Katy Trail Forum

Planning to bike the entire Katy Trail next summer maybe mid July, I am an older gentleman in mid 60s, is there anyone that might be interested in joining me, we have plenty of time to plan this.

How many miles per day?

Hotels/hostels or camping?

I'd be interested in doing entire trail in 2020. I tried it in May of 2019, but ended up road riding due to the flooding. Are you planning on camping or hoteling? I'm flexible on mileage, big days don't bother me. I'm late 50's.

I could be interested. Are you tent camping or credit card camping? How many miles were you thinking per day? Carry All or SAG Wagon?

I am not sure I am think maybe try to travel light and stay in motels or what ever that’s available, at this point without a lot or research maybe 25 or so miles a day, what do you think.

I planned a trip with my 11 year old grandson doing 25-30 miles a day. It will take about 2 weeks to ride the entire trail. The plan has a mixer of camping and hotels due to availability at each stop.
We were unable to ride this summer but hoping to try again next summer.

Be sure and add any input, like I said this is in the research and planning stage and it’s great to have it in the future to look forward and prepare for.

I’ll do it but it would hafta be over 2 days I’d cc camp and take the train back.

I was thinking 5 or 6 days of riding.....25 miles per day sometimes gets you to nothing and nowhere,

I don’t think I could do the trail in 2 days but 25 miles a day was just a number I guess a more realistic number would be from inn , b&b or hotel to the next if possible, it’s gonna be a lot of fun planning, For sure gonna have to have a new bike and some light weight gear, what few trails I ride now are usually around 10 miles so I also have to work up some distance endurance.

Dear Trail Rider and Marna

We've made a six-day trail ride, about 200 miles in total, each autumn for the last six years. This year it was the Katy; previously the Allegheny Passage/Cumberland and Ohio, and the Erie Canal Trail.

You pays your money and you takes your choice: is it a race (100 miles a day), or is it a journey (25 to 40 miles a day)? We've found 40 is plenty, 30 is good, and sometimes we just do 20. We rent bikes so they are ok but not always the best, and we take all our stuff with us, travelling as light as possible. And we stay in hotels and B and Bs. I might say that's so we don't have to carry camping gear, but really it's because we like a hot shower or bath, a comfortable bed and a good breakfast!!

As G&G says, we plan the ride around the places to stop and stay. A word of advice: find places as near to the trail as possible. If you are tired at the end of the day, the worst thing is to have a five mile up-hill country-road ride to your B and B. Believe me, we've done it, in the rain.

Also, check out where there is to eat in the evening around the hotel or B and B. People are inclined to tell you "there's a great place to eat just 5 minutes down the road". But that's 5 minutes by (fast) car, not on a bike or walking.

In terms of fitness, through the year we usually do up to 20 miles locally or in Derbyshire, England; often it's 10 or 15 miles. We don't do special training for the ride, just walk a lot, garden, are active, fix stuff and keep generally fit. And we are both of an age - 70 and 68.

Good luck

Michael

Thanks Michael, excellent advice, you mentioned several things I will pay attention to as I plan my trip.

Hello Michael,

Thanks for your note. I agree with what you have said. I have done the KATY in 5 days in the past.

Right now my husband and I are doing the whole thing, Section by Section, and have almost finished it again. (section by section, driving to a Trail Head, riding out to whatever next Trailheads we want, spend the night, and or ride back to vehicle and come home).

I would LOVE to find a group of folks just getting together to CC Camp it end to end...that is without it costing $1000 each, so I am very interested.

This Fall when you rode through Boonville, did you notice a yard with Vintage Bikes w Skeletons riding them? That's our home. We are so Blessed to be able to ride the KATY about every single day. We moved here FOR the Katy. ;-)

Hi Marna, and of course Trail Rider

We did see your cycling skeletons! I like wide and open trails like the cornfields around Treloar, but it's also really interesting to ride past back gardens and houses - that applies to all trails.

