Rock Island Trail Forum

Hi, Thanks again to all who have helped us plan for our first trip. Even though we are only doing Rocheport to Augusta, it is a big start for me in getting back to my "old active life" (vs. my new active life with twins).



We leave Sunday morning the 12th. I am working on my pack list. I only have two rear panniers, and I am hoping to get a handle bar bag this week. I think it will be enough since we are not camping, and are only our for three days. We hiked four days on the App. Trail two years ago, so we are used to packing light. I think this will be easier than that trip (famous last words...)



I have a few questions.. 1st about flats/trail composition - I live near the Ill Prairie Path. It is crushed limestone. Is anyone familiar with out path? I was wondering if it is similar. I haven't has problems our our path, but I have never biked 100 miles in three days either.



2nd Are there any items that you may have wished you had packed, or whished you hadn't packed? I'm wondering about a rain coat. I have a Marmot precip, but if it is 90 degrees, rain might be better than wearing a coat. I know we loved getting rained on hiking in 90 degree weather!



Thanks, Michele

hey michelle,



sorry, i am not familiar with the trail you mentioned above. the katy trail is fine crushed limestone, stuff i call screenings. when packed, it is pretnear like concrete. when dry, it is dusty. it can be soft when wet. the trial is flat. i read some where the trial has a foot per mile elevation going west, so i consider that flat. i have ran across a couple of small elevations such as levees and road crossing, but nuttin to speak of.



the only thing i would suggest is plenty of water and call ahead to make sure all businesses are open and then pack acordingly.

otherwise, have fun, be safe. watch the road crossings.

I would forego the rainwear. As warm as it is, rain will be welcome. I would take a small bottle of chain lubricant or cleaner. Whether rain or dust, it will help you with your bike chain. Always fill up with water and take emergency snacks in case the stores are closed.

Gatorade or something to replace electrolites. Just rode the trail, and the only time it wasn't unberably hot was from dawn to about 8:30am. However many miles you can do in 2 hours is something to think about because after it gets hot, the body starts losing steam pretty fast. So, then you are forced to stay in some very small town for about 5-7 hours to wait for the cool part of the evening, which is about 1 hour or so until dark. Or, you can ride through it, like we did, and risk overheating, which I did! Heat exaustion shortened our trip, so I would prepare by drinking some kind of electrolite booster while you are out there.

We live off the trail near Tebbetts - it is 10:15pm, August 8th, and still 92 degrees outside. Be sure to check the local weather before heading out for your ride. The last few days it has been really, really, really hot and windy (head wind for the direction you are planning) that kind of weather will suck the water out of your body before you realize what is happening.



Good luck, be safe.

1) My wife and I just rode McKittric to Sedalia - 139 miles by my computer. We're 57 y/o and we trained to ride the trail prior to going. Hydration is very important - we stopped every 5 miles and drank water or gatorade (take the powder and mix it) whether we were thirsty or not. If we were thirsty in between stops we drank more! We were still slightly dehydrated most of the time. It did allow us to ride through the heat though. 2.) Take a spare inner tube and tools - most of the trail is remote. 3.) We used an entire tube of A&D ointment for our personal areas - just as important to our success as hydration! 4.) avoid the Katy Trail B&B in Rocheport - absentee owners, not as advertised on their web. 5.) have fun!

Thanks for all the advice. I noticed that the weather forcast has changed from 90 to 100 (ugh!) We are doing 25 mi, 40, and 45 the last day (aprox) so I think (?) that we are doing small chuncks. I am used to biking on the same type of surfaces with my 3 year old twins in the burly, so I think I will be able to handle the trail, but it will definitely be longer time in the heat. We are willing to stop and cool off and have already picked out places we know will be open. I have been training by riding the trails near my house from 5am until 6:30 every morning w/o kids, and then shorter times with kids after it warms up and they wake up, so if need be we will skip the breakfasts and get out early to ride. We are staying at the Katy Trail B&B the first night (this Sunday) so it is too late for a refund. I have read good things about it too. I hope the hot tub has been cleaned, though... Maybe it will be too hot to be inviting anyway! I understood from the website that the owner was absentee, and have an email on how to check in, so that does't worry me. If you want to elaborate further about your concerns you could email me (perzee_torres@comcast.net).

