Rock Island Trail Forum

I could not find a Turner's Store (Sept 16, 2004) and it would be pretty hard to miss anything in Tebbetts. However, there was a Jim's Bar and Grill across the street from Turner's Katy Trail Shelter that served good hamburgers and had some general store type items.

I could not find a Turner's Store (Sept 16, 2004) and it would be pretty hard to miss anything in Tebbetts. However, there was a Jim's Bar and Grill across the street from Turner's Katy Trail Shelter that served good hamburgers and had some general store type items.

I could not find a Turner's Store (Sept 16, 2004) and it would be pretty hard to miss anything in Tebbetts. However, there was a Jim's Bar and Grill across the street from Turner's Katy Trail Shelter that served good hamburgers and had some general store type items.

Alas, Turner's store is long gone. It closed after Mrs Turner died in 2001 or 2002. Jim's Bar & Grill is in the same building that the Turner Store was in. The building sat empty for one season and there was nothing to eat in Tebbetts. I was sure glad to see Jim's open for business!

Alas, Turner's store is long gone. It closed after Mrs Turner died in 2001 or 2002. Jim's Bar & Grill is in the same building that the Turner Store was in. The building sat empty for one season and there was nothing to eat in Tebbetts. I was sure glad to see Jim's open for business!

Alas, Turner's store is long gone. It closed after Mrs Turner died in 2001 or 2002. Jim's Bar & Grill is in the same building that the Turner Store was in. The building sat empty for one season and there was nothing to eat in Tebbetts. I was sure glad to see Jim's open for business!

Stayed at the shelter next door twice this year and ate at Jim's both times. He has a pretty good pizza too.

Stayed at the shelter next door twice this year and ate at Jim's both times. He has a pretty good pizza too.

Stayed at the shelter next door twice this year and ate at Jim's both times. He has a pretty good pizza too.

The shelter is very nice and convenient. We had a nice time at Jim's next door. We had a chicken alfredo pizza there that wasn't too bad either. A very nice break. Just right.

The shelter is very nice and convenient. We had a nice time at Jim's next door. We had a chicken alfredo pizza there that wasn't too bad either. A very nice break. Just right.

The shelter is very nice and convenient. We had a nice time at Jim's next door. We had a chicken alfredo pizza there that wasn't too bad either. A very nice break. Just right.

We stumbled upon Jim's after riding for several miles without water. We were thirsty and hot and on the edge of miserable, then we walked into Jim's about 1:00 pm on a Sunday in June. There were several men in overalls jamming. It was a great time. We forgot we were hot and tired and thirsty and had a great time. The man working filled my waterbottle with ice and water and offered us the Katy Trail book to sign. That stop was one of our highlights of our ride.

We stumbled upon Jim's after riding for several miles without water. We were thirsty and hot and on the edge of miserable, then we walked into Jim's about 1:00 pm on a Sunday in June. There were several men in overalls jamming. It was a great time. We forgot we were hot and tired and thirsty and had a great time. The man working filled my waterbottle with ice and water and offered us the Katy Trail book to sign. That stop was one of our highlights of our ride.

We stumbled upon Jim's after riding for several miles without water. We were thirsty and hot and on the edge of miserable, then we walked into Jim's about 1:00 pm on a Sunday in June. There were several men in overalls jamming. It was a great time. We forgot we were hot and tired and thirsty and had a great time. The man working filled my waterbottle with ice and water and offered us the Katy Trail book to sign. That stop was one of our highlights of our ride.

I was so sorry to learn that Turner's Store no longer exists, but thankful that a business has opened there. Tebbetts is one of my favorite places. We lived there when the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant under construction and my husband worked as a start-up engineer. Mrs. Turner was so nice to me on my first visit to her store and we became great friends. She was a fine lady who loved antiques and had so many stories to tell. I would go down to see her just about every day. Tebbetts was a wonderful community, we liked all the people we met. Mary Autenreith was the post mistress and my son rented a little house from her husband, Sonny. I guess what amazed me most about was the wonderful soil. Everything you planted, flowers and vegetables would flourish because the soil was so rich. Often I think about the people there and wonder if they or any of their families are still in the area. If anyone is passing through please ask about these people and what happened to them. For sure, if I ever get a chance I will go back to Tebbetts and stop by Jim's Barr and Grilll just to see what's going on.

