Summer Ride
- + Three of us are planning a quick attack on the Katy Trail in early June. We are all acomplished cyclists, but have never "toured" before. We are thinking of doing the entire route from St. Charles t...
Discussion started 01/06/2006 12:37 PM by Kwill - 5 replies (last reply by MLH at 01/09/2006 06:10 PM)Kwill from Indiana on 01/06/2006 12:37 PM
Three of us are planning a quick attack on the Katy Trail in early June. We are all acomplished cyclists, but have never "toured" before. We are thinking of doing the entire route from St. Charles to Clinton in 3 days, camping each night. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
savage24 from KC,MO on 01/06/2006 10:53 PM
Are you carrying everything on the bikes or will you have a support vehicle hauling your camping gear? I would not want to ride the entire trail self contained in three days. Not that it can't be done; it just doesn't sound like fun to me.
dale nimmo from springfield missouri on 01/07/2006 11:36 AM
I rode the entire trail last summer, in 6 days
it's about 504 miles total. I took very few off trail excursions.
that's about 88 miles a day for me
I'm thinking 3 days might be just a bit tooooo ambitious?
thanks!! btw... i loved the trail and the ride... my only regret was that I did it solo.
dale nimmo from springfield missouri on 01/07/2006 11:37 AM
i fogot to add....
i did the entire trail round trip
that might make a BIG BIG difference
duh...sorry about that
MLH from Overland Park on 01/09/2006 05:58 PM
Great plan! One suggestion that I would have is to consider going west to east instead of that as you have suggested. The prevailing winds tend to be from the west and that will make a huge difference on such an ambitous task. Also, the trail is very slightly net downhill west to east. And yes, a support vehicle is highly recommended. I am planning a 2-day self-torture trip from Clinton to St. Charles also in early June but will carry as little weight as possible by using a support vehicle. Hopefully I will see you all on the trail.
MLH from Overland Park on 01/09/2006 06:10 PM
One more thing: here is a link to a post in this forum by K French who pulled the 3 day megatour off, WITH FULL GEAR. If the link doesn't work for some reason, go back a couple of pages on this forum.
www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=365
Riding to Family Arena
- + Has anyone ridden their bike to the family arena? I am going to the US figure skating championships and I know I've passed the arena the one time I rode that part of the trail, but I don't recall how...
Discussion started 01/05/2006 09:44 PM by Meg - 1 reply (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 01/06/2006 11:00 AM)Meg from St. Louis on 01/05/2006 09:44 PM
Has anyone ridden their bike to the family arena? I am going to the US figure skating championships and I know I've passed the arena the one time I rode that part of the trail, but I don't recall how far it is from the nearest parking lot. Does anyone know what the nearest lot would be and if there are bike racks there?
Ray (webmaster) on 01/06/2006 11:00 AM
The 364 / Page Avenue Memorial Bridge is just under a mile from the Family Arena. There is a parking lot there, with easy trail access. Just head north on the trail from there, and you'll see the area within a few minutes. Follow this link for more details on
the Page Bridge and how to get there.
I do not know whether the arena has bike racks.
Cross Country Trip
- + On April 15th 2006, two of us are leaving San Diego on bicycles, heading for Rhode Island on no particular route other than always trying to head north or east. We figure (based on no experience) that...
Discussion started 12/30/2005 03:45 PM by Jon - 6 replies (last reply by anonymous at 01/05/2006 07:32 PM)Jon from San Diego on 12/30/2005 03:45 PM
On April 15th 2006, two of us are leaving San Diego on bicycles, heading for Rhode Island on no particular route other than always trying to head north or east. We figure (based on no experience) that it should take us about two months for the whole crossing. We should be at the west end of the Katy trail sometime late May.
I'd appreciate any advice on riding the Katy Trail from west to east. Keep in mind we have not attempted anything even close to the magnatidute of this coast to coast venture before.
