Trail closure near Treloar
- + Heard trail is closed mile marker 84.7 through 85.6 due to flood damage repair. Is there a detour or is it passable.
Discussion started 08/25/2020 08:10 PM by Ken - 2 replies (last reply by JimAce at 08/27/2020 11:06 PM)Ken on 08/25/2020 08:10 PM
Heard trail is closed mile marker 84.7 through 85.6 due to flood damage repair. Is there a detour or is it passable.
Dave from Minneapolis on 08/27/2020 10:29 AM
Walked it yesterday. Some loose gravel and a couple of ruts, otherwise no issue for a biker.
JimAce on 08/27/2020 11:06 PM
On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, we biked Mile Marker 82 to Treloar TH, and then on to Mile Maker 89. Trail had recently been supplied with new limestone chat/gravel. Thick in some places. Still some ruts in a few places. Passable on a road bike with thin tires as well as a mountain bike with hybrid tires.
Trail
- + Flying out from Cali to see your Katy trail. So exited and plan to self support bike tour the entire trail. Is there long spans of the trail were I won't be able to buy groceries? I'm going west to ea...
Discussion started 08/27/2020 05:45 PM by KCS - 2 replies (last reply by Doug at 08/27/2020 07:48 PM)KCS from Grand Terrace Ca on 08/27/2020 05:45 PM
Flying out from Cali to see your Katy trail. So exited and plan to self support bike tour the entire trail. Is there long spans of the trail were I won't be able to buy groceries? I'm going west to east.
Jim from St. Thomas on 08/27/2020 06:12 PM
Really not trying to be wise ass but you’ll need to define what you consider a “long span” and “groceries”. If, by groceries, you mean things like Gatorade, snacks etc. that’s a completely different thing from finding a stocked grocery store. The same thing with “ long span”. Some may consider 10 - 15 miles a long span while others may think more along the lines of 40 - 60 miles.
Doug from Bluffton on 08/27/2020 07:48 PM
KCS, if you will call me at the Bluffton Barn I could probably answer your questions. Doug
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
Trail
https://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?tid=11452&tonly=1
Transportation from Sedalia to Clinton
- + I am looking to take Amtrak from St. Louis to Sedalia; then take some type of transportation (??) to Clinton to begin my ride back to St. Charles. Any suggestions on transportation to Clinton? I wou...
Discussion started 08/23/2020 07:02 PM by Paul from St. Louis - 6 replies (last reply by Suzanne Wantland at 08/27/2020 04:31 PM)Paul from St. Louis on 08/23/2020 07:02 PM
I am looking to take Amtrak from St. Louis to Sedalia; then take some type of transportation (??) to Clinton to begin my ride back to St. Charles. Any suggestions on transportation to Clinton? I would like to ride at least 50 miles a day (4-5 hours of leisure riding) but that would put in at times in the middle of no-where when evening falls. Any suggestions? I was hoping to ride the trail in 4 days (or there abouts). A lot of the other comments talk of riding 30-40 miles a day over 7 days; I am hoping to shorten that up a bit.
Newby on 08/25/2020 03:29 PM
Following!
Joe from Wildwood on 08/25/2020 08:51 PM
Take Amtrak to Warrensburg its closer to Clinton there are plenty of shuttle services. I did this a few years ago.
John Hutchins from Pacific on 08/26/2020 02:13 PM
If you take the early train you have enough time ti ride your bike to Clinton. That's how I've done it.
Dave from Kirkwood on 08/26/2020 02:52 PM
Check the Amtrak schedules before getting too far in your planning. I think they only have one train running west each day, and it is late in the day. I am not sure if the morning train is not running because of the pandemic or other issues. Someone mentioned issues with flooding along the tracks, requiring a bus trip around some sections (so bikes may not be permitted on such trains).
Good luck.
G&G from Sedalia on 08/27/2020 12:32 PM
I check about three weeks ago and there is only one train running west and it's late afternoons. I would double check the schedule. Also, I have read on Amtrak's site that there are limited bike spaces so be aware of that also.
