Birk's Gasthaus (Hermann)
- + We stayed at Birk's this past July and had a wonderful visit. The breakfasts were terrific, the room very comfy, and the hosts especially friendly.
After we stayed at another B&B in St. Gene...
Discussion started 09/02/2007 07:49 AM by Carol & Dan - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 09/10/2007 09:14 AM)Carol & Dan from Cypress, TX on 09/02/2007 07:49 AM
We stayed at Birk's this past July and had a wonderful visit. The breakfasts were terrific, the room very comfy, and the hosts especially friendly.
After we stayed at another B&B in St. Genevieve, we appreciated our stay with Rick and Diane even more.
Carol & Dan from Cypress, TX on 09/02/2007 07:49 AM
We stayed at Birk's this past July and had a wonderful visit. The breakfasts were terrific, the room very comfy, and the hosts especially friendly.
After we stayed at another B&B in St. Genevieve, we appreciated our stay with Rick and Diane even more.
Karla from Effingham, IL on 09/07/2007 06:49 PM
How did you get from the trail to Hermann? Did you just bike it or did you use a shuttle? We are staying in Hermann in a couple of weeks and were wondering how much problem it will be getting from the trail to the BnB.
Karla from Effingham, IL on 09/07/2007 06:49 PM
How did you get from the trail to Hermann? Did you just bike it or did you use a shuttle? We are staying in Hermann in a couple of weeks and were wondering how much problem it will be getting from the trail to the BnB.
Jsample on 09/07/2007 08:41 PM
if you stay at Birk's Gasthaus, they will come and get you from the trailhead. Just call ahead. But if you stay elsewhere and the innkeepers don't provide transportation, the new bridge is open and its far better than before. You'd really have no trouble riding from the trailhead into town.
Jsample on 09/07/2007 08:41 PM
if you stay at Birk's Gasthaus, they will come and get you from the trailhead. Just call ahead. But if you stay elsewhere and the innkeepers don't provide transportation, the new bridge is open and its far better than before. You'd really have no trouble riding from the trailhead into town.
Wyn from Colorado Springs on 09/09/2007 10:14 PM
We just returned from our second stay at Birk's. This is the best place in Hermann. Rick and Diane are wonderful hosts, and Rick's breakfasts will take you pretty far down the trail. This is what the bed and breakfast experience is all about!
Wyn from Colorado Springs on 09/09/2007 10:14 PM
We just returned from our second stay at Birk's. This is the best place in Hermann. Rick and Diane are wonderful hosts, and Rick's breakfasts will take you pretty far down the trail. This is what the bed and breakfast experience is all about!
Anonymous on 09/10/2007 09:14 AM
No problem getting across the new bridge at Hermann. Probably less than a half mile from trail across the bridge. Once across plenty of bed and breakfast available.
Anonymous on 09/10/2007 09:14 AM
No problem getting across the new bridge at Hermann. Probably less than a half mile from trail across the bridge. Once across plenty of bed and breakfast available.
Hotel Frederick (Boonville)
- + This place is a MUST. The staff catered to us, and to our bicycles (we were riding the Katy Trail). The room was one of simple elegance with an historic feel to it. I highly recommend it!
Discussion started 09/09/2007 09:05 PM by Deby Elliott - 1 reply (last reply by Trek Biker at 09/09/2007 10:49 PM)Deby Elliott from Dallas, Tx on 09/09/2007 09:05 PM
This place is a MUST. The staff catered to us, and to our bicycles (we were riding the Katy Trail). The room was one of simple elegance with an historic feel to it. I highly recommend it!
Deby Elliott from Dallas, Tx on 09/09/2007 09:05 PM
This place is a MUST. The staff catered to us, and to our bicycles (we were riding the Katy Trail). The room was one of simple elegance with an historic feel to it. I highly recommend it!
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 09/09/2007 10:49 PM
The staff at the Hotel Frederick could not be more friendly and helpful. The hotel itself is a pleasant step back in time.....our compliments to the owner on the renovation. The combination of Glens's Cafe and the hotel is something that Boonville should be well proud of. Job well done!
