Rock Island Trail Forum

Last week I rode through the Weldon Spring trailhead and saw a bike repair station (you can see a photo here) with some basic tools and a hand-pump.

Maybe it's been there for a while - I haven't been through Weldon Spring for a couple years - but I was happy to see this useful amenity along the trail.

Is anyone aware of any more of these bike repair stations at other trailheads? I'd like to list the repair stations here on the website as a feature at any trailheads where they are available.

Happy trails and enjoy the spring-ish weather!

There's one at Jefferson City

There is a repair station with tools at pump at the Marthasville trailhead also.

Bike Repair Station at Meriwether Café and Bike Shop in Rocheport.

There will be a full service bike shop in Windsor later this year.
~www.surlevelo.com

There's one at Agusta.

There is one outside of the Turner Shelter in Tebbetts.

The Sedalia depot has had one for at least a couple of years.

I think the easier reply would be: Where is there NOT a Bike Repair Station along the KATY, at the Trailheads?

Boonville, Pilot Grove and Rocheport have them too. But. If the reason someone is asking is that they do not want to carry simple tools....keep in mind, it is a LOOOOONG walk, pushing a bicycle, between Trailheads that have tools.

That said. The set ups at the Trailheads are VERY nice and we have used them more than once. Very Thankful these are at the Trailheads.

Ray, I tried to send the link to the DNR site that has all the work stations listed but my post did not show up. Did you get it or are my math abilities lacking? :-)

Thank you everybody for all your input! And yes Gary I was able to use DNR's info to fill in all the rest.

I have added all of these locations so the "repair station" icon now shows up throughout the website, and as a searchable option in the trip planner.

Thanks again!

There is a repair station at the trailhead in Hartsburg as well.

There's one at Black Walnut, too!

The Busch Greenway Trail Head at the end of Research Park Drive in Weldon Springs also has a bike repair station. It leads to the Katy Trail.

I am in the preliminary planning stage for a ride this spring. My plan is to drive to Kirkwood and take the Amtrak to Warrenburg or Sedalia. My question is where is the best place in Kirkwood to leave a car for about a week? Thanks.

Have you considered the official Katy Trail ride? It's fully supported, has an optional shuttle with parking, and there are a lot of planned things to do/see along the way. Camping space and hot showers are a few perks included in each overnight town! Visit the site:

https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride

This topic has come up in the past, if you want to search the website for previous forum posts. One suggestion is that Amtrak may allow you to park next to station or in a nearby lot, but you would need to check with Amtrak about that (and arrange for a permit). The Kirkwood station has volunteers there most of the time (during the day), so they may know the answer.

Another option (suggested before) is to ask the Alpine Shop (5 blocks north of station) if you could park in their large lot (after buying something to support them).

Finally, Kirkwood is a mostly safe town, at least in most places near the station. There is unlimited (no hour limit) street parking a few blocks east or west of the station. I think if you parked near nice houses (lots of them not far from station), your car would be safe.

I echo the thoughts on parking in downtown Kirkwood. I suggest reaching out to local police and inquiring about long-term parking.

I am planning to ride from Clinton to St. Charles at the end of March. Since I am poor and also a cheapskate I want to camp whenever I can, and only stay in a B&B as a last resort. (I think they are WAY too expensive!) My question is this... I know they say camping is not allowed except in designated places. But would anyone know (or CARE) if I went off into the woods somewhere by the trail and set up my tent? Just before it got dark and just to sleep. This would be only if I was stuck with no other place to camp. Thank you and I hope this is not a stupid question.

I set up my tent at Pilot Grove and Hartsburg in the city park and never got chased.

Not sure whether anyone would know, but some people definitely would care. Here's an earlier discussion that you might find interesting. Also a list of all camping options along the trail - campgrounds, city parks that allow camping, and some businesses that will let you pitch a tent "out in back". One other inexpensive option ($5/night) is the hostel in Tebbetts. Finally, a little more expensive than camping but cheaper than B&Bs are motels, which you'll find in St Charles, Jeff City/Holts Summit, Columbia (9 miles up a side trail), Boonville, Sedalia, & Clinton.
Good luck & have fun!

Okay....wear this hat. You are the land owner. Would you like people going off into your woods and setting up their tent "just to sleep?" If I were to do that on your land without your permission, I am trespassing. You can prosecute me if you choose because I have broken the law. Not a good reminder of that trip for me! And the other side here is....if you don't care and have no intentions of ever prosecuting a trespasser, why don't you have a sign up inviting every "cheapskate" as you say, to come camp for free?



What if something on your place comes up missing. Are you going to think it just magically disappeared....or might you suspect that "someone" who camped in the woods last nite?



What if you had scouted and planned for months to hunt on your own property and when you reached your favorite spot early in the morning you found me there in my tent? Big deal...I ruined your hunt, but all I did was sleep! I'm guessing someone CARES now. Chances are you and I at that point are not going to bond into a lasting friendship.



What if your angry bull (that I have no idea about, because I have not a clue what you have on your land or how you manage it) tramples me in the night causing me bodily injury and I hold you liable? Many lawsuits are driven by the fact that a pocket with money in it exists. And I'm sure to assume that you have money beings you've paid for the land and the taxes on it each year.



