Sedalia to Jefferson City

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Mark from Bentonville, AR on 6/1/2013 6:55:21 PM:

Is trying to ride the stretch from Sedalia to Jeff City in one day (& cath Amtrak back)a feasible plan for experienced/fit cyclists? We would be on hybrid bikes.

ArkyKenny on 6/2/2013 8:42:38 AM:

The distance is not a problem, but linking up with the Amtrak ride and being on their schedule could be tricky. If you are worried about it, think about an out and back from Sedalia, eating lunch in Huntsdale, Rocheport, or some place like that. These long summer days allow for that, and I would much rather ride some extra miles than wait on a train.

FYI, Sedalia to Pilot Grove is my favorite part of the trail (because of the tree tunnels), but you climb to get to PG from both directions. Railroad grades wear on you very differently than those Arkansas hills. Not bad, just different. So be ready, and bring plenty of fluids because you will climb to PG twice if you do that.

Mark from Bentonville, AR on 6/3/2013 5:14:38 PM:

There is an evening train scheduled to depart at ~6:30 pm. Is it that the trains often run behind schedule? I like your out and back idea but was also wanting to see as much of the trail in one day as possible

ArkyKenny on 6/3/2013 8:06:44 PM:

My out and back suggestion is a reflection of my 1) my need to be early vs. 2) my utter disgust with having to wait. Since I have to be early, and hate to wait, and like to ride, the best solution for me is to do an out and back for a one day ride.

If it's your first time on the Katy, an out and back would also be a good option for you to figure out your preferred distance. I think that 80 on Katy is roughly equal to riding a century on the road, so that is what I consider a good full long, but fairly leisure day's ride. You will need to figure out your ideal day: The rolling resistance is more than I first expected, and there are NO hills to coast down, so there are no breaks. The Katy is both easier, and harder to ride than riding on the road. An out and back would be a good way to figure that out.

If you want to see the trail, which you will, get a ride to St Charles (maybe on Amtrak), and do a multi day trip back to Sedalia, or Clinton. That is how I did it. And I'm hooked!

Good luck!

Hank on 6/4/2013 5:04:43 AM:

If you're an experienced fit cyclist then Sedalia to Jeff in one day should not be a problem. Just leave plenty early so you are not "on the clock" so to speak. Amtrak is often late though better than it used to be, when it was ALWAYS late. Don't forget with Amtrak, you MUST have a bike reservation, you can't just show up and put your bikes on. I agree with AK, Sedalia to Pilot Grove is sublime.

Mike from South of Clinton on 6/4/2013 7:48:52 PM:

I have made the Sedalia - Jefferson City - Amtrak trip several times. That is close to a 90 mile day, I like the challenge. If things don't work out, you can stay the night and catch the morning train, or, just ride back...75 - 80 miles from your car can be a real problem if you break your bike or yourself. I still take time to stop and eat, talk to people, drink beer, etc. I have shown up with 5 minutes to spare before. I have had nothing but good experiences with Amtrak, even calling and changing my travel times the night before.

blatamy from st louis on 5/16/2019 9:24:20 AM:

I want to ride from sedalia to jefferson city via the KT and Butterfield stage experience...anyone know where i can find a map with both listed?

Anonymous on 5/16/2019 1:39:11 PM:

https://mobikefed.org/ButterfieldStageExperience/CrossStateRouteOptions has some static and interactive maps that may help.

Dean from Columbia on 5/16/2019 5:02:35 PM:

Only reservation I might have are detours near Easley (3 miles on gravel roads) and Rocheport (4 mile detour, most of it on US 40). The Easley detour is rough, and slowed me down a bit last I took it. The section on 40 can be a little busy depending on time of day.

Karl Brand from Missouri City, TX on 5/17/2019 5:53:33 AM:

I have ridden the entire trail 9 times, and the mileage and AMTK connection are very doable. I have to echo the sentiment; the Sedalia-Pilot Grove segment is my favorite.

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