Rock Island Trail Forum

I have lived in St. Charles my whole life and I just discovered a restaurant that has been in the area for a few years. I thought it was just another Main street bar, but boy was I pleasantly surprised! The restaurant area has an open floorplan which gives it an air of spaciousness. They offer the best Happy Hour in the entire St. Louis metro area and the steaks are fantastic. The prices were very reasonable and the atmosphere was fun. They also have the best servers and bartenders around! Do yourself a favor and stop in.

Is there some reason an obvious spam like this hasn't been deleted by the webmaster?

Hey Webmaster, Wake Up--you let these ads go through and you ruin this Forum. What!!!!! This has been on since Jan. 7. I hope you delete this by tomorrow. Thanks and keep the clutter off the web site.

It's a constant struggle to keep out spam - this forum gets several messages a day for gambling sites, "enhancement" drugs, etc. The vast majority of these never even make it onto the website, and I apologize for the few that have slipped through in the past.



However, notes like the one above are a little different, because they really do relate to a business on the Katy Trail. If you read through the forum, you'll see a lot of glowing recommendations for various businesses. Although some of these may be spam, most of them truly are legitimate messages from real trail users who had a good experience somewhere, and want to spread the word about a good restaurant, B&B, etc.



If a message relates to a business on the trail, I generally let it go through, because there is really no way of knowing for sure whether it's a legitimate note from a genuine trail user, or "spam". You, the reader, can decide whether you believe it or not. The great majority are legitimate, and it's probably pretty easy to pick out the ones that aren't, but I'll let you make the call. If a message strikes you as "fishy" (yeah, the one above just might cross that line), then you may want to steer clear of the business. But maybe the guy above really is a legit customer who discovered a restaurant that he thinks is the best thing since sliced bread - I dunno - again, I'll let you make the call.



So far, this open format has worked well and not too many people have tried to abuse it. If people do start abusing it in the future, we may have to tighten things down a bit. By all means, let me know if you feel the "noise factor" is getting too high.

Although I tend to tire of some of these posts.....I've been known to boast about places....things along and relevant to the trail that I like. I wouldn't class anything that I've posted as spam.



If I visit this site to glean info about Booneville....everything else here is just "noise" no matter what it is. I skip those posts that are of no interest to me. Simple solutions to simple problems.



Keep up the good work Ray!

While the post looks to be genuine spam, I've been to the place on several ocasions. Its been open about three years and its patio overlooks the trail. Its in the old Waterworks building. The food is good and the beer is cold. Its a sports bar upstairs and a resteraunt on the lower level.



Big Rick

It's nice to know that my posting sounded so professional that some thought it was "spam". I'll take that as a complement. I have also given praise to other local establishments that I thought were worthy of praise, and have yet to be considered "spam", so I must be getting better. If you must know, the only thing I did not like about Maryland Yards is they have yet to put in a bike rack. With spring around the corner maybe they'll take that into consideration.

Located on old main street in St.Charles next to the gazebo. They have fantastic icecream, fudge and delicious home made candies I have ever had besides home made. The have it decorated really cute in the fall with bears and halloween decorations! I love it !

Located on old main street in St.Charles next to the gazebo. They have fantastic icecream, fudge and delicious home made candies I have ever had besides home made. The have it decorated really cute in the fall with bears and halloween decorations! I love it !

I agree! I am lucky enough to live close enough to go whenever! But, worth the trip regardless of where you live!!!

I agree! I am lucky enough to live close enough to go whenever! But, worth the trip regardless of where you live!!!

THERE IS A NICE PLACE TO EAT IN CALHOUN CALLED THE WHISTLE STOP. GREAT FOOD. PLUS A BRAND NEW BULLSEYE GAS STATION, AND THE ELEVATOR. CALHOUN IS A NICE QUIET PLACE. I RECOMEND STOPPING FOR A VISIT..

Dont stop at the feed store unless you want to second hand smoke about 300

cigerattes in the 5 minutes it takes for you to buy a gatorade. I guess this is

where all the local yokels sit and smoke.



gross.

Calhoun is a very quiet town...but very gossipy....great food at the Whistle Stop...Brand new NICE gas station...BULLSEYE!! Stop by some time, the folks are nice, but don't say anything you wouldnt want mixed up!!

I visited Calhoun in 2000 and found my Great Grandfather, Grandfather & many more of my family in the Calhoun Cemetery as well as my Aunt Alta Hopkins. Great place to imagine what took place back in the 1800's.