I am looking forward to getting away with my best friend for a girl-trip, even though it will be hot. (our last "girl-trip" hiking the Shenendoah Park section of the AT in 105 degree heat with 65lb packs on our back. We are teachers so we only get summer trips as an option...) We are used to doing active trips in the heat, but oh I wish it would be a little cooler!

Thanks again!

Michele

hey michelle, read on a forum on this website where someone that bikes the katy a lot, uses a camel back for hydration. said she puts a little gatorade in the water and takes a drink with every cadence of the pedals. says he actually feels better after she is done than before. just an idear. any which way, have fun, be safe

man....ohhhhh.....man! bet ya she bloats up like a poisin pup frank. a drink wit ever crank a da pedal! sheshs a big ole gal aftern justa few miles down n back. dunno maybe she travels perty slow but never seen a big ole gal liken that on the trail.....shure wud like ta tho. keepin us posted o her wherebout shirley wud be preciated now. but now was thata she er a he....ya said both there. just an idear but don sup hose itsa he/she doin that??

for the above educated individual; found this on "best weeks to bike the trail", 12/22/06



guess the other author does know what he was talkin about!



I biked the trail in August of 2006. The temperature hovered right around 100 degrees the entire ride, topping out at 104. The first two days were torture because I drastically underestimated my fluid needs. But the last two days were cake once I figured out a hydration method that worked for me. I stuffed my camelbak and two spare bottles completely full of ice, then filled up with water and powdered gatorade. I put the bite valve in my mouth and didn't let it drop until I stopped riding. I drank slow small sips constantly all day. I never went more than a few second without taking a sip. I think that going solo helped me to stay better hydrated than people riding in groups, because I didn't have to worry about talking to anybody. I could keep the bite valve in my mouth all day without it ever getting in the way of a conversation. I topped off at every trailhead to assure I wouldn't run out. I tried alternating one camelbak of gatorade with one camelbak of water, but the water just didn't replenish me enough in such extreme heat. I felt much better when I stuck to gatorade, so I drank it constantly when I was pedaling and switched to water after I stopped for the day. Believe me, if you hydrate yourself correctly, you will be amazed at what you can do! During those last two days of 100 degree weather, I rode faster than I ever have before and barely seemed to notice the heat or the miles slipping by.

- posted 1/23/2007 4:03:28 AM by mh , Missouri

well...fer the realy educated individual above, i didnt serch fer it on tha website



guessd we all know sumthin



so you get to be the weiner as yer tellin me its all tha same. i no longer reckon a DRINK with every cadence of the pedals to be a hole lot more water to bloat on then drinkin slow small SIPS ever few seconds. i did used to reckon when i took a drink from been in the heat it was lot bigger than a sip. an now thers no deffernce between actually feeln better after she is done than before an havin rode faster an barely noticen the heat.

No rain gear in summer. Wear only non-cotton performance materials for wicking sweat and any rain you get will dry rapidly.

We made it!! Thanks again for all the suggestions. We really enjoyed our first bike trip much more than hiking and were suprised at how fast the miles flew by! We ended up getting up and starting at first light (6:15 am this week) and biking until we reached our destination without many stops in between. Thank goodness we planned short rides. I think we might have been able to do around 60 or 70 miles a day if it weren't so hot! We definitely went through a lot of gatorade! We were also thankful we hadn't decided to camp. The coolest day was only 102! Thanks again for all the comments!

Glad you made it OK, my wife and I were a little concerned that you were hauling twins in a trailer, definitely not much fun for them when it gets so hot. Hope you can plan a trip sometime in the future in the spring or fall when we have more pleasant weather and take the time to enjoy the scenery.

Thanks again we really had a great time. I just can't say enough about how great the KATY trail, and all the communities and people are. It was a perfect (almost too perfect) first bike trip! I don't know that anything will ever come close to this experience (except for the heat of course). Where else can you take a trip over 100 miles (we only did 112 for our first time) on trails the whole way with conviently spaced B&B's and food, water and toilets?



