Rock Island Trail Forum

I am sure it has been done in even less time than that but I plan on crunching it out this weekend 11/10 to 11/11 and wanted to hear any other riders input. I plan on having to hump it out about 115 miles the first day to jefferson city. Then on the second day to St charles.

I am looking to get input from other riders. anything about the trek, average miles per hour, and helpful info.

Thanks,

Shane

It has been done in less than 24 hours. It is easily doable in 3 days. Trail conditions will be critical. Given all of the rain of late you will have to deal with some really crappy conditions at some locales and that will cut down your velocity. That in combination with the time change will keep you humping. Have fun.

A lot of it depends on how strong of a rider you are and the conditions. I thought that I was in really good shape but when we did the trail, it was tougher than we thought. The heat, wind, and trail condition made us average around 10-11mph. We had some gear, but nothing crazy. Riding on the gravel is not at all like riding on the pavement. Our longest day was 75 miles and it took us (taking our time) from 7am to about 5pm. You will definitely have to go fast and take little to no breaks. Even if you average 17 (which would be a fast pace), the riding time would be almost 7 hours. The trail is beautiful and you will miss a lot going that fast, but to each his own. Good luck and let us know how you do!

If I had any desire to ride the Katy in two days (I don't!) I would want to do it when the weather is warmer and the daylight hours are longer. Covering 115 miles this time of year sounds uncomfortable and stressful to me. If you go this weekend, you might consider wearing some 'blaze orange'. Don't be alarmed by the gun shots, it is just opening weekend of the firearms deer season!

And a good point that is!



We often ride the Steamboat Trace which is maintained by Nemaha county government in Nebraska. It was once rail service hauling coal for the Nebraska Public Power District from Nebraska City to the power plant south of Brownville.



The Steamboat Trace is posted as closed during Nebraska deer firearms season.

I know the weather was VERY warm this week in MO. Not to discourage you, but have you read the forecast for THIS weekend in mid MO? Two day ride in that sounds crazy to me! Good luck! :)

Did you get the Trail done in 2 days?



I did it in three in mid-October with day one being 114 miles from Clinton to Hartsburg. Took it easy on day two with a 50 miler to Rheinland and finished up with 67 to St. Charles on day 3.



It got me thinking about a day 2 ride. In my opinion, day one would be the hardest as the route is toughest from Clinton to Booneville (in my opinion).



Good luck - have fun!

Hello,

My wife and I are planning a trip to MO to ride the Katy. We are mostly roadies and have only ridden paved asphalt trails in Indiana and Ohio. How is the packed AG lime surface of the Katy to ride? Are we OK using 700C X 23 tires or should go wider for better control?

Thanks for your support.

Hello there, my buddy and I have ridden almost the entire Katy using our roadies and they worked out great. I however wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 700x25 tire though. It will help reduce the # of flats. I used the 700x25 setup for 180 miles and only got 1 flat and that was because of a faulty tube. We even rode an entire day in the rain and we didn't have any problems at all with the 700x25's. I think if you step up a size or 2 over the 23's you will be set. Have fun and enjoy your ride!!

I don't want to discourage you from riding the trail, but don't show up expecting to be riding on ag lime. The trail is surface with what is variously referred to as crusher dust or mineral matter depending on its final use. Although the material is fine, and usually packed quite well, the particle distribution included a significant amount of material of to 1/4" in diamter, and some larger than that. It is not a silky smooth ride but careful navigation will be make it the great experience that it is.

The trail also has a variety of material depending on where you are. In wooded areas expects sticks, branches, leaves and other forms of organic material. In wet areas there can be mud or wash-out material and good sized rocks near the bluffs. For the most part, do expect a nice crushed stone surface.