Suzanne Wantland from Bristol, TN on 08/27/2020 04:31 PM
I spoke to Amtrak and it seems that due to Covid, they are only doing one train per day from Kirkwood (PM train), and they are accepting 1/2 of the pre-Covid bikes (now 4 per ride). Hope this helps.
Need recommendations for 3-day hike
- + I'm sorry if this has already been asked. My husband and I want to come do a three-day inn-to-inn hike (not ride), and we're wondering what might be recommended for this length of hike. Since we're co...
Discussion started 08/17/2020 03:19 PM by Leigh - 5 replies (last reply by Dave at 08/27/2020 12:51 PM)Leigh from Harrisburg, IL on 08/17/2020 03:19 PM
I'm sorry if this has already been asked. My husband and I want to come do a three-day inn-to-inn hike (not ride), and we're wondering what might be recommended for this length of hike. Since we're coming in from Illinois, we'd probably want to start more toward the Machens end than Clinton end. We'd be able to walk up to 15 miles a day, and we'd like to shuttle or train back to our car after the three days. We want to hotel-it instead of camping to save having to carry too much with us. Thank you for any suggestions!
Newby on 08/25/2020 03:43 PM
Following
Jim from St. Thomas on 08/25/2020 03:56 PM
Hard to do 15 mile days without camping.. You might call some of the B&Bs and see if they will pick you up wherever you end up at the end of the day. You probably need a prearranged pickup spot though - cell service on the Katy can be pretty spotty.
Dave from Kirkwood on 08/26/2020 12:13 PM
Jim raises some good points about the challenges for a continuous hike across 3 days from inn to inn. If I were doing this, I would try to hike stretches that are more distant from main roads (usually highway 94 on eastern section), just so you are not walking next to traffic all day (this may not bother you). Here are some nice sections of about 15 miles:
Mokane to Bluffton
McKittrick to Treloar (great section along river and away from busy roads)
Treloar to Augusta (bit longer than 15)
The challenge is that there is not always lodging at certain places that would be logical stopping points (Treloar). So, as Jim suggests, maybe call some B&B owners in the area and see if they can help with shuttles.
Dave from Minneapolis on 08/27/2020 10:43 AM
I am walking the whole trail without camping. I have a couple of long days (20 and 25 miles), but have secured lodging in advance, with the assistance of shuttles near Hermann and Sedalia . I am walking in to Hermann as we speak. A super walk! For Three days you could do St Charles to Defiance, Defiance to Augusta and Augusta to Marthasville. Hire a cab in St Charles to drop you off at the page bridge, and it is 16 miles to Defiance. Alternatively you could start in Marthasville and hive Crown shuttle pick you up between Marthasville and Hermann, and drop you off There the next day, and the third day walk on to Bluffton (limited lodging , though)
Dave from Minneapolis on 08/27/2020 12:51 PM
I am walking the whole trail without camping. I have a couple of long days (20 and 25 miles), but have secured lodging in advance, with the assistance of shuttles near Hermann and Sedalia . I am walking in to Hermann as we speak. A super walk! For Three days you could do St Charles to Defiance, Defiance to Augusta and Augusta to Marthasville. Hire a cab in St Charles to drop you off at the page bridge, and it is 16 miles to Defiance. Alternatively you could start in Marthasville and hive Crown shuttle pick you up between Marthasville and Hermann, and drop you off There the next day, and the third day walk on to Bluffton (limited lodging , though)
Portage des Sioux
- + Has anyone here ridden from the terminus at Machens to Portage des Sioux? Sounds like an interesting town.
And how weird is it that the trail just unceremoniously ends there? There's not really even ...
Discussion started 08/25/2020 02:58 PM by Kathy - 2 replies (last reply by Connie at 08/27/2020 09:18 AM)Kathy from Kirkwood on 08/25/2020 02:58 PM
Has anyone here ridden from the terminus at Machens to Portage des Sioux? Sounds like an interesting town.
And how weird is it that the trail just unceremoniously ends there? There's not really even parking.