I have quite a lot of information on the Evans & Dukes families (my Mother is a Daughter of William Charles Dukes ll.

Feel free to contact me if you are searching for either family.

Frank Evans

Boonville is seeking to make itself more friendly/useful for KT Trail riders. What does it need? Camping? Storage, better route, etc



Thanks for your comments

If you have something like the Roundhouse Campground at New Franklin you'll be good to go, but if memory serves that's close to boonville so... Maybe a business that is near/on the trail that has good "buy it and go" food that one might find in a natural health foods restaurant. Maybe a Springwater dispenser for free water bottle fill-ups bacause when their in the store to get that free spring/artesian water they will see that big tuna salad sandwich on rye, or wheat and buy it. Regards......Mark of the Dalton Boys

They need to somehow increase the radius of the curves between the actual KATY line and the bridge over the Missouri River. That and smooth out/widen the curb cuts (if I recall correctly). If your goal is to get me to spend money in Boonville, have a map as you enter the city that shows businesses within two blocks of the trail that would be of use to trail users.

I agree fully with the map idea. Our biggest challenge here initially was getting from the Comfort Inn/Holiday Inn area to the trail. We asked at the Comfort Inn and it was explained how to get there......but upon arrival the first time, it was pretty darn difficult getting through the moble home manufacturers maze without getting lost. And we did get lost several times...felt like a Candid Camera stunt was being played on us. Had we not entered the trail there, I doubt that we could have exited the trail and found our way to civilization in Booneville as there is nothing on or along the trail pointing the way. It would be of great benefit if the city of Booneville put signs up directing the way to and from the trail. Perhaps an explanation and map on this website would help also. We like Booneville and will return.....but we sure struggled the first time, all of which was very unnecessary.

We loved Boonville and are thrilled that you are seeking to make yourselves more cyclist-friendly. We stayed at River View Suites, right on the trail, and it was wonderful--best place we stayed on the trail. We would like to see more restaurants downtown--which was nice downtown. It would be great if the downtown could have more "life".

Boonville is about to gain another restaurant and hotel right on the trail. The Frederick Hotel sits at the foot of the Missouri River bridge. It is about 100 years old and is undergoing renovation to bring it up to date. From what I understand, it will be somewhat similar to the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia. If any of you are familar with Columbia, then you will be happy to know that the restaurant in the Frederick will be run and managed by some folks that are well known around Columbia. The Galloways, owners of Tratoria Strada Nova (spl?) will be managing it, and the former owner of Glenn's Cafe, Steve Cupp, will be running it and is developing the menu. The restaurant should be opening this winter -- sometime in January or February. Stay tuned.

While the current Missouri River crossing is OK, it is certainly not the incredible view/experience that the old Katy Bridge would be. I think that would make people consider Boonville as much of a "must see" spot on the trail as Rocheport is now. We have stayed in Boonville on a couple of Katy Trail rides, and really enjoyed our stay at the Officer's Quarters. I agree that more downtown restaurants would help--when you're there on a bike, driving out to "the strip" isn't an option. We wandered around for quite a while before finding something, but were very happy with the pizza place we found--I forget what it was called. It's fairly new, had a very pleasant patio in back, and was really good. By the way, we had a mechanical problem with a bike and called an elderly fellow who runs a bike shop. He came to his shop on a Sunday evening (I think it was) to meet us and help us out. I agree with the map idea with services such as food(restaurants and stores), lodging, bike shops, and any public parks, especially with pools for hot summer rides, labelled.

Dear All,

Thanks for the replies to this post. The reason I originally submitted the query is I am involved with the City of Boonville and private developers trying to mahe B'ville more bike friendly.



There is a lot going on. Here's some of it:



The Frederick Hotel will open its bar and restaurant within a couple weeks. By summer they will have rooms open. The Frederick is planning to put a beer garden in back, bike lockers, shower, and a small shop/rental.



B'ville is talking about: better mapping, parking and signage, creating pocket camps as well as a group camp at the Kemper, downtown bathrooms, and converting a turn of the century wareouse into a museum/food and bevvie concession, biker hang. Of course, they want to save the bridge and add it to the trail.



Also, B'ville is mapping surrounding road rides for daytrippers, considering a riverfront bike path/greenway, and developing a levee ride west of the bridge.



In short, B'ville and the Frederick are making major committments to the biking community. Any further replies to this post will help these efforts.



Thanks for the help.