We checked in on Saturday of Labor Day weekend and had the pleasure of dining at Glenn's that evening. Early the next morning we hit the trail for an out and back century ride. As we arrived back at the hotel that evening, we were greeted with doors opened for us to the hotel and to the bike storage room. Soon to follow we were each given a cold bottle of water. That treatment is a far cry from the staff at Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia last June laughing when I had to ride my bike down the street to go buy a corkscrew because one of their prior guests had stolen theirs and they just hadn't gotten around to replacing it yet. I would have expected an apology because they couldn't produce a common bar type item for a guest, instead of being laughed at because I had to buy one. We can say that we've stayed at Hotel Bothwell....but we'll be returning to the Hotel Frederick.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 09/09/2007 10:49 PM
The staff at the Hotel Frederick could not be more friendly and helpful. The hotel itself is a pleasant step back in time.....our compliments to the owner on the renovation. The combination of Glens's Cafe and the hotel is something that Boonville should be well proud of. Job well done!
We checked in on Saturday of Labor Day weekend and had the pleasure of dining at Glenn's that evening. Early the next morning we hit the trail for an out and back century ride. As we arrived back at the hotel that evening, we were greeted with doors opened for us to the hotel and to the bike storage room. Soon to follow we were each given a cold bottle of water. That treatment is a far cry from the staff at Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia last June laughing when I had to ride my bike down the street to go buy a corkscrew because one of their prior guests had stolen theirs and they just hadn't gotten around to replacing it yet. I would have expected an apology because they couldn't produce a common bar type item for a guest, instead of being laughed at because I had to buy one. We can say that we've stayed at Hotel Bothwell....but we'll be returning to the Hotel Frederick.
Is there anything else like the KATY in the US?
- + Hi again, We really LOVED our trip on the KATY. What a great park! We were thinking about doing another trip, maybe on a different trail. Is there anything else in the midwest or the country like t...
Discussion started 08/22/2007 10:00 AM by Michele - 18 replies (last reply by Clarendt at 09/09/2007 09:05 PM)Michele from Chicago on 08/22/2007 10:00 AM
Hi again, We really LOVED our trip on the KATY. What a great park! We were thinking about doing another trip, maybe on a different trail. Is there anything else in the midwest or the country like the KATY? We were definitely spoiled with this trail!
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 08/22/2007 10:37 AM
Yes! Check out trailsfromrails.com and traillink.com.
You have a very nice little trail just south of you in Illinois. The Tunnel Hill State Trail. It's 47 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. It has some interesting Cypress swamp on the south end, several gentle bends, rail tressles (one that is near the tree tops and nice in length), and a nice long, cool tunnel north of Vienna. We rode it this spring and saw several deer, a bobcat, and a mature bald eagle among many other birds. It was definately worth the trip for us....would be very beautiful in the fall.
Austin from Longmont, CO on 08/22/2007 03:26 PM
Wisconsin has some really good state trails.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/findatrail.html
Paulie from Knoxville on 08/22/2007 05:03 PM
The C&O Canal Trail will take you from Washington D.C. to Cumberland MD. And if you got the time,(and the legs)you can continue on The Great Allegany Passage which will take you all the way to Pittsburgh. I think the total mileage is about 330. I've never done these trails myself but plan to make trip in four days this fall.
Also, the Virginia Creeper is very nice. From Abington VA to Whitetop Mt. is only 35 miles but well worth the trip.
Paulie
Paulie
Mark of The Dalton Boys from Austin, Texas on 08/23/2007 09:23 AM
The Rails to Trails Conservancy has a guide...Traillink.com, which lists most all in the US including Alaska, and a separate menu for International Trails as well. You can tailor your search by surface type, distance etc. All in the website is not entirely true...for a more accurate assessment click on the "Trail Website" menu of the trail your researching....great little tool for looking at Rail Trails. PS - just for grins go to the International Rail Trail menu and look up the Otago Rail/Trail in New Zealand, you know for that grand pie-in-the-sky trip you've always wanted to do once in your life. Regards....Mark of the Dalton Boys
frank on 08/23/2007 03:49 PM
michele,
i just got done riding, or should i say attempting to ride the virignia creeper trail. look for www.vacreepertraial.com creepertrail.com and such. the most popular part is from whitetop to damascus. you are shuttled if you choose, from damascus to whitetop and ride back down. wonderful scenery, the majority is down hill, three little cafe's to snack at plus an old railroad station and one replica. lots of trestles. well worth the time to go there. the trail from damascus to abingdon is not as popular, but from the literature i've read, just a nice. hope this helps. also, no hotels in damascus, only b & b's, but very reasonable and right down the street from the bike shops.
