Summit Lake Winery (Hartsburg)
- + A group of six of us ate here June 3rd. Excellent food, great wine. The patio is such a wonderful place to sit in nice weather. We had a great time! Whatever wine you have with your meal, end the ...
Discussion started 06/05/2006 08:00 AM by TS - 5 replies (last reply by sbikes at 07/18/2006 05:53 PM)TS from Alma, Kansas on 06/05/2006 08:00 AM
A group of six of us ate here June 3rd. Excellent food, great wine. The patio is such a wonderful place to sit in nice weather. We had a great time! Whatever wine you have with your meal, end the evening with a bottle of Port and conversation. How can you go wrong?
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 06/05/2006 09:25 AM
With a bottle of Portugal wine? When in Missouri, try a good Les Bourgeois or Stone Hill......of course there are many other good Missouri vineyards.
savage24 from KC MO on 06/05/2006 07:29 PM
I hope that was 'tongue in cheek' Trek Biker!
sbikes from Kansas City on 06/05/2006 07:42 PM
The 'port' is a fine Missouri "port" I mean, Missouri has Mexico and Paris...why not Portugal
too!! : )
crozetiga from Columbia on 07/18/2006 09:08 AM
I havent been through Hartsburg in a few years. Did the old Thornhill Winery get bought out by Summit Lake? Any info would be great.
sbikes from Kansas City on 07/18/2006 05:53 PM
Yes. Summit Lake has a location in Holts Summit and this is a new location with different
menu items...oh, and the wine is good too! Plus, they have Guiness which is a plus for me!
Sharon
State Champion Bur Oak
- + The State Champion Bur Oak tree is owned by Mr. John Sam Williamson, Jr. and is located in Boone County It is with in the vicinity of Huntsdale MO.
By Katy Trail it is near mile 170, you'll se...
Discussion started 06/15/2006 02:30 PM by KAD - 1 reply (last reply by Columbia Cycler at 07/17/2006 09:22 PM)KAD from Huntsdale MO on 06/15/2006 02:30 PM
The State Champion Bur Oak tree is owned by Mr. John Sam Williamson, Jr. and is located in Boone County It is with in the vicinity of Huntsdale MO.
By Katy Trail it is near mile 170, you'll see the tree to the south, some 100 yards or so from the trail
By Auto off the Corner of Burr Oak Rd & Grocery Branch east of Huntsdale MO.
Many of the members of Huntsdale with the Help & blessing of Mr. Williamson are working on preserving and maintaining the tree for all to enjoy.
The tree has much History it is said that it’s Circumference is about 289" Height 85 feet and has a spread of about 118 feet. Estimated age is Over 400 years.
By the Missouri Department of Conservation – State champion Tree Chart - This Burr Oak was Given 402 Points.
Come and Visit The Tree and then travel west about 1.2 miles on the trail and stop in at Katfish Katy’s Campground & Store for a drink and a great River View!
See U Soon! - KAD
Columbia Cycler from Columbia on 07/17/2006 09:22 PM
I've visited the spectacular Redwoods of California which are indeed quite impressive. Nonetheless, this tree stands alone -- literally! Definitely a special little power spot of its own!
Listing needs updating!
- + This is not just an outdoor restaurant! They had minimal indoor seating downstairs, but a few months ago, a great newly-renovated room upstairs opened, with its own bar too. The patio area wraps aroun...
Discussion started 07/15/2006 09:31 AM by Sara - 4 replies (last reply by sbikes at 07/16/2006 07:04 PM)Sara from St Charles on 07/15/2006 09:31 AM
This is not just an outdoor restaurant! They had minimal indoor seating downstairs, but a few months ago, a great newly-renovated room upstairs opened, with its own bar too. The patio area wraps around the entire building with a lot of trees, so it's very nice. The hours shown don't go late enough either. This place has a much better atmosphere than its neighbor for folks who've just come off the trail.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 07/15/2006 11:11 AM
Well....I'm not going regardless of the atmosphere or the wrap around patio. The word on the street is that this place is just way too darn hard to find anyway.
sbikes from Kansas City on 07/15/2006 11:28 AM
Hard to find is right...I mean without a name or a location to go by, I guess you just have to
be "in the know"...haven't you received your magic decoder ring yet??? Sharon
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 07/15/2006 11:39 AM
I was on the Katy last Sunday and there was not a decoder ring to be found at any of the trailheads or local businesses that I pasted. But I wasn't wearing my 3-D glasses either.
sbikes from Kansas City on 07/16/2006 07:04 PM
Well, you need your 3-D glasses AND the password...didn't you get that in the mail???