I was so sorry to learn that Turner's Store no longer exists, but thankful that a business has opened there. Tebbetts is one of my favorite places. We lived there when the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant under construction and my husband worked as a start-up engineer. Mrs. Turner was so nice to me on my first visit to her store and we became great friends. She was a fine lady who loved antiques and had so many stories to tell. I would go down to see her just about every day. Tebbetts was a wonderful community, we liked all the people we met. Mary Autenreith was the post mistress and my son rented a little house from her husband, Sonny. I guess what amazed me most about was the wonderful soil. Everything you planted, flowers and vegetables would flourish because the soil was so rich. Often I think about the people there and wonder if they or any of their families are still in the area. If anyone is passing through please ask about these people and what happened to them. For sure, if I ever get a chance I will go back to Tebbetts and stop by Jim's Barr and Grilll just to see what's going on.

I was so sorry to learn that Turner's Store no longer exists, but thankful that a business has opened there. Tebbetts is one of my favorite places. We lived there when the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant under construction and my husband worked as a start-up engineer. Mrs. Turner was so nice to me on my first visit to her store and we became great friends. She was a fine lady who loved antiques and had so many stories to tell. I would go down to see her just about every day. Tebbetts was a wonderful community, we liked all the people we met. Mary Autenreith was the post mistress and my son rented a little house from her husband, Sonny. I guess what amazed me most about was the wonderful soil. Everything you planted, flowers and vegetables would flourish because the soil was so rich. Often I think about the people there and wonder if they or any of their families are still in the area. If anyone is passing through please ask about these people and what happened to them. For sure, if I ever get a chance I will go back to Tebbetts and stop by Jim's Barr and Grilll just to see what's going on.

We visited Jim's Bar and Grill last week on a rainy day of our five day trip. It turned out for both families to be a highlight. The food was good (especially the pizza) and he made us feel welcome and talked to the kids and gave us some history of the store etc. We were glad we stopped in this little town.

We visited Jim's Bar and Grill last week on a rainy day of our five day trip. It turned out for both families to be a highlight. The food was good (especially the pizza) and he made us feel welcome and talked to the kids and gave us some history of the store etc. We were glad we stopped in this little town.

We visited Jim's Bar and Grill last week on a rainy day of our five day trip. It turned out for both families to be a highlight. The food was good (especially the pizza) and he made us feel welcome and talked to the kids and gave us some history of the store etc. We were glad we stopped in this little town.

I stopped by Jim's on the third night of my five-day ride. It was a Friday and I had the shelter

next door to myself. Pizza was good, beer was cold and the karaoke--every Friday night

apparently--was exceptional. A nice slice of Missouri for the city boy to enjoy.

I stopped by Jim's on the third night of my five-day ride. It was a Friday and I had the shelter

next door to myself. Pizza was good, beer was cold and the karaoke--every Friday night

apparently--was exceptional. A nice slice of Missouri for the city boy to enjoy.

I stopped by Jim's on the third night of my five-day ride. It was a Friday and I had the shelter

next door to myself. Pizza was good, beer was cold and the karaoke--every Friday night

apparently--was exceptional. A nice slice of Missouri for the city boy to enjoy.

A delightful ride among quiet nature and scenic views. The friendliness of people in the area only enhances the overall experience.

A delightful ride among quiet nature and scenic views. The friendliness of people in the area only enhances the overall experience.

A delightful ride among quiet nature and scenic views. The friendliness of people in the area only enhances the overall experience.

Stopped at Jim's Bar & Grill and the first thought off the top of my mind was Whistle Stop from the movie Fried Green Tomatos. Went inside, very nice guy...bought a couple of sodas and a candy bar, also took a couple pictures with the vintage model T someone had restored. unfortunatly, we couldnt stay long because we had to get back on the trail.

Stopped at Jim's Bar & Grill and the first thought off the top of my mind was Whistle Stop from the movie Fried Green Tomatos. Went inside, very nice guy...bought a couple of sodas and a candy bar, also took a couple pictures with the vintage model T someone had restored. unfortunatly, we couldnt stay long because we had to get back on the trail.

Stopped at Jim's Bar & Grill and the first thought off the top of my mind was Whistle Stop from the movie Fried Green Tomatos. Went inside, very nice guy...bought a couple of sodas and a candy bar, also took a couple pictures with the vintage model T someone had restored. unfortunatly, we couldnt stay long because we had to get back on the trail.

