Katy Trail in Missouri

[Maureen Valley]

I would very much like to bike a portion of the Katy Trail in Missouri...perhaps next fall when the leaves are turning. It's the longest Rail to Trail roadway in the country....over 200 miles long.

Has anyone out there done part of this trail or all of it? I am wondering where to pick it up to maximize a 3 or 4 day bike trip staying at lodgings along the way.

Here is the link:
www.bikekatytrail.com

Thanks for any and all input!! Please share your experiences.
Maureen

[Thorn]

Oooh...the Katy trail has been on our list for a while. We drove through the area on another vacation and thought an inn-to-inn on the Katy would be fun. Make sure you include one or two wineries along the way (?Hermann?). That area of Missouri makes a wine with a grape native to North America (the Norton or Cynthiana) that creates a really different wine.

Anway, whenever I plot a trip, I look to see where the "pros" go (sometimes I use a tour company; sometimes we go self-catered). There is a company that does the Katy trail--you might want to check out their site (http://www.timbertours.com/HL_KT.html). We've travelled with them once. It is a laid back company where it is the cycling that isimportant. They won't win awards for 5-star accomodations, but they provide 5-start support when you're on the road.

Looking forward to the post trip report!

[Maureen Valley]

Thorn:

This is the kind of info I'm looking for!!! Thanks a bunch for the link. I also found an Elder Hostel that does two tours of the Katy Trail...one 5 days long and the other 6 days. The cost is under $1,000....always a plus.

Now...to check out your link.

Thanks again!
Maureen

[bike4ever]

I received information this week regarding bed and breakfast inns along biking trails. Here's some info for the Katy Trail:

http://www.bbbiking.com/trailtest.asp?biketrails_id=327&Submit1=Search

[Maureen Valley]

Bike Mom.....thanks much. This is invaluable.

I'm getting excited about this trip.

Maureen;)

[AllezGirl]

I went to school in Columbia and have riden much of the section between Rocheport and Jefferson City. October is a great month to hit the trail, especially with the trees in full color. Make sure to stop by the Cycle Depot in Hartsburg, and you can refuel with homestyle cooking at the cafe next door. Sipping some wine at the Les Bourgeois winery in Rocheport that sits on a bluff overlooking the River makes for a nice afternoon. And, If you like wine &/or beer, the German village of Hermann is full of wineries and brewerys. I believe the only way to experience a more authentic Oktoberfest is to travel to Germany!

This post is making me homesick!

[Maureen Valley]

Ladies....I do thank you for your input. I've earmarked May, 2007 as my trip month and will concentrate on continuing on building miles....building endurance and gaining confidence.

Best to all:
Maureen

[spokewench]

I don't know anything about the trail, but this is such a coincidence. The couple I went backpacking in the Grand Canyon this weekend are planning a trip next Spring with John's mother (78 years old) to do the Katy trail.

I had never heard about the trail before and now here it is on TE. I hear it is pretty flat and sounds like it would be a fun thing to do!:)

[Bad JuJu]

I was planning to do the Katy Trail several years ago, but due to family circumstances and a new job, I only got to ride it for a day, from the Defiance trailhead. While researching the trip, I found a wonderful resource called The Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur (I think). It may be out of date by now, but it's worth checking it out. Have fun!

[Maureen Valley]

Spoke Wench and JuJu...thanks for the responses. I will go to Books a Million today and look for the guidebook you suggest, JuJu.

I think my best bet is to join an Elder Hostel program to do this trail. There is a 5 and a 6 day course. For the 5 day course, they provide bikes with 21 gears. I wish I could bring my own bike...but if the bikes they provide are up to their usual standards (GREAT!!!) I'll be in good shape. I not only get a bike ride on the longest rail to trail facility in the country....I get lots of instruction as to the history of that part of Missouri. I know many of you aren't old enough to travel with Elder Hostel, but for those of you that are...here's the link:

www.elderhostel.org

There's a little something for everyone there....worldwide. This will be my fourth E.H.

Best to all:
Maureen;)

[DebW]

I grew up in Missouri but left the area long before the Katy Trail was conceived. My parents currently live in St. Charles, though, and about 4 years ago I managed to do a couple of day trips on the trial near St. Charles. Had to rent a bike. All the rentals at the local shops were heavy bikes with fat tires and without toe clips. But it turned out you needed fat tires for the crushed limestone surface. A skinny-tired road bike would not have been good there. I was on the trail in the summer when it was bloomin' hot and most of the stuff along the trail that would have catered to cyclists was closed.

[love2bike]

Hi Maureen,

I live 10 minutes away from the Weldon Spring Trailhead of the Katy Trail. This past year I logged several hundred miles of riding on the St. Charles to Treloar section of the trail. My favorite trailhead is Augusta - I hope you are able to spend some time there. Hermann is also great. When you ride the trail in the Spring and Fall you meet many people who are riding the entire trail. I know that the Missouri State Parks is doing their annual Katy Trail Ride in June 2007. You can get info at www.katytrailstatepark.com There is also a Mo. Dept. of Conservation ride in the Fall.


If you are travelling by yourself, I think the Elderhostel trip is great. Although, I have ridden the trail by myself many times and felt very safe. You may want to ask what their plans are if there is a day that it rains. May can be very rainy here, and riding 40+ miles in the rain is not fun. Also, I'm curious about the last day of the ride; Hermann to St. Charles (I think) is 55-60 miles? I may be wrong, but you may want to check that out, seems like alot of miles for the final day.

Feel free to PM me, if you have any questions.....Have a great time!

Patty

[love2bike]

Here's the link where you can purchase the Katy Trail Guidebook - I too recommend it....

http://www.pebblepublishing.com/

Patty

[bouncybouncy]

The WHOLE trail is something I always wanted to do...I used to live in MO and would ride around the Agusta area. For mtbikers they have really neat epic route you can single-track hop...works out to about 40 miles i think.

I do not have any advice...actually I am here to hi-jack your thread in a way: I will be in MO in December (Christmas time) and was hoping to take a day trip...I was thinking of having my Mom drop DH & I off in Marthasville and ride to St Charles to meet my parents for dinner. My question is: Are the wineries (or anything) open at that time of the year?

I should add...I do know someone who did the entire trail and had a blast!!! Be sure to allow time to hang out at the towns & wineries!

[Maureen Valley]

Follow up to all the recent emails re: Katy Trail. I'm checkint out the distance between Herman and St. Charles....that does seem a long way to end the week. With EH, however, there is a van that will 'rescue' anyone that poops out.

Odd...until I just stumbled on the Katy Trail web site I'd never heard of it. Now I'm DRIVEN to ride this trail!!!

Thanks, ladies, for the links to the books and the state park info. You can't imagine how I appreciate this.

Maureen