Marvin Winston from Little Rock, Arkansas - Go Hogs!!! on 06/16/2008 05:49 PM
I'm riding the trail next month with my 3 boys (5,9 and 12 yrs old) and want a hotel near the trail. Swimming pool would be nice! Any suggestions?
sbikes from Kansas City on 06/16/2008 07:58 PM
What part of the Trail do you plan to ride on? There aren't a lot of hotels along the Trail --
but, there are some in the larger places like Sedalia, Boonville, Jeff City, Columbia (if you take
the spur), and of course, St. Charles.
Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 06/16/2008 10:12 PM
Sorry, I thought I posted this under the "Columbia Spur" section. I was wondering if there was a Hotel close to the trail in Columbia, I don't want to ride on the streets with the kids unless I have to.
Arkie from Fort Smith on 06/17/2008 12:22 AM
Unfortunately the closest hotel to the spur is the Holiday Inn Select on Stadium. Stadium is a busy 4-lane, but has a wide shoulder and the police keep the speed down. Not that bad of a side trip.
Paul from Tipton, MO on 06/19/2008 05:22 PM
At least one motel in Columbia, I believe it is the Holiday Inn Select, runs shuttle service from the trail to the facility for bikes and riders. You can call and confirm this, but I saw an ad at the New Franklin Trail Head.
Anonymous on 06/19/2008 08:51 PM
The Stoney Creek Inn is about .5 miles from a feeder trail to the MKT. You have to go down a hill and the road surface isn't great but there isn't a lot of traffic. Take a left out the parking lot and at the foot of the hill, pickup the trail in a University parking lot.
Child Friendly Hotel in Defiance area
- + We will be in the Defiance area the night of WED July 23rd and are looking for a hotel that would be comfortable for me and my 3 boys. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The B&B's look nice but not...
Discussion started 06/17/2008 10:47 PM by Marvin Winston - 5 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/19/2008 04:45 PM)Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 06/17/2008 10:47 PM
We will be in the Defiance area the night of WED July 23rd and are looking for a hotel that would be comfortable for me and my 3 boys. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The B&B's look nice but not for small children.
Thanks,
Marvin
Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 06/18/2008 02:38 PM
I have decided to stay at the Klondike park, they have some cabins that are not as pricey. Any thoughts?
Mike from O'Fallon on 06/19/2008 12:48 PM
We love staying at the Klondike cabins. The cabins are clean, sleep eight...they may be "bare bones", but for only $65 a night it was a far better altenrative for me and two teens than a B & B. The shower house has a camper's kitchen attached with stove burners and a generous wash sink, etc.
Kim from Independence, MO on 06/19/2008 02:13 PM
Do you have to bring your own bedding and towels when staying in one of the cabins at Klondike Park?
Marvin Winston from Maumelle on 06/19/2008 03:51 PM
Mike - can you comment or others who have stayed there? I think you do have to bring your own sheets and pillows. I won't mind roughing it for one night. Would be nice not to have to drag them along for 200 miles to use one night.
Anonymous on 06/19/2008 04:45 PM
You do have to provide your own bedding. There is electricity, but no A/C.
http://parks.sccmo.org/parks/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=209
Tires for Katy trail
- + We are planning a trip to the trail this fall and I would like to bring my own bike...rather than rent, but I have a question. My bike has the thinner, hybrid-type tires. Not as thin as a road bike,...
Discussion started 06/16/2008 09:06 AM by Mike G. - 4 replies (last reply by Warren Huff at 06/19/2008 03:16 PM)Mike G. from Alexandria, VA on 06/16/2008 09:06 AM
We are planning a trip to the trail this fall and I would like to bring my own bike...rather than rent, but I have a question. My bike has the thinner, hybrid-type tires. Not as thin as a road bike, of course, but not the off-road knobbies either. Will they be workable for the trail, or will I be bogging down half the time? Thanks in advance. - Mike G
Anonymous from St. Thomas on 06/16/2008 11:17 AM
Your hybrid tires will work fine.
trinjboro from Jonesboro, AR on 06/16/2008 11:42 AM
I agree, your hybrid tires are perfect for the KATY.
