Katy Trail Forum

Glenn's is nothing like it was in Columbia. The food is still okay, not great, but the service has gone straight downhill since the grand opening. The employees are rude, unclean, and some need lessons in appropriate dress (last time we were there, the hostess was wearing a black bra under a see-through white shirt). The staff polishing wine glasses at the cup board were touching their noses and wiping glasses (yuck). The entire time we had to listen to them gossiping very loudly about who is pregnant and who is sleeping with whom. The menu is limited, and for 1/4 the price we could have real cajun food.

Glenn's is nothing like it was in Columbia. The food is still okay, not great, but the service has gone straight downhill since the grand opening. The employees are rude, unclean, and some need lessons in appropriate dress (last time we were there, the hostess was wearing a black bra under a see-through white shirt). The staff polishing wine glasses at the cup board were touching their noses and wiping glasses (yuck). The entire time we had to listen to them gossiping very loudly about who is pregnant and who is sleeping with whom. The menu is limited, and for 1/4 the price we could have real cajun food.

Our experiences at Glenn's have not at all been like the anonymous posters. I've not noticed anyone being rude or unclean in dress or behavior. My question though is....on our next visit to the Boonville area, where do we go to get real cajun food for $5?

Our experiences at Glenn's have not at all been like the anonymous posters. I've not noticed anyone being rude or unclean in dress or behavior. My question though is....on our next visit to the Boonville area, where do we go to get real cajun food for $5?

Trek,

Good point!

Trek,

Good point!

I also have to agree with Trek. Our expieriences have been great! The entire staff has been polite and well dressed. And I don't believe the anonymous poster was being very 'appropriate' when picking on one certain employee.

I also have to agree with Trek. Our expieriences have been great! The entire staff has been polite and well dressed. And I don't believe the anonymous poster was being very 'appropriate' when picking on one certain employee.

I am looking for a retiree, preferably in his/her 50s or 60s, who regularly rides the Katy Trail to interview for a story I am writing.

Contact me at khstraach@aol.com



Thanks.

Well I was going to volunteer until I saw that you had to be retired. Guess I am just wishing since I am only 55. :(

I am attempting to ride the Katy from Clinton to St. Charles and I'm not sure how long I should plan. Would 40/50 miles a day be reasonable? I'm a 57 year old women in pretty good shape but I just started riding. I ride in Colorado so I tackle some pretty good hills. I understand you need to make overnight res. in advance and I want to make sure I can make it to my destination. Any advise on hotels? Also is the first part of June a pretty good time to rike? I know there has been lots of rain out there.

If you are in pretty good shape, 40/50 sounds reasonable. The trail is a very flat, former rairoad bed, no hills. The only problem I can see is June can be very hot and humid in MO. You will need to be very careful, and drink plenty of fluids in order not to get dehydrated. Go to the Plan a Ride portion of this site for hotels.

The Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia is a nice old historic (renovated) hotel, as well as the Hotel Frederick in Boonville. The Frederick is right across the street from the Katy and has a nice cafe inside as well. There are several B & B's in Hermann that are nice and cater to the biking crowd. It you want to pamper yourself, check out Hermann Hill Inn and Cottages in Hermann.

I agree with the above. Explore this website and you will get most if not all the info you need. I have stayed at both the Hotel Bothwell and Hotel Frederick/Glenn's Cafe and they are both primo.

There are some hills on the west end of the trail. The stretch between Clifton City to Pilot

Grove is a steady climb that I've experienced. Refer to the "elevation chart" under FAQ to get

an idea.

Our fav places to stay-

Sedalia-The Bothwell. Short ride off trail, full of history. Restaurant onsite, check for closed days. Can keep bike in room.

Boonville-We've stayed at the Comfort Inn, short ride off trail. Can keep bike in room. No close eateries (only Arby's and Wendys)but shuttle will take you to Casino OR shuttle to casino and walk few blocks to main street yo find restaurants. Holiday Inn Ex is next to Comfort Inn. Go off the trail at aprox mm 194.

