Katy Trail Forum

Hello

I am planning to ride the KATY for the first time in the next few weeks. While I've read information on the website I would appreciate any personal tips you could provide. I will park in Clinton and first question I have is it safe to park and leave your car at Trail Head for a couple days? Any place else you could suggest parking? I've just been riding for about a year so still pretty new. I have a Trek 7.7 Hybrid with Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x28c tires. Are those tires too thin for Katy surface? Anyother tips would appreciated. Thanks

Park across the street at the Clinton Community center. Let them know you are leaving your car for a few days and they will watch it for you. The 700 by 28's work great on the trail. You should have no problems.

I don't think you'll have any trouble parking in Clinton.

Keep in mind the 2008 Katy Trail Ride is June 16-20. This year the group is traveling from St. Charles to Clinton so if you go then you will be meeting 300+ bicycles and support personnel. Having said that I think you'll really enjoy the Katy Trail. June is a great time to ride!

Thank you for your suggestions, I appreciate. Buddy from Olathe.

I rode the Katy from Clinton to St. Charles in early May. Fantastic trip, but I had four flats! I was using tubes with slime in them, and they just didn't hold up vs. the crushed limestone shards. Finally bought some thorn-resistant tubes at a little bike shop in Hermann, and had no more problems. The guy at the bike store said if you use thorn-resistant tubes, you'll be OK and it doesn't matter what kind of tires you have. He said he's never had a flat. They're heavier tubes, but well worth the little bit of extra weight.

Hey 1st timer-My brother and I rode from Clinton to Boonville our first time. Constant peddling, wich is good exercise. We wanted a recreational ride, and wish we had gone from Sedalia to Clinton. 2nd time out, we went from Rocheport to Hartsburg. Now that was a nice ride. 300 ft bluffs on one side, the mighty MO on the other. I am of the opinion there isnt a bad place to start on the MKT. Do get a pocket map pamphlet though, so you can kinda keep track of where you are. Enjoy.

Yes...park at the community center 1.5 blocks from the trailhead; leave your info at the front desk. The trail is hard and smooth most of the time. If it's warm, consider carrying extra water on its eastern half. It's lush and scenic there, but many trailheads don't have running water, although other establishments nearby do. Maybe a small camera, too? Enjoy it.

Great lunch stop

Great lunch stop

Stopped the week of May 20 08. This was on of the real delights of our ride. Very clean rooms with a large deck and hot tub. The breakfast was one of the best on our trip. The only draw back is the shared baths. I still would recommend a stay.

Stopped the week of May 20 08. This was on of the real delights of our ride. Very clean rooms with a large deck and hot tub. The breakfast was one of the best on our trip. The only draw back is the shared baths. I still would recommend a stay.

What's the best route if one wanted to cross the bridge from north to south en route from the trailhead to the train station?

What's the best route if one wanted to cross the bridge from north to south en route from the trailhead to the train station?

I don't know if it is the best, but I'll describe my experience. I took the spur trail from the N. Jefferson Trailhead until it became obvious that it would dead end at a freeway embankment. So I backtracked a short distance and then turned left onto a small road, and then after about 1/4 mile took the first left. After another 1/4 mile I came to an overpass and freeway entrance just before the bridge. Here you have 2 choices.



1. Turn right onto the bridge and ride in the right most of 3 southbound lanes until taking the exit just after the bridge. Turning left takes you to the capital. I believe Amtrak is just below the capital. I took this option; and except for the traffic noise after the quiet of the Katy Trail, it was not too bad.



2. Continue on the overpass until reaching the exit ramp on the other side of the freeway. Turn right onto the exit ramp and ride against traffic until you come to a bike lane on the northbound side of the bridge. On the otherside of the bridge exit against traffic on the entrance ramp. Turn left towards the capital at the end of the entrance ramp.



The problem is that there is a bike lane on only the northbound side of the bridge; and there is no good way to get on and off it in the south bound direction. I can't remember exactly; but I believe there were shoulders on the entrance and exit ramps that made riding against traffic not quite as bad as it sounds. Rumor has it that the highway department forgot to put a bike land on the south side.

I don't know if it is the best, but I'll describe my experience. I took the spur trail from the N. Jefferson Trailhead until it became obvious that it would dead end at a freeway embankment. So I backtracked a short distance and then turned left onto a small road, and then after about 1/4 mile took the first left. After another 1/4 mile I came to an overpass and freeway entrance just before the bridge. Here you have 2 choices.



