Rock Island Trail Forum

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safe?

suz from Trinidad, CA on 08/16/2018 06:33 PM

Wondering if anyone has had any safety issues while riding the trail? Would love to do the whole thing, in October. Am a mid-twenties female who'd be doing it alone. Besides the typical self-defense things, should I be concerned/worried? Also, planning on camping throughout my stay, trying to finish it in 7 days. Thank you for your input.

BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 08/17/2018 09:52 AM

Your biggest safety issues are likely to be the elements and your level of fitness. October in Missouri has warm, sunny days and very cool nights. You have to pack for nighttime temps down into the 30's, and daytime temps into the 80's. Layering and an insulated windbreaker are recommended.

I find cycling alone makes it a little more tiring than with a group, which has lots of dynamics to keep your mind going. Bring your earphones and music, and you will find the ride more pleasant (be sure to have downloaded songs, since there are spots on the trail with limited cell coverage). Your 7-day plan is a generous time allotment, so you are less likely to burn out.

Bring pepper spray and keep it handy in case you run into a stray dog wandering the trail. I ride it every year and have only had one dog ever follow me, and I think he was wanting to play more than anything. But you'll feel better having it handy.

Final tip: download a free app called Real Time GPS Tracker. You can set it up to let your friends/family see where you are at any point. Piece of mind for both you and them.

frank on 08/17/2018 10:55 AM

I find the trail safe. However I do not think you should do it by yourself.

Anonymous on 08/17/2018 12:53 PM

You will not have any problems. I have never seen anyone remotely troublesome along the trail or in the villages. Use the usual precautions and courtesies… Don’t get involved in locals’ arguments, agree with anyone argumentive and leave. There are several villages with taverns. Don’t broadcast the fact that you are camping alone. At closing time things sometimes get interesting. Carry pepper spray and an air horn. Works for dogs as well as people. The only trouble I have seen is on the parallel highway 94 east of Jeff City. Some locals go absolutly nuts when they see a cyclist on that road. They have tried to run several people off the road. Particularly that time of year you will probably be camping by yourself in most areas.

John Hutchins from Pacific on 08/17/2018 04:15 PM

FWIW, I think that last post goes a little bit over board. You will never do more than cross Hwy 94, a 2 lane highway, if you stay on the trail. So not much chance to get run off. I've ridden end to end 3 times and lots of shorter rides. I don't think you'll have any problems. Last May I met 2 women on the trail who had flown into St Louis, rented bikes in St Charles, had ridden west to Clinton and were on their way back to St Charles. They had a great time and didn't have any horror stories. Campsites are not near trailheads so not readily accessible by non-riders. Go for it. I think you'll have a great ride.

John Hutchins from Pacific on 08/17/2018 04:16 PM

Gary from Near Tebbetts on 08/17/2018 04:34 PM

HEY anonymous, I’m a local that lives off highway 94 and we are not out there hunting down cyclists as you implied. I personally would stay on the trail instead of riding down the highway because Hwy 94 is narrow, with no shoulders and hills with blind spots in places. But if you want to assert your right to ride Hwy 94 and go against better judgement of riding a nice safe trail, good luck with that.

Mel Zabecki from Fayetteville, AR on 08/17/2018 06:35 PM

I just completed a solo through trip of the Katy Trail last week. I'm a 43 year old female. I carried 3 cans of pepper spray and a knife and only pulled out the pepper spray once when I was setting up my tent at the campsite at the boat ramp by the Jeff City bridge at Noren Accesss - too spooky being so isolated and after a few minutes I promptly left for an Air BnB - STAY AWAY FROM THE NOREN ACCESS. Camping is tough, there are not many campsite adjacent to the trail - but Katy Roundhouse is good near New Franklin, Klondike Park near Augusta is fantastic, and Steamboat Junction near Bluffton looked good but I didn't stay. Please feel free to email me at melzharvey1975@gmail.com if you want to talk more. I really loved my trip. I have to disagree with the guy who said use earbuds and listen to music. NEVER WEAR ANYTHIGN THAT WILL STOP YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO HEAR THINGS AROUND YOU. If I don't hear from you - have a fantastic trip!!!! You'll love it!!

Mel Zabecki from Fayetteville, AR on 08/17/2018 07:28 PM

Oh and also, the Sedalia Fairgrounds is supposedly good, too, I met a guy who said it was good. I just didn't stay there bc I actually camped with a hammock (not tent like I said in last post - freudian slip or something) and there wasn't anywhere to hang it.

