Katy Trail Forum

I'm planning a trip for late September and was considering staying in Jefferson City one night. I 'finally' got my new Katy Trail Guidebook and it mentions Holts Summit as an alternative. Has anyone stayed there? I like the fact that you can bike to the Best Value Inn. How far is it to get there and what is the trail/road like to get there?

I'm planning a trip for late September and was considering staying in Jefferson City one night. I 'finally' got my new Katy Trail Guidebook and it mentions Holts Summit as an alternative. Has anyone stayed there? I like the fact that you can bike to the Best Value Inn. How far is it to get there and what is the trail/road like to get there?

Read the thread below:



Subject: summit plaza best value inn -- holts summit



I has some insight from others who have stayed there.
Enjoy

Read the thread below:



Subject: summit plaza best value inn -- holts summit



I has some insight from others who have stayed there.
Enjoy

I would not recommend riding your bike to Holts Summit. It's only 4 miles, but you would be riding on the shoulder of highway 54, a 4-lane interstate. I think the speed limit is 65 or 70 there. If you read the thread mentioned in the post above, you see that Best Value Inn offers a ride from the trailhead - the key thing is to let them know you need the shuttle at the time you make your reservations.

I would not recommend riding your bike to Holts Summit. It's only 4 miles, but you would be riding on the shoulder of highway 54, a 4-lane interstate. I think the speed limit is 65 or 70 there. If you read the thread mentioned in the post above, you see that Best Value Inn offers a ride from the trailhead - the key thing is to let them know you need the shuttle at the time you make your reservations.

I'll be driving from K.C. to St. Louis next month. I'll have one full day to ride on the trail. Where I begin is open, however, it will need to be a round trip ride of about 60-80 miles. I'm looking for a segment of the trail that travels through less developed areas--preferably along the Missouri River. I would appreciate any suggestions.



Thanks

That's easy! Rocheport!



Rocheport to Hartsburg is 50 miles round trip, or ride on to North Jefferson for a 70 mile round trip.


Trail access at Rocheport is about 2 miles north of I-70. Many people feel the area around Rocheport is some of the most scenic of the trail.

I give a hearty second to Rocheport to Hartsburg. This is by far the most scenic portion of the trail.

Nothing in this town! I have been there twice. The trailhead is nice, but do not plan on eating or picking up any supplies.

You won't find anything on the town square, but actually there is a small convenience store 1/4 mile west of the Calhoun trailhead & square: Jug Town Food & Feed. Look for the big red grain elevator; the store is located in the eastern part of this building. Not a huge selection, but you can get basic snacks and drinks.

The Katy Roundhouse has tidy grounds, reasonable rates and nice showers!

The Katy Roundhouse has tidy grounds, reasonable rates and nice showers!

We enjoyed camping at the Katy Roundhouse over the Independence Day weekend. John, the manager, was very helpful. He installed a grill on our fire pit, sold and delivered us ice, and gave us the combination on the women's showerhouse (a nice security measure). It was a great place to crash in our tent each night after riding. We went from 184 to 210 round trip one day and Sedalia to 210 roundtrip the next. John is out and about the campgrounds on his 4-wheeler...you can't miss him and his faithful dog.

We enjoyed camping at the Katy Roundhouse over the Independence Day weekend. John, the manager, was very helpful. He installed a grill on our fire pit, sold and delivered us ice, and gave us the combination on the women's showerhouse (a nice security measure). It was a great place to crash in our tent each night after riding. We went from 184 to 210 round trip one day and Sedalia to 210 roundtrip the next. John is out and about the campgrounds on his 4-wheeler...you can't miss him and his faithful dog.

The Dalton Boys gave the Katy Roundhouse a 5 Star rating when they camped there on their 2002 Katy Ride!!! All previously noted on other missives this vein are absolutely and wonderfully true. When we arrived at the end of the day the manager told us that the local Pizza place delivered to the campground and then whipped out his cell phone to order for us....dreamworks!!!! Had we giggled while piledriving pepperoni pizza down our gullets we would have been mistaken for hyenas in a feeding frenzy. Regards....Mark of the Dalton Boys

The Dalton Boys gave the Katy Roundhouse a 5 Star rating when they camped there on their 2002 Katy Ride!!! All previously noted on other missives this vein are absolutely and wonderfully true. When we arrived at the end of the day the manager told us that the local Pizza place delivered to the campground and then whipped out his cell phone to order for us....dreamworks!!!! Had we giggled while piledriving pepperoni pizza down our gullets we would have been mistaken for hyenas in a feeding frenzy. Regards....Mark of the Dalton Boys

If you haven't stopped at Dotty's you don't know what you are missing!