Sounds super! I'm already thinking of a great weekend getaway--ride from Columbia to Boonville, with a good dinner and a night at the Frederick, and then a lazy Sunday ride back with lunch at Les Bourgeois...

I did the Katy for the first time in 95.

It was great. We pulled into Boonville late the first night and a police said it would be fine if we set up our tent in the park by a baseball field. We did and enjoyed every minute of it.

THe hospitality is what brings me back everytime.

BRian

I think that bridge would be a huge improvement to the KATY experience in Booneville. I was very disappointed in 2003 when I was on teh annual DNR ride and found it blocked off.



Big Rick

myself and 2 friends (early 50's - fair to good bike shape) are planning a first time Katy trip - your comments/suggeations are appreciated. Our emphasis is having time to check out small towns, some nice lodging, good places to eat, and the Hermann Octoberfest. Here is our tenitive itinerary.

First, 2nd or 3rd week in Oct to spend weekend in Hermann for Octoberfest



Tue - fly from Denver to St Louis - taxi to St Charles - pick up rental bike Tue or early Wed - Tue night in St Charles



Wed - to Treloar 44 miles - Wed night in Treloar



Thur - to Tebbetts 47 miles - Thur night in Tebbetts



Fri - To Hermann - 30 miles - Fri & Sat nights in Hermann (Octoberfest)



Sun - back to Dutzow - 27 miles - Sun night in Dutzow



Mon - to St Charles - 34 miles - return bikes - fly home Mon even or Tue am

Please define fair to good bike shape?

Is the formula for travel distance per day equal to 1 beer per 10 miles?

Seems pretty good....are you all camping or B&Bing it? Your best bet is to scroll through the pages on this site and through other KATY riders you will probably get a comprehensive picture. above all....enjoy the voyage Mark of the Dalton Boys

Looks like a good plan. I assume you're planning for Oct 2006, since you mentioned Oktoberfest. Be sure to make all your reservations early, because Hermann gets booked up far in advance during Oktoberfest. Also October in general is a busy time on the trail, so many B&Bs will be full. Also consider how you plan to cross the bridge at Hermann - does your B&B offer rides to & from the trail? You might want to save some time at the beginning or end of your trip to stroll around St Charles Main Street - very charming and historic area.

I think this is a very good itinerary if you are interested in having time to explore, and leisurely mornings and/or evenings at your overnight spots.

You should be able to cover more ground than that in 6 days....

Gary, If you are planning to spend a night at the Turner Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbetts please be aware that the mattresses on the bunks consist of a large piece of foam covered with plastic. As far as I know visitors need to bring their own pillow & bedding. It is a great place to stay and a wonderful asset for the Katy Trail. Just want to make sure you are aware of this.

Two of us are going to ride from Clinton to St. Charles in late April. Planning on riding about 50 miles a day. Would appreciate any comments or helpful hints as this will be our 1st time riding the entire Katy Trail. Even minor suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

jy, contact the businesses (food, lodging, etc) along the trail for business hours. some places are closed on mondays, if even open at all this early in the season. might also check with the state parks to see if the water is turned on at each town. other than that, have fun, enjoy the ride. frank

The incorrect tire choice can eventuate in punctures, making the trip unpleasant. Make certain you have kevlar-belted tires such as Continental Travelcontacts, Hutchinson Acrobats, or one of several Specialized Armadillo models. If you would like more advice regarding equipment in particular, feel free to email me at haaghead@kc.rr.com

You should carry your friends pack, it builds your muscles. Always ride in the rear so all dust is on you. Take plenty of money so you can pay for anything the two of you need. Have a GREAT TIME and ride aprox. 60-70 miles per day. Any other help just email me.

Last missive.....I know the correct answer, and I'm NOT the sharpest pencil in the box......yes- (supply your own term of endearment). Regards........Mark of the Dalton Boys

I stopped by Dotty's last summer while riding most of the Katy Trail. Dotty's (and Hartsburg) was the best place along the route. Friendly, generous people and very tasty food with generous serving sizes. And it's so close to the trail!

I stopped by Dotty's last summer while riding most of the Katy Trail. Dotty's (and Hartsburg) was the best place along the route. Friendly, generous people and very tasty food with generous serving sizes. And it's so close to the trail!

Good evening,

I am planning a trip this summer from TX to WI and thought this would be a good way to break up the travel time and enjoy a trail ride.



If you only had a few days and ride for recreation only, what section of this trail would you recommend? And which direction? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.



