Katy Trail Forum

This gives you almost no info on the structure of the ride. Where do you stay, where do you eat, how much does it cost, where do you register (if you ride). Eg, here is the Brag website (http://www.brag.org/brag.html). We would like to do the ride but need more info than just the date. Is there a sag wagon? Do we have to tote our tents and stuff. What do we eat?

The "DNR Ride" as many call it is a function of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The link below will get you to their website where you can request more information. To my knowledge info about the 2007 ride is yet to be released.



http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2007ride.htm

This is not the website for the DNR sponsored bike ride. Here is a link to that website:

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2007ride.htm. No details are posted yet, but you

can see details/photos from previous year's rides and sign up to receive notification when

details are available for the 2007 ride. This is a site for people to post comments about the

Katy Trail, in general. I encourage you to check out the DNR website and to sign up for the

ride as it is great fun! Sharon

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2007ride.htm



In reference to the 2007 Ride by DNR, keep your eye on this link for update, and you can also submit your email to get their registration packet. It will have all the info you are looking for. For this ride, all you have to do yourself is ride your bicycle, get luunch somewhere, and pitch your tent. On the last day, I believe that lunch is usually provided also.

Are there camping areas along the route that would not normally be there? Is the camper population usually higher at existing campgrounds?

DNR sets up camping sites at various locations for the riders and provides the evening meals

and the ever popular shower truck. I would not think the ride would affect the "normal"

camping spots, so long as those are not the spots DNR has chosen for its ride. When the

brochure is out, you will be able to see where the overnights will be and could plan

accordingly if you plan to be on the Trail at the same time the ride is going on. DNR also

provides SAG stops along the route as well as transporting all gear from one overnight locale

to the next. It is a well supported ride.

I have done this ride 2004,2005, and 2006 and it is a great time. Yes there are multiple sag wagons. No you do not have to haul anything you don't want to -- they will truck up to two 50 lb. bags per person. I take way more than I probably need and have never come near the limit.



They feed you breakfast 5 mornings, dinner 4 evenings and a bag lunch the last day (which is always a short ride). You are on your own for dinner Sunday (if you arrive Sunday) and for lunch mon-thur. Vegetarian meals available.



Particulars aren't usually posted on the official DNR page until March, but if you examine the volunteer application you can see the overnights are in Sedaila, Columbia, Mokane and Augusta this year -- though it does not say exact camping location.



Cost was $230 for whole ride last year, up from $220. It's a bargain.

"Are there camping areas along the route that would not normally be there? Is the camper population usually higher at existing campgrounds?" -- so far in my experience, the DNR ride hasn't used any existing campgrounds. When starting in St. Charles you camp in the park. When starting in Clinton, you camp at the fairgrounds there. We have stayed at Liberty Park in Sedalia which is a WONDERFUL facility. We have camped at Les Bougouis vinyard in Rocheport. An abandoned military school in Boonville. A couple of years ago we spent the night in the tiny town of Hartsburg, more than quadrupling the popuation of the town for that night. The fine citizens of Hartsburg allowed us to camp in their yards. The only 'bad' campsites were only bad because there isn't much shade - a ballfield in Marthasville, a schoolyard in Augusta - and I am fortunate enough to like riding early and fast, so I get there in time to get a shady spot for my tent even in those situations. You have to try really hard to have a bad time on this ride. Register early, ridership is limited to around 300 and by June they are turning people away.

Jon,

Would I be correct in assuming that the two 50lb bag per person includes your camping gear?

thanks

Never been on the annual ride but here's a hint to a great ride. Park at Kirkwood, MO and take the AMTRAK to Sedalia. Then pedal back to any AMTRAK stop or pedal back to St. Charles. No need to buy books on the Katy just google "Katy Trail" and you'll find B&B's, motel's etc. on the way. Park at the Casino in St. Charles if going all the way. My family does it every summer with great anticipation! Take plenty water/gatorade on hot days, sunglasses and bug spray. Cell phones work most places. Have fun!

What a wonderful place. We stayed in the Ranch House Cabin and it is wonderful. The setting is amazing near a hill which has a path leading to a small stream. It is so peaceful. The porch swing is a great touch. The cabin itself has a wonderfully huge jacuzzi tub and soft bed. Breakfast was incredible. The hosts came to pick us up in Marthasville and then dropped us off again the next morning. It is a great place to stay.