For many reasons, it is usually best not to unlawfully intrude on someones land...especially if you do not know that person, their intended use of their land, or the general situation at all.

I can relate to being a cheapskate, but please don't trespass on private property to camp without permission - there is really no reason to on the Katy Trail. Use the tools on this website to plan your trip and pay for a few long distance phone calls to request permission to camp in the city parks. If you like the idea of camping 'in the woods' just off the trail, you can do so at Davisdale and Diana Bend conservation areas near Rocheport. Some free or inexpensive camping options I would recommend: Sedalia Fairgrounds, Pilot Grove city park, Diana Bend or Davisdale conservation areas, Hartsburg Volunteer Park, Tebbetts Turner Shelter(hot showers!), Marthasville community club park. I know I would sleep better camping where I have permission and not having to worry about being 'discovered'. Plus, there is something to be said for crawling out of your tent in the morning and being only a few blocks away from a grocery/convenience store or cafe for a hot cup of coffee and breakfast - especially in late March!

I'm going to add another plea here to PLEASE not camp without permission--many landowners were extremely hostile to the trail before it went in, and a few still are. These are the kinds of concerns they raise, and it makes it much more difficult to convince landowners along future trail right-of-ways to be cooperative if they know of trespassing problems along existing trails.

Oi

How far is the trail from the downtown area of Boonville?

The Katy Trail crosses the Missouri River on Hwy 40, which is Main Street, so you're pretty much in downtown Boonville.

Does anyone know how to access a map of the Katy trail that shows the actual Mile Markers along the route? I can only find version that shows miles in distance from where you center your starting point. Thank you.

I believe the paper maps available at trailheads show the mile markers of towns..

The Towns and Services page shows the mile marker at each town and the mileage from each town

I understand what you are looking for and would love to add this option to the Trail Map page.

However, I would need the geo-locations (latitude and longitude) of all the actual mile marker locations, to make this work. If anyone out there happens to have the location data for all the actual mile markers, and is willing to share it, please let me know.

The other option is to start with a few known mile marker locations and extrapolate to get the others. This would be less accurate, and would take more time. But I will put this on my to-do list if I don't hear from anyone with all the actual data. The to-do list is kind of long so it might be a month or two before this gets done, but this feature will get added sometime in the near future.

Thanks for the suggestion, and happy trails!

Couldnt you go to the trail map on this site and center your location on Machens, where the trail starts, then select mile markers every 1 mile.

Thanks Ray, yes I guess it would be difficult to show, having to know the exact gps coordinates. So I went ahead and purchased a paper map. But Thanks for keeping it all together on this website, I wouldn't have been able to plan my trip without this great site.

Troy That's a great idea... for most trails. But the Katy is different because its mile marker numbers are the old railroad mile numbers. Mile 0 is not on the trail, it's somewhere further east. Machens is actually mile 26.9.

Makes things a little confusing sometimes :-)

Just letting everyone know we are still here and open for business. 573-676-3540,573-590-9655

Does anyone know if Katy (around Definance) is flooded right now. I see Missouri River is at moderate flood stage

I rode defiance to Augusta on Sunday afternoon. There was no flooding on the trail at that time, however, the trail was closed a few miles west of defiance. Looks like bridge repair was underway. I had to take the well marked detour through Klondike Park to continue to Augusta. Hope this helps!

I have only done road biking and the Katy will be my first experience with "cross over" type bike on a "rougher" surface. We are riding end to end. Is it better/more comfortable to have my own saddle or just use the saddle on the rented bike which I assume is larger and has a little more cushion? Also, I'd really like to have my clipless pedals. Anything I should be considering in that regard?

Do your shoes have recessed cleats so that you can easily walk on them? If so, I highly recommend bringing your own pedals and shoes. If not, you still may like your own shoes and pedals better, but make sure to buy some cleat covers so that you can walk around easier. Also check the front of any establishments or buildings before going inside. Some do not want you to wear cycling shoes inside often because of the floors could get scratched up.

The saddle is a tougher call. Your road saddle might not feel right if the rental bike is more upright. I think that I'd use the bike's saddle and make sure to bring high quality cycling shorts and some lubricant like Chamois Butt'r.

Thank you. That makes perfect sense and I appreciate your insights as well.

I am an older cyclist, and I am primarily a road cyclist. My brother (also an older cyclist) and I ride annually, end to end, and we have done so nine times. Our travelogue appears in the Katy Trail Trip reports, The Katy Trail, The Whole Enchilada. My Rock Island – Katy Trail rides are on Strava.

I use a hybrid (TREK 7200) for the trail and use SPD’s clipless pedals; my brother rides a MTB, and uses the “road pedals” from his road bike. By all means, use the clipless pedals of your choice.

While there are rough spots on the trail, for the most part the trail is not a bone-jarring ride. My brother uses his road bike saddle on his MTB, and he quite happy. I use the firm saddle which came with my hybrid. As you know, going too soft can increase the pressure on some of your pressure points. Assuming that it works for you logistically, it couldn’t hurt to bring the saddle with which you are comfortable, and see how it works for you on the cross over. If it doesn’t switch.