Hartsburg-Stayed multiple times at the Globe B&B. Historic, charming. Jeanette's a great hostess. Very basic (no TV's in rooms, shared baths and basic breakfast), price is reasonable, very clean, comfortable. Again, check restaurant closed days (there's always the Hitching Post bar a few blocks away,they do a pretty good job with microwave/toaster oven food if you're hungry.

Jefferson City-Love Cliff Manor B&B. Will pick you up at JC trailhead for fee. Capital square 1/3-1/2 mile walk from B&B with restaurant options (Arris' Greek Pizza very good).

Rhineland-Doll House B&B directly on trail, very nice with Trailside Bar&Grill across road. Also Loutre Lane B&B, short distance off the trail (hilly) but very nice and will take you back down to the Trailside to eat.

Augusta-Best place we've stayed is Red Brick Inn B&B. Pricy but worth it!

Lots of other places along the way that also get rave reviews depending on where your daily mileage puts you. This message board is a great wealth of info. If the town you're staying in is large enough, don't forget about Pizza delivery if you're really tired.

I second the comment re carrying extra water. On eastern end towards St. Charles, not all trailheads have water avail (may have to search in town for a store etc). Western end pretty much has water every 10-12 miles EXCEPT there no water at the Clifton City trailhead...so it's a 20+ mile section between Sedalia and Pilot Grove without water.

Have fun!

I've read all the discussions about appropriate tires for the Katy Trail, but I'm still not sure what to do.



I plan on riding fairly often this summer using the trail in a manner most others don't--to commute to work. I work for the Conservation Department which I can access via the Hamburg Trail. I planned a route that involves only minimal riding on actual roads (Highway D would be killer on a bike, especially when the high school's in session) riding approximately 3 miles on pavement, 2 of which are in my subdivision.



I am a road cyclist through and through and while I don't plan on bringing my good bike on the trail, I've considered purchasing one of these (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3663046) Walmart bikes as a tolerable commuter for the summer / at college.



So my question then, as I already mentioned, is what tires are appropriate? I don't know how wide I would be able to fit on that bike, but I'm going to assume no wider than 28mm.



Thanks!

I have ridden my road bike on the Katy countless numbers of times and have never had any troubles. (no flats, no broken spokes, no bent rims, etc..) The only modification I made was too take off the 700x28 road tires and installed 700x35 cyclocross tires. The nobbies works like a charm. I bet you'd be able to fit 32s or 35s on a Walmart bike. (I got 35s on my Fuji road bike) Go to the store with a micrometer in hand and measure first.



My commute to work takes me on a mile of single track mountain bike trail to a dirt road to the street. I find the 35s to be a good compromise for all three surfaces I traverse.

25/28-mm touring tires work well on the trail, which is hard most of the time. But a wind or rain storm can litter the trail with small twigs having sharp protusions. Try to avoid most of the twigs, and/or use well-belted tires.

Would appreciate suggestions! My best friend and I are leaving hubbys and kids behind to spend a weekend on 2 wheels casually riding and sampling wineries. Coming Friday afternoon from STL airport - is St. Charles a good launch pad or should we drive further west to start? It appears wineries are clustered in Augusta...thinking St. Chrls to Augusta Saturday, then on to Bluffton on Sunday, where hopefully we can catch a shuttle back to St. C. Any input on our route? Thanks and ride on!

I think St. Chuck would be a good starting point. Augusta wineries are good, but if you are going as far as Bluffton, hit up the Hermann wineries, too.

Cheers

Need a recommendation where to leave my car for 5 days in Clinton.



Don't feel comfortable leaving it at the rail parking that long.

You can park you car across the street from the Clinton trailhead. There is a recreational or senior center, of some sort. They allow parking in the lot. It is paved and well lit.