Any tips will be appreicated - Thanks - Jon
frank from festus,mo on 12/30/2005 08:24 PM
just enjoy the trip. i admire ya'll for taking on this feat.
savage24 from KC,MO on 12/31/2005 05:47 AM
Well Jon, With no experience, no route, and seemingly no plan I figure if you are tough and able to 'think on your feet' well enough to make it as far as Missouri, you will not need any advice from me!
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress. Oh yeah...
Watch out for tornados in Oklahoma and Kansas in April/May.
Ray (webmaster) on 01/02/2006 06:49 AM
What an adventure - good luck! When you say "no experience", do you mean no bike touring experience, or just no cross-country experience? I'd recommend reading as much as you can on the Bicycle Touring 101 website, to help fill in the gaps from any lack of experience you may have. Also check out Adventure Cycling, and consider getting some of their cross-country route maps. Even if you prefer to go without a planned route, it might be nice to have an Adventure Cycling route to fall back on for parts of your trip - they research these routes pretty extensively to find the roads that are best for bike travel.
If you're keeping a journal or blog of your trip, let me know so I can link to it or publish it on this website.
El Toro on 01/02/2006 01:55 PM
Good luck with the trip. Sounds great. The KATY will be a good way to get across Missouri in my opinion.
How wide a tire will you be running on your bike? My experience says you want to probably look at something around 32cm, which is a bit wider than I would want to run on the roads, but it certainly can be done.
I would think about slowing down a bit on the KATY in terms of daily mileage and enjoying a couple of the stops and nice B&Bs along the way...kind of a middle of the country recovery.
Just my 2 cents. Have a great time. ENJOY and BEST WISHES.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 01/04/2006 10:35 AM
....and whatever you do stop for one night for sure at the KATY Roundhouse Campground in New Franklin, MO. Right on the trail, hot showers, very, very kind staff, very clean campground, and push comes to shove the local pizza place delivers to camp sites!!! Enjoy the Voyage...(I'm so jealous) Mark of the Dalton Boys
Anonymous from Columbia on 01/05/2006 07:32 PM
I would recommend the Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur. I ordered it online from pebblepublishing.com. It covers the entire trail and has lists of bed and breakfasts, diners, etc. all along it. It's very useful, especially if you're inexperienced. Good luck! I hope you enjoy Missouri! :)
Hiking/Walking
- + Hiking the trail would be a great adventure. How is the camping along the trail? Do you have to B&B it the whole way?
Discussion started 01/04/2006 08:48 AM by Mike - 2 replies (last reply by gc at 01/05/2006 01:19 PM)Mike from Lawrence on 01/04/2006 08:48 AM
Hiking the trail would be a great adventure. How is the camping along the trail? Do you have to B&B it the whole way?
Ray (webmaster) on 01/05/2006 05:40 AM
There are definitely camping options along the Katy Trail, although they might not all be within one day's hike from each other. Here's a list of
campgrounds along the trail. If you follow that link and go to the bottom of the page, you can use the "Lodging" checkbox to also get a list of B&Bs, hotels, & motels.
I've heard that other campsites will be opening in 2006, but no details yet on where.
gc from Columbia, Mo on 01/05/2006 01:19 PM
Ray,
Good to hear about the potential new campgrounds. I am planning my walk for around September. Thanks in advance for any info you pass on. This is the best site for planning a Katy excursion.
history of KT
- + I just rode part of the KT for the first time, and I wondered if anyone knew any history about the old telephone/electric poles that survive in places along the western edge of the trail. I was a bit...