Jon from Missouri on 08/27/2007 08:48 PM
http://www.greatriverroad.com/Footpower/vadalbene.htm
Runs from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park. Some of the trail is on the wide shoulder of the highway. We parked at the casino in Alton, rode to Pere marquette and camped & rode back to Alton the next day. Other trails link this with downtown St. louis.
El Toro on 08/29/2007 08:35 PM
I've ridden the Wabash Trace that runs from near Omaha (Sioux Falls, Iowa) south to the Missouri line and a small town named Blanchard. Not many services at all at Blanchard, especially if the gas station closes early. It's 65 miles one way. A buddy of mine and I did it down and back in a day, but I wouldn't recommend it in a day. Turned into a long day. Pretty, but I, personally, like the KATY better.
The Prairie Trace (I think that is what it's called - I'm having a brain cramp and can't remember) trail is about 35 miles long and heads south out of Ottawa, Kansas down through Garnett and on to a very small town named to Welda. This fall is it to open another 15 miles south to Iola. A nice ride, but not as developed as the KATY, in my opinion.
If you get off the trail there are several spots to eat, buy refreshments, etc. in Garnett. I think it is a neat little town.
There's my 2 cents.
Enjoy!
El Toro on 08/29/2007 08:42 PM
Forgot to add - Minnesota is full of biking trails. 100s of miles of them paved if you prefer a road bike. The Munger Trail comes to mind - just north of the Twin Cities on up to Duluth.
Also - the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota is another neat trail through the Black Hills.
Brian L. from Wichita, KS on 08/30/2007 10:00 AM
Regarding the trail you mentioned near Garnett, KS -- it's the Praire Spirit Rail-Trail -- you might want to call ahead if you go, because their web site (http://www.prairiespirittrail.org) warns that flooding has caused the closure of a 2 1/2 mile mid-trail stretch. I've been to Garnett many times & the paved section of the trail near town and the restored depot there are very nice. I haven't ridden the remainder of the trail, though.
El Toro on 08/30/2007 10:32 AM
Thanks for reminding me of the name of the trail near Ottawa/Garnett. Couldn't think of it for anything.
I just got a newsletter from that trail and - you are right - there is a bridge out because of flooding. It's going to be a while before it is fixed. Based on this week's newsletter, there is a marked detour on gravel roads around that section of the trail. I have NOT been there to ride it or verify what the roads are like (i.e. traffic, hills, gravel, etc.)
ET from Columbia on 08/30/2007 12:28 PM
It's still under construction, but MN is putting in a trail along the north shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to Grand Marais (about 90 miles, I think). Some sections are complete, and it is truly spectacular--it's a paved trail, and not a rail trail, so it's going to be fairly hilly. It's called the Gitchi-Gami trail. MN has several other long distance bike trails, like the Willard Munger Trail, south of Duluth. I'm sure the state DNR or someone has a list of them all.
JB from PITTSBURGH on 09/03/2007 01:04 AM
CHECK OUT THE NORTH BEND TRAIL FROM PARKERSBURG,WV TO OUTSIDE OF CLARKSBURG, WV. 75 MILES IN LENGTH WITH 13 TUNNELS! THEY HAVE A WEB SITE.....NOT AS SMOOTH AS KATY TRAIL.
OF COURSE, GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE FROM PITTSBURGH TO DC IS AN OPTION. WEB SITE ATA (ALLEGHENY TRAIL ALLIANCE)
howard hughes blues from kc on 09/03/2007 03:36 AM
anybody ever try the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska? It is very long---longer than the Katy. I was wondering if it's basically ok to camp on the side of the trail. The official website doesn't list camping locations. Also the Mikkelson---camp anywhere?
Brian L. from Wichita, KS on 09/06/2007 12:12 PM
I've never ridden the Cowboy Trail, but I did consider & research it a little. However, it's not longer than the Katy - yet. Their web site says:
"When finished this hiking, biking, and equestrian trail will stretch 321 miles across Nebraska. ... Over 161 miles of trail are now open, including a continuous 143-mile stretch from Norfolk to Ainsworth. In 2007 an additional 30 miles will be added connecting Valentine to Norfolk."
