50th Birthday Ride
- + I am planning to ride the entire Katy trail in July of 06 as a present for my 50th birthday. I have a plan and intend to take four days to make the trip. Along the way I will ride with my wife and c...
Discussion started 12/30/2005 10:44 AM by sltex38 - 15 replies (last reply by sltex38 at 07/14/2006 03:24 PM)sltex38 from Fredericksburg Virginia on 12/30/2005 10:44 AM
I am planning to ride the entire Katy trail in July of 06 as a present for my 50th birthday. I have a plan and intend to take four days to make the trip. Along the way I will ride with my wife and children, but they will only commit to riding a piece at a time. I have been a bicycle nut for years and have had the opportunity to ride in Germany, Italy, and England along with many places in the US. I really like to ride here in the Washington DC area, but am looking to riding in my "home state" of Missouri. I hope everyone will wish me well and send any suggestions my way. Hope to see you in July.
Steve
frank from festus,mo on 12/30/2005 08:23 PM
enjoy your ride. hope to do the same some day. only suggestions, just enjoy it.
savage24 from KC,MO on 12/31/2005 06:03 AM
sltex38,
What are your plans for lodging? Camping, motels, or B&B's? One suggestion I can offer for riding the trail in July is to get up with the chickens and get on the trail early to get most of your miles in before the heat of the day. This might mean eating breakfast by yourself if your wife & kids aren't early risers.
Anonymous on 12/31/2005 07:45 PM
I also spent my 50th birthday doing my first Katy trail ride. It's an awesome way to celebrate and set the tone for your next 50 years!
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 01/04/2006 10:22 AM
Awesome!!!! It has got to be one of the best if not the best bicycle "cruises" available. You go F.O.G.!!! Regards..Mark of the Dalton Boys
dale nimmo from springfield missouri on 01/07/2006 11:40 AM
i rode the trail last year
i turn 50 this year as well
and plan to do the trail again.
however, this year, i might not ride the whole thing round trip
maybe just one way
would you like a riding partner?
Mike from St. Charles on 01/07/2006 02:50 PM
Just wanted to let you know that you should stop by Maryland Yards in St. Charles. They are located right on the Katy Trail and have a huge deck overlooking the trail. Good luck and have fun on your trip. Happy 50th.
Troy Ratliff from Jonesboro, AR on 01/08/2006 12:24 PM
I agree with savage 24. The heat and humidity can be brutal in July in this area. I would ride early until 10:00 or so, then rest until late afternoon and then ride again.
bigdaddy35 from Hattiesburg, MS on 01/13/2006 05:14 PM
Good luck on your trip! I did my first long distance ride last May, biking the Natchez Trace with 3 friends. I would suggest getting a guidebook. We had one on our ride and it was a huge help. I plan on riding the Katy Trail in May.
Brian L. from Wichita on 01/18/2006 04:45 PM
Speaking of guidebooks, is there any particular one that y'all recommend? The bikekatytrail.com site is wonderful, but it would be nice to have something comprehensive & compact, too.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 01/18/2006 09:53 PM
The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur
http://www.pebblepublishing.com/complete_katy_trail_guidebook.htm
Brian L. from Wichita on 01/23/2006 10:21 PM
Thanks for the tip - I ordered the Dufur book & it came today -- looks nice & complete & is the new 8th (2005) edition.
sltex38 from Fredericksburg Virginia on 02/06/2006 12:04 PM
Wow, thanks for all the support and suggestions. I am going to play the heat by ear. I have ridden three Hotter n' Hell 100 rides as well as several MS150 rides in north Texas so I am well aware of the heat. The humid conditions in MO is my biggest concern so I am prepared to stop during mid day. I am not sure where I am going to stay, but I am thinking about trailer camping and letting my wife and kids take the camper ahead. I will decide more as I go. Thanks for everything so far.