Discussion started 01/01/2006 03:44 PM by spiral - 2 replies (last reply by gc at 01/03/2006 12:11 AM)spiral on 01/01/2006 03:44 PM
I just rode part of the KT for the first time, and I wondered if anyone knew any history about the old telephone/electric poles that survive in places along the western edge of the trail. I was a bit fascinated with them.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 01/02/2006 12:06 PM
Quite typical in Missouri and probably other states as well, with new technology to protect human life and the integrity of live lines, as new transmission and distribution lines were added.....the old defunct poles were simply abandoned. They are of little value other than perhaps an insulator that has missed being shot and broken by an irresponsible gun owner. Those are rare and not worth much other than knowing that you have one. They do serve to remind of days gone by.....simpler times.
gc from Columbia, Mo on 01/03/2006 12:11 AM
My Dad was a pole lineman for the Wabash in the late '40s and '50s. He tells me that when they replaced poles from time to time then, that the poles often were dated back to the 1880s. So yes, those poles can get pretty old. There a quite a few all along the trail, I am sure. I know there are some in Mid-Mo.
Machens
- + You can't tell me you do'nt have Yahoo maps,or mapquest?
highway 94 goes past Machens and not too busy for bikes-have spent all nite at machens trains coming from galesburg,ill(bnsf)or from st luoi...
Discussion started 12/29/2005 05:08 PM by james - 0 repliesjames from kcmo on 12/29/2005 05:08 PM
You can't tell me you do'nt have Yahoo maps,or mapquest?
highway 94 goes past Machens and not too busy for bikes-have spent all nite at machens trains coming from galesburg,ill(bnsf)or from st luois. floods of 1993 made deep holes on old m-kt-rr
but old reminants of right-of way interesting-near highway 94.
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
Machens
https://bikerockisland.com/talk.aspx?tid=437&tonly=1
Mile Markers
- + Why do the mile markers start at 39 miles in St Charles. Is St Charles where the trailhead is, or is there another trail head?
By the way, great site.
Discussion started 12/19/2005 10:30 AM by Kris - 1 reply (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 12/19/2005 10:39 AM)Kris from Indiana on 12/19/2005 10:30 AM
Why do the mile markers start at 39 miles in St Charles. Is St Charles where the trailhead is, or is there another trail head?
By the way, great site.
Ray (webmaster) on 12/19/2005 10:39 AM
The mile markers follow the numbering system that the railroad used, back when this route was an MKT rail line. So the actual numbering on the rail line started some 39 miles east of St Charles. Using the railroad mile numbers results in a slight mileage discrepancy, in places where the trail briefly leaves the old railroad route (in
Rhineland and
Sedalia).
Actually there are trailheads in
almost every town in the map at the top of this page, plus a few others. St Charles has three trailheads (Greens Bottom, Page/364, and the main one in downtown St Charles). Click any town name in the map above, and you'll see the town's trailhead (if any) listed on the resulting page.
Glad you like the website!
The Bridge at Boonville
- + Currently "general agrrement: says Rocheport east is the most attractive segment. There is quite a lot of effort being put into restoring the bridge and returning it to its lowered position to accomod...
Discussion started 12/14/2005 05:13 PM by MTTwilly - 0 repliesMTTwilly from Kansas City on 12/14/2005 05:13 PM
Currently "general agrrement: says Rocheport east is the most attractive segment. There is quite a lot of effort being put into restoring the bridge and returning it to its lowered position to accomodate bikers.
What effect would restoring the bridge have on bike tourism in Boonville?
What does "Yield to horses" mean?
- + I have seen much discussion on having to yield to horses on some parts of the trail. What exactly does yield mean, from both the cyclists and horseowners point of view? Stop bike and get off? Exit ...
Discussion started 12/12/2005 11:53 AM by Karl - 5 replies (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 12/14/2005 03:52 PM)Karl from Kansas City on 12/12/2005 11:53 AM
I have seen much discussion on having to yield to horses on some parts of the trail. What exactly does yield mean, from both the cyclists and horseowners point of view? Stop bike and get off? Exit the trail completely? Go slow?
