Rock Island Trail Forum

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Camping Tebbets, Marthasville from Fayetteville, AR on 03/16/2023 07:43 AM

I will be biking with a dog so mostly camping along the way. In Tebbets I am aware of of the Turner Katy Trail shelter but not sure if they are do friendly. If someone might know it would be appreciated. And I just learned of camping in Marthasville by the baseball diamonds. Anyone know the cost of camping there?
Thanks for any info!
Jeff

John from Pacific on 03/17/2023 05:54 AM

When I camped in Marthasville a few years ago it was $5. The first time I stayed in the Turner Shelter a young couple with a dog stayed there too and no one seemed to mind. It is unattended, so I think its just a question of minding your dog and being considerate of others who may be there.

Anonymous on 03/17/2023 11:18 AM

My dog is very considerate of others and never asks anything of me that might seem rude or out of line to others. I trust his judgement and always mind my dog.

It would seem inconsiderate to expect others to obey him though. So I can see why when you were at the Shelter that with the couples dog there, no one seemed to mind.

Arkykenny on 03/29/2023 07:37 PM

Leave your dog at home. Nobody wants to meet your dog (no matter how great of a dog it might be).

Anonymous on 03/30/2023 06:04 AM

I’d like to meet your dog Arkykenny.

Michael A. Rodemeyer from Hartsburg Mo on 03/31/2023 02:57 PM

Can I bring my cats? Why can't people leave their pets at home. They think the person with the biggest pet means the owner must have the biggest ??? We don't care about bigger, just ride alone. The dog probably won't know you are gone.

Anonymous on 04/01/2023 01:57 PM

Bring your dog or your cat.

Ride your horse if you want.

Bring your kids and your spouse.

Come if you’re young or old.

Ride slow. Ride fast.

Gawk and block the trail.

Enjoy yourself while on the trail. That’s what it’s for.

If someone doesn’t like that you have a dog, cat, kid, etc with you, they need to realize that someone probably doesn’t like what they’re doing either.

R. Vaughn from St. Charles on 04/07/2023 09:59 PM

I wouldn't mind sharing the lodging in Tebbets with somebody that had a dog, but I think it would kinda pushing it to just expect everybody that might be sleeping there to not mind. I don't have pet allergies, but a lot of people do. It's one big open room, so you'd effectively be preventing anybody with an allergy from being able to stay while you're there (and maybe even after you've left).

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Meal Options Between Portland and Jefferson City

Jim from St. Thomas on 04/07/2023 06:38 PM

As someone mentioned last fall, Muddy Bottom restaurant in Mokane has closed so there are no longer any meal options in Mokane. Happy Trails Katy-ring in Tebbetts gets great reviews. They will provide a home-cooked meal to either the Tebbetts trailhead or the Turner Shelter if you call ahead. They’re listed in the Tebbetts Towns and Services tab above.

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Globe Hotel Bed and Breakfast

Leaia Clervi from Hartsburg, MO on 04/07/2023 12:09 PM

Opening May 23, 2023 by reservation only.
For information send email: globehotelbedandbreakfast@gmail.com
OR text: (573)355-3806

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Tagged: Hartsburg Trailhead

Diana Bend Conservation Area in New Franklin

Donald from Stowe, VT on 04/06/2023 06:36 PM

Does the camping at Diana Bend Conservation area permit camping trailers or only tent camping?

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Shuttle Downtown KC to Pleasant Hill Trailhead - Sunday June 4th

anthony read from Asheville North Carolina on 04/03/2023 08:20 AM

Looking to shuttle my bike and myself from Kansas City Amtrak station to the Rock Island Trailhead in Pleasant Hill. Any solution or advice welcome.

Sunday morning - June 4th ; 1 biker 1 bike

feel free to text or call at 704-261-6556

Eric from KCMO on 04/04/2023 09:05 AM

https://strava.app.link/QBO6K233Iyb
I rode from Westwood Kansas to downtown St Louis with a trip to Illinois along the way via a ferry ride to Grafton from St Charles area then trails to StL. My goal was to traverse the entire state of Missouri. Anyway, you could ride from Union Station to Pleasant Hill and about half would be Trail. From Union Station ride 3.5 miles south to the Country Club Plaza then take the Brush Creek trail east as far as you can, near Brighton, then streets over to Arrowhead stadium where you begin the Rock Island trail which will take you through Lees Summit. From there the trail is not developed so you’ll be on lightly traveled streets to Pleasant Hill. Click the link above for my route which began on a holiday Monday (similar traffic to a Sunday) so traffic from KC to P Hill was very light. I rode from Westwood to P Hill as my day one ride and it was 36 miles I think. My wife picked me up and I slept at home that night due to no overnight lodging in P Hill (there is a AirBnB but it’s a two night minimum) The rest of my trip was about 70 miles per day.