The Nicest restaurant and people around!

If you haven't stopped at Dotty's you don't know what you are missing!

The Nicest restaurant and people around!

I can't say enough great things about Dotty's. You are missing something special if you don't eat there. The bike shop is great too! I had a bad wreck about 10 miles outside of town and lost most of my higher gears. This guy had my bike fixed in a few hours. He saved the trip.

I can't say enough great things about Dotty's. You are missing something special if you don't eat there. The bike shop is great too! I had a bad wreck about 10 miles outside of town and lost most of my higher gears. This guy had my bike fixed in a few hours. He saved the trip.

Very nice stop on the trail! Casey's General Store is about a stones throw from the trail----good deal since we needed GatorAid ASAP!!!!

The Subway was excellent and about two blocks south. Good Stop!

There's also a little main street just beyond Casey's. We ate at a great little ma and pa cafe whose name I can't remember. Does anyone know? After turning left coming into town, it's about a block. There's also a cafe the other directions.

Raymond's is a fantastic spot to eat. Great breakfast and good service. It is about two blocks from the trail.

I may be in St. Charles for Thanksgiving and was looking for roadrides. However, the Katy Trail thing looks very cool. Although I live in Houston I grew up in Omaha so I know what winter can be like. Omaha occaisionally got early lite snow in November. I have clothing to cycle in Houston down to about 45F, w/o rain. I assume the weather in MO can be quite variable around Thanksgiving but there's a reasonble chance of decent enough weather. Is there much chance longsleeve jersey, ear protection, arm & leg warmers will be adequate for riding the Katy trail in the 3rd week in November? Am I kidding myself??

Quite variable indeed. Here is some November weather info for Missouri (I hope the link works):

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USLocalStd.aspx?loc=kjef&seg=Travel&prodgrp=Climatology&product=ClimateData&pid=none&prodnav=1124

What hotel (cheap but clean)do you reccomend? I like to be able to walk to the start!

What hotel (cheap but clean)do you reccomend? I like to be able to walk to the start!

That depends on how much of a "warm up" you hope to get before the marathon. Unfortunately the closest hotels are over a mile away. The starting line is at the Family Arena - this page has a map of the location. Several "chain" hotels (probably your cheapest option) are clustered around the hwy 70 / 5th Street intersection: Best Western, Comfort Suites, Quality Suites, to name a few. The B&B's are even further north, mostly around the Main Street historic area and just west of there.

That depends on how much of a "warm up" you hope to get before the marathon. Unfortunately the closest hotels are over a mile away. The starting line is at the Family Arena - this page has a map of the location. Several "chain" hotels (probably your cheapest option) are clustered around the hwy 70 / 5th Street intersection: Best Western, Comfort Suites, Quality Suites, to name a few. The B&B's are even further north, mostly around the Main Street historic area and just west of there.

First time riders, (2). Is a shuttle service available that will take one of us back each evening to our starting point to pick up our vehicle ? We want to eliminate packing luggage. We will also go 30 to 40 miles per day, starting at Sedalia, and ending in St. Charles. Also interested in the rates. We plan to stay in hotels or b&b's. Ideas and e-mails welcomed to jschmack@adelphia.net

Have you called B-L Shuttle? 660-221-4406

Here's a web page with a list of all the trail shuttles. Can't tell you about rates - you'll have to call them.

Appreciate your reply. I was hoping for a recommendation for a shuttle service, since I am not familar with them. I plan on calling them right now.

Does anyone know anything about the three campgrounds in Hartsburg (volunteer park, busch's landing, or hartsburg inn) or the two in Bluffton (steamboat junction and rendelman home)?

I visited the steampoat junction campground this weekend and it is a quaint little place with 10 or so sites some with electric. there is a shower room, clean, with small tables and two chairs at each site. The sites are shaded and cheap ($9 w/o electric). Looks like no problem getting in there.

Our group of nine camped in volunteer park in Hartsburg. It isn't large and it is right off the trial in the middle of town.

The restrooms on trial were open and since we were

tent camping, the running water was welcome. Everyone we met was

friendly and although the local bar was rocking on Saturday night, no

one bothered us. All the town dogs came by for a visit. Hartsburg is a charming town. There was a minimal fee.

I am planning a trip for later this summer. I'm debating whether to start in Clinton or Sedalia. I rode the Katy before and started in Sedalia, which was convenient since the Amtrak stopped there. If I start in Clinton, any suggestions how to get from Amtrak to the trail? We would probably arrive about 7 PM on the train. Is it worth it to ride the extra part from Clinton to Sedalia?