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 12/13/2005 01:22 PM
By definition.....and I would think it would apply here....to yield means to give the right of way to. Horses have the right of passage...bikes do not. If that requires you stop...get off....exit the trail....go slow....then do so in order that the horses have been given the right to be on their merry way. I've been on psycho horses that would need the whole trail to pass because they just couldn't get past the idea that a bike had an orange flag on it. Other horses could pass thousands of flags and never flinch. Read the situation and allow ample room for the horse(s) to pass....yield.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/13/2005 04:09 PM
At the State Natural Area I mentioned earlier in a like thread I didn't elaborate...my apologies. In Texas yielding means stopping, if one needs to get off of the trail then one does, but completely stopping is the base line. Yup, 99 out of a hundred horses may not flinch, its that 100th that's a little twitchy that can cause an issue. The trails in Banderas State Natural Area are plenty wide for one to just stop and leave plenty enough room for the horse to pass by. Enjoy the voyage.......Mark of the Dalton Boys
Karl from Kansas City on 12/14/2005 11:27 AM
Not trying to be a stickler, but how far away should the biker stop?
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 12/14/2005 03:34 PM
When you see the horse go up on it's hind legs....front feet pawing in the air......you've gone too far.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/14/2005 03:52 PM
As Elmer Fudd would say "...stay vehwey, vehwey still." Enjoy the voyage....Mark of the Dalton Boys
Jug Town Food & Feed (Calhoun)
- + Sir I am planing a ride next summer and I am looking at the Katy trail. I will be riding my horse and was thinking what's your opinion was with a horse ride on the Katy Trail. Thank You Dave Moore
Discussion started 12/10/2005 06:48 PM by David Moore - 0 repliesDavid Moore on 12/10/2005 06:48 PM
Sir I am planing a ride next summer and I am looking at the Katy trail. I will be riding my horse and was thinking what's your opinion was with a horse ride on the Katy Trail. Thank You Dave Moore
David Moore on 12/10/2005 06:48 PM
Sir I am planing a ride next summer and I am looking at the Katy trail. I will be riding my horse and was thinking what's your opinion was with a horse ride on the Katy Trail. Thank You Dave Moore
Clifton City paintings along the Katy Trail
- + My father grew up in Clifton City and my grandmother lived in Clifton her whole life. I would be very interested if someone has painted or taken pictures of the Katy Trail in the Clifton City area. ...
Discussion started 12/07/2005 04:38 PM by Mitchell Harlan - 0 repliesMitchell Harlan from Westminster, Colorado on 12/07/2005 04:38 PM
My father grew up in Clifton City and my grandmother lived in Clifton her whole life. I would be very interested if someone has painted or taken pictures of the Katy Trail in the Clifton City area. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jefferson City - Lodging Recommendations
- + Our family biked the Katy Trail last weekend and my 13-yr-old son and I would like to return the weekend of the 15th. Rocheport to Jeff City on Saturday and back on Sunday.
I'm assuming I'm to...
Discussion started 10/04/2005 10:12 PM by Jim - 4 replies (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 12/07/2005 07:21 AM)Jim from Lenexa, KS on 10/04/2005 10:12 PM
Our family biked the Katy Trail last weekend and my 13-yr-old son and I would like to return the weekend of the 15th. Rocheport to Jeff City on Saturday and back on Sunday.
I'm assuming I'm too late for B&B's. Are there any hotels - chain or otherwise - someone would recommend with either easy access to the Katy Trail or a shuttle that we could probably reserve at this late date?
Thanks.
Jim from Lenexa, KS on 10/04/2005 10:12 PM
Our family biked the Katy Trail last weekend and my 13-yr-old son and I would like to return the weekend of the 15th. Rocheport to Jeff City on Saturday and back on Sunday.
I'm assuming I'm too late for B&B's. Are there any hotels - chain or otherwise - someone would recommend with either easy access to the Katy Trail or a shuttle that we could probably reserve at this late date?
Thanks.
Troy Ratliff from Jonesboro, AR on 10/05/2005 08:48 AM
The Ramada Inn, Hotel Deville, and John Q. Hammons Hotel in Jeff City, all at one time had shuttles that would pick you up and take you back to the KATY.
