6 day troop ride in July
- + Our troop is planning a bike trip in July. We are planning to bike 6 days averaging 35/40 miles per day. Starting at Clinton, camp at Sedalia fairgrounds, Roundhouse in New Franklin, Hartsburg Park,...
Discussion started 04/13/2007 12:57 PM by troop98 - 4 replies (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 04/23/2007 01:15 PM)troop98 from South Kansas City on 04/13/2007 12:57 PM
Our troop is planning a bike trip in July. We are planning to bike 6 days averaging 35/40 miles per day. Starting at Clinton, camp at Sedalia fairgrounds, Roundhouse in New Franklin, Hartsburg Park, Steamboat Junction, Scenic cycles in Marthasville, and end in St. Charles. We will be tent camping, with a van carrying our gear. I didn't see a good place to tent camp in St. Charles. Could anyone give me camping suggestions for that area? Also any suggestions on places to cool down and stop along the way? swimming?
ET from Columbia on 04/19/2007 12:02 PM
Pilot Grove has a nice little public pool right by the trail, in the city park. The easiest way to find it is to go to the trailhead and look at the city map, then go by road. There's a direct unofficial cutoff from the trail, but it's not marked. There's also a good swimming area in Columbia, but it's about 5 miles from the spur junction with the main trail. On the other hand, if you are going in July, you might want to get up early, ride, then spend the heat of the day in the water. For information, the Columbia website is gocolumbiamo.com, and follow the links through parks and rec to Twin Lakes recreation area.
Karl from Kansas City on 04/23/2007 12:30 PM
Any possibility boys from another troop could join you? My own boys would love to ride but I have yet to convince the troop it would be fun.
troop 98 from South Kansas City on 04/23/2007 01:10 PM
Karl,
We are in the beginning stages of planning our trip. We aren't sure on our numbers yet. We have 6 or 7 adults interested but need to get a commitment from the scouts. Send me an email with your information and I can let you know.
Tim - troop 98
Ray (webmaster) on 04/23/2007 01:15 PM
To protect you from spammers, the email address that you enter when posting a forum note does not appear on the web. Since you both expressed an interest in contacting each other, I'll send you each others' email addresses privately. Let me know if you don't get this info within the next few hours.
Davisdale conservation area
- + I have a scout troop that is planning on using the Davisdale conservation area as an overnight location. Mile 182.1 is location from the guidebook. Can anybody give me more information on this area?...
Discussion started 04/13/2007 12:10 PM by Karl - 1 reply (last reply by Karl at 04/23/2007 12:28 PM)Karl from Kansas City on 04/13/2007 12:10 PM
I have a scout troop that is planning on using the Davisdale conservation area as an overnight location. Mile 182.1 is location from the guidebook. Can anybody give me more information on this area? Is it accessible from any roads? Is it marked clearly on the trail?
Karl from Kansas City on 04/23/2007 12:28 PM
I had a trip to Columbia so I checked out the area first hand. Looks quite easy to find and the area is beautiful. If anyone is riding this weekend and sees a boy scout troop tromping around stop and tell them how much fun riding the trail is. I would love to get them to do a big bike trip someday.
Huntsdale - Katfish Katy's
- + We camped at Katfish Katy's last Friday and it couldn't have been much better. The river slides by like a constantly changing impressionist painting just feet from your campfire. The Katfish store ha...
Discussion started 04/23/2007 09:49 AM by Gorn - 0 repliesGorn from Overland Park, KS on 04/23/2007 09:49 AM
We camped at Katfish Katy's last Friday and it couldn't have been much better. The river slides by like a constantly changing impressionist painting just feet from your campfire. The Katfish store has whatever you forgot. Clean bathrooms and a place to shower, too. A clear night under a billion stars and you're good to go.
Gorn from Overland Park, KS on 04/23/2007 09:49 AM
We camped at Katfish Katy's last Friday and it couldn't have been much better. The river slides by like a constantly changing impressionist painting just feet from your campfire. The Katfish store has whatever you forgot. Clean bathrooms and a place to shower, too. A clear night under a billion stars and you're good to go.
GPS Tracklog of trail?
- + Google has a tool called Google Earth that you can download for free. Once downloaded, you can follow the trail from end to end and read off latitude and longitudes as you go. Not quite what you wan...