Mark from Lee's Summit on 08/26/2020 12:49 AM
The Katy Railroad ended at Machens because that is where it merged with a longer active rail line that still operates today. As far as Portage des Sioux goes, there are a few things to see in that town, but for me, it is a fun passage/route over to the Grafton Ferry where you can pay $4 to get your bike ferried over to Grafton. The Great River Road and the other paved Illinois/Madison County trails are the best way to loop around back south to Downtown St. Louis if you have already traveled to Machens and want to keep going. Sure, you can take 94 Highway to the 67 river bridge and up and over to Alton, but traffic is a little heavier on that route and there is always something fun about taking the Grafton ferry across the Mississippi.
Connie from St Charles on 08/27/2020 09:18 AM
We have parked at the Black Walnut trailhead and ridden out to Portage. In the town you can ride down to the river and see the shrine. I think there's a restaurant/bar there but we haven't eaten there. It's a nice ride on a not too windy day considering how flat it is.
I agree with riding on out to the ferry. We did that and while it wasn't open, it was still a nice ride.
paved trail
- + Is any of the katy trail paved?
Discussion started 08/26/2020 02:03 PM by anna - 1 reply (last reply by Humpty dumpty at 08/26/2020 03:10 PM)anna on 08/26/2020 02:03 PM
Is any of the katy trail paved?
Humpty dumpty on 08/26/2020 03:10 PM
Not the KT itself, per se, although there are some feeders with varying degrees of pavement. And if you want to count them, some of the current detours add to “pavement mileage”. But crushed gravel is what you’ll generally be riding on...
Chilhowee City Park in Chilhowee
- + Has anyone camped at the Chilhowee City Park?
Discussion started 08/21/2020 01:57 PM by Joe - 4 replies (last reply by G&G at 08/24/2020 05:36 PM)Joe from Wildwood on 08/21/2020 01:57 PM
Has anyone camped at the Chilhowee City Park?
Joe from Wildwood on 08/21/2020 01:57 PM
Has anyone camped at the Chilhowee City Park?
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins from Windsor on 08/22/2020 06:54 AM
Its just 2 blocks off the trail as is Hometown Convenience Store (open every day but Sun.) If you call or text April ahead of time at 660-233-6967 they will turn on water and open restroom for you. Tiny town with a big heart loving trail riders.
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins from Windsor on 08/22/2020 06:54 AM
Its just 2 blocks off the trail as is Hometown Convenience Store (open every day but Sun.) If you call or text April ahead of time at 660-233-6967 they will turn on water and open restroom for you. Tiny town with a big heart loving trail riders.
Joe from Wildwood on 08/23/2020 12:57 PM
Thanks for the information you have been very helpful multiple times.
Joe from Wildwood on 08/23/2020 12:57 PM
Thanks for the information you have been very helpful multiple times.
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins from Windsor on 08/24/2020 07:14 AM
Happy to help. We're thrilled so many are checking out the 47 mile Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail - Windsor to Pleasant Hill
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins from Windsor on 08/24/2020 07:14 AM
Happy to help. We're thrilled so many are checking out the 47 mile Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail - Windsor to Pleasant Hill
G&G from Sedalia on 08/24/2020 05:36 PM
I plan to camp there over Memorial day weekend. It was a Sunday so store was closed and I wasn't sure where to camp. So pushed on and didn't stay. Kim was a great help in the pre-planning stage.
G&G from Sedalia on 08/24/2020 05:36 PM
I plan to camp there over Memorial day weekend. It was a Sunday so store was closed and I wasn't sure where to camp. So pushed on and didn't stay. Kim was a great help in the pre-planning stage.
Bike Accident
- + I had an unfortunate bike accident outside of New Franklin on county road crossing 467, heading towards Rocheport. I was riding my bike that I just bought a few days earlier and this was my second rid...
Discussion started 08/23/2020 09:13 AM by sadBikeOwner - 3 replies (last reply by anonymous at 08/24/2020 02:24 PM)sadBikeOwner on 08/23/2020 09:13 AM
I had an unfortunate bike accident outside of New Franklin on county road crossing 467, heading towards Rocheport. I was riding my bike that I just bought a few days earlier and this was my second ride on it.
