Book: Cycling the Katy Trail by Neil Hanson
- + I just finished it and it's a good read. The first part is the standard how to get from point A to point B on the Katy. The second part is more about the towns and B&Bs he said at and reflections of t...
Discussion started 01/19/2019 09:12 PM by Jerry Whittle - 4 replies (last reply by Rebecca from Ames at 03/21/2019 05:03 PM)Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 01/19/2019 09:12 PM
I just finished it and it's a good read. The first part is the standard how to get from point A to point B on the Katy. The second part is more about the towns and B&Bs he said at and reflections of things he observed on the Katy.
It mentions this web site often so he must have used it frequently.
Phil from SC on 03/20/2019 01:02 PM
How current is information? I was excited to get a katy trail book by another author but after reading half of it I discovered it was written 12 years ago.
Jerry Whittle from Belleville IL on 03/21/2019 12:08 PM
I was published in July 2018 so really current.
Ray (webmaster) on 03/21/2019 12:20 PM
FYI, I looked around Amazon and pulled together all the books I could find related to the Katy Trail, plus other related topics that might be of interest. You can see the books at
guide-books.aspx
If you click through and view the book info in Amazon, it will have publication date, edition number, etc - so you can see how current the book is, plus read reviews, etc.
Full disclosure: Amazon will pay me a commission if you buy stuff from them after clicking through links on the
guide-books.aspx web page.
Rebecca from Ames on 03/21/2019 05:03 PM
I have Neil's book. The data are from their trip in 2016. With all the floods going down the Missouri from Iowa and Nebraska, hoping there are no washouts. There is a festival the week following our journey, so I hope the stores, cafes,etc. will be open. I plan to call a week or two in advance, since we prefer to eat from the establishments along the route, rather than take our own. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.
Weather and conditions
- + How is the condition of the trail, and weather for biking in early April? Can hotels be booked last minute that time of year?
Discussion started 03/16/2019 06:49 AM by EAE - 4 replies (last reply by Rex McCall, Springfield,MO at 03/20/2019 11:34 AM)EAE from Wyoming on 03/16/2019 06:49 AM
How is the condition of the trail, and weather for biking in early April? Can hotels be booked last minute that time of year?
Rex McCall from Springfield,MO on 03/16/2019 10:56 AM
The temperature is not bad, especially towards the end of the month. The average high on April 1 is in the lower 60s, but by the last week of the month, it is in the lower 70s. The biggest problem will be rain, since it is one of our wettest months. That can lead to wash-outs along the trail and, occasionally, flooding. The Park is pretty good about repairing the trail in the warmer months.
As for hotels, it all depends on the town and day of the week. The ones in the St. Charles Historic District and in Hermann tend to fill up on the weekends, quickly. Still, you should be able to find one in St. Charles, although it might be a mile or two from the trail. I've not been to Hermann in April, but my guess is it probably doesn't get too busy until after school lets out in May. Sunday through Thursday is usually not a problem for any town. I think you will have no trouble getting a room in Clinton, Sedalia, Boonville, Jeff City, or Washington.
Phil from SC on 03/20/2019 07:41 AM
Does anyone know if any parts of the trail have been affected by the recent flooding?
Kim Henderson - Kim's Cabins, Windsor from Windsor on 03/20/2019 09:08 AM
I believe this is kept up to date
https://mostateparks.com/page/57948/trail-conditions
Rex McCall from Springfield,MO on 03/20/2019 11:34 AM
This is from the state park web site (mostateparks.com):
Katy Trail State Park is temporarily closed at the following locations due to flooding:
-- The trail will be closed due to anticipated flooding at 2:30 p.m. on Fri., Mar. 22 west of the Rocheport tunnel (approximately MM 178.6). Trail users should follow the detour that will be posted. (effective Mar. 22)
-- MM 34 - 35, east of St. Charles. (effective Mar. 20)
In addition, Easley River Road/Smith Hatchery Road near MM 162 is under water. While the road is under water, the trail between Route N (MM 162.5) and Little Bonne Femme Creek bridge (MM 163.6) will be opened to local vehicular traffic in this area so users need to exercise caution and expect to encounter vehicles on the trail.