Anonymous on 06/16/2008 03:16 PM
Confirmed, hybrid tires are an excellent match for the Katy Trail surface.
Warren Huff from St. Louis on 06/19/2008 03:16 PM
I have used both MTB and hybrid tires on the trail and both seem to work well. Have fun!
Best section for 3-day ride
- + A small group of friends and i are wanting to do a 2-3 day ride on the katy trail. Any suggestions for the most scenic part of the trail? The best part for camping along the trail? the part that's ...
Discussion started 06/02/2008 12:12 PM by Carol H - 5 replies (last reply by Warren Huff at 06/19/2008 03:06 PM)Carol H from Fairfield, IA on 06/02/2008 12:12 PM
A small group of friends and i are wanting to do a 2-3 day ride on the katy trail. Any suggestions for the most scenic part of the trail? The best part for camping along the trail? the part that's most challenging? the part that's an easy ride? the part that's the most fun in terms of sight-seeing in the towns? thanks so much!
Anonymous on 06/03/2008 07:45 AM
Whole trail is flat. Figure 10-12 mph average with light packing. Why not stay in the numerous B&B's on the trail. Hot shower, good Breakfast and you don't have to carry camping gear. Besides the B&B's along the trail could use the business.
cycle3 from st gen on 06/04/2008 06:08 AM
Im planning the same type of trip and want to be sure to add some wineries to the ride. We'll be camping though. B&B's will have to come down from $140/night if they want my business!
Anonymous on 06/04/2008 09:36 AM
The whole trail is not flat! I have ridden the Sedalia to Boonville section and there are some
uphill grades, particularly between Clifton City & Pilot Grove. You can refer to the "Elevation
chart" under FAQ. It appears from this chart that there are also some grades between Clinton
& Sedalia.
William Sharples from Springfield Missouri on 06/18/2008 03:56 AM
I have ridden the entire trail several times and my favorite part is from New Franklin to St Charles. It is mostly flat, runs along the river for the most part, offers the most awesome views, and goes through the neatest little towns. Be sure to eat the pancakes at the Trailside Cafe in Rocheport, and stop at the bike shops in Hartsburg and Augusta. Have fun.
Warren Huff from St. Louis on 06/19/2008 03:06 PM
The most senic is Rocheport. Approx 1 mile out of Rocheport is the only tunnel on the trail. A few miles in the other direction is the Lewis & Clark cave written about in Clarks journal. The trail is above and along the Missouri river. I would call the Rocheport city hall for information on possible flooding.
Jeff City to Weldon Spring
- + I'm planning on leaving Jeff City to ride to Hermann tonight. Then go from Hermann to Weldon Spring Friday. Does anyone have any info on the trail begin closed to flooding between those points? Discussion started 06/19/2008 08:40 AM by findlj - 0 repliesfindlj from Jeff City on 06/19/2008 08:40 AM
I'm planning on leaving Jeff City to ride to Hermann tonight. Then go from Hermann to Weldon Spring Friday. Does anyone have any info on the trail begin closed to flooding between those points?
thanks for the help.
Thanks DNR for a great trip!
- + Hi, I just wanted to thank MO DNR for organizing a great bike ride along the Katy Trail. I
wasn't able to do the entire ride, but the three day bike ride was perfect! This was the first
time...
Discussion started 06/18/2008 09:08 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous on 06/18/2008 09:08 PM
Hi, I just wanted to thank MO DNR for organizing a great bike ride along the Katy Trail. I
wasn't able to do the entire ride, but the three day bike ride was perfect! This was the first
time to bike the Katy Trail and I will definitely be coming back!
childs carrier on trail
- + Hi,
I was wondering if the trail was too dusty for a child's carrier (the kind that pulls behind bike)
Discussion started 06/15/2008 09:17 AM by wentzville - 1 reply (last reply by Deerslayer at 06/17/2008 08:58 PM)wentzville on 06/15/2008 09:17 AM
Hi,
I was wondering if the trail was too dusty for a child's carrier (the kind that pulls behind bike)
Deerslayer from Hermann on 06/17/2008 08:58 PM
Not bad now but gets dusty as it dries more. If you have a canopy on the trailer, it shouldn't be bad any time.