Discussion started 04/13/2007 10:27 PM by steve k - 5 replies (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 04/22/2007 08:31 AM)steve k from saint louis on 04/18/2007 01:45 PM
Google has a tool called Google Earth that you can download for free. Once downloaded, you can follow the trail from end to end and read off latitude and longitudes as you go. Not quite what you wanted, I know, but I thought I would throw that our as an idea in case you were unaware of that tool or did not get any other tracklogs. For anyone that wants to try this, you definately want a high speed connection.
My experience with GPS units and tracklogs, is that collecting this info will quickly suck down the batteries of your receiver. So, anyone wants to collect their own track log, make sure you bring extra batteries. Also, some electronic devices like calculators will lose their stored data if the batteries run down all the way, I don't recall this being a problem with GPS units, but it is something to think about.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 04/18/2007 04:06 PM
I have no track log to offer either, but following Steve’s thread…..Ray has listed latitude and longitude for most of the towns on the map above……click on the town name in the map……latitude and longitude appears above the map of each town. For other relevant towns along the trail such as Columbia, Jefferson City, Hermann, etc., a good source to locate latitude and longitude is:
http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php
Also, if you find it necessary to make a data conversion, the following link may be useful.
To convert….
http://www.cosports.com/tools/gps_coords.htm
rdaines from O'Fallon, MO on 04/19/2007 12:55 PM
The website motionbased.com is a place where GPS useres can upload their activities and share them with others. I used it before to locate trails in Sedona and it work pretty well. A quick seach of Katy Trail shows that there are some enteries but not the whole trail, that would be asking a lot. Here's an example of what I found:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1823895
All things considered, this might be a great opportunity for users to start a new database which we could piece together to include the whole trail. I've got a GPS mounted on my bike so I'm ready.
Ray (webmaster) on 04/20/2007 06:05 AM
Thanks for the input, folks - some good information. I actually already have tracks for several sections of the trail, and should be able to fill in the gaps using the tools and websites that you guys mentioned. In the meantime, I welcome any tracklogs that anyone wants to submit for portions of the trail.
Thanks!
rdaines from O'Fallon, MO on 04/20/2007 05:49 PM
How about posting what sections you need so people can ride those gaps?
Ray (webmaster) on 04/22/2007 08:31 AM
Good idea, rdaines. Mainly I need Sedalia. Also Boonville area, and north of Boonville toward New Franklin.
Passing through gates with a wide tandem
- + I hope to ride the Katy on a 4 wheel bike that I am building. Two riders will pedal sitting side by side. Any tips for coping with the gates?
Discussion started 03/06/2007 10:23 PM by Dave - 4 replies (last reply by bikerwes at 04/21/2007 11:26 AM)Dave from Highland, IL on 03/06/2007 10:23 PM
I hope to ride the Katy on a 4 wheel bike that I am building. Two riders will pedal sitting side by side. Any tips for coping with the gates?
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 03/07/2007 05:37 AM
Wouldn't four wheels make it a "quadcycle"?
kim from independence, mo on 03/07/2007 09:53 AM
You may have to go around the gates in some areas. Most have "shoulders" with enough room. However, if going through Boonville, you may find the Boonville bridge to be an issue.
I have often wondered about this, as pulling a trailer can sometimes be a challenge at some gates, and made me thankful that we did not encounter riders coming from the other direction when we crossed the Boonville bridge.
ggwbike on 03/27/2007 09:18 PM
The bikepath (sidewalk) on the Boonville Bridge is 6 feet wide with concrete guardrails.
bikerwes from St L Co on 04/21/2007 11:26 AM
There is a good shoulder on the bridge, which has mostly light traffic, I have used it carting a Burley cargo trailer.
Rocheport General Store (Rocheport)
- + This is our favorite place to stop when we are biking through Rocheport. It has a fun atmosphere and the food is excellent.
Discussion started 04/20/2007 09:01 PM by Michelle - 0 repliesMichelle from Independence, MO on 04/20/2007 09:01 PM
This is our favorite place to stop when we are biking through Rocheport. It has a fun atmosphere and the food is excellent.
Michelle from Independence, MO on 04/20/2007 09:01 PM
This is our favorite place to stop when we are biking through Rocheport. It has a fun atmosphere and the food is excellent.