I was through Calhoun on Saturday, Sept. 2, and it appears that Jugtown Food and Feed is closed. I walked over, and the place was padlocked. Whistlestop was also closed, which I thought was strange for Saturday on Labor Day weekend. The Bullseye gas station was nice, though!

I was through Calhoun on Saturday, Sept. 2, and it appears that Jugtown Food and Feed is closed. I walked over, and the place was padlocked. Whistlestop was also closed, which I thought was strange for Saturday on Labor Day weekend. The Bullseye gas station was nice, though!

My wife and I started our end to end trip today in Clinton. We ride slow and only do about 40 miles a day so tonight finds us in Sedalia. I am very impressed with the condition of the trail and the trailheads thus far. However I did see a pothole about a foot deep and a foot in diameter just east of the 253 (dead center of the trail) that had not been repaired since the rain in the past few days. (This is not a complaint just a heads up to those who may be riding the trail soon.

Reading your post got me just that much more excited about my wife and I's up coming trip in October. We also plan to do an end to ender {for the first time) only we will be starting at the Kansas state line and riding to Clinton on the first day.We rode Clinton to Windsor and back on Sunday and saw that "hole" you refered to! I am still impressed with how well the DNR takes care of the trail. We often ride the Praire Spirit Trail (Ottawa to Garnett KS)and it is not near as nice as "our" Katy. Have a good trip!!

Rode from Clinton to Sedalia and back over Labor Day weekend and the pothole had been fixed. The trail was in great condition.

Birk's Gasthaus is a great value! Rick, the owner, is a cyclist. Home is beautiful, breakfasts are excellent, guests are interesting. Definitely a place to consider staying whether riding the trail or not.

There is no car access to the Machens trailhead, so park at Black Walnut Trailhead. (Take Rt. 94 NE out of St. Chas. to Hwy. H, turn right on Music Ferry Road) Park at Black Walnut Trailhead, parking but no restroom. Ride from there to Machens & back, then ride from Black Walnut to St. Chas. Finished graveled from Machens (26.9) to Cul de Sac (34.5). From 35 to 37.5 or so, trail goes from graveled to roughly graveled to dirt and grass path and back to roughly graveled, but even in dirt/grass,trail is still passable and visible. 37.5 to St. Chas.(39.5) is fully finished and graveled again. We are two old geezers, age 51, and if we can do Machens to St. Chas, anyone can! We were still doing 7-8 mph through the dirt/grass, not as rough as it sounds. It was fun!

Oh, forgot to say that there were not any private property signs or no trespassing signs blocking the actual trail. I think the problems they are having with access is getting equipment onto the trail to work on it and having to take it through private property, but the trail itself is fully accessible and on state park property.

Great color & expression. I have an original MEL MEYER watercolor farm scene titled NEAR TOMAH,WISCONSIN, signed; measures 11X14 floating mount in frame 17x20. Am looking to sell. Taking offers. Thanks, ART

Hello, I'm looking forward to move to St. Charles and use part of Katy Trial to get to the Creve Coeur Park on my road bike. If someone uses that path, is it possible to use a road bike? Thank you, YT.

Absolutely.

I am not a drinker per se. I did though stop in for a Coca-Cola here. They were SOOOOOO

friendly. I stayed in there quite a while learning about their old building and its history. These

people were true ambassadors. Very nice!

I am not a drinker per se. I did though stop in for a Coca-Cola here. They were SOOOOOO

friendly. I stayed in there quite a while learning about their old building and its history. These

people were true ambassadors. Very nice!

I remember you! Ha Ha Ha Oklahoma can keep their shirts in Oklahoma...Oh Man was it ever LOUD!

I remember you! Ha Ha Ha Oklahoma can keep their shirts in Oklahoma...Oh Man was it ever LOUD!

On another post, I read that at least on person was talking about the trail from St.Charles to Machens. I thought the trail didn't exist there yet. Is it there, and just not being publicized yet? Anyone know for sure?

The currant state of the trail is that it ends in St. Charles near the 370 bridge. Parts of the trail east of there are constructed and being maintained but is not officially open. The State is still working on real estate issue that would eventually allow for the unconstructed section of trail to be built which would connect the short finished section near Black Walnut to the rest of the trail. I am sure that if that happened the State would have a big event and celebrate the completion of the "St. Charles to Machens" section.