What a wonderful place. We stayed in the Ranch House Cabin and it is wonderful. The setting is amazing near a hill which has a path leading to a small stream. It is so peaceful. The porch swing is a great touch. The cabin itself has a wonderfully huge jacuzzi tub and soft bed. Breakfast was incredible. The hosts came to pick us up in Marthasville and then dropped us off again the next morning. It is a great place to stay.

In November, 2005, the store on Main St. had a big "Closed" sign in the window, and the space was empty. Today the web site is "not found" (404 error). Anyone know the current situation for Momentum Cycles?

In November, 2005, the store on Main St. had a big "Closed" sign in the window, and the space was empty. Today the web site is "not found" (404 error). Anyone know the current situation for Momentum Cycles?

Looks like they changed their website, but I still had their old web address listed. I have updated Momentum's listing on the St Charles page to have their new web address. Thanks for pointing this out!

Looks like they changed their website, but I still had their old web address listed. I have updated Momentum's listing on the St Charles page to have their new web address. Thanks for pointing this out!

Am planning on riding the whole shebang with the DNR's Katy Ride in June and I'm a little nervous. May I ask for your expert feedback?



I plan to train by riding the St. Joe State Park trail (11 mi., vy. hilly), working up to 3 rounds in a day. Am also working out on my spinning bike while it rains. Think this is a good start? I mean, how "expert" do you need to be to make 30-60 mi. a day? Is it more about stamina than speed or strength?



Also, I plan to stay in hotels along the way, but the wet weather makes me nervous. Do I need to pack quite a bit of gear on my bike?



...Which is a mountain bike. I've seen the back-and-forth on this wonderful forum about the merits of comfort/mountain/road bikes, but am wondering if my mtn. bike (with flat-faced, knobby-edged tires, thank you) is going to kill my shoulders at the end of the day. Was thinking of a quick investment in a comfort bike....?



I'm not in the best of shape, but I have excellent memories of riding the trail in college, and am looking forward to riding it with my dad. Am just trying to prepare to the best I'm able...Thanks for any advice you can provide...

It sounds like you're on the right track. In my opinion the biggest issue on multiday rides is saddle fit to your hind side. Time in the saddle while you train is the best prep for that. Get good and familiar with your bike. Stamina...yes. Speed....doubtfull you'll break, or want to break any land speed records while trying to enjoy the trail. Strength....nawww....a steady cadence perhaps though while your out in Flatland.



I certainly wouldn't consider a comfort bike purchase...would probably ride what ya have. If you're thinkin you'd like a new bike....a hybrid is probably a better fit than a mountain bike, road bike, or a comfort bike. They are a good tweener in regards to tires and gearing. My riding partner and I just rode two days on the Katy Sunday and Monday of this week. It was her first ride on her new hybrid after riding a comfort bike for the past few years...she was amazed at how much easier the hybrid rode and how much more comfortable it was on the Katy than her "comfort" bike. I've yet to figure out exactly what nitch a comfort bike is supposed to fill.

Trek is right. The key seems to be increasing your saddle time as your distance is more likely to be limited by your rebellious sit bones than your heart, lungs or legs. The trail is technically very easy.

Neither myself or my wife were in great shape before we did our end to end last summer, However we did have 5 or 6 hundred miles on the seat before we made the trip. We took our time (approx. 40 miles a day) on the Katy and enjoyed our suroundings. If you plan to go self contained I suggest you make several short trips with your bike loaded (dumbells in the bags). Fourty extra pounds makes a larger difference than one would realize.



A couple of things I have found that aid in comfort for a multi day trip.



1. (Learned from a blog of a distance rider) from day to day or every few days alter the height of your seat. A quarter of an inch makes a big difference. After our second day on the Katy I did this with great success on both of our bikes, 1/4 down today and a 1/4 back up tomorrow.



2. I don't know about you but I have my "favorite" gears I run a lot (usually large front sprocket and mid rear sprocket, when my bike is loaded). Again several days into the Katy I discovered if I went center front and a higher rear gear it changed my cadance enough to "rest" my legs, but I was able to keep pace.



"I've yet to figure out exactly what nitch a comfort bike is supposed to fill." From what I have seen the nitch is the 6 mile weekender on a paved trail. I was excited when my sister-in-law went out to get a new bike thinking they would now join us on some weekend trips. I was disapointed when they came back with a comfort bike but it suites her style of a few miles on the weekend.

Because the Katy Trail is so flat, riding becomes constant pedaling (instead of pedaling for awhile, going uphill, coasting downhill), which does make a difference after awhile. A smooth, comfortable pedal stroke makes a world of difference.