North Jefferson Trailhead (N. Jefferson)
- + I am taking 2 children on their first trail ride. What part of the trail is the best part for children to ride? ny suggestions are helpful.
Discussion started 04/14/2007 05:24 PM by BH - 3 replies (last reply by Cliff at 04/20/2007 11:11 AM)BH from Lake of the Ozarks, MO on 04/14/2007 05:24 PM
I am taking 2 children on their first trail ride. What part of the trail is the best part for children to ride? ny suggestions are helpful.
BH from Lake of the Ozarks, MO on 04/14/2007 05:24 PM
I am taking 2 children on their first trail ride. What part of the trail is the best part for children to ride? ny suggestions are helpful.
missouri resident on 04/14/2007 06:02 PM
hey there b h
from my own experience, anywhere between rocheport and n. jeff. if in rocheport, make sure you hit the rocheport tunnel. i personaly think that rocheport then east is the best. around mc baine you get the smells from the setiment ponds, hartsburg to n. jeff is great also.
have fun, hope this helps. just watch the road crossings.
missouri resident on 04/14/2007 06:02 PM
hey there b h
from my own experience, anywhere between rocheport and n. jeff. if in rocheport, make sure you hit the rocheport tunnel. i personaly think that rocheport then east is the best. around mc baine you get the smells from the setiment ponds, hartsburg to n. jeff is great also.
have fun, hope this helps. just watch the road crossings.
Norm from Raymore, MO on 04/14/2007 09:43 PM
I don't know how old your children are or how far they can go, (my 11 year old grandsons didn't go more than about 5 miles). The Rocheport trailhead is ideal for a short ride and you'll see scenery almost right away when you head east toward Jefferson City, the bluffs on your left and the Missouri river just below on the right. This kind of sight usually impresses people of all ages. I took my family with me a few years back and we started here, some of us went out about 7 miles, then turned around and headed back. When we returned to Rocheport we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the small park there.
Norm from Raymore, MO on 04/14/2007 09:43 PM
I don't know how old your children are or how far they can go, (my 11 year old grandsons didn't go more than about 5 miles). The Rocheport trailhead is ideal for a short ride and you'll see scenery almost right away when you head east toward Jefferson City, the bluffs on your left and the Missouri river just below on the right. This kind of sight usually impresses people of all ages. I took my family with me a few years back and we started here, some of us went out about 7 miles, then turned around and headed back. When we returned to Rocheport we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the small park there.
Cliff from Edwardsville Kansas on 04/20/2007 11:11 AM
I believe that the best ride for all ages is between Rocheport and Hartsburg. There is alot to see, the Bluffs, the River, and everything around Rocheport including the town itself. Your children would really enjoy the tunnel on the west end of Rocheport. Go to the General store in Rocheport, it is a neat place to grab lunch and look at the different items they have. If you ride from Hartsburg to Rocheport and want to stay the night I recommend the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest its a great place to stay and the price is reasonable. It's right beside the trail. Have a great time!
Cliff from Edwardsville Kansas on 04/20/2007 11:11 AM
I believe that the best ride for all ages is between Rocheport and Hartsburg. There is alot to see, the Bluffs, the River, and everything around Rocheport including the town itself. Your children would really enjoy the tunnel on the west end of Rocheport. Go to the General store in Rocheport, it is a neat place to grab lunch and look at the different items they have. If you ride from Hartsburg to Rocheport and want to stay the night I recommend the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest its a great place to stay and the price is reasonable. It's right beside the trail. Have a great time!
A great cake shop
- + there is this place here in Sedalia with really great cakes and the name of the place is "the cake lady" the info is- 214 W Main St
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-6565
Discussion started 04/20/2007 03:51 AM by Kym - 0 repliesKym from Round Rock, TX on 04/20/2007 03:51 AM
there is this place here in Sedalia with really great cakes and the name of the place is "the cake lady" the info is- 214 W Main St
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-6565
Calhoun
- + Does anyone know if the water is on at the Calhoun trailhead (mm255)?
Discussion started 04/12/2007 04:52 PM by DougK - 3 replies (last reply by DougK at 04/17/2007 05:30 PM)DougK from Troy on 04/12/2007 04:52 PM
Does anyone know if the water is on at the Calhoun trailhead (mm255)?