If you want a treat on your travels, stay at les Lavandes B and B about two miles above Rhineland in Starkenburg. Myrta is a wonderful host and her husband will collect you and bikes from the trail. Highly recommended for the hospitality and for the lift up to les Lavandes, as the ride up is steep. But it makes a lovely start to the following day when you cruise a couple of miles downhill and onto the trail.

We also loved the Victorian Manor in Boonville. We were greeted with a spread of delicious nibbles and the breakfast was excellent.

Neither of these places are cheap, but they make a great treat on the trail.

Michael

Ditto on the Lavandes B and B about two miles above Rhineland in Starkenburg. It's been a few years since I last stayed there, but it was wonderful.

Thanks for this information.

I'm not really a B&B kinda person. I like a clean Hotel Room, that I can take my bike into with me, has a Hot Tub, not too expensive, kinda person.

Luckily, there are some of these along the Trail....and they also include Breakfast.

Marna! We loved your skeletons on bikes! Took several pictures! Thank you for that!

It also gave us calls to interact with a group who found out they had gone the wrong way. They had left Boonville heading towards garage port. Not! Thankfully your skeletons made everybody stop and talk.

Hi CarolD

Great to hear that you and others are still out there riding the Trail. I guess the weather isn't 95 degrees anymore!

It really makes the ride worthwhile when you make time to stop and talk to people along the way, and particularly if you can help them go the right way. I have had that sinking feeling when, after several miles, I thought: "Hmm, this doesn't seem right, wrong direction".

I wish you smooth and puncture-free riding.

Michael

Thank You for your kind words.

We have met so many NICE People/Cyclist on the Trail and in front of our home. Even with all that went on with the Trail Closings this year, SOOOOO Many Bikepackers!

I have ridden the Trail end to end, years ago. We look forward to doing THIS again. Right now? My husband and I are riding it Section by Section. That is, with work schedules, few folks to care for our animals, and life in general....we are going when we can, and riding out and back 12 to 50ish miles, Trail Head to Trail Head, and doing the whole trail this way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO THOSE THAT LIVE IN MO AND CAN NOT TAKE A WEEK OFF TO RIDE THE WHOLE TRAIL!

Anyway, we are VERY Interest in riding with a/this Group in July. If it can get organized and planned or even if loosely planned. It should be fun!

Marna, riding segments like that is a great way to see the trail. So many neat little towns to see, and so many little restaurants serving up great cheeseburgers and stories of the floods and previous interesting events.

And people like you who live on the trail and make an effort to brighten up your segment of the trail are very much appreciated.

Here is the photo we took of you and your husband on Easter!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157195408348554&set=a.10150280079903554&type=3&theater

And your skeletons feeling festive!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157195408288554&set=a.10150280079903554&type=3&theater

Thanks!

Riding the Trail End to End is GREAT! And we are planning this. But right now, doing the Section by Section (the same way we rode the whole Mickelson Trail in SD) is a LOT of fun, and you get to see and visit so much more.

You can see much more w/o needing to ride 50 miles in a day, every day. We rode to Sedelia, for example, spent the night and rode home. We went to the Train Station and ate our 'picnic' (food carried) at their tables in, I think they call it, The Women's Room.

We have two Sections (four Trailheads) yet to ride and we have done the whole Trail, little by little.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR FOLKS THAT LIVE NEAR! It's a GREAT way to see the whole Trail, it fun to plan, and there is no big hurry of riding the miles.

I sure hope this "Next July" Ride can work out....sure sounds like fun.

I really appreciate all of the info and suggestions for my July Ride. I am really excited about getting started, I really hope I can find places such as B&B, hostels, and hotels along the route that are spaced close enough to hit one without traveling to far each day, I really want to enjoy the trip and keep my daily distances between 25 and 30 miles but as I research more I will know if this is possible, I would really love to camp some but just don't really want to drag all the camping gear along. Right now I am just riding some different bikes an trying to decide what I bike I want to get. I really do enjoy making warm plans on these cold snowy days.