By the way, we didn't travel with the twins. I just "trained" with them. My best friend and I have traveled together almost every year since we met 20 years ago. Now that I am married and have kids, we still plan a trip, just the two of us, each year. We try to do active trips. I hope to take the kids sometime, but not for a few more years. They will be 4 next summer, so I don't think they will fit in the trailer much longer, and probably wont be able to ride bikes yet. Trail alongs are hard with twins... I don't think there is a tandem version. I am a teacher, but my husband works in the summer, so I try to find things I can do alone with both kids. I hope to get them riding soon, though! Any hints on how to do that, or data on the youngest KATY trail riders?



Thanks again!

I have seen some kids on the Katy that I estimated were as young as 6 or 7 riding small 16 inch bikes with training wheels. Bless their little hearts; they were pedaling as fast as they could to keep up with their parents. You really have to be extremely careful going around them though since they don't understand the rules of the road and dart from side to side without any warning.



I have never seen it done nor know how safe it would be, but could you attach a bike trail along behind another bike trail along for the twins?



I have also seen some four wheel bikes on trails before (primarily on the west coast) the kind that seats four people (two in front and two in back). I think the bike rental place in Rocheport rents some two seaters like those. That might be something you could use with the twins, although I think it would be a challenge going between some of the road crossing gates on the Katy Trail.

I think our kids were 4 and 6 on our first weekend Katy ride. They both used trail-a-bikes, which are MUCH easier for the parent than trailers--the kids actually give you some power (when they're pedalling!), and they have a lot more fun than in a trailer. There are double trail-a-bikes--I have seen them. You might do a google search or talk to a bike shop. Our kids started "soloing" at about age 7, I think. Of course, you will need to moderate your mileage!-

Does the shop rent bikes so people can go on the katy trail. If they do how much and do you have to ride them to the trail or can you transport them for us. If not is the a place that rents bikes around sedalia near the katy trail. Thanks.

Does the shop rent bikes so people can go on the katy trail. If they do how much and do you have to ride them to the trail or can you transport them for us. If not is the a place that rents bikes around sedalia near the katy trail. Thanks.

I just called a phone number given in the 8th addition of the "Katy Trail Guidebook" and got a no longer working number recording. The number was 660-530-5600 and it was for the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Had questions about camping on Thurs.Sept. 27th for 7 to 10 people. Would need electric and water. Do they allow animals, we might have one dog. We would be staying one night. We are riding the trail from Clinton to St. Charles and going to follow the camping suggestion of John James at Katy Roundhouse Campground that is in the trail guide book. Would appreciate a correct phone mumber and any experiences had at the fairgrounds camping. Thanks

This site lists a different number for the fairgrounds....you might try it.

OOPS!!! What site??? Lynn

This site.....the one you are posting to find information on. This site.

Trek Biker, Thanks so much for the suggestion!! It worked. Lynn

If you stay at the Katy Roundhouse Campground, be sure to get the combination to the Restroom/Showerhouse ahead of time. I haven't been there in quite some time, but the sign at the self-pay station said they stopped by daily. I paid and never got use of the shower. Nobody ever showed up. This was a weekday in July a few years ago and I was the only one there. I assume they probably still have the combo deal on the lock.

The katy roundhouse shower has always been ice cold when I tried to use it.



It was also very busy so Im sure there is a water heater but it just cant keep up.



I also remember the sound of someone beating on the bathroom door (it has an electric lock)

so I opened it for them. Turns out I opened it right into the face of a toddler!!!!



He cried and cried and I still feel terrible about it to this day and that was a couple years ago.

I am planning a bike trip on the Katy Trail. We are planning to start at Hartsburg (on a Saturday morning) and end at Pilot Grove (Sunday afternoon)with an over night stay in Rocheport on Saturday night. Does the shuttle service pick up in Pilot Grove on Sunday and deliver bikers to Hartsburg?

I am planning a bike trip on the Katy Trail. We are planning to start at Hartsburg (on a Saturday morning) and end at Pilot Grove (Sunday afternoon)with an over night stay in Rocheport on Saturday night. Does the shuttle service pick up in Pilot Grove on Sunday and deliver bikers to Hartsburg?

We used him earlier this month. He said August is his low time. Give him a call to see if he is available. We had him pick us up in Augusta and take us back to Rocheport. He commented that he usually doesn't end up at home (He lives right by the trail in Rocheport), so I imagine he would be able to help you if he is available.

