Katy Trail Forum

Kansas City PBS did a great show on the Katy this evening. The show told the history, pros and cons of the trail, and all the great towns.



Anyone else catch it?



It will come on again!

http://www.kcpt.org/



Suposedly you can buy the tape. One hour show and well worth it.



It was produced for the show SCREENtime.

Yes, I saw it. I thought it was great. My Wife said it was made in 1999, so it was old but well worth watching, they need to make a 30 min, once a week series.

I saw the PBS show also. I really enjoyed it - in fact, it made me want to realize the dream I've had for quite sometime about biking the Katy Trail. I hear others talk about it, but I've never experienced it. I'm not much of an athlete, but I think I'd like to start getting in shape, and ride the entire trail by this time next year. It's a great goal to strive toward.

Hi all,

As next Friday is Ride-your-bike-to-work day I was hoping to ride in to the research park in St. Charles from the trailheat at the Page Ave. extension. All I'm trying to find out is the best way to get from the Katy to the research park, google earth makes it look like there might be a connector, but I don't recall seeing one. Any help would be appreciated with this,

Thanks

You might be able to jump off the trail and head to Woofrim Rd as shown in this picture:

http://www.terraserverusa.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=15&X=3517&Y=21426&W=3

However, that's probably private property you'll cross and the road itself might be a private drive. Better to investigate it first.



There is a proposed link to the KATY along a creek that is just west of this photo. Go to:

http://www.um-mrp.org/home.html

Click on "Take a Virtual Tour" and then click on "Interactive Lot Map" in the new window.

The Green Ridge Bar and Grill is now open in greenridge. The hours are from 7am to 10pm they have a great breakfast and the biggest all meat tenderloin you will ever see. Burfs Green ridge grill is across the street from casey's on cooper street. friendly staff and great food.

That's great news. Anyone know their phone number?

I live in Kansas City and I would like to bike the entire trail this summer. Which direction would you recommend? I think I saw that West to East is more downhill. Is this true? Do most people usually go west to east?

I biked the trail from west to east in April. There's a small grade between Sedelia and Boonesville, but not enough that I would call it uphill. I was told the prevailing winds were usually from west to east, but the four days I was on the trail they were from all directions.

West to east for the following reasons:



1. The scenery and trail conditions tend to improve in that direction

2. Net downhill but overall that is not a huge factor on the trail

3. The highway is usually closer to the trail on the eastern portions which is reassuring on the latter stages of a long ride.

4. It seems preferable to have the sun behind you at the end of the day, rather than in your face during the latter part of a long hot day.

5. The wind seems to be a debatable subject and one can check all of the websites they wish but anyone who rides alot, flies R/C helicopters or has a flagpole within view of their office window has an opinion that the net wind vector tends to be at least partially out of the west more often than from the east. Perhaps this varies somewhat across the state?

6. There are more places to get toasted in St. Charles than Clinton after a long ride.

Okay...so they do not allow tents. But let me tell you at the end of a week in a tent, a cabin

was a welcome site. They were pretty nice. Plus they have a convenient trolley shuttle that will

take you into St Charles until like 5pm.

Okay...so they do not allow tents. But let me tell you at the end of a week in a tent, a cabin

was a welcome site. They were pretty nice. Plus they have a convenient trolley shuttle that will

take you into St Charles until like 5pm.

A fine place to stay. They are very friendly, and most helpful. The host helped me cut through a bicycle lock, when I found I had left my key at home. We are staying there again this year in transit.

A fine place to stay. They are very friendly, and most helpful. The host helped me cut through a bicycle lock, when I found I had left my key at home. We are staying there again this year in transit.

The officers club is very clean and has all the touches of home. The beds are very comfortable. Paula is a wonderful host and prepares delicious baked goods to sample and an exquisite breakfast! :P

The officers club is very clean and has all the touches of home. The beds are very comfortable. Paula is a wonderful host and prepares delicious baked goods to sample and an exquisite breakfast! :P

My daughter from Germany & I want to plan a day trip hopefully to include the "best" part of the trail and perhaps a ride on Amtrak. Any ideas about where to start, how far to ride, where to catch the train (or should it just be a round-trip ride), etc? We will be unable to stay overnight on the trail unfortunately & hope to do this on 5/29 or 5/30. I live in KC (Overland Park). THX

I think almost everyone agrees that the prettiest part is East from Rocheport. It depends on how far you want to go, but you could cross the river and catch Amtrak in Jeff City. You would have to check times, though, and Amtrak won't take you back to Rocheport--you would end up in Sedalia. Besides, the bridge crossing at Jeff City isn't great unless you're a pretty confident cyclist. I guess I would recommend an out-and-back from Rocheport if you only have the one day. Also, consider Rocheport to Columbia instead of staying on the main trail--Columbia would be a good destination for lunch (or start in Columbia and go to Rocheport for lunch at Les Bourgeois, taking their trail up the bluff to the restaurant on the East side of town.

e t hit the nail on the head with rocheport then east being the prettiest part of the trail. i have ridden from columbia to rocheport and back. easy riddin and pretty also. you will need to check with amtrak on the towns they stop in. have fun and happy bikin.