I agree that the surface is not all that great. I rode the 290 miles on the trail with 700x28 tires and had 10-12 times when I almost went down due to the surface. There are lots of leaves, twigs, sticks, rocks, walnuts, etc that make it tough riding in some places. I am an experienced rider and would not recommend anything smaller than a 28cc tire. I would also make sure to get a tire with a Kevlar belt and a puncture resistant tube. I have no flats only because of good tires and tubes. Good luck and have fun!

My experience on a 100+ mile ride a couple weeks ago was very good. I was surprised how ridable the surface was, since the first day of my ride & the prior two days were quite rainy. There were a couple places (mostly on the Columbia Spur) with some fairly deep (3"?) ruts and a little mud, but overall the surface was smooth & hard-packed & the rain actually helped keep the dust down. The comments above about "organic material" are very true - there were tons of leaves & branches on the trail, but they didn't cause too many problems. BTW, I rode on 700x28s with Kevlar tires. Great ride!

I pulled off the miracle of all miracles last month when I did the trail from end to end and many side trips. I finished with 298.7 miles and no flats! I owe it all to good living and modern chemistry in the form of puncture-resistant tires and tubes. The cheapest insurance you can buy and well worth the investment to keep kids along the trail from learning oilfield language while changing flats.

I rode from Clinton to St. Charles (231 miles) in mid-October and found the trail to be wonderful! There are plenty of leaves, etc. on the Trail as others have noted, but had absolutely no problems (and no flats) riding a Fuji Cross with 700 x 28 Kevlar tires. A great experience that I would strongly recommend. Can't wait to do it again!

We recently had the luxury of staying three nights in the Hermann area. Each morning we were treated to a fabulous breakfast at this great old house. Rick and Dianne went out of their way to make sure we had just what we needed and wanted. We're seasons B&Bers, and found this one to be an absolute delight.

I recently received the following note (thanks J.C.!) regarding puncture hazards near Weldon Spring. The highway 40 overpass is 5 miles north/east of the Weldon Spring trailhead. I have notified the MO DNR, but this sort of thing may be very hard to clean up. As always, travel with spare tubes and a pump!

I have had recurrent problems with flat tires along a short section of the trail under the highway 40 bridge in the Weldon Spring area. A friend has had similar difficuties. The problem has occurred in the past couple of weeks. We have been almost daily trail users for several years and have never encountered this problem previously. We have found numerous slivers of glass in that area, but we have been unable to clear them ourselves. I would appreciate your help addressing this problem.

I didn't notice that much glass there, but I did notice that when passing through Sedalia some mean little something or another had managed to burst glass bottles at almost every street crossing the trail took through town! After about the third occurence it became obvious that it was deliberate and I slowed down to avoid the messes.

I have read comments about various locations along the trail turning off their water for the winter. I have a map (from this website) showing me where I can get water, but how can I find out which water sources are still available throughout the winter months?

I have updated the website to include all the seasonal closings that I know of. So as you browse through the website or use the "Plan-a-Ride" feature, you'll see "Closed for the season" appear in red for those businesses/services. If anyone is aware of any seasonally closed businesses that are not marked as such on the website, please let me know. Closings mostly include trailhead facilities with running water and bike shops along the trail. Some trail-based businesses also operate on reduced hours in the winter - call ahead to be sure.



SM, if you were using the Plan-a-Ride feature to get water locations, be sure you also check the boxes for the Grocery and Vending options. Most of these will have bottled water or sports drink that you can buy - even if they only have soda, that's better than getting dehydrated.



Good luck!

Thank you! That's very helpful.

I started biking a few months ago and have fallen in love with it. I usually go 6 - 10 miles a day mostly around creve couer lake and other easy local trails. I would like to ride from page avenue bridge extension to the katy trail to Weldon Springs but I would like to know is is mainly flat? making for an easy ride? Let me add, I am female 50, not that it matters but in good shape and want to start riding further distances. Also anyone know of a riding group for someone like me? thanks.

naf; i have ridden as far as from st. charles to the pittman road crossing. it is flat to that point. just be careful of the road crossings and have fun.