Anonymous on 08/17/2018 08:21 PM

Highway 94—On several occasions while riding the full length I used 94 part of the way. Fully loaded and after several days of trail I needed the relief of the pavement. When it is on the south side of the trail I rode it. When it went up into the hills I rode the trail. Had a decent shoulder and during the weekdays little traffic. However the one car we saw all morning tried to run my riding partner off the road. A year later I was on the road on a Saturday. More traffic. But on one long stretch with no other cars one tried to rum me off the road while yelling, screaming and gesturing. No reason for that. 94 is an excellent alternative for someone that is more into riding a long distance than riding the trail. Just look out for cars. I always pull over when cars are behind rather than “Claim my share of the road”. My thanks to the many courteous drivers who gave me a wide berth and smiles.

Globe Hotel Bed and Breakfast from Hartsburg on 08/18/2018 07:27 AM

Hi there,
We have had numerous women riding alone stay at our bed and breakfast and not one has mentioned anything that made them afraid. If you'd like to have an assurance of at least one night without any worries consider coming to Hartsburg. We offer a camping spot in our back yard - along with pitching your tent in a nice, quiet and definitely safe space- your reserved night with us includes the use of our showers, bathrooms and all of the other amenities as our inside guests and a very nice breakfast in the morning. Give us a call at the Globe Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Hartsburg, MO to get more information and make a reservation. (573) 657-4529. Leaia and Mark Clervi

Sir Randall from Fort Lauderdale on 08/18/2018 09:02 AM

I planned on doing the GAP-C&O trail solo last year. I casually mentioned to friends that I was going and several friends joined in. Now we are doing the Katy next week together. I can tell you from experience that solo touring is a nice escape but sharing the adventure with friends is even more rewarding. Ask around, you might be surprised by who's interested.

I think you'll be fine safety wise. The cycling community and people in general would be looking out for you.

denise wallace from fulton on 08/18/2018 07:06 PM

I think there's nothing to worry about. Ive been on the whole trail 4 times with no worries. Just an fyi, the Big Bam ( bike accross missouri) will be on the trail starting Oct. 7, so there will be a lot of people on the trail that week

Marna on 08/20/2018 01:57 PM

Safe?
It's all relative.
Do you feel safe when driving your car? If you asked the average person how safe it was to drive a car, they would say....very safe......However, if you asked a mother that just lost her child in a car wreck....or wife that lost it would be a different answer.

My husband and I live on the trail, we ride it almost every single day. In the past we rode it and hiked it and.... 1000's of miles on the KATY.....no problems.

However, we have seen everything from Bunny Rabbits to a good sized Copperhead Snake (poisonous by the way) ON the trail.

We heard about a guy that had a squirrel run out under his bike and he needed serious medical attention....and was busted up. We saw a father and daughter that were wounded, but not too serious, when she braked for a squirrel and he hit her back tire with his front.

There are areas with washout holes 'just right', or is that 'just wrong', for a bike tire to hit and throw a rider for a good ways.

Many things can and do happen to cause injuries and can happen to people.... usually they do not, but one should always be aware.

Riding alone adds extra ????? behind your question "safe?"

Dkeetz from Kansas City on 08/23/2018 02:23 PM

I’d just be aware as you go through towns, mostly Jeff city - as someone else stated I wouldn’t recommend camping at Noren access. The guy who used to watch over the place has passed on and I’ve not been impressed with the cordiality of those who have taken over - plus it seems like it would be a good spot for people to come to do nefarious things after dark.
Most of the campsites are otherwise pretty decent and safe but your biggest issue is going to be physical safety - it’s a tame trail but you could hurt yourself if you’re not careful and stay hydrated, cool and watch out for walnuts- like any outdoor activity.
Also - Missouri is a can-carry state now - for whatever that is worth to you, however you view the subject.

K Brand from Missouri City, TX on 08/27/2018 09:54 AM

My brother and I have ridden the Trail (end-to-end) 8 years running, and we have never had any problem. Our trip 9 is scheduled for the end of September. Cyclists and the local folks are in general very friendly. Fortune favors the well prepared, so if you have planned your personal safety you should be OK. I second the notion of using tracking software so that friends/relatives can follow your progress. If you're an experienced cyclist you know about Garmin, Strava, or RoadID. A 7-day trip is very doable, and will allow you to stop and smell the roses along the way. I have compiled a composite summary of our past 8 trips, and it is posted on this site. Safe travel and enjoy your trip.

http://www.bikekatytrail.com/files/kb.doc