Pet Friendly lodging along the Katy Trail
- + I am planning on riding the Katy Trail in April 2008 with my dog. I will probably be staying near Defiance, Treloar, Bluffton, N. Jefferson, Rocheport, Pilot Grove, Sedalia, and Clinton. Can anyone ...
Discussion started 03/03/2008 01:21 PM by Sandra Scholz - 6 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/17/2008 10:28 AM)Sandra Scholz from Salida, CO on 03/03/2008 01:21 PM
I am planning on riding the Katy Trail in April 2008 with my dog. I will probably be staying near Defiance, Treloar, Bluffton, N. Jefferson, Rocheport, Pilot Grove, Sedalia, and Clinton. Can anyone tell me names of lodging places near these stops that will accept a well behaved dog who is not a barker? Many B&B's seem to stipulate no pets. Thank you. Replies and suggestions to Sandra Scholz: dsscholz@msn.com.
Trek Biker on 03/03/2008 02:06 PM
Not that you can't get good information from posters here, but knowing that management changes....policies change from year to year...and so on....if it were me wanting to know, I'd contact the place that I intended on staying and let them tell me what their policy is. That way I could rely on what they personally told me via phone or email....that might avoid the disappointment of finding out at the last minute that pets were allowed last year, but are no longer.
Trek Biker on 03/03/2008 02:08 PM
Not that you can't get good information from posters here, but knowing that management changes....policies change from year to year...and so on....if it were me wanting to know, I'd contact the place that I intended on staying and let them tell me what their policy is. That way I could rely on what they personally told me via phone or email....that might avoid the disappointment of finding out at the last minute that pets were allowed last year, but are no longer.
Parris Johnson from Boonville, Mo on 04/10/2008 03:33 PM
IF you haven't made your reservations yet, I would recommend the Hotel Frederick in Boonville. Pet friendly and great accomodations with a fabulous place to eat---Glenn's Place. We would love to accomodate you and your pet.
Parris Johnson
General Manager
Hotel Frederick
hotelfrederick.com
Anonymous on 04/11/2008 10:40 AM
Check the Rendleman Home in Bluffton
Anonymous on 04/13/2008 09:20 PM
You might want to check with the Pilot Grove B&B, 834-4333 or 660-537-1786.
Anonymous on 06/17/2008 10:28 AM
I stayed at the Hotel Frederick in Booneville recently and would not recommend it. My room would not cool and I couldn't get enough hot water to fill the tub. The restaurant was not open, even though the hotel staff told me I would have dinner reservations.
All in all it was the worst stop on my trip!
Vivian's Vineyards (St Charles)
- + Not impressed ... AT ALL. The food is fairly priced but the owner is overly nosey and cocky. I don't knwo about anyone else but when i go out to eat i do not like to be bothered and harassed by the ow...
Discussion started 06/22/2006 02:35 PM - 1 reply (last reply by djs at 06/16/2008 09:32 PM)Anonymous from St. Charles on 06/22/2006 02:35 PM
Not impressed ... AT ALL. The food is fairly priced but the owner is overly nosey and cocky. I don't knwo about anyone else but when i go out to eat i do not like to be bothered and harassed by the owner. the menu is a bit wacky. collectively, i would not go back!
djs from orlando on 06/16/2008 09:32 PM
Wowee wow wow! Phenomenal! The service: exceptional! Especially our server "Dan," he seemed to know everything about the menu and daily specials. The Cardinal Crabtree was my favorite! We met the chef, named Brad: he knows his food, and wears it well. The owner was intoxicated, which is fine with me. We just hope he knows what he has with this rare gem tucked away in historic St. Charles. You feel comfortable from the moment you walk in! I'm definitely going back!