We used him earlier this month. He said August is his low time. Give him a call to see if he is available. We had him pick us up in Augusta and take us back to Rocheport. He commented that he usually doesn't end up at home (He lives right by the trail in Rocheport), so I imagine he would be able to help you if he is available.

I am planning to be in Hermann MO on Sept 15th to bike around. This coincides with the "Tour of Missouri" segment which will pass thru Hermann on the way to St. Louis. It should extremely cool to see all the pros, but since part of the race will take place on the KATY trail, I'm concerned that the trail will be closed to public access on this day. Does anyone know? So far, none of the involved websites have any information.

On the Tour of Missouri website.....the map and the Tour Logic for that leg does not show the race on the Katy Trail. Where are you finding information that says they are going to ride on the Katy??

The race will be on highway 94 between Jefferson City and Hermann, which parallels the trail in places. It might cross the trail a few times. I actually have a Katy trip planned then too. Riding from Sedalia to Hartsburg on the 13th, then to Hermann on the 14th. There's a hill climb time trail on Friday night, and 30 mile bike ride Saturday morning at 8:00. The race should come through Hermann at around 1:00. I'm riding Amtrak back to Sedalia in the evening.

Hmm... Maybe you are right. Here is a route listing from the newsroom area of the Tour of Missouri website.



Saturday, September 15, 2007: Stage 5 – Jefferson City to St. Charles

123 miles (198 kilometers)

Start: 11 am

Finish: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm







Stage Five kicks off at 11 am on the capitol grounds, passes through downtown and then takes the racers right through the heart of wine country. Wine-tasting spectators can watch exciting sprints for points in Hermann, Washington and Augusta. Crossing the Katy Trail at several points, the race will then travel up the punishing climb on Schulsberg Road for the KOM points competition, and then into historic St. Charles. The race will finish at the Depot in St. Charles, right at the end of the Katy Trail.



http://www.tourofmissouri.com/newsroom/show/33



Also the calendar page on HermannMissouri.com has a vague listing which refers to KATY. http://www.hermannmissouri.com/monthly.htm



Just trying to get to the bottom of route specifics. I looks like the race will merely be "crossing" the KATY trail.

A mere technicality! It will cross several times......once on each side of Rhineland for example. Some of the information has been somewhat confusing....that makes it difficult to determine the stategic spot to see Contador making the move of the day!



Check this link out for the leg that you were questioning J.B.



http://www.tourofmissouri.com/files/stages/ToM%20Stage%205%20Basic%20Log.pdf

Thanks. Also, which direction would provide more scenery...east of Hermann or west of Hermann? I do like the so-called "wine country".

Go west young man (or lady).....Rhineland....Portland.

We rode from Calhoun to Sedalia Fairgrounds on Satuday August 26,2007. It seemed like we were going up a gradual incline the whole time. We were worn out!!! OK maybe we are just out of shape! Well we ate at the 5th Street Brew Pub and it made it all worth it. We had a 1/3lb burger, fries and a draw for $3.50. (It was the special that day.) It was excellent and can't beat the price or service. If you are not familiar with Sedalia and you are riding the trail the best way to get to to the 5th Street Brew Pub is to reach it from the Sedalia Depot at mile marker 227.1 Follow 5th street a few blocks west towards downtown and it is on the corner of Ohio and 5th street.

We rode from Calhoun to Sedalia Fairgrounds on Satuday August 26,2007. It seemed like we were going up a gradual incline the whole time. We were worn out!!! OK maybe we are just out of shape! Well we ate at the 5th Street Brew Pub and it made it all worth it. We had a 1/3lb burger, fries and a draw for $3.50. (It was the special that day.) It was excellent and can't beat the price or service. If you are not familiar with Sedalia and you are riding the trail the best way to get to to the 5th Street Brew Pub is to reach it from the Sedalia Depot at mile marker 227.1 Follow 5th street a few blocks west towards downtown and it is on the corner of Ohio and 5th street.

We stopped by late morning and they weren't open yet, but the owner was there awaiting a delivery. He let us in to warm up and was very personable and accomodating.

We stopped by late morning and they weren't open yet, but the owner was there awaiting a delivery. He let us in to warm up and was very personable and accomodating.

