First time riders on Katy Trial need info

My wife and I are planning a 4 day vacation to the Boonville area this weekend for our anniversary. I have a couple questions. First we have rode bike with thin tires, can we use them one the trail? Secondly if not, will bike shops be open to rent from? I called one the other day and they told me they were due to close down for the season this week.

And finally, as it is my anniversary I would like any suggestions as to a place for a romantic lunch stop along the way, and the most scenic direction to go leaving Boonville.

Thanks for your comments and any advice you have to give.

Most of the trail is fairly compacted gravel this time of the year by heavy use during the summer months. When you say thin tires do you mean narrow width? I have ridden a bike with 27x1.25" tires before without any problems except for wet trail conditions or areas with freshly laid gravel.

You might give the Booneville to Rocheport ride a try in the morning and stop at the Les Bourgeois Winery & Bistro for lunch. You can't see the restaurant from the trail but if you go to the plan a ride section of this site you can get detailed information on it. There are two ways to get to it - one is to leave the trail, go through Rocheport turn right onto highway BB, go uphill and watch for the sign on the right. The other is to go past the Rocheport trailhead and watch for the bike racks on the left side of the trail (it's before you go under I70). You can lock your bikes up there and walk up the hill to the restaurant. This is probably the best way to get there.

After lunch, you can continue riding east for the views of the river and then turn around and head back to Boonville.

For riding variety, I always enjoy the stretch between Boonville and Pilot Grove - not as flat as going east of Boonville but it has nice country scenery.

First choice definitely Les Bourgeois, Abigail's in Rocheport would also be a nice choice.

Les Bourgeois is good...the view probably better than the food, IMO....but if in the Boonville area for 4 days I'd have to work in Cafe Napoli, Glenn's, and the Hotel Frederick in Boonville.

Lots of good advice here already. I would add that the ride west from Boonville towards Pilot Grove is alot of uphill grade. Not steep - but a grade non the less. Of course - the return trip to Boonville is great - especially if you have a little breeze out of the south.

Also - the pie at Doty's in Hartsburg is always good, but there just something about the pumpkin pie at this time of year that makes it taste especially good to me.

Happy anniversary. Enjoy the weekend.

I agree with Trek. For a romantic evening, I would stay at the Frederick and eat at Glenn's. The bartender, Koz, will take care of you and the wine list is extensive.
Happy Anni!

You must go to Les Bourgeois. The Rocheport to Columbia ride is great. Go Hogs!

I commonly ride the Katy and other lime stone type of trails with my street bike. 700x35 tires with little dirt nobbies.

We used 700 x 25 tires. My wife's were Gatorskins. I used normal tires with a Kevlar lining and slime tubes. Absolutely no problems during our 140 miles.
Hotel Frederick was neat and they have a storage room for bikes. Cafe Napoli was a good bet too.