I failed to yield to the crossing because at the time it didn't mentally register to me that I was approaching a crossing. When I saw the car it was to late, I slammed into the back passenger door causing an estimate of $4400 to it and destroying my $1300 bike. I'm fine physically.
I badly sprained my right hand and have bruises and cuts. I landed on my back but my water bladder in my camel backpack took all the force. A police report has been filed and I have filed a claim with my renters insurance and am waiting the results.
Is there anything else I need to do or should do? I am upset for my bike but I am now concerned about this $4400 estimate I am being asked to pay for by the driver. I am not trying to avoid responsibilities. Any input or thoughts are welcome. Thanks
Karen C. from Harrisburg, MO on 08/23/2020 06:22 PM
First of all, thank goodness you are okay! Your guardian angel was working overtime! If you have a vehicle, talk to your agent or claim rep about whether you should turn it in on that policy instead of your renters. Other than that, keep good notes about what and who you talked to and when (insurance people and the car driver), photos, copies of the police report, etc. I hope it all works out with your insurance and again, thank goodness you are okay! And also sorry about your bike!
BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 08/24/2020 01:55 PM
I don't know what kind of insurance you have to cover this. You have renter's insurance, but I don't know if that covers you like a homeowner's policy would. But either way, your insurance company would insist or advise that they inspect the damage to give an unbiased estimate. You definitely do not want to pay the $4,400 out of pocket without getting another bid (one which you or your insurance company controls).
Anonymous on 08/24/2020 02:24 PM
I would seek advice from my insurance agent and not on an open forum about a bike trail.
BikeHermann in Hermann
- + This bike shop's website says, simply, that it's closed due to COVID.
Discussion started 08/24/2020 05:57 AM by k - 0 repliesk on 08/24/2020 05:57 AM
This bike shop's website says, simply, that it's closed due to COVID.
Water Sources / restrooms along trail
- + We are planning on doing the entire ride in a couple of weeks from Clinton to Machens. We've been practicing for a while along the area's trailheads. We've gone as far east as Mokane to Machens during...
Discussion started 08/04/2020 03:41 PM by Perry - 3 replies (last reply by Kathy at 08/23/2020 10:30 PM)Perry from OFallon, mo on 08/04/2020 03:41 PM
We are planning on doing the entire ride in a couple of weeks from Clinton to Machens. We've been practicing for a while along the area's trailheads. We've gone as far east as Mokane to Machens during our practices. What I'm finding is that the resources that are said to be available are not necessarily available. We've found bathrooms locked; locations without water fountains -- or fountains turned off. It appears that we've going to have to make sure to bring a lot of our own water sources with us because we can't totally rely on the water being at the depot's. Is there a source I missed that shows the "true" condition of the water and restrooms available?
Jeff M. from Chesterfield on 08/05/2020 08:20 AM
You are not missing anything. The services at the trail heads are limited to none at all. I found from Boone to Clinton there are Casey's stores near several trail heads, but from Defiance to Boone, services are very limited. On my trip a few weeks back, I had to ask others for water two times because there was simply no places to get water. Be prepared with your own water and do not rely on any services at the trail heads.
Jim from St. Thomas on 08/05/2020 04:13 PM
Just a heads up........if you are going through Tebbetts and get caught short of water you’re welcome to stop at the Turner Shelter and fill your water bottles or just get a drink. There is usually ice in the freezer.
Kathy from Kirkwood on 08/23/2020 10:30 PM
I'm a backpacker so I already am in the habit of carrying a sanitary trowel and tp on hikes. It wouldn't hurt to have this in your panniers. If you are female it wouldn't' be a bad idea to learn how to use a urine funnel.
Steamboat Junction Campground in Bluffton
- + Just spent a night at Steamboat Junction Campground, as pleasant & clean as we remembered a few years back. Right off the Katy Trail, w/ nice tent sites set back away from the road & bike trail. Owne...