The Katy is flat from Boonville all the way to St. Charles. The western end from Clinton to Boonville has some low grades, but they last for a couple of miles so to me, 53 not that it matters :), they're a bit more of a workout.

Welcome to riding the Katy...be careful though, you'll become addicted to it! It's my absolute favorite place to ride. Been riding it for 3 years and have done end to end twice and many one and two day rides. As frank stated, watch the road crossing on that end and have fun!

If you start at the Page Extension parking lot, you will encounter exactly one hill - the ramp from the parking lot to the trail. It's downhill going to the trail, and uphill going back to the parking lot. If you start in Creve Coeur park and follow the extension from the park and across the bridge, there's also an up-ramp coming out of the park, and a very short upward grade getting up to the bridge.



I'd encourage you to ride across the bridge no matter where you start - it's a very nice bike lane with a fantastic view. This page has more details, including a picture of the ramp from trail to parking lot: Page Bridge Katy Trail connection.

The Officers Club B&B in Boonville seems to have gone out of business. Their website has been down and phone disconnected for a while now. If anyone knows them to still be in business, please let me know. I've heard nothing but positive feedback about this B&B and its owner, Paula, so it's sad to seem them go.

The Officers Club B&B in Boonville seems to have gone out of business. Their website has been down and phone disconnected for a while now. If anyone knows them to still be in business, please let me know. I've heard nothing but positive feedback about this B&B and its owner, Paula, so it's sad to seem them go.

It is indeed unfortunate that Paula moved out of town. She did a great job running Officers' Club Bed & Breakfast. We all miss her and the B & B.

It is indeed unfortunate that Paula moved out of town. She did a great job running Officers' Club Bed & Breakfast. We all miss her and the B & B.

How do you actually pronounce "Machens" ???

Rhymes with "stockins"

yes, the accentuation is like "stockings". it´s absolutely wrong the pronounce it like scottish but with "ccchhhhh", ´cause it´s a rare but very typical german family name. originally it descends from a 1000 years old small village close to the city of hildesheim (the mayor is kurt machens)in the nothern part of germany, which is nowadays called "machtzum" (means: home of a guy named machtherr=lord with power). 1850 two brothers of the big family "machens" (400 in germany, 100 in u.s.) emigrated to the u.s. and founded the village "machens". However: Best regards there!

I have been to MACHENS, MO in 1985. It was a graet experience to be in a small town, called after your familiy. Many greetings to Machens, MO!!

i wanted to tell you about a man named barry that works out of grant pk ill. the other nite i lost my precriptions at that facility, barry went to empty the garbage and found them in the garbage and found them. he went out of his way to find. i was very pleased he did that. i recomend him employee of the year. i was very upset when i could'nt find them. i'm on a fixed income and really could'nt afford to lose them. thank you barry with all my heart. god bless ya. jill

i wanted to tell you about a man named barry that works out of grant pk ill. the other nite i lost my precriptions at that facility, barry went to empty the garbage and found them in the garbage and found them. he went out of his way to find. i was very pleased he did that. i recomend him employee of the year. i was very upset when i could'nt find them. i'm on a fixed income and really could'nt afford to lose them. thank you barry with all my heart. god bless ya. jill

We just returned from a three-night stay at Birk's Gasthaus in Hermann. We were there to ride the Katy Trail for a couple of days. We had the most wonderful time at this B&B where Rick served scrumptious warm brownie sundaes in the evening in addition to the fabulous breakfasts each morning. The big old house was so inviting and our room was quite pleasant. It's easy for us to say that Birk's is one of the best B&B's we've ever stayed in. If we return to Hermann, we will most certainly stay there again.

Our September 2006 night at Birk's was in a comfortable room and the breakfast the next morning was fabulous. We shared the B&B with other couples who had been there several times before. I believe that, in itself, is a great recommendation.

