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Reply to First-timer mistakes to avoid
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SpinmasterChip from Bella Vista, AR on 7/6/2018 10:36:30 AM:
My wife and I did our first Katy ride this week from Jeff City to Sedalia. It was an awesome ride. We parked in Sedalia and took the Amtrak to Jeff City, then biked back, spending one night on the trail.

We decided against staying in the B&Bs because of the cost. We booked a room at the Day's Inn in Boonville. It's about 5 miles off the trail, and there is no other way to get to it except a lot of road riding and there are some daunting hills. The room was nice and there were places within walking distance to eat, plus Boonville is a cool town. My advice would be to arrange a pickup to take you to the hotel. You encounter the same thing going back to the trail the next day. We thought we would be able to easily get back to the trail, but it was about 5 miles of all road riding and hills again, none of it marked.

So if you do as we did, get a shuttle.

I misread the amenities at Clifton City thinking there was a place to stop for a cold drink. THERE IS NOT! There is no running water of any kind at Clifton City, and I'm not sure why there is even a depot there. We were almost completely out of water at that point yesterday. But I rode up the hill from the depot and there is a garage on the corner that sells cold drinks and water. It's not advertised on this web site, but he has a few items, but if the garage is closed, I'm not sure there is anything else in the town of Clifton City. My advice is to load up on water in Pilot Grove and conserve it.

We loved our ride and have learned a lot from this first time trip. We met some really great people, and at the Huntsdale depot, we met a lady who took us over to the Columbia spur where we saw two young bald eagles and their nest. That was incredible.

We also loved the historical markers and info at the trailheads. The Katy Trail rocks and we can't wait to do this again, but the next time we will probably add an extra day so that we can explore more.

 
Anonymous on 7/6/2018 11:58:13 AM:
Sounds like you had a great first experience.

Considerations for next time: The Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn in Boonville are an easy ride from the Katy. Nothing against Days Inn, its just in a poor location for Katy riders. The Hotel Frederick is a good choice too....a bit pricey tho.

Always top off the water bottles at every chance, just in case water is not available for whatever reason.