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Volunteer Park in Hartsburg

Michael A. Rodemeyer from Hartsburg Mo on 03/31/2023 03:09 PM

It's been 30 years since the great flood of 1993 swept through our town. Volunteers from 32 states came to help us rebuild. The park is named in their honor.It's hard to believe that the water was over the windows in the houses in our city. After a long struggle we came back and are very appreciative of all who came. A little Memorial Park is just 1/2 block west of Volunteer Park and it honors people in the town with kids on a jungle jim.

John Brett from Silver Spring on 04/01/2023 05:24 AM

I'm curious as to the location of Volunteer Park. I'm not seeing it on Google Maps. Is it near the caboose? Probably not the American Legion Park with the ballfield. That's a great story.

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Tagged: Volunteer Park

Packing List for Riding the Katy Trail

Karen F from St. Louis on 03/08/2006 11:37 PM

Two of us are planning to ride the Katy Trail as an out-and-back starting in the middle of May of this year. We plan to start in St. Charles and go to Clinton and then turn around and go back to St. Charles. We plan to stay in B&Bs and hotels along the way. Does anyone have any packing list suggestions? I don't want to overpack, but I don't want to forget anything important, either.

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 03/09/2006 10:36 AM

BikeIowa has a pretty good packing list. It was generated as a list for the RAGBRAI ride across Iowa. There are several catagories, such as....Daily on the bike...Clothing...Toiletries....Camping....Misc.

I've used this list when planning Katy rides. It seems to adapt well from Iowa to Missouri use.

http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/misc/packinglist.asp

Enjoy!

ET from Columbia on 03/09/2006 12:07 PM

Be sure to pack some snacks and extra fluids for when you can't find a place to buy food. Places along the trail may have irregular hours, especially before Memorial Day. Also, sunscreen, but spray, and in May, pack to dress in layers. You could have any weather, including rain--so pack accordingly! We pack pretty light--bike shorts and T-shirts which we wash out at nights (so take 2 sets in case one isn't dry), and I like to have a pair of wrinkle-resistant pants to pull on over my shorts or tights when we stop. Also, it is worth taking a pair of comfy shoes to slip on when you are off the bike at the B & B's

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 03/09/2006 08:44 PM

For extra fluids, I usually carry powdered sport drink in my trunk bag. I have small zip lock bags that came from a jeweler that I put individual portions in to mix one per water bottle. They don't take up too much room, are easy to mix preportioned, and I don't have the weight of hauling liquid. It's usually easier to find water than it is to find a sport drink.

Nails on 03/10/2006 12:31 PM

Here's a modified pack list from a Memorial Day weekend trip last year. Sedalia to St. Charles in two days with a night in a B&B.

Bike, Pedals, Shoes, Socks, Shorts, Jersey, Helmet, Sunglasses, Speeedomter, heart rate monitor.

Backpack, Bladder with valve, Spare tire – Kevlar belt, Spare tubes – puncture resistant (2), Patch kit, Tire tool, Tool kit, Tie wraps, Camera, Carb Boom.

Itinerary/maps/directions/phone numbers/addresses.

Cash, Credit card, Train tickets, Photo ID, Cell phone.

Medications, Birth control, Contact case, Contacts, Sunscreen, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, mini-brush.

Frame pump, Whistle, Waterbottles (2 each), minature first aid kit.

http://www.christysclipart.com/mini_first.html

sbikes from KCMO on 03/16/2006 06:04 PM

I have ridden the trail end to end and my advice is go minimalist...basic stuff mentioned

above and the most important thing I can suggest is a little pack of baby wipes..yup, baby

wipes. They remove grease from hands and clothes and are just darn handy in a variety of

ways on the trip. You can buy a travel pack that squishes down small.

And, put your cell phone/camera, etc. in plastic bags. Trail dust gets into everything.

Have fun!

Brian from Wichita, KS on 03/17/2006 12:27 PM

You guys have some great advice! The bikeiowa.com list noted above was helpful (and even has some whimsical items like "extra fork for Homemade Pie" and "hill erasers"). The mini first-aid kit described by Nails is also very clever.

Nails on 03/17/2006 02:39 PM

Thank the Boy Scouts of America for the first aid kit idea.

MLH from Overland Park KS on 03/17/2006 06:15 PM

The baby wipes work great for cycling trips, especially if you have to make a trailside repair. They sell boxes or individually-wrapped Wet Ones at Office Max. You can pack as many as you see fit.

Karen F from St. Louis on 05/26/2006 05:25 PM

Thanks to all who responded. We just finished our trip of starting in St. Charles and heading to Clinton and then turning around and going back to St. Charles -- 450 miles!

We both brought packages of baby wipes and they were a lifesaver -- both for repairs and for bathroom breaks.

I had everything that I needed without packing a lot of extra. I packed a pair of sandals to wear off of the bike. They didn't take up very much room. In fact, I was able to strap them to the top of my rear bag.

arlo from Wildwood on 06/16/2007 09:25 PM

Birth control? Was this a bike ride or a party?

Nails on 06/17/2007 11:57 AM

The parties I go to aren't for swingers. (No keys to throw in the bowl when I'm on my bike.) Rather, when there are 2 riding and spending their nights in a B&B (as Karen F described), what do you expect to happen? Just trying to help someone that might not be ready to buy a trail-a-bike.

PJ from Dexter, MO on 09/17/2019 04:00 PM

We are wanting to try biking part of the Katy Trail and would appreciate getting some good tips on doing so. Thanks!

LSMOBiker from Lees Summit on 09/18/2019 09:06 AM

On our recent trip, we were lucky with no major mechanical issues, but did have some minor ones - some untested bags ripped, and some screws on several rear bike racks worked their way out.

The two things we were super thankful to have, were extra bungy cords, and a bunch of plastic zip ties.

Margaret Ritter from Kansas City, Mo on 07/05/2020 07:35 PM

Planning an October trip on the Katy Trail and wondering about what to pack for the trip

Mel Zabecki from Fayetteville, AR on 07/06/2020 08:32 AM

Here's my list from my end-to-end trip on my 2 wheel recumbent August 2018:
Shorts
Shirts
Bras
Underware
Socks
Bandanas
Pjs
sandals
Bathing suit
Hat
Raincoat?
Thermals (for sleeping if no bag)
Scrubba/soap/line
Hair ties
Towel
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Face soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Lotion (face/eyes/body)
sunblock
Deodorant
Brush
Earplugs
Pills (plus Tylenol!)
Wet Wipes
Dry wipes
Mosquito wipes
Qtips
Tissues
Floss
Nailclipper
Earbuds
Ipod
Plug block
Long charge cord
Chargers (fitbit/phone/headlamp/solar)
headlamp
Solar battery
eyemask
Hammock/straps/mossie net/rainfly/carabiners
Sheet
Book
Map/katy trail books
Sunglasses
Lock
Salt pills
Gu
Nuun
Clif/bonk/energy
Tupperware
ziplocks
Helmet
Seat pad/bandana
gloves
Bear spray
Pepper spray
Knife
1st aid kit
Flat kit
Extra tubes
Chain lube
Water bottles
Water pure tablets?
Notebook
Pen/sharpie
batteries
xtra shopping bag
phone case
fork
cup
sportlegs
liquor
individual pb
apples
jerky
thumbdrive

For future: https://www.cyclingabout.com/our-bicycle-touring-gear-packing-list/

Anonymous on 07/07/2020 12:53 PM

Bear spray? What about a harpoon?

Mel Zabecki from Fayetteville, AR on 07/07/2020 06:39 PM

I got knocked off my bike a few years ago by a dog that resulted in two surgeries, a bone graft, and IV antibiotics. I love dogs but none are getting near me on a bike ever again.

Kevin S from O'Fallon on 07/31/2020 12:40 PM

Looking to bike the whole thing

AB from Jackson on 03/29/2021 02:26 PM

How far would be a reasonable distance to bike in a day, for beginners with 3 kids, ages 13,11,9?

Bill in Houston from Houston on 03/30/2021 12:06 PM

What's their longest ride so far? Will they be choosing your nursing home? Do you want for them to have happy memories?

Missouri Preacher from Lamar, MO on 07/21/2021 08:53 PM

Planning a trip from Clinton to St Charles in 2022. Which month is the best time to do a 4-5 day trip?

Bill in Houston from Houston on 07/22/2021 08:43 AM

Depends what you are looking for.

We rode in April and the weather was nice and the flowers were blooming and the trail was deserted. We were way before any kind of rush that may happen, and were a little sad to not see any other through riders. Well, we saw one. But the solitude was kind of nice.

A lot of the local places were not in full swing yet, so we missed some of the things we had looked forward to. People hanging out at Cooper's Landing, a store at Cooper's Landing, the lady at the Mokane grocery store yelling at her customers not to put their bikes in front of the store, Katfish Katy's, etc.

Apparently people wait until summer to ride, and the trail is busier then, and everyone is in full swing. But, summer is hot.

Anonymous on 07/23/2021 07:55 AM

Fall is a good time to ride also. It can be busy on Saturdays around major trailheads on nice weather days. Lodging may fill up quickly because of MU football game days or because of fall color. It's a beautiful time to ride though. Have ridden it on Halloween day and had the trail to ourselves.

Lucy Fox from Nashville on 08/24/2022 12:05 PM

Planning a bike of the Katy trail in a couple weeks

Amanda Caplan from Ocala, FL on 03/31/2023 09:01 AM

Is car camping (overnight sleeping in car) allowed on trail parking areas? We're planning 20-30 mile round trip segments cause we have limited budget. We will be cycling starting June 5, 2023.

It will also give us an opportunity to explore each town using both bikes and car. Any tips and information would be helpful. Thank you.

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Shuttle

Michael from Fayetteville, AR on 03/09/2023 10:49 AM

I am looking for a subtle (3 riders with bikes) from the eastern terminus at Machen to the Kirkwood Amtrak Station. Thanks

CurtM from Farmington AR on 03/29/2023 04:19 PM

There aren't any services at Machens. It is the eastern terminus of the KT; there is a latrine and kiosk--that's it. Your best bet is to arrange transportation from St Charles. You can ride to Machens from St Charles (about 12 miles one-way), then back to St Charles to say you've done the KT. Did this a few years ago when I did the entire trail east to west. Be aware the train has space for 4 bikes; these fill up fast from what I've experienced, so the train ride can be a deciding factor in scheduling your trip. I went by train to Kirkwood, then the BNB where I stayed provided a shuttle to St Charles as part of the package. BTW, some travelers have expressed disappointment in Machens (it could be a let-down after biking over 240 miles), but I used it as point of departure to explore the area and went to Portage Des Sioux.

Arkykenny on 03/29/2023 07:30 PM

Skip Machens. Just ride into St. Charles then back to Washington to catch the Amtrak. Washington is a fun place to wait for the train-lots of bars and restaurants across the street from the train station. (Machens is just the end of the trail in the middle of nowhere).

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Road Bike 700x28 tires?

Richard from Chippewa Falls WI on 03/27/2023 07:54 PM

I ride a Specialized Venge with 700x28 tires and am wondering how challenging it would be to do Clinton to Machens in late April? I'm not into mountain bikes and don't want to swap out for wider tires just for this ride.

My questions:

1) What are the trail conditions like this time of year in general?

2) Are there sections where the surface would be more compact--amenable to my thin tires?

Thanks for your input.

Gary from Near Tebbetts on 03/27/2023 08:16 PM

It all depends on how much rain the trail sections have had before/during your ride. There are sections with hard compact gravel and sections with more dirt than gravel. I usually rode the trail on 28 road bike tires with no problems except after heavy rains or early spring when the trail had freeze/thaw conditions. That is when you wish you had wider tires. I would check the weather prediction for the trail before you start and switch to wider tires if rain is in the prediction.

Anonymous on 03/28/2023 06:54 AM

What Gary said. It's totally weather dependent.

Find someone who can predict April weather on your ride days and you'll have the crystal ball.

Arkykenny on 03/29/2023 07:25 PM

Can you do it on 28’s? Probably, even yes if it’s dry.
Would I do it on 28’s? No. I’ve done it on 32’s in June in dry conditions (and it worked). My preference now is 40mm tubeless gravel tires—-gravel bikes do well on gravel roads.

Road crossings, driveway crossings, ruts, sand, etc., provide too many opportunities for flats; and skinny tires are made for hard surfaces.

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