ET and Frank - Thanks for your responses. Very helpful! We'll plan on the Columbia/Rocheport round-trip ride.

Since we'll start our ride in the morning would you suggest us riding from Columbia to Rocheport to avoid sun in the face or are there other factors we should consider? Just looking for it to be the best experience since we have limited opporutnity together. Thanks again!

Yes, if it's a sunny day, you would be better of riding west in the morning, because there are some not-very-shady stretches near McBaine. As for starting in Columbia, there are several trail heads, the two easiest to access and park being off of Stadium, at the MLK Memorial garden, or off of Forum. The official trail head is at Flat Branch Park, at 4th and Cherry downtown. When they finish the construction there, it's going to be great--they are nearly ready to pour the concrete for the 4 new underpasses that will mean no road crossings. From what I hear, though, it's not likely to be done until mid-June, so if you are riding before that, you will need to cross Providence, Stewart, Locust and Elm to get into the downtown area. The other good thing about starting in Columbia is that lunch at Les Bourgeois really is a treat. The restaurant is on a bluff with a gorgeus river view, and the food and wine are good. I recommend, unless you are keen mountain bikers, that you lock your bikes up at the rack at the bottom of their trail and walk up==it's steep and twisty, but really gorgeous. It was built entirely by hand (that is pickaxe, shovel and wheelbarrow) by a man who used to be the groundsman there. Don't just stop at the winery, though--be sure to ride on into Rocheport to see the MKT tunnel, and Rocheport itself, which is a cute little town with several interesting art and antique shops.

Is there a spot in N. Jefferson where we can store our bikes for one night?

We stopped at the Cycle Depot our last day on the trail this past Sunday and had a great visit. The owners are the friendliest people you'll ever meet! I found the cutest water bottles with holders for my kids’ tag-a-long bikes, children’s cycling gloves, and the perfect helmets for myself and my son. I found a great brass bell for my handlebar. They have a nice selection of bikes, including recumbents for excellent prices! I can’t put into words how comfy that recumbent seat was after riding for three days on my upright mountain bike! They also have some nice jerseys, shorts, and other biking apparel and all sorts of bike parts and accessories. This is definitely a stop I recommend. They are easy to find, right next to Dotty’s Cafe. We’ll be coming back to the Cycle Depot on future trips.

We stopped at the Cycle Depot our last day on the trail this past Sunday and had a great visit. The owners are the friendliest people you'll ever meet! I found the cutest water bottles with holders for my kids’ tag-a-long bikes, children’s cycling gloves, and the perfect helmets for myself and my son. I found a great brass bell for my handlebar. They have a nice selection of bikes, including recumbents for excellent prices! I can’t put into words how comfy that recumbent seat was after riding for three days on my upright mountain bike! They also have some nice jerseys, shorts, and other biking apparel and all sorts of bike parts and accessories. This is definitely a stop I recommend. They are easy to find, right next to Dotty’s Cafe. We’ll be coming back to the Cycle Depot on future trips.

The Cycle Depot is great! Most folks are suprised to find a full serve bike shop with a

certified mechanic along the trail. They also offer custom built bikes as Mark is a frame

builder. They offer service for road bikes and mountain bikes which makes them rather

unique along the trail. I highly recommend them!

The Cycle Depot is great! Most folks are suprised to find a full serve bike shop with a

certified mechanic along the trail. They also offer custom built bikes as Mark is a frame

builder. They offer service for road bikes and mountain bikes which makes them rather

unique along the trail. I highly recommend them!

I want to add my name to those singing the praises of the Cycle Depot! Mark is the best bicycle mechanic I have found; a rare combination of excellent mechanical skills PLUS excellent customer relations skills.

I want to add my name to those singing the praises of the Cycle Depot! Mark is the best bicycle mechanic I have found; a rare combination of excellent mechanical skills PLUS excellent customer relations skills.

both these people are absolutely correct. i have only had the oppurtunity to stop there once, but it was an enjoyable time. good snacks to.

both these people are absolutely correct. i have only had the oppurtunity to stop there once, but it was an enjoyable time. good snacks to.

On the trail late last fall we were so happy to see the cycle shop open, most places(including the cafe'in town) are closed on mondays. We were in need of a dry warm place and starving. The owners went into their kitchen and whipped us up lunch(fantastic soup and bread)they were even kind enough to dry our clothing. What a little gem on the trail and they really try their best to serve cyclist. We were not charged for the food since they are not a cafe but felt a big tip would be appreciated to pay for what we ate. Good food, good conversation and laughs at their coffee bar made our trip(rain and all)worth while. We left dry,full and happy. Thanks Cyle Depot for being there.

On the trail late last fall we were so happy to see the cycle shop open, most places(including the cafe'in town) are closed on mondays. We were in need of a dry warm place and starving. The owners went into their kitchen and whipped us up lunch(fantastic soup and bread)they were even kind enough to dry our clothing. What a little gem on the trail and they really try their best to serve cyclist. We were not charged for the food since they are not a cafe but felt a big tip would be appreciated to pay for what we ate. Good food, good conversation and laughs at their coffee bar made our trip(rain and all)worth while. We left dry,full and happy. Thanks Cyle Depot for being there.