BE from Clinton on 04/13/2007 08:16 PM
Yes there is good water at the Calhoun trailhead.(Better than in Windsor). But things a still "winterized".
DougK from Troy on 04/14/2007 10:30 AM
Thanks BE. I'm heading out next weekend and am trying to determine the amount of water (8 lbs per gallon)I have to carry between there and Clinton.
DougK from Troy on 04/17/2007 05:30 PM
Received a call today from the State Park folks. The water in all the parks, including the Katy, should be on now.
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Calhoun
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Riding Katy Trail this May
- + I'm taking my 2 boys from Sedalia to St. Charles in mid May. We are tent camping and looking for good camping sites on or as close to the trail as possible. Can anybody suggest 2 camping sites evenl...
Discussion started 04/14/2007 11:25 AM by Scott - 2 replies (last reply by Jason at 04/16/2007 11:58 AM)Scott from Sedalia on 04/14/2007 11:25 AM
I'm taking my 2 boys from Sedalia to St. Charles in mid May. We are tent camping and looking for good camping sites on or as close to the trail as possible. Can anybody suggest 2 camping sites evenly spaced from Boonville to St. Charles? We will go from Boonville to St. Charles in 3 days.
Thanks!
missouri resident on 04/15/2007 09:11 PM
scott, a woman i work with, her sons cub scout troop just camped at klondike park. she talked like it was a pretty good camp site. hard part was the walk up the hill tothe camp site and the ride back down. just an idear. have fun, be safe
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 04/16/2007 11:58 AM
We camped at Klondike and it is a very nice campground...you will not be disappointed. We also camped at Steamboat Junction in Bluffton. I HIGHLY recommend it...we loved it. You will have to find Bluffton on a regular map and see if it fits into your plan, but the campground is literally on the trail. Good luck...you will have a great time!
Machens
- + We are biking the trail at the end of May starting in St. Charles. We were thinking about having our ride drop us at the Machens trailhead and then ride to St. Charles where we're staying. But how do ...
Discussion started 04/11/2007 05:16 PM by kim - 9 replies (last reply by Sue at 04/14/2007 11:08 PM)kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 05:16 PM
We are biking the trail at the end of May starting in St. Charles. We were thinking about having our ride drop us at the Machens trailhead and then ride to St. Charles where we're staying. But how do you get to the Machens trailhead? Is there an address? Anyone know.
J&K from Drexel MO on 04/11/2007 07:12 PM
I'm not sure where, but someone has posted a lengthy comment as to how to find the Machens trailhead. You'll have to look back through the old comments. Happy hunting!
Ray (webmaster) on 04/11/2007 10:20 PM
kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 11:11 PM
I thought surely there was a road or (even better) an intersection near the trail head. Hoping it was not just sitting in a field... Not looking for a parking lot, just a spot to be dropped off and start biking to St. Charles.
Thanks for the posted links. They provide some help. Now need to find myself a map that shows the streets. If anyone has more recent or specific info, please add! Thanks!
kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 11:23 PM
Seriously needing some help here. The "Salle" Road mentioned in one of these links cannot be found in Machens, MO. At least not in Google maps or Mapquest...
missouri resident on 04/12/2007 07:08 PM
kim, from independence.
i just pulled machens on microsoft streets and trips. it looks on here like you go north or east on 94 out of st. charles. should take you right to it. it's near the intersection of machens road and 94. where you get on the trail, no idear. hope this helps and happy bikin.
DougK from Troy on 04/12/2007 08:58 PM
Kim,
Head east from St. Charles on Hwy 94. Stay on 94 East until you get to the town of Machens (don't blink or you'll miss it). Turn right at Salle, the second right after the green Machens sign. Follow that road to the railroad tracks. You should be able to see the trail and/or trailhead through the trees. There's no parking there so Black Walnut might be a better option if you plan on parking a vehicle.
Unlike Dutzow, they don't serve people on a plate at Machens, sorry Ray, couldn't resist.
kim from independence, mo on 04/12/2007 09:08 PM
Awesome, really appreciat the help! We're doing a slow tour (east to west) of the Katy at the end of May to beginning of June. We did the west to east last fall in 5 days, and this time we are taking 7 days so we can spend some time taking pictures, and seeing the towns along the way.