TimG from Ozark, MO on 04/10/2006 01:06 PM
Good luck and have a great ride!!My wife and I are riding the end of May for my 50th later this year. I can't think of a better present. Clean air, beautiful scenery and no phones. It can't get any better.
klr on 04/25/2006 02:29 PM
Thanks for the fabulous suggestion. I've ridden the Katy many times in pieces and have ridden it once end to end. I am 50 TODAY! I plan on putting together a complete trail ride for myself and a few friends, or perhaps with my husband for a week in June. I really want to stop overnight in the winery towns to truly celebrate -- fresh air, great "pump", beautiful scenery, good wine and great companionship! What could be better!
sltex38 from Fredericksburg VA on 07/14/2006 03:24 PM
I am finished! My son and I rode the entire trail 5-7 July and found it to be a challenge. We rode Clinton East and had the wind in our face the whole way. Not just a little wind, but a strong gale force wind (or so it seemed). We were on road bikes with 700x25 tires and did not have an single flat or problem. Our support vehicle met us at every stop for water up and pictures. Some trailhead locations are hard to find, but they did well. The trail is good from Clinton but gets worse as you go east, being very poor in some areas. We stayed at the Hampton in Clinton the night before departure (excellent), the Casino in Boonville (not great) and at the Doll House in Rhineland (excellent). We expected ugly weather, but could not have ordered three better days for riding. We are already putting plans in place to do it again in a couple years. Please let me know if you have questions or want information on any segment. Thanks for the support.
Steve
Scenic Cycles (Marthasville)
- + I was grateful to get to a shop--my pump had broken a couple of days earlier. Nice little
setup with camping area. The woman who helped me, however, was passive-aggressive
and pushed a lot of ...
Discussion started 01/12/2006 01:12 PM by Richard - 1 reply (last reply by David at 07/14/2006 01:24 PM)Richard on 01/12/2006 01:12 PM
I was grateful to get to a shop--my pump had broken a couple of days earlier. Nice little
setup with camping area. The woman who helped me, however, was passive-aggressive
and pushed a lot of "sale" merchandise on me. Next time I'll take my chances and ride on
to Augusta.
Richard on 01/12/2006 01:12 PM
I was grateful to get to a shop--my pump had broken a couple of days earlier. Nice little
setup with camping area. The woman who helped me, however, was passive-aggressive
and pushed a lot of "sale" merchandise on me. Next time I'll take my chances and ride on
to Augusta.
David from Springfield on 07/14/2006 01:24 PM
Actually, pushing sale merchandise isn't being passive aggressive; it is simply being a salesperson.
David from Springfield on 07/14/2006 01:24 PM
Actually, pushing sale merchandise isn't being passive aggressive; it is simply being a salesperson.
Farrington Park (Windsor)
- + Where is Farrington Park in Windsor located? I am thinking about camping there and am wondering how far off the trail it is. Anyone have an idea?
Discussion started 09/19/2005 03:52 PM by GC - 6 replies (last reply by dwight the troubled teen at 07/14/2006 12:51 PM)GC from Columbia on 09/19/2005 03:52 PM
Where is Farrington Park in Windsor located? I am thinking about camping there and am wondering how far off the trail it is. Anyone have an idea?
Ray (webmaster) on 09/19/2005 04:09 PM
Here are directions, which I also added to the Farrington Park page on this website. It's a little less than a mile from the trail.
For additional information or for camping reservations, contact Windsor's Park Board President, Ruth Taylor, at 660-647-5804
From the trailhead, go southeast on Florence St for 8/10 mile. When Florence ends at Jackson St, go left (east) on Jackson 1/10 mile. This puts you at the southwest corner of the park.
MJP from Kansas City on 10/17/2005 11:46 PM
Any reviews of this campground?
D & K from Blue Springs, MO on 07/03/2006 08:06 PM
The camping is good at Farrington Park in Windsor. No showers, but portable John and regular facilities for bathroom near the lake. It is a pretty scene. We saw a striped bass jump out of the water. Three herons flying about. Bats at night. There are large trees near the camping area. It was our first experience camping together.
John from Tulsa on 07/08/2006 01:35 PM
Does Farrington Park have a municple swimming pool? Thanks!