Many want to start in Clinton because it is the beginning of the trail. You can get to Clinton from Sedalia by shuttle for a very reasonable rate. B&L shuttle is a shuttle service I have used. Their number is 660-221-4406

I too will be riding the WHOLE Katy trail from end to end and back again within the first week of august. This will complete my goal this year of 2000 miles on my new LeMonde road bike. Am very eager to begin and really don't have a care in the world about what happens. Except perhaps for laundromats!!

Unless you're simply wanting to say you rode the entire trail, I wouldn't waste the time and money to shuttle to Clinton. The portion of the trail from Clinton to Sedelia is boooooooring, and you stand a good chance of having to dodge horses and the resulting manure piles.

2000 miles is a worthy goal--good for you! Have you considered commuting to work? I put 10,000 miles on my bike in less than 3 years commuting. It's fun to watch them add up.

if gas prices don't drop I just might!!!



actually, I only live 1.5 miles from work, but sometimes have to use my car for business purposes.....



It would be good to try and use the bike instead tho for many reasons

peace to you....go carefully out there

Take an earlier train out of St. Louis (arrive before noon) and head to Booneville or stay overnight at the Hotel Bothwell and depart east the following AM. A one-word answer to your question is, "No."



goodsrwe@netzero

You may want to check with Amtrak......according to their website they do not stop in Booneville. Stops along the trail are in Sedalia, Jefferson City, and Herman.

Do we bring a blanket or chair to sit on, or does your amphitheater have seating? Thanks!

Do we bring a blanket or chair to sit on, or does your amphitheater have seating? Thanks!

"Bring a blanket" according to the Les Bourgeois website.

"Bring a blanket" according to the Les Bourgeois website.

I'm planning a roundtrip from N. Jefferson to Hermann. Does anyone know if it is safe to leave a car at N. Jefferson trailhead overnight? Is it around a safe area or patroled? Or should I park somewhere in Jefferson City or extend our trip out to Hartsburg? Thanks.

I'm planning a roundtrip from N. Jefferson to Hermann. Does anyone know if it is safe to leave a car at N. Jefferson trailhead overnight? Is it around a safe area or patroled? Or should I park somewhere in Jefferson City or extend our trip out to Hartsburg? Thanks.

A safer place might be the Jefferson City Parks trailhead, take the spur from the North Jefferson City Katy Trailhead (about 2 miles additional riding) to the JC trailhead. This location is in clear view of the highway and many park cars at this location.



State parks officially close at sundown, earlier this year some breakins of cars occurred at the North JC trailhead, I understand the perps were caught.

A safer place might be the Jefferson City Parks trailhead, take the spur from the North Jefferson City Katy Trailhead (about 2 miles additional riding) to the JC trailhead. This location is in clear view of the highway and many park cars at this location.



State parks officially close at sundown, earlier this year some breakins of cars occurred at the North JC trailhead, I understand the perps were caught.

Thanks for the response. We will take your suggestion.

Thanks for the response. We will take your suggestion.

I used that line on a t-shirt to proudly proclaim my first trail adventure. Suprisingly I had very few mishaps.



I just finished a round trip on the KATY using a LeMonde road bike with 700 x 28. Had zero trouble with the bike. Carried rear packs of about 50lbs. Here's what I'd suggest....



The trail itself for the most part is hard pack, BUT, be careful!!! there are places particularly near road crossings and such that are treacherous. The gravel is loose, coarse and sometimes deep enough to cause slippage. There are also 'fissures' (for lack of a better word) in the trail at times due to the natural movement of a packed trail, but also I think due to the extreme dryness. These fissures or cracks are EXTREMELY hazardous to just about any bike but more so for the 28 size tire. I was very very lucky. I only 'kissed' KATY one time and now i have a matching scar on my left shoulder to go with my existing right shoulder mark.



Due to the extreme heat I would recommend waiting if you can. But if you have to go now be forewarned. CARRY WATER and USE IT. A few of the T.H.'s do not have a water source and many of the services are closed for the summer do to the lack of activity. The trail is GREAT for the fall and spring seasons but you're basically on your own for the summer. I found Peanuts to be extremely satisfying snack as well as the cherry pie version of L'A'Rabar.

Now don't get me wrong....I LOVED the trail. Just be sure you carry a tire patch kit and perhaps an emergency first aid kit. You probably already do. I'm the only nutcase who would forget such things!

Feel free to email me anytime. Oh, one more thing...due to the slow traffic, they are 'maintaining' the trail....cutting branches, mowing, spraying, etc etc. Sometimes the excess debris can be frustrating to manuver around and the leftover twigs and branches could cause a possible flat tire just as easily as a misplaced sharp rock.

I had a BLAST...hope you do too

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