I think I'm going to bring my own saddle and pedals for sure. I hadn't thought about the fact that I could change out saddles if one doesn't work. Thank you

I am looking to ride the Katy trail this may and starting in CLINTON and finish at saint Charles my only problem is how do I get back to pick up my car, please help,
Thank you
Baba

Baba, check out all the features of this website for really good info on shuttles. There appears to be one in St. Charles, Lococo House. Click on their info on the Trip Planner tab of this site, and you can see their information. Have a good trip!

My wife and I are doing a little round trip ride from Rocheport to Boonville and back next month and are looking for dining suggestions in both towns. Lunch in Boonville and dinner in Rocheport. Thanks!

Hotel Frederick in Boonville and Les Bourgeois Bistro in Rocheport.

Or A&W in Boonville and Mulberry Grill in Rocheport.

There are several choices depending on what you are looking for.

Main Street Diner
And
Maggie’s
Are favorites of our
Main Street pies are to die for!

I’ll throw in a vote for Abigails in Rocheport. Great food but the service can be erratic. Desserts are always worth having. It’s a small place so make reservations.

Hotel Frederick, in the bar. Great food and beer, right off the trail, and you get to explore that fabulous old building.

I'm planning to take the Amtrak to Lee's Summit and jump on the Rock Island Spur at Pleasant Hill and onto the Katy. Are there shuttles that will take us to Pleasant Hill from Lee's Summit? As an alternative, what kind of a ride is it? All roads? Some trails? Thanks.

Not sure of shuttles up there but a friend has given this as the best road route Lee's Summit to P Hill

Take the 13.6 mile route through Greenwood Missouri. BUT stay south on Allendale Rd. Follow that road till 175th St. It will change names a few times. Turn left or East on 175th. That will take you straight to Pleasant Hill. Cross the tracks and turn right onto the trail. That will take you to Pleasant Hill and on your way East to Windsor.

Another route is from Amtrak station is go west to SW Ward rd (about a mile or so using city streets), then turn south to 171st (there is a MUP for about 1/3 this distance), then turn east to 291, turn south on 291 (this is a busy hiway but you only travel on it for 1/2 mile, you could even push your bike on the grass alongside), then turn east on 175th to trail going into PH.
I haven’t personally ridden this route but a man I gave it to rode it and said it was good. The total distance is about 17 miles mostly on little traveled rural roads.
Allen

Is it necessary to carry bike locks on end to end trip?

No it is not necessary....no one will tell you you have to.

But seriously, how could anyone here possibly predict that no one along the trail will be tempted to and will not in fact take your bike when you happen to pass through on any given day?

If you can’t afford a lock you probably can’t afford to ride end to end over several days. If you are worried about weight, you don’t need to be riding on chat and would be better served riding a road bike on a highway somewhere other than the Katy that has much less rolling resistance. If you ride a cheap bike and just don’t mind walking if someone takes it, do the gamble and don’t waste your time locking it up. Save your lock money and buy a Coke to celebrate your new walking program and the fact that you donated a cheap bike to someone in need. When you leave home, don’t worry about locking the front door either. Or maybe you’ve someone who has greater wisdom to ask if that’s necessary or not.

I have ridden a bike over 250ooo miles so far in my life and I have a lock. So I don't think I need a smart a--- answer from you about bike riding. My last ride in Missouri was from Sedalia to Arrow Rock State Park and back in one day. As an old backpacker and mountain climber I know if you look after the ounces the pounds weight wise will take care of itself.

So....you've ridden a quarter of a million miles and you haven't figured out yet if its prudent to lock your bike when you travel or not? What have all of those miles told you? Use a lock or not?

If we all say no and you get ripped off, we're all idiots. If you are going to lock your bike anyway because you know better, it's all a mute point and anyone that told you not to is an idiot.

You've made your point. You are a well seasoned bike rider, backpacker, and mountain climber. My apologies. Your 3rd grade question led me to believe otherwise.

Perhaps it is a moot point and I should remain mute on the subject, but by the time I was in third grade I had already learned that you cannot build yourself up by putting others down. You only end up looking hateful mean and insecure.Of course, that is why you remain anonymous.

Riding a section of the Katy in early May. I have planned an overnight in Washington. I’m wondering about the status of the new bridge and bike lane.

According to the pictures on the MODOT camera on this bridge, it appears open.

The bridge is open but the bike lane is not. You will have to ride the shoulders on the new bridge, which are 10 ft wide I think. Should not be a problem. The shoulders on 47 south from Dutzow are only 8 ft wide and this is a heavily traveled roadway. However it is pretty easily doable if you don't mind a couple miles of whooshing traffic flying by.

If you prefer not to ride the shoulders, both Revolution Cycles and Hoeffel Haus B&B will shuttle you to/from if you give them a call.

I have been here many times and always had a terrific experience. The owner also owns a very good restaurant in Washington so he obviously has a lot on his plate. Have to laugh at some who complain when he is closed on off-season. Really expect him to wait for the 1 customer a day? Maybe bump should reavaluate himself!