It is important to practice riding with as much gear as you plan on bringing. Training with 10-20 extra pounds makes your trail weight seem that much lighter: a true blessing.



Distance riding is about pacing yourself. Going too hard the first portion makes the end all that much harder. Slow and comfortable pace, with breaks is good.



The best on-bike wet gear I have found is a poncho. It is possible to drape it over yourself and the bike. Tuck the front corners under your hands on the grips; gather the back (that otherwise could get tangled in the wheel) and rubberband. Effective, simple, cheap; plus one can alter the amount of wind coming in from underneath. That, plus a showercap to go over your helmet, and you're set.



Best of luck.

Many thanks to all for your advice.



My "training" began today when my dad invited me out with him to ride the St. Joe State Park circuit (20 mi., paved, lots of hills). Oy! Lots of practice ahead, and I definitely need to develop a few callouses to get my "bike butt" back!



The St. Joe terrain, of course, is nothing like Katy's-- It's anything but flat. But I figure if I can do a couple of 20 mi. loops in a row, maybe tackle a Farmington-Fredericktown round trip,I'll be loaded for bear.



My father did last year's ride, and when I grilled him this morning about the experience, he echoed everyone's sentiments here.



Let's cross our fingers for excellent weather.



Thanks again!

I plan on riding St Joe some for my training for my first DNR ride. I know it is different terrain than the Katy, but I see the hills as a bonus to the training. I know riding 30 miles of flat trail after training on hills is a breeze. The big difference is the surface, especially if you are using narrow tires. I have thought several times about the Farmington/Fredericktown trip as a possible ride. I will be down that way in a couple of weeks and my bike will be with me.

Hello, Festus. Maybe I'll see you at St. Joe. Curious thing about hilly vs. flat, my dad and sister have a different perspective... My dad said he found it difficult to maintain speed from the incessant pedaling on the Katy (then again, I think he was going for Lance Armstrong records). My sister said she'd never ride the Katy because of all the pedaling as well.



While there are some heart-stopping hills on St. Joe, they at least provide some downhill relief once you get to the top (unless a deer jumps in front of you during the downhill-- That was exciting!). It certainly is appealing, but I think as long as I maintain a slow, deliberate pedal stroke, I'll enjoy the Katy ride.



I'm using tires that have a flat face and knobby edges. Thinner tires are probably faster, but I've spilled on the Katy before and it wasn't fun.



You're coming all the way down from Festus? Wow! Just an idea-- My father rode on the Hwy. 67 shoulder from Park Hills to Festus, at the top of the hill where that gas station is with the stop light-- before you get to the 55 interchange? He said the shoulder's newly paved and it was a really enjoyable trip, although he said it took about 90 minutes Park Hills-Festus, and 150 minutes Festus-Park Hills (climbing away from the Mississippi valley, I guess).



I throw that out there in case you'd like to save gas but get a good workout.

Your dad is a better man than I am. I would be interested in riding Farmington south toward Fredericktown. Heading north toward Festus would be a little tougher. I need some more training for that adventure. My plan is to visit St. Joe Monday the 14th and Thursday the 17th during the day. I will be passing through for a trip and will stop. I hope to meet up with you.

We really miss having the Cracked Crab in Rocheport. We really enjoyed the food.

We really miss having the Cracked Crab in Rocheport. We really enjoyed the food.

The building is for sale if you are interested in returning it to its former glory.

The building is for sale if you are interested in returning it to its former glory.

Hey everyone,



Does anyone have any experience camping and riding the trail? I'm wanting to ride the trail (on my road bike with big tires) and carry my hiking backpack. Does anyone have any experience with this?



Thanks!

Adam

Hi Adam,



A hiking backpack may be a little top heavy. Have you considered using panniers? Last year when I did the Katy, I found easier to stay in motels and B&B's than pack all that gear. I made the trip in 3 days with everything I needed in a seatpost pack.



Good Luck, Paulie

Modern hiking backpacks are amazing pieces of equipment. With little training, you can walk for hours day after day with 50 or so pounds distributed on your shoulders, back, and hips. However, I made the grave mistake of thinknig that I could ride for hours on the KATY with the pack weighing a mere 30 pounds. All that weight went right to the seat and it was a painful experience. I'd recommend going mimimalist (CamelBack and a credit card), panniers, or trailer. At the least, try riding 40 or so miles with your loaded pack before finalizing plans on your epic ride. Good luck and have fun!