We recently spent 3 nights at this wonderful bed and breakfast. This was our first experience with this form of loding and we will most certainly visit there again. The house was very charming and our room was comfortable and welcoming. Rick was a fabulous host....a very friendly and cogenial man. He made us feel right at home. The breakfasts were boutiful and delicious. The special brownie treat each night was something we all looked forward to after sampling the first one!!! You will not be disappointed if you chose Birks Gasthaus for your stay. We met many nice visitors and enjoyed their tales over breakfast.....and Rick makes sure no one has a dull moment.

What a pleasant find is this bed & breakfast! My friend & I traveled from Lawrence on a Friday, met Miss Patty late that afternoon & thoroughly enjoyed our stay through Sunday. The accomodations were perfect for 2 singles & would be roomy enough for 2 couples. Miss Patty is quite the breakfast cook & can really put out a spread - mostly organic food which really tasted good! It was the perfect start to our long bike rides we took each morning. I would highly recommend a stay here - just be prepared to be patient. Miss Patty & the residents of Huntsdale don't necessarily worry about getting anywhere on time!

What a pleasant find is this bed & breakfast! My friend & I traveled from Lawrence on a Friday, met Miss Patty late that afternoon & thoroughly enjoyed our stay through Sunday. The accomodations were perfect for 2 singles & would be roomy enough for 2 couples. Miss Patty is quite the breakfast cook & can really put out a spread - mostly organic food which really tasted good! It was the perfect start to our long bike rides we took each morning. I would highly recommend a stay here - just be prepared to be patient. Miss Patty & the residents of Huntsdale don't necessarily worry about getting anywhere on time!

I read your comment with interest. WE had a totally different experience later this Oct. We arrived on a rainy afternoon to find the owner "smashed" on alcohol or drugs....we couldn't tell. Her partner (male) was a little more functional. It all made for an interesting story later but the evening would not have been for the "faint of heart" or people with children. It was over the top!

I read your comment with interest. WE had a totally different experience later this Oct. We arrived on a rainy afternoon to find the owner "smashed" on alcohol or drugs....we couldn't tell. Her partner (male) was a little more functional. It all made for an interesting story later but the evening would not have been for the "faint of heart" or people with children. It was over the top!

Actually, this is by far my favorite restaurant in St. Charles. It's very eclectic and fun. The food is phenomenal as well. Highly recommended. I could see how your normal "Pasta House" or "Olive Garden" lover would be put off by such a place, however. But don't let that get you down, this place is QUALITY. All the locals I know love it.

Actually, this is by far my favorite restaurant in St. Charles. It's very eclectic and fun. The food is phenomenal as well. Highly recommended. I could see how your normal "Pasta House" or "Olive Garden" lover would be put off by such a place, however. But don't let that get you down, this place is QUALITY. All the locals I know love it.

I had a flat and it almost ruined my day. I was back on the trail in a matter of minutes. These guys were pleasant and “not” condescending. Stop by rent or buy something and support business people that are happy to help.

I agree...a GREAT shop!

In-door pool and hot tub was a great ending to long ride. Walking distance to Old St. Charles was added advantage.

In-door pool and hot tub was a great ending to long ride. Walking distance to Old St. Charles was added advantage.

Anyone ever stay at the hostel in Tebbetts? I'm preparing for my hike from Clinton to St. Charles (leaving Clinton on June 4th 2007)ng

We stopped by last week and it was locked with no sign indicating whom to call for lodging. While we hadn't planned on staying, we were interested for future trips. I am guissing that checking with the nearby post office might get an answer as the general store keeps very odd hours and was closed.

somebody correct me if i'm wrong bouts this. i believe i read somewhere on this forum that the hostel is always locked, but there is supposed to be a key hanging from a post close to the building or on the hostel itself. just don't know where i read it, or how long ago it was. hope this helps.

I know where the key is, but I'm not going to post the location on the internet for fear that it will become common knowledge to every hobo, whino, gypsy, and teenager in the area looking for a warm place to 'party'. Think about it.