TrailRider, we stopped made the following stops, and were pretty close to your daily mileage number.
Clinton
Sedalia (first day was pretty long)
Pilot Grove
Rocheport
Jefferson City
Rhineland
Augusta
St Charles

I liked those stops. But there are many many good ways to do it!

I haven’t been on the trail and looking for a nice flat 20 mile ride. I would like to know where the best place is to start, trail conditions, beginner friendly? I’ve been riding Cliff Cave and Castlewood, also attempted Greensfelder (which is not beginner friendly). I can handle hills, mud and water, beginner to intermediate. Thank you for your input.

Welcome to the Katy Trail! Once you've been on it you'll want to come back over and over.
From Oakville I'd suggest to start at Dutzow which is near Washington and ride out to Treloar. Round trip will be 21 miles. At the top of this page you can find a map and also a mileage chart to help you get started but I think that will be an easy drive for you to get to it and a nice ride.
Have fun!

Good burgers and friendly people in Treloar. Definitely a good midpoint.

We have done several rails to trails and have thoroughly enjoyed them. We are thinking about doing the Katy trail in April 2020. We only want to do about 150 miles. Could someone give me some insight on the best part of the trail if we aren't going to do it all?
Thanks.

I recommend anywhere between Boonville and St. Charles. It's the most scenic and flat.

Between Boonville and Clinton is somewhat hilly and a combination of forests and farmland. Nice but not all that memorable.

As far as St. Charles to Machens, that section of the trail is usually a mess from flooding.

I guess that it is just an opinion......but I rather like the different Farms, Woods, Fields, No Traffic, Different Terrains, from Clinton to New Franklin better than the more crowed areas next to the Roadways and River....on the other half.

I think that I liked the west end better as well. But maybe it's because we started there and were fresher.

150 miles from Clinton gets you to Mokane or a little past. In that stretch there are a lot of places to stop, and less worry about things not being open on Mondays and all that stuff. The bigger towns are fun, and give you a little more choice as far as where to rest or eat.

You could also take the side trail up to Columbia (and back), and end your trip at Jeff City, if that seems better to you.

Has anyone recently ridden the trail from Weldon Spring to Machens? I’m thinking of a day trip one day next week but don’t see any recent info on the rider reported trail conditions. Thanks for any help!

From St. Charles to Machens is still a mess in a few places. I recommend starting at Defiance and turning around at St. Charles instead for a similar amount of mileage.

Maxine and Pete were wonderful hosts, their house is located in a beautiful area of the town. It is away from all the traffic yet located very close to the town. They both went out of their way to make my stay very comfortable. I can vouch that you will enter their home as a stranger but will leave as good friends of Maxine & Pete. My rating is 10 out of 10.

We have stayed at Kim's on several occasions, usually while riding on the Katy or Rock Island Trails. Recently, we stayed at Kim's for a fall getaway that did not include biking. The following weekend, my son and his wife spent a night at Kim's for a getaway. What a fantastic place. The cabins could not be more immaculate. The towels and linens are great. The kitchen is well stocked. The cabins could not be cleaner or more well kept. They are sparkling. Kim meets you when you arrive and is welcoming and personable. There are fire pits, wood for the fire, charcoal grills, comfy tables and chairs.There is a secure barn to keep your bikes AND there are even horse corrals! Best of all, Kim is a great advocate for the Missouri Rail-to-Trail systems.

We have stayed at Kim's on several occasions, usually while riding on the Katy or Rock Island Trails. Recently, we stayed at Kim's for a fall getaway that did not include biking. The following weekend, my son and his wife spent a night at Kim's for a getaway. What a fantastic place. The cabins could not be more immaculate. The towels and linens are great. The kitchen is well stocked. The cabins could not be cleaner or more well kept. They are sparkling. Kim meets you when you arrive and is welcoming and personable. There are fire pits, wood for the fire, charcoal grills, comfy tables and chairs.There is a secure barn to keep your bikes AND there are even horse corrals! Best of all, Kim is a great advocate for the Missouri Rail-to-Trail systems.