For information on potential flood impacts to the trail, please visit the Potential Flood Locations page.
shuttle service?
- + We plan to ride east to west at this point, and might take amtrak to st. louis area but how do we get to st. charles then to begin our ride? can we ride our bikes there safely or are there any shuttle...
Discussion started 03/20/2019 07:51 AM by Phil - 0 repliesPhil from SC on 03/20/2019 07:51 AM
We plan to ride east to west at this point, and might take amtrak to st. louis area but how do we get to st. charles then to begin our ride? can we ride our bikes there safely or are there any shuttle services?
Tyler's Market in Pilot Grove
- + This business has been closed for several,years.
Discussion started 03/20/2019 07:19 AM by Allen - 0 repliesAllen from Shawnee on 03/20/2019 07:19 AM
This business has been closed for several,years.
Tebbetts Trailhead
- + Can I leave a car at the Tebbets, Missouri Trailhead for a couple of days? Is it safe? Is there any place to lock up bikes overnight at the hostel?
Discussion started 03/18/2019 08:59 PM by Nita - 2 replies (last reply at 03/19/2019 09:04 AM)Nita from Austin on 03/18/2019 08:59 PM
Can I leave a car at the Tebbets, Missouri Trailhead for a couple of days? Is it safe? Is there any place to lock up bikes overnight at the hostel?
Allen from Shaenee, Ks on 03/19/2019 05:54 AM
I have left my car at the Tebbits trailhead overnight without any problem. There is an indoor bike storage room at the Hostel that is locked and secure no problem here either.
This is a small town with very few residents or problems.
Have a good trip
Allen
Anonymous on 03/19/2019 09:04 AM
We too have left our vehicle at the Tebbetts trailhead without incident and would again without worrying about it.
Marthasville to Treloar
- + I took my first ride on the Katy yesterday on the stretch mentioned in the subject line. The condition of the trail was very rough from what I guess to be tractor traffic. My assumption is they drov...
Discussion started 03/17/2019 08:26 PM by Matt - 1 reply (last reply at 03/19/2019 09:02 AM)Matt from Wentzville on 03/17/2019 08:26 PM
I took my first ride on the Katy yesterday on the stretch mentioned in the subject line. The condition of the trail was very rough from what I guess to be tractor traffic. My assumption is they drove on it when the trail was wet. It was like riding on a washboard for most of the trip. Does anyone know if there is maintenance done to the trail to repair things like that? Thanks!
Anonymous on 03/19/2019 09:02 AM
Yes the DNR maintains the trail.
Eber Haus Inn in Hartsburg
- + The Eber Haus was one of the best experiences we had doing the entire Katy Trail. Sarah and Carl were wonderful and so entertaining. The food was Amazing!! The accommodations were great. We needed a...
Discussion started 11/03/2017 03:00 PM by Maureen - 4 replies (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 03/18/2019 05:21 PM)Maureen from Arizona on 11/03/2017 03:00 PM
The Eber Haus was one of the best experiences we had doing the entire Katy Trail. Sarah and Carl were wonderful and so entertaining. The food was Amazing!! The accommodations were great. We needed a night like this to recover from a long wet couple of days. Perfect! Thank you so much Sarah and Carl!
Sarah from Hartsburg on 11/06/2017 01:51 PM
You all were our pleasure to serve! Best! Sarah n Carl
John R Hibbing from Lincoln, NE on 03/18/2019 01:36 PM
Hello--
We were hoping to book two rooms on June 7. Do you have any available? We have heard good things about your establishment. My email is jhibbing@unl.edu. Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
John Hibbing
Anonymous on 03/18/2019 01:59 PM
They may find you here....and maybe not.
It maybe best to contact directly to make your lodging reservations instead of the shotgun approach on an open forum.
Ray (webmaster) on 03/18/2019 05:21 PM
I'm sorry to say that Eber Haus will be closing on May 10. We'll be sad to see them go.
There are other lodging options in Hartsburg and other nearby towns. As mentioned above, you'll have better results if you contact the inns directly.