1. Turn right onto the bridge and ride in the right most of 3 southbound lanes until taking the exit just after the bridge. Turning left takes you to the capital. I believe Amtrak is just below the capital. I took this option; and except for the traffic noise after the quiet of the Katy Trail, it was not too bad.



2. Continue on the overpass until reaching the exit ramp on the other side of the freeway. Turn right onto the exit ramp and ride against traffic until you come to a bike lane on the northbound side of the bridge. On the otherside of the bridge exit against traffic on the entrance ramp. Turn left towards the capital at the end of the entrance ramp.



The problem is that there is a bike lane on only the northbound side of the bridge; and there is no good way to get on and off it in the south bound direction. I can't remember exactly; but I believe there were shoulders on the entrance and exit ramps that made riding against traffic not quite as bad as it sounds. Rumor has it that the highway department forgot to put a bike land on the south side.

I used the phone at the City Pavilion on the Katy Spur to call a taxi. The taxi came with a bike rack and took us directly to the Amtrak station for I think $10 to $15. Much better than taking your life into your hands on the bridge. I helped to have the taxi phone number in advance.

I used the phone at the City Pavilion on the Katy Spur to call a taxi. The taxi came with a bike rack and took us directly to the Amtrak station for I think $10 to $15. Much better than taking your life into your hands on the bridge. I helped to have the taxi phone number in advance.

We just crossed the bridge last week. Although it's a bit unnerving to have cars whizzing next to you at high speed, nonetheless there's a generous bike lane. Bikes going both directions share the lane, but we were the only cyclists. Crossing this bridge was a non-event, not to worry.

We just crossed the bridge last week. Although it's a bit unnerving to have cars whizzing next to you at high speed, nonetheless there's a generous bike lane. Bikes going both directions share the lane, but we were the only cyclists. Crossing this bridge was a non-event, not to worry.

We used the cab service again last week. The phone number is 573-636-7101 and the cost was $10. They will pick you up at either the trail head or City Pavilion.



The City Pavilion, a short distance south on the Katy Trail Spur, has running water and flush toilets!!!

We used the cab service again last week. The phone number is 573-636-7101 and the cost was $10. They will pick you up at either the trail head or City Pavilion.



The City Pavilion, a short distance south on the Katy Trail Spur, has running water and flush toilets!!!

I was charged an extra $10 by checker cab for the bike rack usage. Not a big deal but it was still a surprise. Ask first.

I was charged an extra $10 by checker cab for the bike rack usage. Not a big deal but it was still a surprise. Ask first.

We also once had the experience that we had arranged for one cab to carry 4 people and 4 bikes, and they sent 2, saying their big vehicle was unavailable. Again, not that big a deal, but we weren't expecting to pay for 2 cab fares.

We also once had the experience that we had arranged for one cab to carry 4 people and 4 bikes, and they sent 2, saying their big vehicle was unavailable. Again, not that big a deal, but we weren't expecting to pay for 2 cab fares.

My wife and I (we are both old guys) just did it. I had arrived with an aerial photo showing how to get there, really helpful. We went on the bike trail, against traffic. Traffic moves fast and close, but the bike trail is about 6 feet wide so it is not really dangerous. Our only problem was that the bike trail part was littered with all sorts of stuff, some really big, but lots of it just rocks that you really don't want to hit under the circumstances. Combined with a strong headwind and light rain it made the trip over a challenge. The next morning with the wind still from the South we didn't even need to pedal across, the bridge was shorter and the debris not so bad (or so it seemed).

My wife and I (we are both old guys) just did it. I had arrived with an aerial photo showing how to get there, really helpful. We went on the bike trail, against traffic. Traffic moves fast and close, but the bike trail is about 6 feet wide so it is not really dangerous. Our only problem was that the bike trail part was littered with all sorts of stuff, some really big, but lots of it just rocks that you really don't want to hit under the circumstances. Combined with a strong headwind and light rain it made the trip over a challenge. The next morning with the wind still from the South we didn't even need to pedal across, the bridge was shorter and the debris not so bad (or so it seemed).

My wife and I just road from Sedalia to Kirkwood Amtrak last week, with an included stop over in Jefferson City. Like some others, we road against traffic over the bridge. The shoulder is quite wide and relatively safe -- certainly safer than riding in downtown rush hour traffic in Seattle, which we do often -- but it STILL is fundamentally unsafe to ride against traffic on a road. Our innkeeper said he had asked the State why they hadn't added a shoulder on both sides and was told "We couldn't," with no explanation why. The new Hermann bridge is great. The best I've ever been on for cycling. (We were able to attend the dedication ceremony while we were there.)