Has anybody here built up a Katy touring bike from the basic parts you found at a pawn shop or garage sale? I see the trail does not require a "Real" Touring bike (like Cannondale T800 or others), so I am now thinking of hitting the local pawn shops for abandoned bikes and giving one or two (or three, depending on spouse's interest) a good home and a fun run down the Katy.

Good idea? Abysmally BAD idea? I can look for cracked welds, etc...but this trail doesn't require as huge a load as some bike tourists need (as for coast-to-coast), so I think I can get away with it.

Depends on the bike and your level of competence and your goals. Don't assume that you

won't want a "real" bike to ride the Trail. Lance Armstrong could ride the Tour de France

on a pawn shop bike or even one he bought at a chain store, but would he want too? If

you feel like this is what you want to do, look for a known brand name, lightweight

mountain bike frame bike. A mountain bike frame has better geometry for the Trail and

holds up better to the rough parts of the Trail than a road bike frame. You don't need

shocks or any of those types of extras; they just add weight. Remember, on a bike less

weight is better because it means less weight you have to propel down the road. I suspect

that you will spend more money building it up than if you just bought a decent bike from

your local bike shop. I ride a Trek mountain bike that I have modified to ride mostly on

the Trail..namely, took off all the stuff that added weight, replaced the knobby tires with

Panaracer Messenger tires that are about an inch wide and have Kevlar belts and I added a

rack on the back to attach panniers for overnights. So, if you are doing this because you

think it will just be the easy, cheap way out, then I think it is a bad idea...your money will

be better spent buying a decent mountain bike at your local bike shop and having them

help you modify it for the Trail. If you are doing this for the "project" appeal, then by all

means give it a whirl! If you need help with components, or figuring out what will work

best on the Trail, give Mark a call at Hartsburg Cycle Depot (573-657-9599). He can help

you with what you need and they have great prices on parts and accessories.

Tailwinds...Sharon

Agreed....if ya like to tinker, have plenty of time to do it, and have plenty of money to do so without knowing what you actualy end up with....go for it.



Having worked in a few manufacturing company engineering departments.....I give full credit to those engineers at Trek, Cannondale, etc. who have perfected their product by making the discoveries long ago that a pawn shop engineer would in an attempt to construct a prototype bike. Major bike companies already produce a bike for Katy type riding....the Hybrid or Cross bike. Most of these are very affordable. They are trail ready with the exception of a rear rack, a bag or two, and kevlar tires if that is what you desire.



If you decide to reinvent the wheel.....more power to ya!

Hmm...VERY Valid Comments! Thanks! Pawn Shop DIY Bike = Time + Money + More time + Maybe (or maybe not) a bike I will like. Store-bought Bike = More initial money + I get to ride it NOW! The Best of Both Worlds??? (Figuring I LOVE to tinker, but only if it will be an improvement)...I am thinking of buying a Surly Long Haul Trucker frame, and buying a build kit from Pricepoint. Net result should be appropriate to my skills and a really nice bike. This could be VERY good.

There ya go! Many of the bike sponsored racers do a similar thing. The bike company provides the frame and the racer provides his own components based on personal preference. A friend of mine who races, took his free frame and then bought another bike, as the "kit" just for the components. The end result was a very nice racing bike with his choice of components.

Well heck yeah Jim....a Surly will be fine!! If one believes the Revendell philosophy, touring bikes are the best of both worlds as they believe (at Revendell), that those types of bikes can be used for MOST anything. Getting back to your "Frankenbike" thoughts....get a production touring bike, then buy parts as you see fit and during those moments when you want to quit, just get on your production bike, take a ride come back to the house and continue to work on the "parts" bike. You have a host of quality bike shops in the DFW Metroplex. Also July issue of "Bicycling" has an article about a couple of bike mechanics (in Dallas no less), who did a "pimp my Schwinn" number. Bought it new for $89.00, but ended up with hundreds of dollars worth of "parts" that they switched out which included a 58 tooth chain ring (my knees hurt just reading that). Check out Adventure Cycling Association for touring bike ideas...there are many that are cheap, but not cheaply built. Enjoy the voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys