shuttle services
- + Are there shuttle services available along the Katy trail that will transport luggage only from one location to another? We want to plan a multiple day trip, but don't want to have to carry all our b...
Discussion started 08/09/2009 12:05 PM by dzelinka - 9 replies (last reply by stevo at 09/05/2009 06:06 PM)dzelinka from Scottsdale, AZ on 08/09/2009 12:05 PM
Are there shuttle services available along the Katy trail that will transport luggage only from one location to another? We want to plan a multiple day trip, but don't want to have to carry all our belongings along the way.
bikerstuff from Saint Charles, MO on 08/14/2009 12:45 AM
I believe shuttle services along Katy trail would drop you off to start your ride or would pick you up after your ride (advanced reservation required, of course). Some have a fixed run schedule as listed on "Shuttle Ride" link of this website. I think you want supported ride which is not what the shuttle services would do. Try Independent tourist who is advertising on this website. MO dept of Natural Resources (DNR) hosts supported tour once a year in the month of June. Its website is at katytrailstatepark.com
Anonymous on 08/21/2009 06:16 AM
I was on the trail last week and used the shuttle run by Katy Bike Rental in Defiance. They were easy to deal with and very cooperative so you might want to check them out. Call Tod at 314-578-7300. I found them on the Share a Shuttle page on this web site.
Anonymous from Hermann on 08/29/2009 12:26 PM
I wonder how this would work? Timing of leaving your luggage could be an issue, and they would probably have to charge just like they were doing a regular shuttle, don't you think?
Gary from O''Fallon on 09/01/2009 07:55 PM
If you have your trip planned out so you know where you will be staying, one option would be to ship a portion of your belongings to you in care of the B&B or hotel. This should be arranged with the management of course to see if it is do-able. Once you arrive, you could then ship some of your "used" belongings to your home address.
stevo from saint louis, mo on 09/02/2009 08:44 AM
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t the DNR sponsored Katy trail ride in June limit you to one bag of “luggage” per person?
I went one year and stayed in hotels, so no big deal. However, if I wanted to camp, I am not sure I really want to stuff all my things in one bag considering that my camping gear may be dirty/soaked.
Anonymous on 09/02/2009 10:58 AM
"Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t the DNR sponsored Katy trail ride in June limit you to one bag of “luggage” per person? "
The year I did the ride (2007) I brought along a large duffel bag with most of my stuff and carried one pannier on my bike with things I might need on the trail, such as fresh socks, sunblock, first-aid, snacks, and tool/patch kit. I camped out and didn't have any problem packing my camping stuff in the duffel and picking it up again at the end of the day.
Dawn Fredrickson from Katy Trail State Park Coordinator on 09/03/2009 09:17 AM
The annual DNR-sponsored Katy Trail ride in June allows you to bring two 50-lb. bags of luggage. I've ridden the ride twice and was successfully able to shove all my gear and one-man tent into two duffel bags. I'm pretty sure they both weighed 50 lbs apiece at the beginning of the ride. They seemed heavier towards the end of the ride. :)
Gary from O''''Fallon on 09/05/2009 09:04 AM
"Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t the DNR sponsored Katy trail ride in June limit you to one bag of “luggage” per person? "
How does this relate to the original poster's question? He doesn't say that he's doing the DNR ride, just wants to shuttle some luggage
to avoid carrying it all.
stevo from saint louis on 09/05/2009 06:06 PM
Gary, if you read the second post, somebody mentions the DNR ride and the fact that they shuttle luggage for you. I thought it relevant was the fact they limit luggage (as it turns out to 2 bags, not one), and if the original poster was interested in that ride, they may want to consider that.
Tour Bound on Katy
- + On Sept 11th there will be a structured ride from the Katy Depot to the Tour of Missouri
Time Trials at the Fairgrounds. The ride will be led by a group of local high wheelers and
there is a ...
Discussion started 09/02/2009 11:55 AM by Linda @Sedalia Katy Depot - 0 repliesLinda @Sedalia Katy Depot from Sedalia on 09/02/2009 11:55 AM
On Sept 11th there will be a structured ride from the Katy Depot to the Tour of Missouri
Time Trials at the Fairgrounds. The ride will be led by a group of local high wheelers and
there is a pep rally to kick things off with a vintage Bike Display here at the Depot. Once you
get to the fairgrounds there is a secure bike lock up for Bikes while you watch the Time Trails
of The Tour of Missouri. There is Tour Bound shirts, water and bike lock up included in the
registration. For more info go to www.katydepotsedalia.com. Hope to see you here in Sedalia
on the 11th.
Isle of Capri
- + I am riding through to St. Louis and chose the Isle of Capri hotel because of its proximity to the trail. I have noticed a couple of comments about the quality of the dining. Is the food that bad? ...
Discussion started 10/12/2006 01:11 PM by Arkie - 20 replies (last reply by Cindy at 09/02/2009 09:12 AM)Arkie from Fort Smith, AR on 10/12/2006 01:11 PM
I am riding through to St. Louis and chose the Isle of Capri hotel because of its proximity to the trail. I have noticed a couple of comments about the quality of the dining. Is the food that bad? If so where does one get a good meal? Are te lodgings suitable?
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 10/12/2006 03:22 PM
There are several good places to eat in downtown.....just south of the Missouri River bridge.
ET from Columbia on 10/12/2006 05:08 PM
Depending on your budget, Glenn's cafe, in the Frederick Hotel, right by the MO River Bridge, is wonderful food, but pricey. There's also a very nice little Italian place on the main street with good pizza and pasta, called Cafe Napoli. For more plain fare, The Stein House has been there for decades serving standard family-type fare.
joplinbikegirl from Joplin on 10/12/2006 10:13 PM
I agree, Glenn's cafe is good. Are you looking for someone to eat dinner with?
GC from Columbia, Mo. on 10/13/2006 07:29 AM
Glenn's! Glenn's! Glenn's!
Arkie from Fort Smith, AR on 10/13/2006 04:52 PM
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will be arriving on Sunday afternoon and would love to have company for dinner joplinbikegirl. That is if you don't mind dining with a petroleum engineer. Given the recent run up in oil/gas prices I have been sort of persona-non-grata.
Arkie from Fort Smith, AR on 10/13/2006 04:54 PM
doug72901@yahoo.com
joplinbikegirl from Joplin on 10/13/2006 07:39 PM
Alright Arkie. I would like to dine with a petroleum engineer. Dad is a civil engineer so I think I can carry on a conversation without blaming you for the recent gas prices.
Tracy from Overland Park on 10/13/2006 08:23 PM
Arkie and Joplin - Is this a dinner for two or are you open to inviting other diners?
joplinbikegirl from Joplin on 10/13/2006 08:34 PM
I think I will let Arkie make that call if he would.
Tracy from Overland Park on 10/14/2006 01:49 PM
I will make other plans.
George and Kathy Dobbelaere from Shawnee, Kansas on 10/17/2006 11:31 PM
My husband and I just stayed at the Isle of Capri in Boonsville. The hotel itself is brand new and very nice and clean, the room was very comfortable, but I must admit that the food was not good at all. The buffet is overpriced and doesn't taste good and there are 2 other places to eat at the boat and they are also both bad. We ended up eating one meal at the Trailside Cafe in Rocheport and we ate breakfast one morning at Bobbers and these were both good.
Robert Stinnett from Boonville, MO on 04/05/2007 11:43 PM
Buffet is awful unless you like heat-lamp food filled with grease and fat. I suggest Glenn's or Napoli if you are eating in Boonville.
John from Oskaloosa, Iowa on 07/07/2007 08:03 AM
Kind of off the subject of food, but has anybody ever come out ahead in that casino? Or even heard of anyone who did? I have been there probably 6 times and never hit anything on the slots, not even a small win! I think I have finally figured out to stay away from the place.
GC from Columbia, Mo. on 07/07/2007 08:33 AM
Don't fool yourself. The casino, and by that I mean ALL casinos, always win in the end. They work on the principal that you may win a little, but they will win more. Having said that, I still go there and have a good time, I just don't expect to make a killing there.
eileen from florissant mo on 08/01/2007 09:43 PM
We had a good experience at the Palace Restaurant. It is just down from Steins's, right on the corner by the little pioneer park (or whatever that was). The Palace was clean, affordable, friendly. They kept the water glasses topped and had great cole slaw. My husband enjoyed the gyro, and i the reuben. We saw other diners with beautiful salads. We'll visit again.
Cliff from Edwardsville Kansas on 08/02/2007 09:19 AM
If it's not to late I would suggest staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites on Main Street in Old St. Charles. It's at the south end of Main not to far from the Casino. The trail runs right behind the Hotel. The will let you take your bikes to the room and will store your luggage for you while you are on the trail. You can leave your car in the lot on the south side of the building. We were gone for two days and when we returned around noon they let us go ahead get back in our room so we could take a shower before going to lunch on Main street. There are several good places to eat up and down Main steet and it's a really neat place to spend an afternoon or evening. Have a great ride.
ARLENE from PLEASANT HILL ,IOWA on 10/10/2007 10:56 AM
WE STOPPED AT THE CASINO FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME LAST JUNE ON THE WAY BACK FROM A WEDDING IN SEDALIA. I WON $500.00 AND WE WILL BE STOPPING THERE AGAIN IN NOVEMBER. WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW I DO THE SECOND TIME.
kidteacher on 02/09/2008 08:11 PM
I will be staying at the isle of capri soon. Do they have a work out facility at the hotel (i.e. treadmills, weights, etc...)?
bb from Jefferson City MO on 08/31/2009 09:18 PM
Does anyone know how the slot tournaments work at the Isle of Capri in Boonville?
Cindy from Boonville on 09/02/2009 09:12 AM
Sure. Call Karla Kluck at Isle of Capri at 660-882-1280. She is handling slot tournaments!
Sundermeier RV Park (St Charles)
- + This is concerning the Sundermeier's Storage facility in St. Charles, Mo. On Aug. 31st. we sold our camper and had already paid the Sept. payment but the Sundermeiers would not refund the payment. I ...
Discussion started 08/31/2009 05:33 PM by Sandy - 0 repliesSandy from St. Peters, Mo. on 08/31/2009 05:33 PM
This is concerning the Sundermeier's Storage facility in St. Charles, Mo. On Aug. 31st. we sold our camper and had already paid the Sept. payment but the Sundermeiers would not refund the payment. I would not recommend them to any one. There is nothing in writing stating they need a month in advance to rent the space as the lady informed me when I requested the refund on Aug. 31st. She was very curt and refused to discuss the matter.
Sandy from St. Peters, Mo. on 08/31/2009 05:33 PM
This is concerning the Sundermeier's Storage facility in St. Charles, Mo. On Aug. 31st. we sold our camper and had already paid the Sept. payment but the Sundermeiers would not refund the payment. I would not recommend them to any one. There is nothing in writing stating they need a month in advance to rent the space as the lady informed me when I requested the refund on Aug. 31st. She was very curt and refused to discuss the matter.
Machens
- + has anyone actually ever rode from st. charles to machens??
Discussion started 03/19/2007 12:03 AM by joe T - 13 replies (last reply by Harry Jackson jr. at 08/31/2009 03:29 PM)joe T on 03/19/2007 12:03 AM
has anyone actually ever rode from st. charles to machens??
Arkie on 03/19/2007 09:34 AM
I rode the whole trail last October from Clinton to Machens. The portion from St. Charles to Clinton is very pleasant and I would recommend it. As soon as you leave St. Charles the trail stays along the top of the levee and is not graveled, but you can find the tread easily. After a couple of miles you pick up the "traditional" trail and it is an easy ride on into Machens. The only trouble is that it is not easy to find the Machens trailhead. I rode on into Machens and then backtracked to Walnut Grove to catch my ride.
Phi from Hazelwood, Mo on 11/26/2008 11:35 AM
I rode it several times last year, 2007. As the other comment states, upon going north from St. Charles the trail get pretty primative. It is not much more than a dirt wagon trail, but once you get past that, maybe 1 and 1/2 to 2 miles, you hook back up with good groomed gravel trail again. The scenery is interesting, farmland, crops, small towns, and some active railroad tracks toward the Machens end.
Cody from Glen Carbon on 02/13/2009 09:03 AM
I rode from Jeff City to Alton, IL last year. The trail ends at Machens, and I mean ENDS. You have to ride along the side of some railroad tracks to find a country road in order to get to Alton. But if you just want to ride to the end of the trail and turn around, it would be a fine ride.
Sara from St Charles on 07/04/2009 09:15 AM
I just rode north of St Charles yesterday and agree with the "not much more than a dirt wagon trail" -would like to clarify that it's more mileage than stated here. My CatEye speed/odometer said it was 2.9 miles between the full crushed-limestone stretches. My hybrid handled it fine though, since the dirt was very dry. We were surprised at how easy it was actually, and no bug bites! (rode it mid-day)
Donna from Troy on 07/11/2009 08:37 PM
Your post encourages me, Sara. We tried to walk the grassy trail beyond the gravel but felt like it was longer than the previously posted 1-2 miles. By road we ran out of luck, or should i say ran into private property and protective puppies. I'll try again by bike as i really want to complete the trail from Clinton to Machens in Sept.
Mike from St. Charles on 07/23/2009 09:39 AM
I rode from St. Charles to Machens for the first time yesterday. Overall a nice ride although I never saw anybody else after the paved trail ends. As Sara commented, it's about 3 miles although it seemed like it took forever. I rode a hardtail mountain bike and wouldn't recommend a road bike to try it. Again as Sara stated, a hybrid would be fine. There was some patches of grass thigh high but nothing impassible. Pretty visible line to ride for most of it on the levee. Lots of corn fields and farmland to look at although the highlight would be the field of large sunflowers about 100 yards from the Machens trailhead. Can't wait till this 12 mile stretch becomes connected and traveled by more people.
Bill from Alton on 07/25/2009 09:25 PM
So has the stretch from St. Chuck to Machens officially been completed/renovated by the MO
Dept. of Natural Resources? If not, any idea when this will happen?
Mike from St. Charles on 07/27/2009 04:55 AM
Nope not yet. Still just shy of 3 miles unpaved before the limestone trail picks up again. Have no idea on status of DNR project.
Donna from Troy on 08/15/2009 07:57 PM
Thanks for your posts, Mike & Sara. Because of you two, my son & I finally braved the mysterious trail to Machens and felt triumphant when we arrived at the depot. Luckily we didn't see the big dogs near the quarry, but we totally underestimated the 90+ degrees, the sun, and the time it took to span the unpaved section. We learned a lot today for our full ride in Sept, especially that you CAN get to Machens from St Chuck!
David in St. Louis from St. Louis on 08/16/2009 07:52 PM
Just out of curiousity, is one permitted to ride from St. Charles to Machens? I was told that this was not currently allowed. Based on the comments here, it seems as though this is not the case.
Donna from Troy on 08/23/2009 05:04 PM
Good question - i considered it a time or two, but there was no indication anywhere along the trail that riding wasn't permitted. The only 'no trespassing' signs i saw were posted on the private property adjacent to the trail.
stevo from saint louis on 08/23/2009 08:29 PM
I would think that if you would ask DNR they would say no as the minimum standard for a Katy Trail bike trail is a 8' Wide Gravel Path.
The previous property/easement issues between DNR and the Levee District have been settled from Machens to St. Charles. I would presume DNR is making the lease payments despite not having built the trail there as the Levee District would surely be upset if anyone was going through there without those agreements in effect.
I do recall riding on the trail west of Treloar several years ago before it was officially open, and they(DNR) had signage up to stay out of there despite the fact that much of the trail was built. I presume that was an easement issue, which I really was not aware of at that time.
Harry Jackson jr. from St. Louis, Mo. on 08/31/2009 03:29 PM
Thanks a million for your comments. I write "Trail of the Week" for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch daily. I was about to take a look at the St. Charles to Machens extension. Maybe I should wait.
But while I'm here. Do you folks have any favorite hiking or biking trails within 50 or so miles of St. Louis that I might examine. I test out all of the trails I write about, so I'll get to see new places, too.
Email me at harry.jackson@post-dispatch.com.
Thanx again.