My wife and I just road from Sedalia to Kirkwood Amtrak last week, with an included stop over in Jefferson City. Like some others, we road against traffic over the bridge. The shoulder is quite wide and relatively safe -- certainly safer than riding in downtown rush hour traffic in Seattle, which we do often -- but it STILL is fundamentally unsafe to ride against traffic on a road. Our innkeeper said he had asked the State why they hadn't added a shoulder on both sides and was told "We couldn't," with no explanation why. The new Hermann bridge is great. The best I've ever been on for cycling. (We were able to attend the dedication ceremony while we were there.)

Although many people do it or have done it, myself included, the intent of the bike lane is for north bound bike traffic. And, by Missouri state law it is unlawfull to ride against the traffic flow.



There is currently an effort being made in the Jefferson City community to secure the money to build a bike/pedestrian lane for the southbound traffic.

Although many people do it or have done it, myself included, the intent of the bike lane is for north bound bike traffic. And, by Missouri state law it is unlawfull to ride against the traffic flow.



There is currently an effort being made in the Jefferson City community to secure the money to build a bike/pedestrian lane for the southbound traffic.

We walked our bikes across the bridge last week, and can report that while it's doable, it's also extremely stressful and unenjoyable. It added a lot of unnecessary anxiety after a beautiful, peaceful day of cycling.



So we called a taxi the next morning to get back to the trail, rather than start our day off in such an unpleasant way. Definitely a good move on our part, although we had to wait 90 minutes for them to put the bike rack on the taxi (we were the first cyclists they had this year). They recommend giving them a heads up if you intend to use them, as they only have one vehicle with a bike rack.



By the way, thanks to Paul Marlin for the directions he provided in this forum. We printed them before our trip, and used them to easily navigate the maze of ramps and passes to get to the bridge. But there's no way we'd ever attempt his option #1. It was unpleasant enough being on the northbound side of the bridge, even with the bike lane.

We walked our bikes across the bridge last week, and can report that while it's doable, it's also extremely stressful and unenjoyable. It added a lot of unnecessary anxiety after a beautiful, peaceful day of cycling.



So we called a taxi the next morning to get back to the trail, rather than start our day off in such an unpleasant way. Definitely a good move on our part, although we had to wait 90 minutes for them to put the bike rack on the taxi (we were the first cyclists they had this year). They recommend giving them a heads up if you intend to use them, as they only have one vehicle with a bike rack.



By the way, thanks to Paul Marlin for the directions he provided in this forum. We printed them before our trip, and used them to easily navigate the maze of ramps and passes to get to the bridge. But there's no way we'd ever attempt his option #1. It was unpleasant enough being on the northbound side of the bridge, even with the bike lane.

Over Memorial Day weekend I crossed the bridge going south, in the south bound lanes. It was not fun. Besides risking getting hit by a car, the wall is so low I could fall off my bike over it into the river. I wasn't aware there was a should lane on the northbound lanes or I would have looked for it.

Over Memorial Day weekend I crossed the bridge going south, in the south bound lanes. It was not fun. Besides risking getting hit by a car, the wall is so low I could fall off my bike over it into the river. I wasn't aware there was a should lane on the northbound lanes or I would have looked for it.

If you are interested in reading about future plans,check out www.newstribune.com (the local newspaper) and do a search with (pedestrian bridge). Meanwhile phase I, the Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza will be dedicated on Wednesday, June 4. Come on down around 5:30 or 6 PM.

Phase II is "Taking the Katy to the Capitol." It too is coming, but the devil is in the details.

If you are interested in reading about future plans,check out www.newstribune.com (the local newspaper) and do a search with (pedestrian bridge). Meanwhile phase I, the Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza will be dedicated on Wednesday, June 4. Come on down around 5:30 or 6 PM.

Phase II is "Taking the Katy to the Capitol." It too is coming, but the devil is in the details.

I always stay in Hartsburg, just 10 mile from Jeff, just to avoid the bridge. Can get a room right on the trail. The 10 miles are easy to make up, compared to messing with the bridge both in the evening and morning. Probably less than 6 miles difference if you count the distance from the Jeff trail head into town and back.

I always stay in Hartsburg, just 10 mile from Jeff, just to avoid the bridge. Can get a room right on the trail. The 10 miles are easy to make up, compared to messing with the bridge both in the evening and morning. Probably less than 6 miles difference if you count the distance from the Jeff trail head into town and back.