Thank you.



herewer

From where in Texas??? If it was me, planning from my home in Austin I would try to plan something that would take me to the western terminus of the KATY in Clinton, MO. go east and pick up the St. Louis Confluence Greenway, go to Illinois and then go East, or North from there. Go to Adventure Cycling website if you haven't already and peruse their maps that are some of the most "Bike Friendly" available with the only caveat being that one must join Adventure Cycling to get somewhat cheaper prices. Enjoy the Voyage......Mark of the Dalton Boys

Mark, What is the St. Louis Confluence Greeway? How is the ride in Illinois and how far east or north does it go?



I will check out the website you referred to and see what they have. Thank you.

herewer, The way I read your post, you are driving to Wisconsin but want to stop and bicycle on your trip. You are NOT riding the bicycle from Texas to Wisconsin. Is this correct?



Depending on where you are in TX, I would take I-35 to Kansas City and I-70 accross MO stopping at Boonville or Rocheport. From Rocheport east is one of the most scenic sections of the trail.



Where are you going in Wisconsin? That state has some really nice trails. I spent four days riding the Sparta - Elroy and other trails a few years ago and can't wait to get back there!

Too easy - Traillink.com click on Missouri, click on the site that has "Confluence" in the trail title. This system goes from the "Arch" in St. Louis northward taking on other names but ending up at Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois. On the way you will bike across the Chain of Rocks Bridge which is about 1 mile long and is the longest Hike/Bike only bridge in the Continental U.S. and some claim in the world. These trails are either paved or comprised of "pug" which is crushed limestone and when dry is as hard as concrete. Missouri has a very active Cycling community unbeknownst to some, and their efforts are praiseworthy! Echoing another respondent I would also recommend the Elroy-Sparta Rail/Trail in Wisconsin as this is the "granddaddy" of all Rail/Trails in the U.S. This was the first. Regards Mark of the Dalton Boys

Savage has the right idea...if you only have a few days of recreational riding to do. Booneville to Columbia is a good ride.....Booneville to Jefferson City....Rocheport to Jefferson City...etc. I would also recommend planning in a visit to the Les Bourgeois bistro in Rocheport for lunch and some time to enjoy the view over the trail, river, and river bottom land from the bluffs. The food and wine are very good and the beautiful view is free.

If you plan to travel the Boonville, Rocheport Area, traveling East through that area is very scenic. The bluffs in Rocheport are beautiful. Morning rides may be best going West however as it would be away from the sun. There's a little bookstore in Rocheport where they carry a guidebook to the Katy Trail - Pebble Publishing - they may have a website too for preordering. The guide is handy and has maps and loads of info. Enjoy your visit to Missouri! Lunch at the winery was a great suggestion if that's where you end up!

any day biking, i would suggest rocheport east. it is the most scenic of the trail i have ridden. the book store in rocheport, peeble publishing is hard to catch open. i have stopped off there at all hours of the week and weekend, never can catch them open, however, their website, pebblepublishing.com has a book on the katy tril that is well worth buying and reading. i truly enjoyed readin it. happy bikin.

My experience of a morning ride east from Rocheport was that the sun was not a problem as the bluffs and then trees blocked the sun until it was high enough not to be a problem. This was in June. It might be different in spring or fall with a different sun angle.



If getting on at Rocheport, be sure to go a bit west of the trailhead to ride through the train tunnel.

Last year we rode 70 miles of the trail one weekend. We are going back in March to ride 90 miles. What is the best section of trail to ride if we only have 2 days? Last time we rode from Boonville to Mokane staying in Hartsburg. If you know a better section let me know! We want to do about 50 miles a day. We really loved the Globe Hotel... its hard to pick another section of trail to ride for fear that it wont be as good.

Mokane, go east....many B&B's to chose from. Marthasville for the end of the two days. Regards..........Mark of the Dalton Boys

I have ridden the Katy from Sedalia to St. Charles. I like the Rocheport area and also the magnificent views along the Missouri River hugging the bluffs between Treloar and Marthasville. I'm planning a ride east from Dutzow to Augusta early tomorrow morning (unless I find the trail too soggy) and then walking up to the Immaculate Conception Church for their parish breakfast. The Katy isn't only for the summer.

You've already ridden what most folks consider to be the prettiest part of the trail. So, I agree with Mark, go east and see the rest of the trail. I found parts of the eastern section almost as attractive as the Rocheport area.