Arkie on 04/13/2007 08:47 AM
When I was last at Machens the farmer on the south side of the BNSF track had a steel cable that he had stretched across the road to prevent anyone from crossing the RR. When I was there prior to that trip the cable had been down. There is enough space at the kiosk to park several cars but unless the access is aboslutely certain you could run the risk of being "locked" in
Sue from DesPlaines, IL on 04/14/2007 11:08 PM
I would not recomend trying to park at the Machens kiosk. There is no official parking area and if you are one the trail you will get a ticket. If you are off the trail, you are on private property. Therefore there really should be no vehicles in or around the Machens kiosk other than the farmers vehicles who have a lease agreement to cross the trail just east of the squeeze gates. As for the cable that stretches across the road, that was put up by the Railroad company after the local farmer pointed out that the county road ends just before the tracks and that the Railroad company owns the road as it crosses the tracks.
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Machens
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Tandem tour on the Katy Trail - National Federation for the Blind
- + Several members of the National Federation for the Blind have organized a west-to-east tandem tour of the Katy Trail. There will be 7 blind riders serving as "stokers" on the tandems, and 7 sighted ...
Discussion started 04/14/2007 08:27 PM by Ray (webmaster) - 0 repliesRay (webmaster) on 04/14/2007 08:27 PM
Several members of the National Federation for the Blind have organized a west-to-east tandem tour of the Katy Trail. There will be 7 blind riders serving as "stokers" on the tandems, and 7 sighted "captains" in the forward position of the tandems.
They are planning to cover the trail in five or six days, between June 16-23. They are still looking for one more sighted rider to serve as a captain of one of the tandems - is anyone out there interested? You would need to pay for the food, lodging, and support, but the tandem is provided. If you're interested in this opportunity, which sounds like a lot of fun and even a life-changing experience, you can contact James Grass at 209-296-8096 or jrg@waterfallsusa.com
Claysville Store
- + Here is the website for the Claysville Store. http://www.digitaltalk.com/ClaysvilleCafe/claysville_strore_and_cafe.htm
They are only open on Saturdays and Sunday and it is well worth your while. ...
Discussion started 04/13/2007 04:23 PM by Mary Weeks - 0 repliesMary Weeks from Ashland/Columbia Area on 04/13/2007 04:23 PM
Here is the website for the Claysville Store. http://www.digitaltalk.com/ClaysvilleCafe/claysville_strore_and_cafe.htm
They are only open on Saturdays and Sunday and it is well worth your while. My husband and I have been there on numerous ocassions and the food is wonderful.
Mary and Lloyd Weeks
Hours:
Saturday: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Season:
From February 1 to Mid-December
Store keepers:
Mark and Laura Hooibrink
573-636-8443 (to make reservations)
Directions:
US-63 N toward COLUMBIA 6.9 miles
Turn LEFT onto E CLAYSVILLE RD
E CLAYSVILLE RD becomes E GARDNER RD
End at Claysville MO
Side Trails
- + I need to know how to get from the Katty Trail to Kansas City.
Discussion started 11/06/2005 09:45 PM by Chris - 2 replies (last reply by J&K at 04/13/2007 03:47 PM)Chris from St. Louis on 11/06/2005 09:45 PM
I need to know how to get from the Katty Trail to Kansas City.
Dave from Blue Springs on 04/13/2007 09:25 AM
Take the train from Sedalia, to Lee's summit, Independence, or go into Downtown KC.
J&K from Drexel MO on 04/13/2007 03:47 PM
I'm assuming you mean by bike. At this time there are no "side trails" into KC,(after Clinton,west end of trail) but riding the shoulder of 7 hwy into Harrisonville is possible. It is now four lane divided highway with the exception of a 6 mile stretch just east of Urich. You could then ride the shoulder of 71 hwy into Grandview. Anything north of 150 hwy & 71 looks pretty risky to me! Hope this helps.
H. H. Fortmann & Co. (Marthasville)
- + There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
Discussion started 04/12/2007 04:20 PM by Chris - 0 repliesChris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:20 PM
There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
Chris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:20 PM
There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
H. H. Fortmann & Co. (Marthasville)
- + we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cin...
Discussion started 04/12/2007 04:17 PM by Chris - 0 repliesChris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:17 PM
we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cindy and justin are great people- we will be back.
Chris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:17 PM
we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cindy and justin are great people- we will be back.