We had a similiar experience. We were entering Augusta on a 103 degree day. The last 6 miles or so into town from the west had very little shade, and we were wearing out. We made it to the river witch, but there weren't really open. The bartender invited us in and we had gatorade while we cooled off and he told us the history of the place. Very nice guy! Interesting place too!

We had a similiar experience. We were entering Augusta on a 103 degree day. The last 6 miles or so into town from the west had very little shade, and we were wearing out. We made it to the river witch, but there weren't really open. The bartender invited us in and we had gatorade while we cooled off and he told us the history of the place. Very nice guy! Interesting place too!

I stopped in 8-25-07. We rode from St. Charles, camped at Klondike and went to Augusta for supper. Along with Augusta Brewery we stopped in here. Cold beer (all AB products as far as I could tell) and we had a frozen pizza which was a TJ's ( which is very good for a frozen pizza at a small bar). The bartender was informative. I never did ask if they would let us look around in the wine cellar. They had various pickled products for sale also.

I stopped in 8-25-07. We rode from St. Charles, camped at Klondike and went to Augusta for supper. Along with Augusta Brewery we stopped in here. Cold beer (all AB products as far as I could tell) and we had a frozen pizza which was a TJ's ( which is very good for a frozen pizza at a small bar). The bartender was informative. I never did ask if they would let us look around in the wine cellar. They had various pickled products for sale also.

Hi...we would like to try to base ourselves in one hotel for 2 nights. Our thought is that we could do long bike rides from each direction but not have to doubleback. Then we are hoping the hotel (or other shuttle service) would pick us up each day after riding the trail. Does anyone have any suggestions or we would appreciate any pointers on how to work out a few days of biking with easy access to lodging and dining at night. Wineries might be nice too!

check out Lococo House ll, Bed & Breakfast ------ we have a number of options for shuttling and overnight accomodations -------www.lococohouse.com or 636-946-0619

We are hoping to ride Rocheport, Hermann and Sedalia areas or more west on the trail. Any options there -- taxis even? Thanks!

Use the "Plan a Ride" feature above to find shuttle options and call them for price, availability, etc. While in Rocheport, plan time to visit Les Bourgeous up on the hill. The bistro has great food and wine. The view is pretty cool too. Looking west from the A-frame you can see Boonville in the distance...pretty neat to see how far you've come....or how far you need to go.



Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn in Hermann is a great place to stay. They have a nice B & B on the west side of town as well "cottages" on the northeast side of town that overlook the Missouri River. Stonehill has a nice resturaunt that was once an old stable, a good tour and tasting, and some pretty good wine also. (Although not easy to get to by bike, Adam Puchta south of town has a couple of very good wines that are available at Loutres Market between McKittrick and Herman. Their Vignoles and Adams Choice are worth looking for...if you like German style whites.



Some of the information on this site about the Hermann bridge is outdated. The new bridge is open and the old bridge is being removed and is no longer in service.



Enjoy your trip.

Stayed at Maxines and Petes during the Missouri State Fair. Would definitely go back. Am thinking about the Scott Joplin Festival or the Katy Trail in October.

Stayed at Maxines and Petes during the Missouri State Fair. Would definitely go back. Am thinking about the Scott Joplin Festival or the Katy Trail in October.

Thanks for posting. We were planning a trip in October, and thought about staying here, but were wondering about it. Sounds like a great place for the price!

Thanks for posting. We were planning a trip in October, and thought about staying here, but were wondering about it. Sounds like a great place for the price!

Is the Katy open all year? Is it possible to ride in Dec/Jan? Is snow a problem (not concerned about the temperature)?

Dick,

Check the weather section on the site. The trail is open all year. I live in central Missouri and pretty close to the Katy. I have been on the trail in Dec/Jan in basically shirt sleeve weather, but other times, like last year, we had about a foot and a half of snow after one storm. The best thing to do is check the weather and the forecasts before you go and hope the weather guy is right.

Also remember that some of the businesses will be closed or operating on winter hours. You might want to call ahead to see who's going to be open, if you're counting on stopping in a particular small town for food or water.



Other than that, winter's a great time to enjoy the trail. You'll pretty much have it to yourself, and the scenery can be spectacular after a snowfall.