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What to expect to see if starting the ride at St. Charles heading to Defiance


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Lisa from Trenton IL on 9/1/2010 9:48:23 PM:
This will be my first ride on the Katy Trail. We are riding on Sunday, Sept 5th, starting at St. Charles heading to Defiance. What interesting things should be look for or expect to see?

 
Greg from St. Louis on 9/2/2010 12:13:02 AM:
I did that ride Sunday. There are a lot of pretty cliffs and views of
the river. Some neat bridges. In between the highway 40 bridge and
Weldon Springs there is a area that used to be flooded by a beaver
dam. You can usually see a lot of wildlife there. Be aware that
there is no water between St. Charles and Defiance, be sure to bring
enough. You can fill up in Defiance at the bike shop or either of the
two bars. The bar by the road is mostly for motorcycles, the one
across the street more for cyclists. There is a area right before
Defiance were they are working on the trail. Watch out for the piece
of metal sticking out of the ground. There is a short side trail to a
water treatment plant around before Weldon Springs that is
surprisingly pleasant.

 
Cvrz from St Peters on 9/2/2010 12:26:03 AM:
In my opinion, the ride is rather mundane until you get to Greens Bottom. After that you start to sense you're leaving the "Sprawling Urbia" behind bit by bit. As you get closer to Weldon Spring, the trees become more and more of a delightful canopy giving ample shade. The scenery becomes more pastoral as well. The Missouri river comes up to be a closer companion to the trail. The bluffs on the right will be getting higher and higher. They can be quite majestic. Keep a look out for a couple small "caves" in the rock faces right along the trail. They are refreshingly cool to rest in for a short spell if you are willing to climb in. You will also pass a paved trail near Weldom Springs. This Greenway is worth the diversion to ride down for the scenery. It is not that long, but I believe has a great deal of splendor for the eye. Defiance offers a couple nice places for your dining pleasure, and an excellent bike shop with an antique/craft store adjoining it. All in all I find that ride "food for the soul" It is quite enjoyable.

 
Brandon from St. Charles on 9/4/2010 12:27:29 AM:
My wife and I are considering doing a portion of this ride tomorrow, we'll be towing my 2 year old in a bike trailer, from Missouri Research Pk/Weldon Spring is there a massive hill that we'd have to conquer coming back from Defiance?

 
Chris from Festus on 9/4/2010 4:43:18 PM:
You won't have any hills to worry about in that section.