There's only one review of it on TrailLink.com, but I'm sure other sites have more. This forum's for Katy discussions, so you might want to Google around for those other discussions.
howard hughes blues from kc on 09/07/2007 04:53 AM
yeah, it's not open all the way, but if you read the rails to trails website it's possible to just go out on the highway which runs parallel and ride the spots that aren't open yet. Also if you go all the way to the western end you are fairly close to the Mikkelson trail in South Dakota. One couple said they did the Mikkelson, rode on highways to the Cowboy Trail and did the whole Cowboy Trail. As far as camping on the Cowboy Trail, one of the links says there is camping possible in several towns but doesn't go into detail.
Gramps from Richmond, CA on 09/07/2007 07:21 PM
I'm also looking for paved or "skinny-tire" (road or recumbent) friendly trails. my standard is the combo "Centennial/Trail of the Couer d'Alenes" in Spokane and nearby Couer d'Alene Idaho. 60 and 75 miles respectively with 90% paved pedestrian/biker/hiker only trails.
I'm looking for similar U.S. or foreign trails amenable to skinny tires. All suggestions and contact sites welcome.
Gramps (65 and going strong).
See you on the trail
bears from Ashland on 09/07/2007 09:17 PM
Gramps, check out www.mnbiketrails.com/main.aspx?SectionID=3&TM=44243.84 Trails are paved. We rode Cannon Valley and Paul Bunyan Trails plus downtown Rochester (riverside trail) is great.
Hope to see you on our Katy Trail.
Clarendt from Junction City AR on 09/09/2007 09:05 PM
Gramps, we have Tour Easy Recumbent bikes with skinny road tires. We are going to ride the Katy Trail. To make sure we don't have problems we are going to put Marathron 700 x 35 on the rear and Marathron plus 20 x 1.35 on the front. These should fit inside our fenders and fit on the rim. If you go to wide it won't fit inside the fender. We will see how it goes in a couple of weeks! But if something like that would work for you it would open up a lot of trail riding for you.
Briar Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast (Jefferson City)
- + We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Briar Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast. Jeanette and Randy are wonderful hosts and the bed and breakfast is awesome! Breakfast was delicious and filling. We wi...
Discussion started 09/09/2007 04:12 PM by Ed & Debby Jordan - 0 repliesEd & Debby Jordan from Tower Hill, Illinois on 09/09/2007 04:12 PM
We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Briar Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast. Jeanette and Randy are wonderful hosts and the bed and breakfast is awesome! Breakfast was delicious and filling. We will be sure to make this our home away from home the next time we are in the area and we would highly recommend that you do the same! Click the link to check out their place for yourself. www.briarroseinnbnb.com
Ed & Debby Jordan from Tower Hill, Illinois on 09/09/2007 04:12 PM
We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Briar Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast. Jeanette and Randy are wonderful hosts and the bed and breakfast is awesome! Breakfast was delicious and filling. We will be sure to make this our home away from home the next time we are in the area and we would highly recommend that you do the same! Click the link to check out their place for yourself. www.briarroseinnbnb.com
Katy Trail
- + We are interested in going to Tightwad when we are on the Katy Trail. What roads would be the best to take for us bikers?
Discussion started 09/07/2007 12:39 PM by Lynn - 5 replies (last reply by Lynn at 09/08/2007 04:36 PM)Lynn from Mansfield, Ohio on 09/07/2007 12:39 PM
We are interested in going to Tightwad when we are on the Katy Trail. What roads would be the best to take for us bikers?
Anonymous on 09/07/2007 08:01 PM
I would not recommend the roads. A lot of hilly Narrow Black tops with no shoulders. Not a bike friendly environment.
Trek Biker & Co. from St. Joseph, MO on 09/07/2007 09:45 PM
The bank has closed too, so you can no longer open an account on the Tightwad Bank. Not much to see there anyway...other than a "city limit" sign on either side of the blink of an eye.
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 09/08/2007 08:38 AM
I've never known Trek Biker to give bad advice. By the way, what/where is "Tightwad"? I just thought that was my nickname at my local bike shop.
Paulie
Cheri from Windsor on 09/08/2007 11:23 AM
When you come into Windsor you will take Y hwy which will turn into P and that will take you to tightwad, but the roads are not biker friendly
Lynn from Mansfield, Ohio on 09/08/2007 04:36 PM
Thanks so much for the good advice. Will not waste time and risk injury to get there. You guys are great!! Lynn