One of the things that gives the section from Pitman Hill Road to Weldon Springs is also responsible for its beauty. You are riding along some significant bluffs. This is one of my favorite sections when the trees have all their leaves. The branches on the trees on either side of the trail touch overhead. It gives one the feeling of riding through a kind of tunnel.

One of the things that gives the section from Pitman Hill Road to Weldon Springs is also responsible for its beauty. You are riding along some significant bluffs. This is one of my favorite sections when the trees have all their leaves. The branches on the trees on either side of the trail touch overhead. It gives one the feeling of riding through a kind of tunnel.

....like touring in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Tree tubes are the best.....I will agree with you there.

....like touring in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Tree tubes are the best.....I will agree with you there.

I ditto the praises for the Cycle Depot. And, one of the things I love about them is that they

are a REAL bike shop, not just a place along the trail that rents bikes. For those of us in the

Mid-Missouri area, they are a godsend. I am pretty new to this area and this is the only bike

shop I have found in mid-Missouri where the mechanic is a real bike mechanic and not just

some guy working in a bike shop. Highest praises for the Cycle Depot.

I ditto the praises for the Cycle Depot. And, one of the things I love about them is that they

are a REAL bike shop, not just a place along the trail that rents bikes. For those of us in the

Mid-Missouri area, they are a godsend. I am pretty new to this area and this is the only bike

shop I have found in mid-Missouri where the mechanic is a real bike mechanic and not just

some guy working in a bike shop. Highest praises for the Cycle Depot.

We pulled into Hartsburg on a late Monday morning and pulling up in front of the Cycle Depot, were informed by the owners that all the restaurants were closed that day but we could find some things inside their store that might help us out.



We had for "emergency food" we were carrying some bagels with peanut butter and honey, and added to that for our lunch were chips, bananas, cold drinks and ice cream from the Cycle Depot that really hit the spot. They even recycle the drink bottles!



This shop is great and has really has a very complete selection of biking accessories. Highly recommended for a stop in, even if your bike is doing fine.

We pulled into Hartsburg on a late Monday morning and pulling up in front of the Cycle Depot, were informed by the owners that all the restaurants were closed that day but we could find some things inside their store that might help us out.



We had for "emergency food" we were carrying some bagels with peanut butter and honey, and added to that for our lunch were chips, bananas, cold drinks and ice cream from the Cycle Depot that really hit the spot. They even recycle the drink bottles!



This shop is great and has really has a very complete selection of biking accessories. Highly recommended for a stop in, even if your bike is doing fine.

Hartsburg Cycle Depot is the best. Thanks for sharing your story!

Hartsburg Cycle Depot is the best. Thanks for sharing your story!

I'm working on planning a trip on the Katy Trail in early June. My riding partner is only up for a 3 or maybe 4 day trip and riding 30-35 miles a day . We're planning to stay in B&Bs for those nights. I'm interested in any suggestions for the starting and ending points for the trips and any other suggestions for planning the trip.

I recommend getting Brett Dufur's The Complete KATY Trail Guidebook. It will help greatly in planning a cycling adventure across Missouri.



Based on your plans, I would like to suggest starting in Sedalia and riding to Hermann where you can catch the AMTRAK back to Sedalia. The Sedalia House B&B has a nice KATY Trail package that includes shuttles. You can leave your car at our place and we would shuttle you to the trailhead after breakfast. We would then pick you up at the AMTRAK station upon your return, and you can either spend another night or head on your way.



In any case, we wish you the very best on your trip and hope you enjoy your visit to Missouri.

This web site is a great resource for planning a ride....there is even a hot key above titled "Plan a Ride!" Ray does a very good job of keeping this site current. He even won an award for it!!



IMHO: Dufur's book is a good guide while on the trail for general reference, but I prefer this site to get to the facts that don't wait on a book publication date to be current....and I don't have to weed through irrelevant facts about each and every town that are of little interest to me while planning a ride. Modern day....I'm more concerned about food/shelter, etc. in a town than knowing that it was flooded there 20 years ago.

Pat, this website and Dufur's book are excellent resources, so I recommend using both for planning and while on the trail. You started in the right place, because there are many avid KATY Trail cyclists who will provide their own unique spin. Each cyclist has their own reason to ride the trail. Some for strictly the physical activity, and others for the pleasure of an enjoyable adventure. Whatever your pleasure, please fell free to enjoy the history of the trail and those towns you pass through. We welcome you and hope you have a truly enjoyable ride.

Dufur's book is indeed a great reference - you can get a copy at Pebble Publishing's website

Thanks! I've ordered the book.

I would suggest parking at St. Charles, and then getting shuttled to Rocheport to start your trip back east. With overnight stops at Jefferson City, McKittrick/Herman/ and Augusta, you will arrive back at St. Charles on the 4th day.