If you are interested in staying at the shelter, call the number that can be found on this website. (I realize that anyone can call the number and ask, but at least it is an additional step that involves planning and forethought; therefore eliminating a majority of vandals.

In response to the OP's question, I stayed there six years ago before the plumbing was finished (used the bathroom at the trailhead). I was riding the trail solo and not sure where I was going to stay that night when I met another solo rider who had a reservation for the shelter. She warned me that she had not seen the place and that the plumbing was not finished, but I was welcome to join her. When we got inside and looked around I said to my riding companion: "Ya know, I think I've paid good money to stay in places a lot worse than this". She replied: "I KNOW I have!" I sent the shelter foundation $20 when I got back home. A few years ago I heard a story about some folks from the Springfield, MO. area that stayed there and were so impressed that they returned a few weeks later for a 'work day' which included wallpapering the bathrooms and they paid for the materials themselves.

The bunks in the shelter consist of 2x4 lumber framed bunk beds with a thick piece of foam padding covered in plastic for a mattress. You need to provide your own linens and pillow. The building is two story and there are additional bunks upstairs. It has been a couple of years since I was inside, but as I recall other shelter amenities include: Refridgerator, microwave, coffee maker?, window air conditioners, ping pong table (upstairs), picnic table (one inside & one on front porch), bathrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, sinks, mirrors, & electrical outlets. There used to be a large sign across the balcony above the front porch that had the toll free phone number for informatin about the shelter, but I do not know what hours the number is answered or if it always goes to voicemail and someone returns your call.

Jim's place next door has a very limited selection of grocery items, plus cold beer and some hot food.

Stayed at the Hostel during our Clinton to St. Charles ride at the end of September 2006. There were about 7 other people staying there. Call the number and they will provide you with the info you need. There is a key stashed, and they will tell you where. While this is basic, it is very adequate. It was created as an alternative to camping, and it does the job. The only thing we found a little irritating was the lack of privacy. There is ONE shower room, and ONE bathroom with two stalls. The doors don't always lock well, and we got walked in on a couple of times. But we just didn't let it bother us too much. I mean, there are stalls. The heat is on, and the bunks are as good as staying at camp. There is a refrigerator and a coffee maker. I highly recommend it for the price.

Stayed at the Hostel during our Clinton to St. Charles ride at the end of September 2006. There were about 7 other people staying there. Call the number and they will provide you with the info you need. There is a key stashed, and they will tell you where. While this is basic, it is very adequate. It was created as an alternative to camping, and it does the job. The only thing we found a little irritating was the lack of privacy. There is ONE shower room, and ONE bathroom with two stalls. The doors don't always lock well, and we got walked in on a couple of times. But we just didn't let it bother us too much. I mean, there are stalls. The heat is on, and the bunks are as good as staying at camp. There is a refrigerator and a coffee maker. I highly recommend it for the price.

What would the cost be for shuttling from Clinton to St Charles? Also how much more would it cost for two riders being picked up in Clinton and taken to St Charles at the exact location?



Thankx, Lew

Try Big Bob's Bicycles, 420 S Engineer Ave,Sedalia MO 65301 660-826-6991, or Scenic Cycles, 292 Boone Monument Rd, PO Box 41, Marthasville MO 63357, 636-433-2909 or 636-433-5131 www.scenic-cycles.com. Either one can give you information on shuttles that cater to KATY cyclists.

Also, here's a list of all shuttles operating along the Katy Trail.

We used Trail Rider for our shuttle service in Aug. Great price and great service. I did a Google to find their site and worked from there.

Call 636-946-0619 ---we will shuttle providing you spend one night with us (Lococo House ll)we are three blocks from the trail in St. Charles ----- we charge a reasonable rate and two people are the same price as one ----- you can also leave your vehicle with us ----- let us know if we can be of help to you ----- Rhona