Riding from West end to East end

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WDK1965 from Howell, MI on 12/30/2019 11:25:19 AM:

My wife and I have done many of the US's best Rails to trails and are now planning a trip this summer to ride the Katy trail. Since we will be driving in from Michigan, we would like to park our car somewhere on the east end, and shuttle or ride the train to the west end, where we can then start biking. Can anyone help me understand the best way to navigate that?

I've looked at the Amtrak option, but it doesn't seem like it starts/end near the trail and doesn't give you the option to do the entire trail? Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Jerry Whittle from Belleville Illinois on 12/30/2019 12:16:45 PM:

If you don't mind doing a supported ride, I suggest the Katy Trail Ride 2020. The official details haven't been released yet, but should be similar to this one. Note that it was cancelled last year due to flooding. It may well start in St. Charles in 2020 which would be a East to West ride.

https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride

Jerry Whittle from Belleville Illinois on 12/30/2019 1:50:40 PM:

I just noticed that the link above is actually for 2020. I bet that they change the 2019 to 2020 shortly.

Looks like it will be going from West to East which is what you are looking for.

Anonymous on 12/30/2019 4:31:43 PM:

There are shuttle services that will take you to your location of choice. Also, some B&B’s offer shuttles. The Trip Planner will help you locate a shuttle company. I’d consider that if I wanted to ride the entire trail.

All that aside, I would reconsider the idea of riding the “entire trail.” For most riders the section between St Charles and Machens is hardly worth the effort and time spent to ride. It has little to offer other than bragging rights. The same has been said for the section between Clinton and Sedalia. There are other ways to spend time along the trail that better justify vacation dollars. The MKT trail to Columbia, wineries and the states oldest wine cellar in Hermann, Central Dairy and the state capital in Jefferson City, etc are noteworthy. Some folks like far remote areas but when traveling we prefer the highlights in favor of the mundane.

Bill in Houston from Houston on 1/2/2020 3:22:31 PM:

You can park at the Community Rec Center in Clinton. The trail starts a few hundred yards from there.

We liked the section from Clinton to Sedalia. But different people like different stuff.

There are a few shuttle services available. They can be expensive unless you are part of a group.

If I did it again, I would...
drive to Clinton
Ride to St Charles
Uber to Amtrak
Amtrak back to Sedalia
Ride back to Clinton

I agree with skipping St Charles to Machens.

Gman from Erie PA on 1/3/2020 7:01:18 AM:

To WDK 1965 Any trail suggestions for Michigan. Particularly the Traverse City area

Hank on 1/4/2020 10:03:50 AM:

I disagree rather strongly with not riding between Clinton and Sedalia. It is very enjoyable.

I would use a shuttle service, parking in St. Charles and then shuttling to Clinton. This is the simplest solution.

Allen from Shawnee on 1/4/2020 12:08:49 PM:

Having done the whole trail multiple times, this is how I would do it. I would park my car at the Amtrak station in Kirkwood MO., they allow this, just tell them, (be sure to book space for your bikes well in advance, they only have 4 per train). Then take the train to Sedalia and ride back to St Charles. Then get an Uber or some ride back to my car in Kirkwood, then come back to get the bikes in St. Charles. You can ride from St Charles to Kirkwood but you would need to be comfortable with riding city streets. There are routes available on this site to get there. I feel getting an Uber to haul 2 bikes and luggage might be difficult.
I know everyone feels differently about the parts of the trail they like. This is just my opinion based on ease and cost of transportation, plus experience of riding the trail.

Whatever you do have a good trip and be sure to stop and smell the roses.

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