ET from Columbia on 07/10/2006 12:21 PM
I'm pretty sure the answer is "no," and the lake isn't really a swimming lake, either.
dwight the troubled teen on 07/14/2006 12:51 PM
Uhm... No disrespect to Farrington Park. The park groundskeeper is a wonderful man. Windsor is a lovely town.
But this is "get what you pay for" camping. Your $7 gets you a grassy spot directly under a streetlight with only a pump handle for services. It's a big, pretty park, but the authorized camping section is a tiny little corner. No complaints. It served me well.
How's the ride going west from Weldon Spring to St Charles?
- + I am planning a one day ride from either Treloar or Marthasville to St. Charles.Just wondering if the last part of the trail when travelling west remains rural all the way through to St. Charles or do...
Discussion started 07/12/2006 06:54 AM by M.Sorrell - 4 replies (last reply by dwight the troubled teen at 07/14/2006 12:44 PM)M.Sorrell from SW Missouri on 07/12/2006 06:54 AM
I am planning a one day ride from either Treloar or Marthasville to St. Charles.Just wondering if the last part of the trail when travelling west remains rural all the way through to St. Charles or do you travel through and in some traffic at the end from Weldon Spring to St.Charles?
JIMB from COLUMBIA, MO on 07/12/2006 12:05 PM
That ride is impossibly difficult! However if you ride EAST you will have a great time. There is road construction at an intersection with HWY 94 but the traffic is always on a different path than the KATY. You will enjoy most the section through Weldon Springs nature ares.
M.Sorrell from SW MO. on 07/12/2006 04:09 PM
Thanks JIM B for commenting.
I made a mistake by saying "west from W.Spring to St. Charles."I should have said "East",and yes I plan to ride Easterly.
By the way,do you mean that it is difficult because of me biking that amount of miles in one day or that part of the trail is just difficult?
Jim from St. Thomas on 07/13/2006 11:24 AM
I think he meant that if you're riding West from Weldon Springs to get to St. Charles you've got a 24,000 mile ride in front of you. The 24,000 ride itself isn't that bad but the two ocean crossings are extreeeeeeemly difficult on a bike.
dwight the troubled teen on 07/14/2006 12:44 PM
Just keep in mind that there are zero water opportunities between St. Charles and Defiance. It's a long, dry stretch. Make sure you have plenty of water before heading that long stretch through Greens Bottom/Weldon Springs.
Boonville lodging
- + biking the Katy - 4 men staying in Boonville one night in Oct - seems Lady Goldenrod B&B and Morgan Street Repose B&B are no longer - is Rivercene B&B only in town B&B? - closest motel is Homestead o...
Discussion started 07/10/2006 06:13 PM by gary - 4 replies (last reply by dwight the troubled teen at 07/14/2006 12:40 PM)gary from denver on 07/10/2006 06:13 PM
biking the Katy - 4 men staying in Boonville one night in Oct - seems Lady Goldenrod B&B and Morgan Street Repose B&B are no longer - is Rivercene B&B only in town B&B? - closest motel is Homestead on #40? or is there any in town?
sbikes from Kansas City on 07/10/2006 07:38 PM
Pay an extra $3 a night and stay at the Dimple Inn (across the street from the Homestead).
MUCH cleaner, nice family runs it and cheap. I haven't stayed there in a couple of years, but
a friend and I used to stay there a lot for about $30 a night. At the Homestead you have to
pay extra to get the remote for the TV...the remote is free at the Dimple. And, they were
great about the bikes and giving us extra towels. It's a small, older place, but good, clean
and cheap.
Ray (Webmaster) on 07/11/2006 10:59 PM
There are at least four B&Bs in Boonville: Rivercene, Officers Club, Riverview Suites, and Garden Gate. Also, the casino now has a hotel. And of course, several motels out on highway 70. Check out the
Boonville page.
Pez Collecting Bike Dude from Independence MO on 07/13/2006 07:56 PM
Last night I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Boonville, it was a great little place and bike friendly. It is a little ways from the trail hread , but there is a service enterance very close to the motel. I also noticed that there was a brand new Isle of Capri Casino with a motel , located right at the Trailhead, and the trail goes directly on the property.
dwight the troubled teen on 07/14/2006 12:40 PM
Hey, this is not yet updated on the Web site, but the Isle of Capris Casino and Hotel is right on the trail. In fact, the trail curves around the parking lot. You can't miss it.