Thank you so much Denise! Love having you all and love that many are enjoying the comfort of the cabins at the crossroads of the Katy and Rock Island!

Thank you so much Denise! Love having you all and love that many are enjoying the comfort of the cabins at the crossroads of the Katy and Rock Island!

Can a bikes go on the trail

Yes. "Electrically assisted pedal-powered bicycles and tricycles (maximum speed of 20 mph) are allowed."

https://mostateparks.com/page/57944/general-information

According to the Missouri DNR Katy Trail web site, you can use electric bikes but only up to 20 MPH.

You may ride an e-bike on the Katy according to the Missouri State Parks website. There is a 20 mph speed limit though.

I had the pleasure of riding the whole 237 miles of the Katy Trail in 5 days. I did it solo, but met a lot of good folks along the way. And the places I stayed were very accommodating. I stopped in Boonville, Jeff City, Hermann and Defiance. And I'm planning on doing it again next year, but with friends. Thanks for all the info you guys gave me before my ride. Oh, ya, I did not have a flat and the last part of the trail from St Charles is a good ride, curvy, small hills, but smooth riding. But when you reach the end, there is no parking, just a toilet building, no water. The Closest road was Ell Rd and Hwy 94. I was extracted from there! Good riding to you all.

Forgot to put the dates I rode: 14 - 18 October. from Clinton to Machens.

Nice ride. Congratulations.

Will, you are correct after going through St. Charles, Machens is a bit of let down. But the ride to get there is pretty nice along the river. Maybe additional services will be put there in the future. Congrats on the full distance.

Thanks for posting, I plan on doing the same type of ride next spring. Did you camp or do Hotels/B&B's? I'm trying to determine if I want to try this method or do the annual ride in June and camp with them.

JAL, I stayed in both Hotels and one B&B. I rode From Clinton to Boonville, 70 miles and stayed at the Island of Capri Hotel and Casino (39.00), it was cheap since I go there from time to time and on this nite I went into the casino for an hour and won 180.00, so I left, this paid for most of the stays for the rest of my trip! I was lucky! I then rode to Jeff City (51 miles), stayed in Capital Plaza Hotel 59.00 plus tax and I had to ride 2.8 miles from the trail and over the bridge but on a pedestrian walkway. Nice room and they had a free hot breakfast at 6am. I then rode to Hermann (43 miles), and stayed at the Harbor Haus Inn (just on the second block on left after you come across the bridge) it was 49.00 plus tax, small room, clean and they had breakfast at 8am, was very nice small room and very friendly family staff. I left there and rode to Defiance, about 41 miles and stayed at the Parson's House B&B, Norm is the owner, he was very friendly and helpful. The house and room is an old house, but very accommodating and the bed slept nicely. He had coffee and breakfast casserole waiting for guess the next morning. This was the most expensive and the only place I had not made reservations for on my trip (109.00 total) I then rode from there to the end of the trial, Machens, about 33 miles. I took about 600 pics and really enjoyed my ride. I will be riding again in the spring, with friends but probably just a 2 day trip. The main reason I did not camp was because I would have to buy a tent and carry it along, also. I had never done this before, so it was all new to me. I brought some saddle bags from Walmart, and they work for small cargo, but I was told to go online and buy better ones for same price. I am looking for those now. Pack light, carry rain gear and extra inner tube, just in case. I didn't have a flat or any kind of bike problems.

Great info ! I appreciate the follow up post with the lodging details.

Thanks, Will. The info you gave is quite helpful. Planning on doing the Katy one of these days.