I would think that riding a bike on a multi-day trip with a backpack(on your back) is probably not a good plan. You can get front and rear racks for your bike that are designed to carry pannier bags. I believe they are generally limited to 40-50 lbs. These pannier bags are good for food, clothes, etc, but for camping gear to, I am not sure. I use a rear rack(which was very easy to install on my mountain bike) and pannier bags, but again, not sure about adding the camping gear part of it with these bags or rack.



I have also seen people with a trailer on their bike, which I would think would work for the camping gear.

I agree with earlier comments. Like another mentioned - I rode the KATY in 3 days last October utilizing B&Bs and food stops along the Trail. Everything I needed - including clothes to eat at a restuarant in the evening - was carried in a pack behind my seat.



I can't handle a backpack when I ride. I get hot, I don't like the weight pushing into the saddle and I feel unbalanced....but that's just me.

As others have said I use panniers to pack clothes in and we tied my backpack on the carrier on my wifes bike. We had a little trouble with the pack at first but we bought a cargo net at the bike shop in Rocheport and it solved the problem. Staying in B&B's along the trial reduced the load also. Have a great ride.

A group of us bike the trail from Clinton to St. Charles each year. The first trip we all had the knobby tires....we have switched to the semi-road type....much better!!!! We stay at B&B's along the way and find that most are good, some excellent! Also, all of us use the "saddle bag" type to haul gear-----we only carry minimum on the trail, makes for a less stressful trip ( 4 days )......hope this helps. Chuck

Every pound on your back feels like twenty pounds on your rear after a couple miles, and who wants their rear end seeking vengeance? Most definitely not recommended.



Panniers vs. trailer: main trailer choices are B.O.B. or Burley Nomad. BOBs are unwieldy and make your parked bike fall over. Burleys are stable and pull more easily. Both are similarly waterproof. Burley pulls more.

Burley claims that fifteen pounds' weight on the bike and fifty pounds in their trailer pull the same, and I've found that to be true, excluding the unwieldy-bike aspect when loaded.

the Four Trails Restaurant (New Franklin) is closed

the Four Trails Restaurant (New Franklin) is closed

I am going to drink one beer at every possible drinking establishment along the Katy trail start to finish. It will be a great way to support the local economy. I may wait until the weather warms up a bit.

Ahhh!

Now THAT is community service!

I think you will need some ground rules; how will you define "along the Katy Trail"? Here's a suggestion: the establishment has to be visible from the trail.

Otherwise, you may be in Sedalia and find a bar two blocks from the trail, then find a BBQ joint a block from the bar, then a brewpub 1 1/2 blocks from the BBQ, etc....could be a problem. :)

And how do you define "establishment"? Is Casey's and the like an establishment? Does it have to have seating of some kind? If so, will any chair do, or does have to have a place for the girls to put . . . I mean for you to prop your elbows? Does smoking have to be allowed? Does it have to be prohibited? These are all important questions to be pondered. I think I'll have a beer or two to do just that.

There's supposed to be a church/cemetery at Pleasant Green, just east of Clifton City on the trail. Anyone ever been there? Is there a water hydrant (not a fire hydrant) or spigot at this location? Any idea what mile marker Pleasant Green is at?

Woop, forgot I already asked the question. I'm a 46 year old 8th grade history teacher with 3 weeks to go. Brain is mush but heart is in right place.

how hard is it to ride the fifteen miles to the amtrak station in Kirkwood from St. Charles? Or can you get somebody to take you down there pretty easy?

sorry, I see it goes into detail on the link.

Don't know if the link you refer to specifies, but about four miles west of St. Charles, there's a paved spur off the trail that crosses the Missouri River bridge (on a separated pedestrian trafficway) and connects to Creve Coeur Park, from which one can get on main St. Louis roads. I would recommend getting onto Olive Road (by taking Creve Coeur Bottom Road to Olive) because this is a main road with well-sized lanes, the western portion of which has a marked bike lane and lovely shoulders. From there, you can easily get to the station, either by riding or taking busing. Best of luck.

Call 636-946-0619 for shuttles to Kirkwood ---or Rhonaloc@aol.com

I would like to spend some solo vacation time riding the Katy Trail this summer. Ideally, I would like to ride as far as time allows without having to factor in time to ride back to my starting point. I would appreciate feedback on any methods for arranging transportation back my starting point (probably Booneville). This could be an "established, for-fee service," or some other method cyclists have found to work well.

Thank you and happy cycling!

