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from KC to Clinton?
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Luke Sponsler from San Diego on 2/21/2013 12:18:56 PM:
Hello,

I have done some research but I am looking for update information on getting from KC to Clinton as I will be flying in to MCI from San Diego on MArch 16 and planning on arriving to St. Louis by 22nd.

Option A: take train from KC to Warrensburg. Ride to Clinton via MO13 or county roads

Option B: There have been rumors of connectors from Lees Summit or Pleasant Hill but I can not find any up to date info. Is that a possibility? (I saw one route that connected to Windsor. Would I miss some of the majesty by starting from Windsor?)
I have the time to ride all the way from KC but don't necessarily want to be on super busy highways if I can help it.

Any suggestions? Thanks for all your help.
 
Gary from Near Tebbetts on 2/21/2013 12:45:06 PM:
It's hard to imagine riding the trail now with 25 degrees and snow, but who knows we could have a heat wave in three weeks?

If you have reservations somewhere along the trail, you might check to see if they will shuttle you from the airport to where you want to start or you might contact one of the shuttle services listed in this site.
 
Luke Sponsler from San Diego on 2/21/2013 1:04:36 PM:
I'm nervous trust me. I'm praying for a heat wave. Maybe I should consider bringing my mountain bike instead of my touring bike. I have a feeling I will be the first one on the trail this year.
I will look into the shuttle but I am hoping to ride as much as possible. The Amtrak to Warrensburg is only $13. I don't think a shuttle could beat that price.
 
Luke Sponsler from San Diego on 2/21/2013 1:46:35 PM:
I will bumb this in search of more info about a connection from Lees Summit or Pleasant Hill.
 
ArkyKenny on 2/21/2013 4:22:43 PM:
KCMO has too many HIGH CRIME AREAS and you would ride right though them. DON'T DO IT.
 
ajneumann from Windsor on 3/1/2013 9:18:07 PM:
I live in Windsor, right now the trail is covered in snow, impossible to ride on, but you have some time. The ride from Clinton is absolutely beautiful in the summer, because of the trees and pasture land, but during the winter and early spring, you really won't miss much. If you catch the train to Warrensburg, you can ride several ways to Windsor without a lot of traffic, but there will be virtually no shoulder to ride on, you'll have to watch carefully. If you have any questions about this area, you can email me at neumanns@embarqmail.com. I ride the trail between Clinton and Sedalia frequently. Was planning on riding 200 miles last week, but the snowstorm ended those hopes. I ride a cyclo-cross bike on the trail because the tires are a bit wider. The trail gets soggy when wet, and we've had about 14 inches of snow sitting on the trail for a week now.
 
Jharte from Kansas City on 3/2/2013 9:42:13 AM:
I've been on the Katy in late winter/early spring. As mentioned above, the trail gets very soft when the ground starts to thaw. It makes for a tough, slow ride, especially if you are running narrower tires and are fully loaded. The connection from Plesant Hill (or Lees Summit) to Clinton via the Rock Island Corridor isn't complete. MO13 is pretty narrow, no shoulder, and high tractor trailer traffic. I've ridden it a couple of times. Doable but a little nerve racking. If you can get from the airport to South KC, Hyway350 is a good route that will take you to Sedalia where you can pick up the Katy. When I leave from home to ride the Katy, that's the route I take. Give me a shout if you would like to discuss it more.
Jharte
 
Skyguy9999 on 3/5/2013 4:39:21 AM:
Luke: Rock Island Trail State Park (what you're referring to) isn't officially/fully open. The best bet you'll have until that happens is coming in via Amtrak to Sedalia and then riding down to Clinton and back (to see the whole trail).
 
Figs from Olathe, KS on 3/6/2013 9:47:26 AM:
Luke, I am checking with my boss (wife). IF, she doesn't mind me taking a riding day, I would like to ride the Clinton end of the trail (which I have not yet done). If this plan works out, I could meet you at KCI and transport you and bike to Clinton, then ride a bit of the way up the trail with ya (unless you're gonna go fast). Not sure this plan is going to work out for us, but if it does, what time will you be getting to KCI? It's almost exactly 100 miles from the airport to the trailhead in Clinton.
 
Figs from Olathe, KS on 3/7/2013 8:57:05 AM:
Luke, The Boss is working the morning of the 16th, so I am free to go riding.. assuming you are arriving at KCI at a relatively early time in the day. So, Send me an email if you wish and we will work on hooking you up with a ride to Clinton.
 
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