Bike Rack recommendation
- + We are looking to upgrade our hitch-mount bike rack on our Explorer. We are looking at the Thule Expressway or the Yakima Slickroc. We're wondering if anyone has these models, what are the advantages ...
Discussion started 07/15/2006 06:30 PM by pas - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/16/2006 07:08 AM)pas from Wentzville, MO on 07/15/2006 06:30 PM
We are looking to upgrade our hitch-mount bike rack on our Explorer. We are looking at the Thule Expressway or the Yakima Slickroc. We're wondering if anyone has these models, what are the advantages and disadvantages? We would appreciate your advice. Thanks!
Anonymous on 07/16/2006 06:39 AM
Last year we looked at nearly every brand available and compared them all. We ended up buying a Softride and have never regretted it. Solid and it will fold down to allow you to access the back of your Exploder without removing the bikes! All other brands tell you to remove bikes before folding down. We travel quite a bit with our bikes and this is a definite plus. Check them out at softride.com
Not many dealers around, we got ours at Cape Girardeau RV dealer, $179.
Anonymous on 07/16/2006 07:08 AM
Sorry, I should have also suggested that you check out mtbr.com
Lets you review about anything bicycle related. Click on Clothing/Accessories drop down box then select Bike Rack, must be over a hundred different models reviewed.
Polly's B&B and Tearoom.
- + We stayed two nights at Polly's Tearoom and B&B and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's a small (two BR) B&B run by a very nice lady--Polly. The breakfasts were superb. Rates are very reasonabl...
Discussion started 07/14/2006 10:22 PM by Jim - 0 repliesJim from Oklahoma on 07/14/2006 10:22 PM
We stayed two nights at Polly's Tearoom and B&B and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's a small (two BR) B&B run by a very nice lady--Polly. The breakfasts were superb. Rates are very reasonable. She serves lunch Tuesday thru Fri. We rode from there to a few miles east of Rocheport--a very nice part of the trail. The winery at Rocheport is definitely worth a stop. We biked a tough 3/4 mile up the mountain from Rocheport, but perhaps a mile east of Rocheport on the Katy trail is a rack for your bike and a path to hike to the winery. We ate one evening at the casino in Boonville--good but overpriced at $17 per person.
Resturant at Stone Hill
- + The meal started great then the waitress lost our order and forgot about us. We did not get our food till an hour later, about the same time they were closing. They were rushing us out and cleaning ...
Discussion started 07/14/2006 03:36 PM by sltex38 - 1 reply (last reply by Trek Biker at 07/14/2006 03:56 PM)sltex38 from Fredericksburg VA on 07/14/2006 03:36 PM
The meal started great then the waitress lost our order and forgot about us. We did not get our food till an hour later, about the same time they were closing. They were rushing us out and cleaning around us. It turned a great meal into a bad one. I was very disappointed.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 07/14/2006 03:56 PM
Our experience was quite the opposite. We had lunch there a few weeks ago and it could not have been any better. The service was prompt and friendly....and the German food was well served and tasty. We had stopped by the prior evening and there was a huge crowd so we opted for lunch the next day to avoid becoming lost in the crowd.
Hampton Inn - Excellent
- + We stayed at the Hampton prior to leaving on our first day of riding. The service was beyond excellent, the room was perfect, and the breakfast was great. With the price very comparable to the other...
Discussion started 07/14/2006 03:31 PM by sltex38 - 0 repliessltex38 from Fredericksburg VA on 07/14/2006 03:31 PM
We stayed at the Hampton prior to leaving on our first day of riding. The service was beyond excellent, the room was perfect, and the breakfast was great. With the price very comparable to the other hotels in town I think you will find the Hampton the best hotel in Clinton.
Doll House
- + We stayed at the Doll House at the end of the second day of riding. Amanda was very willing to work with our ride schedule and had a large platter of cookies waiting. She showed us the house and lef...
Discussion started 07/14/2006 03:30 PM by sltex38 - 0 repliessltex38 from Fredericksburg VA on 07/14/2006 03:30 PM
We stayed at the Doll House at the end of the second day of riding. Amanda was very willing to work with our ride schedule and had a large platter of cookies waiting. She showed us the house and left us alone to settle in. It was a wonderful place and I would suggest this stop to all riders. Even the price was right. Next trip you can bet we will stop here again.
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.