My dad and I just got back from riding between Jefferson City and St. Charles. Depending on how far you get, I can recommend the Katy Trail Shuttle Service out of St. Charles. David Lawson, who runs the business, came to our hotel, picked us up in a comfy minivan equipped with a rack, and dropped us back at our car in Jefferson City. Check the link to his website on the St. Charles list of businesses and services to get his number for a price quote.

Depending on location, many of the Katy Trail towns are near Amtrak stations, Jefferson City, Sedalia, etc. Go to weekly specials at, http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials , and customize the section that you are doing. My last search gave me a price of $6.50 one way from Sedalia to Jefferson City. Can't beat that.

Also, Amtrak allows uncrated bicycles on this route for a $10 surcharge. There's an option when booking the ticket. Also, when you reserve on Amtrak *as little as a few hours in advance), the conductor aboard will have your ticket. No need to wait for mail or have a hard copy. You can also purchase a ticket when you board the train, which is almost never filled anywhere near capacity.

Lococo House ll, Bed & Breakfast shuttles ----- call 636-946-0619 -----or www.lococohouse.com ----Rhonaloc@aol.com

We ride the trail at least once a month. Although portland bar has very good food and great people you cant compare it to Mokane b&g.They have the biggest and best burger along the trail. The new owners are always open by 9:00 am except on sundays they are closed. They are probably the friendliest on the trail Cindy and her husband (I think) are very helpful and try to run a good place give them a try you wont be dissapointed. Cold beverages great food Friendly folks

We ride the trail at least once a month. Although portland bar has very good food and great people you cant compare it to Mokane b&g.They have the biggest and best burger along the trail. The new owners are always open by 9:00 am except on sundays they are closed. They are probably the friendliest on the trail Cindy and her husband (I think) are very helpful and try to run a good place give them a try you wont be dissapointed. Cold beverages great food Friendly folks

Not for the novices, who would like to join me on a Katy Road Bike through-ride finishing the entire trail in just 1 day? This is doable, but will require a group of at least 4 experienced road-bike riders, and other logistical considerations. Sun up to sun down, paced around 25 mph. I am in the Columbia, Jefferson City area. presidenteric@gmail.com

My son-in-law completed the trial last year in 3 days......he a two other very experienced riders stated they would much rather do the trail in 4 days.......GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! I heard that there is a guy in Clinton that completed it in 1 day.....do not know his name...........Chuck

Sam Baugh from Clinton and a group of three triathletes from the St. Louis area have completed the trail in less than 24 hours. Others have expressed plans for such on this forum but I don't recall anyone else actually pulling it off. Brutal.

I am all for doing things that are extraordinary such as this. My only concern is that if you average 25mph, chances are, you will make a lot of people mad along the way by riding so fast. I can tell you from our 283 miles on the trail last year that there are a LOT of places you will have to slow down, stop, yield to other people, etc etc. If you do the ride, just try and be mindful of the fact that 95% of the other people on the trail are there to ride at 10mph, enjoy the scenery, and have a good time. Good luck...it will be a tough ride!

This place was wonderful! Great German Beer and German Food!It has a lovely garden setting! The Owner, Gus, is a gracious host and the Chef, Smoky Joe, was very nice. I would reccomend this restaurant wthout question!

Bryan

This place was wonderful! Great German Beer and German Food!It has a lovely garden setting! The Owner, Gus, is a gracious host and the Chef, Smoky Joe, was very nice. I would reccomend this restaurant wthout question!

Bryan

What city has the hostel right on the trail, with the bunks? I rode the trail a few years back but can't remember. Thanks in advance. Todd, St.L

tebbetts

We made Abigails our lunch stop on our ride last Saturday and found the restored building charmingly decorated with art objects, dark wood, and rugs. It has the air of a Greenwich bistro with gourmet food you wouldn’t expect in a small midwestern town. I enjoyed a mouthwatering crabcake on a bed of salad greens, topped with a smooth cream dressing. While they don’t have a children’s menu, they prepared a special plate for each of my children with delectable, beautifully arranged fruit, and a heaping basket of freshly baked bread. The prices are reasonable for lunch at an upscale bistro. We hope to come back and enjoy a romantic dinner here on one of our future rides. I highly recommend stopping here for a bite. One note, they don’t have bottled water, but you can get that at the antique shop next door.

I agree Abigails is always an excellent spot for a unique meal! We have dropped in on many occasions and each time the quality of food and service is A+!

While you are in Rocheport, be sure and visit the Les Bourgeois A-Frame to snack or enjoy some wine. It's a lot of fun.