Click on "search" in the line menu above, then scroll down to the quick-category serach box. Plug in "parking" and "Clinton," then search again. Instructions for parking at the community center are given at its listing. You can leave your vehicle/personal info at the front desk, or call it in ahead of time. Trail riders generally park on the west side of the lot where where the police can patrol it.

I think this place has gone the way of the buffalo. It was boarded up when we went though.

I think this place has gone the way of the buffalo. It was boarded up when we went though.

I just called to day and spoke with a live person who says they are open every day of the week except new years day, from 7 am to 8 pm.

I just called to day and spoke with a live person who says they are open every day of the week except new years day, from 7 am to 8 pm.

Unless it was the great flood of the early 90s, i don't think you were looking at the right building. This place is always open. The folks in Mokane are friendly.

Unless it was the great flood of the early 90s, i don't think you were looking at the right building. This place is always open. The folks in Mokane are friendly.

I think you mistook either the Mokane Lions Club building or the Masonic Lodge for the Mokane Market. The windows are boarded because it is faster,easier,and cheaper that way to clean up after a flood. All you have to do with a boarded up window is clean it, let it dry, and finish with a fresh coat of paint. We prefer KILZ paint due to it's long life.



When the water is up people like to come and play in the water with their boats. The wake from the boats will break the windows out. Once the windows are broken the action from the wake is intensified inside the building. If you have things up off the floor inside and they are a few inches above water, the wake from a boat will knock them off or get them wet.



The Mokane Market is the only business in town that does not have at least a few of it's windows boarded. It's located in the next block up from the Mokane Bar and Grill and just across the street from the Masonic Lodge.



I'm well familiar with the floods. I was the Mokane Lions Club Secretary for ten years. I dealt with both clean-up and paperwork with the government. Almost all of our clean-up is done by unpaid volunteers otherwise the club would have ceased to exist years ago. What you get from the government after a flood is usually not enough to repair what has been damaged unless you do the work yourself.

I think you mistook either the Mokane Lions Club building or the Masonic Lodge for the Mokane Market. The windows are boarded because it is faster,easier,and cheaper that way to clean up after a flood. All you have to do with a boarded up window is clean it, let it dry, and finish with a fresh coat of paint. We prefer KILZ paint due to it's long life.



When the water is up people like to come and play in the water with their boats. The wake from the boats will break the windows out. Once the windows are broken the action from the wake is intensified inside the building. If you have things up off the floor inside and they are a few inches above water, the wake from a boat will knock them off or get them wet.



The Mokane Market is the only business in town that does not have at least a few of it's windows boarded. It's located in the next block up from the Mokane Bar and Grill and just across the street from the Masonic Lodge.



I'm well familiar with the floods. I was the Mokane Lions Club Secretary for ten years. I dealt with both clean-up and paperwork with the government. Almost all of our clean-up is done by unpaid volunteers otherwise the club would have ceased to exist years ago. What you get from the government after a flood is usually not enough to repair what has been damaged unless you do the work yourself.

I remember there being a thread on here at one point about some kind of shortcut in Boonville to a local motel, but can't seem to find it. I'm looking for alternatives to the casino and B&Bs in downtown Boonville? Can someone help me with this?

I believe this is what you are referring too. I do recall a more recent post on this, but I couldn't find it either. Not being familar with Boonville myself, I would make a Google map of this area in case I got lost:



<


If you are riding east to west on the Katy, after you pass the depot in Booneville you will pass through a long stretch of residential district, up a grade for quite a ways and through a small tunnel under a roadway. It's probably 4-5 miles from the depot to the Comfort Inn.



There is a clearing on your left side near mile post #194. A trail through the clearing leads to the Fuqua Homes manufacturing plant. Somewhat confusing there......but, ride through their parking lot toward the south and onto the blacktop road....it will lead you to the Comfort Inn (about a mile) which will be on your right with a truckstop on your left.



We have found the Comfort Inn staff to be very friendly and accomodating. No problem taking your bikes to your room or leaving your car in their parking lot for a few days while you are on the trail.



Enjoy your trip!

- posted 6/29/2005 8:56:48 AM by Trek Biker , St. Joseph, MO>>

As for lodging in downtown Boonville, don't forget the Hotel Frederick.

The Hotel Frederick is the place to stay in Boonville. Great rooms, free wi-fi, complimentary continental breakfast, bike storage and $20 discount on rooms for trail riders. Located across from the trail where it crosses the Boonslick Bridge. Glenn's Cafe and a wonderful lobby bar makes this hotel a great stop for trailriders.

We have stayed at the Hotel Frederick and most likely will return. The only drawback is the lack of a pool if you're looking to take a dip after a long summer day on the trail. It is though a very nice place with a fantastic asset in Glenn's Cafe. Its nice to skim a few bucks from the casino down the street and then hit the trail just out the front door the next morning.

After much research, I will share what I have learned with others interested in pet friendly

lodging along the Katy Trail. In Defiance the Das Gast Haus Nadler (636-987-2200) will

accept a well behaved dog. Parsons House B&B (636-798-2222) has an outdoor kennel

to accomodate a dog.



In the Marthasville, Peers area, Heaven on Earth B&B (636-433-2511) has nicely

appointed cabins and agreed to accept a dog. Concord Hill B&B

(636-782-2042)agreed to accept a rescue

dog.



In the McKittrick area, Penrod's View Guest House (573-486-2585) was very

accomodating and offers shuttle service into Herman for an evening meal.

In Blufton, Rendleman Home B&B (573-236-4575) likes dogs and was willing to

accomodate because no other guests were present.



In Tebbetts the hostel will allow the dog under the bunk.



In Jefferson City Motel 6 accepts pets and the Checker cab (573-636-7101)will take you and bikes there.



Comfort Inn in Boonville emailed me the following: Comfort Inn, Boonville accomodates

small dogs (under 25 Lbs) at a nominal charge of $10/night when the pet is accompanied

by the owner in the same room. Our hotel is conveniently located off I-70 @ Exit # 101

and within 1 mile from the Katy Trail service exit located between mileposts 194 and 195

in Boonville, Mo.



Some of these places may have been willing to accomodate me and my dog because the dog is a rescue dog, highly trained, very disciplined and well behaved and because I was travelling mid week and prior to the heavy tourist season. There were not a lot of other

guests to consider. I very much appreciated all the B&B's willingness to consider accomodating me as I am a "senior citizen" and unable to ride off the trail and add exta miles to a day's ride to find lodging. SS Salida, CO.

The Hotel Frederick will accept dogs and has a $25 pet fee. Located in Boonville at the foot of the Boonslick Bridge on the southeast side of Main St

Do you segregate "pet rooms" from the other rooms? Some folks don't do well with pet dander induced allergies.

My brother and I are planning a trip on the Trail for fall and have heard mixed reports on whether to road or mtn. bike the Trail.



Any suggestions? experiences?



Thanks for the help.



Sue Griffith

I think the most ideal is a "hydrid" bike or a similar cross between a mountain and a road bike. We ride hybrids when on trails and reserve the Santana longbike for the road for which it was designed.

I've ridden the trail on both a road and a mountain bike. The trail's surface is fine for a road bike if you don't get a soaking rain. A mountain bike is slower, but is better if it rains and the trail's surface turns mushy. Trek Biker is right, if you have access to a hybrid it's the ideal bike for the KATY.