It just opened less than a year ago.
Is there any shade between Sedalia and Boonville
- + My husband and I are thinking about riding the entire trail next June and we thought we would do the Sedalia to Boonville section as a trial. We are not familiar with the trail and wondered if there w...
Discussion started 07/12/2006 01:24 PM by Susan - 2 replies (last reply by Mark at 07/13/2006 08:28 AM)Susan from Manhattan, KS on 07/12/2006 01:24 PM
My husband and I are thinking about riding the entire trail next June and we thought we would do the Sedalia to Boonville section as a trial. We are not familiar with the trail and wondered if there was much shade/trees along the Sedalia to Boonville section. We were thinking of doing it in August sometime but might delay if there is no shade.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 07/12/2006 03:59 PM
Yes....there is shade on this stretch. Just for fun, go to Google maps and key in either Booneville or Sedalia and follow the trail between the two towns.....you will find quite a bit of shade.
I rode from Sedalia to Jeff City and back Memorial weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see the Stealth bomber overhead while on this part of the trail. I also discovered that a cell phone, while ringing, can spook deer out of the trees and onto the trail directly in front of you. Thought I was gonna crash on that one!
Enjoy your ride!
Mark from Iowa on 07/13/2006 08:28 AM
This is one of the most shady sections of the trail.
great place
- + We've eaten here twice now. The food is excellent. Breakfast is fantastic, and the sandwiches are good, too. We plan to return often.
Discussion started 07/12/2006 12:04 PM by Mark Ford - 2 replies (last reply by Mark of the Dalton Boys at 07/12/2006 03:13 PM)Mark Ford from Troy on 07/12/2006 12:04 PM
We've eaten here twice now. The food is excellent. Breakfast is fantastic, and the sandwiches are good, too. We plan to return often.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 07/12/2006 01:18 PM
Soooooo.........where is here???
Mark of the Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 07/12/2006 03:13 PM
...or in the inimetable words of Doug Supernaw "...we're all here, but we're not all there". Regards....Mark of the Dalton Boys
Twin Gables (Marthasville)
- + We ate breakfast here. It was open early, good food with decent prices. You can see it from the trail & the ball park where we camped.
Discussion started 09/27/2005 09:56 AM by Vickie - 1 reply (last reply by Mark Ford at 07/12/2006 12:05 PM)Vickie from Kansas City Mo on 09/27/2005 09:56 AM
We ate breakfast here. It was open early, good food with decent prices. You can see it from the trail & the ball park where we camped.
Vickie from Kansas City Mo on 09/27/2005 09:56 AM
We ate breakfast here. It was open early, good food with decent prices. You can see it from the trail & the ball park where we camped.
Mark Ford from Troy on 07/12/2006 12:05 PM
no longer serving breakfast...
Mark Ford from Troy on 07/12/2006 12:05 PM
no longer serving breakfast...
Claysville Store/Restaurant
- + Can anyone give me the phone number to the Claysville Restaurant that serves that wonderful fried chicken? Also, the address? I have tried w/no luck to contact them. We forgot to leave the waiter a ti...
Discussion started 07/11/2006 01:37 PM by rhonv1959 - 1 reply (last reply by geea at 07/12/2006 07:35 AM)rhonv1959 from Jefferson City on 07/11/2006 01:37 PM
Can anyone give me the phone number to the Claysville Restaurant that serves that wonderful fried chicken? Also, the address? I have tried w/no luck to contact them. We forgot to leave the waiter a tip this past Sunday and would like to mail one. Thanks. Rhonda
geea on 07/12/2006 07:35 AM
Sorry I do not have the address but I have the phone number
573-696-8443, maybe it will help you contact them. They will have a Hartsburg zip and maybe the postmaster in Hartsburg can help
(573-657-2300)if you can not get a hold of them.