Good luck and happy trails.
Dutzow to Washington bridge
- + What is the status of getting from Dutzow to Washington across the bridge? Is there a bike lane on bridge? Shuttle? Taxi? Would prefer not to ride across in car lane if at all possible. Thanks.
Discussion started 03/18/2019 07:21 AM by Woodchuck - 1 reply (last reply by Allen at 03/18/2019 08:49 AM)Woodchuck on 03/18/2019 07:21 AM
What is the status of getting from Dutzow to Washington across the bridge? Is there a bike lane on bridge? Shuttle? Taxi? Would prefer not to ride across in car lane if at all possible. Thanks.
Allen from Shawnee on 03/18/2019 08:49 AM
There was a recent discussion on this and a person who lives there says the bridge is open but bike path is not complete and open yet. There is a 10 foot shoulder next to the travel lanes for cars on the bridge, so you wouldn’t be traveling in lane with cars. Keep in mind if you are really afraid of traveling around cars that the route from the trail to the bridge is along a hiway with a shoulder and some of the riding in towns will be around cars.
how to search this forum
- + I am having trouble searching this forum. When I click search and type in a question I get directed to a Google search with lots of choices but when I click on one of them it takes me back to the foru...
Discussion started 03/16/2019 10:53 PM by Mary Ann Rigas - 2 replies (last reply by Mary Ann Rigas at 03/17/2019 11:20 PM)Mary Ann Rigas from Coudersport PA on 03/16/2019 10:53 PM
I am having trouble searching this forum. When I click search and type in a question I get directed to a Google search with lots of choices but when I click on one of them it takes me back to the forum but just to the most recent post not the one I searched for. Thank you.
Ray (webmaster) on 03/17/2019 07:15 AM
Thank you for pointing that out! It's now fixed.
This was caused by a difference in the forum page web addresses, after recent upgrades to the website. Google still has lots of links in the old format; I made a change to automatically convert to the new format when you click a link.
Happy trails!
Mary Ann Rigas from Coudersport PA on 03/17/2019 11:20 PM
Thank you! It is working now.
Dotty's Cafe
- + I've been told that there was an ad in Jefferson City's Sunday paper saying Dotty's will be sold in an online auction in late September. Is this true?
Discussion started 09/06/2011 12:31 AM by Cathy - 10 replies (last reply by KuprikAP at 03/17/2019 02:37 PM)Cathy from Jefferson City on 09/06/2011 12:31 AM
I've been told that there was an ad in Jefferson City's Sunday paper saying Dotty's will be sold in an online auction in late September. Is this true?
Anonymous on 09/06/2011 02:53 PM
Google confirms that it is up for auction. It makes no mention that it will be sold though.
Gary Near from Tebbetts on 09/08/2011 10:29 PM
Dotty is retiring and the business is being sold online at Atterberry Auction September 19-26:
http://www.atterberryauction.com/index.php?subp=1&sct=1560&pg=ap&pid=23326&ap_sub=det&det=1
Hope someone that knows how to cook down home meals gets it.
Billy from Mokane on 09/09/2011 08:17 PM
Love you Dotty. Enjoy what ever you are going to do. Will miss your place. hope someone buys it and runs it half as well as you do.
Anonymous on 09/11/2011 10:19 PM
I agree Billy. Lets hope that someone from Mokane does not buy it.
Billy from Mokane on 09/12/2011 06:58 AM
Have to go along with you on that one, we have enough to take care of here in Mokane.
ChuckM from Houston on 09/12/2011 09:13 AM
Is Dottie's already closed? We will ride through there on Wednesday September 21 and had hoped to eat there.
Pam from Independence on 09/12/2011 01:32 PM
She was opened on Sept 9th when we called. But got there too late to eat.
Greg from Kansas City on 09/12/2011 01:54 PM
We ate there on 9/10 and she was still open.
Anonymous on 09/12/2011 06:15 PM
Wow. Happy for Dotty, but sad for the rest of us. Like others - hoping there is a buyer who opens for business quickly and does it any where near as well as Dotty. All best wishes Dotty.