Will, and you others, THANK you for great info; I'm planning full distance this Spring/Summer. You mentioned and annual trip (organized) in June? Is this the MO DNR trip? How do I find out about it? And has anyone used any of the trip organizing firms listed? How are they?

Here is a link to the 2013 DNR ride with lots of info: http://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride. The 2014 ride will most likely go in the opposite direction and registration doesn't open until March. The Katy is an easy trail to do on your own. Just spend a little time on the Mileage Chart, Trip Planner, and Towns and Services pages above to plan your trip. The DNR trip and other organized trips may have a day or two longer than you might prefer.

If you want someone else to organize everything, I am sure the DNR trip would be great...but I agree with the previous comments...the KATY trip is about as easy to organize on your own as any bike trip I can imagine. Literally, a change of clothes that allows me to comfortably go into a restaurant for nice meal in the evening, a credit card, a tooth brush, about 3 tubes, a patch kit and a multi-tool and I'm good. Wash out the bike clothes every night and get up in the morning and repeat the process. Love it. Miss it. Can't wait to ride the KATY again.

The June DNR organized ride is limited to 300 riders and sells out fast, Jon. It is well organized but it's a group ride and does last a few days longer,5 I believe. It has 2 good long days and the rest are 25-30 mile days. You can camp out with the group or stay in hotels too. It is a good introductory ride for the KT. If you are in good shape 3-4 days on your own is more flexible. There are other more pampered and more expensive organized rides. Spring and fall are better times since the summer is pretty hot and crowded.

Hey Will! Good to see you made it. I meet you on my way back from St. Louis. Kc to St. Louis and back no problem and no planning. I had camping equipment. I appreciate the Missouri DNR for making such an easy, close to home trip possible.

Thanks Boomhauer! Yes I did! And was good talking to you! I think I'm hooked on this cycling stuff now! Lol. I'm thinking I'm going to ride 2014 Katy Trail Ride in June? I want to see what's it like to ride with 300 other bikers.
Also, when you got to Clinton, the end of the Katy Trail, what route do you take back to KC?

Left Clinton 5pm on a Friday oct 11, camped in Windsor that night. Next day rode 100 miles to Hartsburg and camped in a baseball field. Sunday rode somewhere past gore and camped on the river. Monday woke up at 4am and pulled into st Charles at 10:15am. Found ways past every detour and took no shuttles!

Nice push Brother!!????

Congrats on riding the trail, and it's great to see the trail open all the way again. I rode the trail end-to-end in 2018, and actually started in St Charles, and did an out and back to Machens the first day. As mentioned elsewhere, not much in Machens, but it is the beginning/end and one can ride to Portage des Sioux from Machens to see the Mississippi River. Hope to ride again in 2020. By the way, don't think one can go wrong with any lodging anywhere on the trail, but can certainly recommend the B&Bs in Pilot Grove, Hartsburg and McKittrick.

It was a bucket list thing, i did the round trip, from beginning to end and back, it was the week of fathers day 2017. One of my fellow rugby players Pat rode with me to coopers landing, where my son-in-law joined me to Clinton, I turned around and rode solo back to the beginning(Machens) 9 days on the trail no flats, scenery awesome. Total of 490 miles. Highly recommend it, can't wait to do it again.


HAPPY TRAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a group wanting to bike from Clinton to hermann and train back to kc. Amtrak says only 4 spots for bikes. Does anyone know is there room for more bikes? Thanks

My impression is NO, there are only 4 slots. The slots are inside the passenger car, with 2 on either end (between outside door and sears). One could probably squeeze two bikes in one slot and not have them in the way, but I don't think Amtrak will sell more than 4 bike tickets per train.

There is room for many bikes on the trains
It has frustrated me for years why Amtrak limits each train to 4 bikes
Write your congressman!
Safe travels

Depending on the size of your group it might be cost effective to get a shuttle. Then you have the added benefit of door to door service at a time you pick. A stop along the way might even be possible.