ROAD OR MOUNTAIN- Q RESPONSE-depends on your ride style....like to go slower and in no hurry to get to the next town...use mountain bike....like to go fast and get to next town faster use road bike-*some road bikes can take a 700x32c tires or at least a (700x28c.)this is the size most riders talk about. Trains do not do hills. and the trail is for most conversation kind of flat it can be ridden on both. If it rains you are in trouble with the (speed thing) on both. I have drafted a road bike at around 18 mph with my mountain bike. I could (not) have PULLED that speed with my mountain bike. If a great rider is a CAT 1 Then I am around a CAT 7 or 8 FAST/SLOW-I always think about going fast end up going slow-...cleated with a good spin and little power. HYBIRD is probaly best but anything beats walking the thing. I have seen everything on this trail--E-BIKES-recumbents-side by side tandams-foldup bikes with 20 inch wheels -old 3 speeds-single speeds ,lots of Mr. (Huffyheavys ) and everything in between. Most of the go slow is from the road not the wind like on a road bike. That may point to tires again. A 26x1.50 mountain tires are about the same as a hybire 700x38c..close enough for goverment work as we say. Wheels are heavy on entry mountain bikes but get lighter as the quality level going up. Cheap HYBIRDS (entry level will most likely have a heavy wheel. ANY THINGS BETTER THAN WALKEN ...enjoy ya will. see ya says old Dale

cyclocross works well too.

I just road 40 miles on the Katy with an old Raleigh 3 speed pulling a child carrier. I averaged 6 mph and found the riding comfortable and the pedaling not difficult. It had rained heavily before the ride but the trail was not mushy - a few puddles which could be avoided. Hope this helps. Sandra

I would definitely suggest a mountain bike or hybrid. In the fall there are a lot of hedge apples and other debris on the road which is rough on a bikes tires and dangerous for a road bike. We've ridden the trail in the spring and the fall and have found washouts, gravel and grade changes when you cross roads that would be more difficult for a road bike. Road bikes are faster but why do you want to go fast on the trail? Take your time and enjoy it. It's worth it.

Wouldn't do it on a road bike. Some people have had on problem on a road bike, but I wouldn't take the chance. Always use my hybrid, no problems and is much more forgiving for ruts and avoiding flats. Try to stay with the lightest weight hybrid you can afford if you don't already own one.

I have had the opportunity to ride the trail on numerous occassions - including end to end - and I think the style of bike matters not.



I think size of tire is a much more important bit of information to consider. It is a very personal choice. I personally like the 700 x 32 on my cyclocross bike...I frankly think it a wonderful compromise for trails like the KATY...



In addition, I have ridden alot on the trail with a buddy who only owns a road bike and he has never had problems, even during/after a hard rain.



Just my 2 cents.

I ride the trail end-to-end every summer. I carry camping gear in my panniers and camp every night. I ride a mountain bike with narrow, smooth tires. They work great! I love my road bike, but it would be uncomfortable (and probably unsuitable) on the trail.

You'll get a much better view with a hybrid or mountain bike. Or even better with a recumbent. That does add to the enjoyment of the trail.

My wife just completed 130 mile trip on the Katy Trail April 7 - 11, 2008. She was on her road bike with 27 x 1 1/4" IRC Road Winner DURO II tires. These are kevlar belted tires. No flats and no problems. In 2004 we rode from Clinton to St. Charles on the same tires mounted on road bikes with no problems at all. Compared to some other rail trails we've done, the Katy Trail is very hard packed. In 2004 we rode one day on the trail in heavy rain. The trail got a little mushy and was pretty sloppy. We had fenders on our bikes and kept quite a bit cleaner than those in our group without fenders.

When is Wild on the Katy 2008?

June 16-20. This year they're calling it "Ride West"

Guy behind front desk was not friendly at all. Hotel was clean, at least. I would never stay here again, though. As far as I can tell, the guy who was behind the front desk was the owner, because he was working during my entire 2 day stay and I didn't see any other employees. There is no excuse for being rude to PAYING customers. Ironically, he has postcards and thank you cards from appreciative guests all over his front desk. Maybe he had been nice to some folks, but he was the most unfriendly person I have ever encountered at a hotel. He'll never get another dime from me if I ever go back to the area.

I didn't have a good experience there either. I thought I may have just caught the guy in a bad mood, but it did come with a free ride to and from the trail head.