Discussion started 08/06/2020 04:01 PM by jls - 1 reply (last reply by Kathy at 08/23/2020 10:26 PM)jls from St Louis on 08/06/2020 04:01 PM
Just spent a night at Steamboat Junction Campground, as pleasant & clean as we remembered a few years back. Right off the Katy Trail, w/ nice tent sites set back away from the road & bike trail. Owner is friendly and accommodating. Was able to contact via phone w/ questions. Very quick to respond.
Kathy from Kirkwood on 08/23/2020 10:26 PM
Their honor-system snack fridge saved me yesterday when I was running low on water on the shadeless stretch from Rhineland! Don't forget to have some small bills on you to take advantage of this :)
Seeking input on four-day ride
- + Assume you're based on the eastern side of the state and have four days to ride and camp. You want to keep mileage to under 50 miles per day, camp in safer places, have good water access, and have som...
Discussion started 08/15/2020 06:45 PM by friend - 4 replies (last reply by Doug at 08/21/2020 04:36 PM)friend on 08/15/2020 06:45 PM
Assume you're based on the eastern side of the state and have four days to ride and camp. You want to keep mileage to under 50 miles per day, camp in safer places, have good water access, and have some outside food access. You prefer to get right on the trail and ride rather than, say, riding 25 miles through cities to get to a trailhead, and you are interested in adding Amtrak as a travel segment as needed or desired. You're certainly interested in as little outside human contact as possible, in keeping with smart COVID-related travel guidelines. Even with plotting campsites and Amtrak stations on a map, I'm overwhelmed. What itineraries can you suggest?
Hank on 08/15/2020 07:05 PM
St Chas to Marthasville day 1. 37 miles. Camp at Marthasville ball park.
Marthasville to Hermann day 2. 26 miles. Camp in Hermann city park.
Hermann to Jeff City day 3. 46 miles. Camp under the bridge by Missouri River.
Take Amtrak from JC back to Kirkwood on day 4
MePlusBike from Palm Harbor, FL on 08/17/2020 04:41 PM
What the legality of the suggested camping under the bridge? Or is there a site there?
friend on 08/21/2020 03:35 PM
MePlusBike, Hank is probably referring to Noren Access: https://bikekatytrail.com/noren-access-campsite.aspx
Hank, thank you for your suggestion. Hank and other readers: if you have any others with mileage up to 60 miles per day, I would appreciate your ideas. Thank you.
Doug from Bluffton on 08/21/2020 04:36 PM
Friend if you want the days to be more equal in distance make the second night Bluffton. This makes all days of riding about 35 miles plus keeps you from any crowds in Hermann. MePlus there is a site at North Jefferson close to the bridge.
Cooper Landing in Easley
- + Is Cooper Landing in Easley open for campers?
Discussion started 08/20/2020 10:38 AM by 4Con - 1 reply (last reply by Jharte at 08/20/2020 04:56 PM)4Con from Lincoln,NE on 08/20/2020 10:38 AM
Is Cooper Landing in Easley open for campers?
Jharte from Kansas City on 08/20/2020 04:56 PM
Hello, yes, Cooper's Landing is open. We stopped by last weekend. Check Cooper's Landing FB page to see what they have going on. They have food trucks each weekend, live music, primitive camping, hook-up camping, and lots of ice cold beer! Unfortunately, the shower was flooded last year so they no longer offer showers. We didn't stay long when we stopped by. Some folks were wearing masks, some not. Cooper's Landing is one of my favorite stops when riding across MO.
Checker Cab in Jefferson City
- + looking for shuttle for tebibits to new franklin.
Discussion started 08/19/2020 12:33 PM by Brian Basham - 1 reply (last reply by Gary at 08/19/2020 07:50 PM)Brian Basham from Maumelle on 08/19/2020 12:33 PM
looking for shuttle for tebibits to new franklin.
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 08/19/2020 07:50 PM
You will have better luck contacting the Jefferson City Checker Cab directly than posting it here in hopes someone at the Checker Cab Company might browse the forum for any potential clients.