Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home
Katy Trail Home Clinton Windsor Calhoun Green Ridge Sedalia Clifton City Boonville New Franklin Rocheport McBaine Hartsburg N Jefferson Tebbetts Mokane Portland Bluffton Rhineland McKittrick Treloar Marthasville Matson Defiance Weldon Spring St Charles Machens Easley Pilot Grove Hermann Huntsdale Columbia Jefferson City Dutzow Washington Augusta KT sticker Rock Island Spur Map Katy Trail Katy Trail Merchandise
switch to Rock Island map

Reply to Katy trail
Cancel and Return to Forum
Scroll down to see the discussion
All submissions are reviewed for appropriateness. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment that we consider incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate, at our sole discretion. Please remember that this is a family-friendly website.
Subject:
Reply to Katy trail
Your Name:

This does not have to be your real name. It could be a "screen name", your initials, or just leave blank.
Your Hometown:

Optional - it's just interesting to know where people are from
Email Address
Comment:
So we know you are a human, please answer this easy math quiz:
2 + 4 =
Karlie from KC on 6/7/2021 3:48:00 PM:
Hi, We are riding from Rocheport to St. Charles stopping overnight in Jeff City, Hermann & Augusta so 35-40 miles a day. I have never gone this far and it's been a long time. We have road bikes. How is the trail? Are there stops that are open? Ok, probably stupid question but can you make a wrong turn or miss a turn to get to your next destination?
I really think we will be fine but just wondering.
Oh, and The Bike Stop Cafe in St. Charles does transport if needed. We won't need it as we have someone picking us up.
Thanks for any info.
 
Kate from Warrenville on 6/8/2021 11:27:39 PM:
How the trail is can depend a lot on how much rain has recently fallen. I rode it during a rainy week & was glad to have my mountain bike with the 1.5 in wide tires instead of my road bike with the skinnier tires. The trail can be quite soft when it rains & some parts get muddy. If it were a dry week, it would be fine with narrower tires.
 
Dave from Kirkwood on 6/9/2021 8:55:39 AM:
You ask a lot of questions, so here are some general replies.

Not sure what you mean by not going so far and been a long time (since you rode a bike anywhere??), but it would be a good idea to do a long-ish day ride of 30-40 miles to make sure you and your bike are comfortable. Drive to Pleasant Hill and ride 20 miles out (and back) to make sure you feel ready.

As Kate says, the trail should be fine for road bikes unless there has been LOTS of rain. It drains very well, and plants suck up water during the summer to prevent excessive sogginess.

As for stops, it is best to call ahead (now) to make sure key stops for restaurants are going to be open, especially on weekdays. Some places have unusual hours or are still recovering from pandemic closures.

Finally, you should not be able to get lost - just stay on the obvious trail heading east (across numerous road crossings and avoiding side trails that are usually marked).
 
Karlie on 6/9/2021 10:59:33 PM:
Thanks Kate and Dave. I meant I have ridden the Katy Trail but not to St. Charles. We ride 40-50 miles on a weekend but on streets so I didn't know about the trail. Thanks again!
 
Michael from London from Leamington Spa on 6/12/2021 4:34:16 AM:
Karlie
Your 35-40 miles a day sounds a really good choice. You need to allow for the odd detour (we got a bit lost here and there), punctures, and just enjoying the ride. It is not the Tour de France! Take several spare tubes, and a good toolkit and pump; we got through several tubes and were rescued by a lovely couple who drove to Walmart and bought us some more.
 
Deby from Dallas on 6/12/2021 7:34:19 AM:
The only place you might get sort of lost is in the towns, but with a google maps on a phone you're pretty safe. Do be prepared for HILLS though, when you go across the river into the towns. We (There were 3 of us) did gravel bikes this year with 38mm tires, with no flats. We did Katy Trail a few years ago on road bikes (I recommend gravel bike if possible) and we used some sort of a protective liner inside the tire, between the tire and the tube. No flats eitehr time.
 
FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!
More info: KT Home Katy Trail Map Trip Planner Travel Timeline Forum Towns & Services Mileage Chart Events Trail Merchandise Search Advertise Contact Us
 
By using this website, you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
how this website uses cookies
This information may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
© Copyright 2024 BikeKatyTrail. All rights reserved.
BikeKatyTrail and BikeKatyTrail.com are registered trademarks.