Troy Ratliff from Jonesboro, AR on 10/05/2005 08:48 AM
The Ramada Inn, Hotel Deville, and John Q. Hammons Hotel in Jeff City, all at one time had shuttles that would pick you up and take you back to the KATY.
Lindsey from Whitney Texas on 12/05/2005 11:58 AM
This is the most boring website I have ever been to in my whole entire life! OMG who cares about "Jefferson City-Lodging Recommendations" show an actual video of thhe place or something then maybe more than 3 people would visit it!
Lindsey from Whitney Texas on 12/05/2005 11:58 AM
This is the most boring website I have ever been to in my whole entire life! OMG who cares about "Jefferson City-Lodging Recommendations" show an actual video of thhe place or something then maybe more than 3 people would visit it!
MLH from Overland Park on 12/05/2005 07:23 PM
Jim, it's great to see that you have a 13-year-old that is interested and enjoys the trail. After all, it involves fitness, nostalgia, nature and an appreciation of preservation for future generations. Perhaps when Lindsey (above) is old enough to ride a bike, she will appreciate these things also. It's fun to see how young the little tikes start with computers now days isn't it. Hey Lindsey, I think...like... Sponge Bob is...like...on now. OMG you'd better go and watch. I hear it is really amazing.
P.S. OK Ray, I'll stop now
MLH from Overland Park on 12/05/2005 07:23 PM
Jim, it's great to see that you have a 13-year-old that is interested and enjoys the trail. After all, it involves fitness, nostalgia, nature and an appreciation of preservation for future generations. Perhaps when Lindsey (above) is old enough to ride a bike, she will appreciate these things also. It's fun to see how young the little tikes start with computers now days isn't it. Hey Lindsey, I think...like... Sponge Bob is...like...on now. OMG you'd better go and watch. I hear it is really amazing.
P.S. OK Ray, I'll stop now
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/07/2005 07:21 AM
Webmaster, I will profer my apologies up front.....but when one is from Whitney, TX. there is precious little else to do but critique sites.....Mark Dalton Austin, Texas PS - The Web site is just fine IMHO, informative and most people don't use the full set up of the site, but that's OK too, as cyclists,& conservationists (that's a conservative environmentalist), we should all be here to help.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/07/2005 07:21 AM
Webmaster, I will profer my apologies up front.....but when one is from Whitney, TX. there is precious little else to do but critique sites.....Mark Dalton Austin, Texas PS - The Web site is just fine IMHO, informative and most people don't use the full set up of the site, but that's OK too, as cyclists,& conservationists (that's a conservative environmentalist), we should all be here to help.
fishing , lakes, etc.
- + My son is in Chesterfield for four years and we are planning some trips to Missouri with long weekend excursions from the St. Louis area. I just discovered the Katy Trail and we will definitely come....
Discussion started 12/01/2005 11:28 AM by cca - 1 reply (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 12/07/2005 07:11 AM)cca from corinth,ms on 12/01/2005 11:28 AM
My son is in Chesterfield for four years and we are planning some trips to Missouri with long weekend excursions from the St. Louis area. I just discovered the Katy Trail and we will definitely come. Where can we bike, fish and have lodging for a long weekend? Boat rental????????
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/07/2005 07:11 AM
If memory serves Corinth has a very nice skydiving drop zone...a rather significant portion of the trail is alongside of the Missouri River, boat rental, Coopers Landing maybe (which is right on the trail). Also work through the home page on this site and clicking on the towns that the trail goes through have distances to other Missosuri DNR parks that are usually within 5 miles. Also a search on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will give you a complete listing of parks. Make sure you get a fishing license. Really challenging trout fishing is at Roaring River State Park in the extreme southwest corner of the state and is way away from the KATY, but it is where there is good fishing....enjoy the voyage...Mark of The Dalton Boys
Eminate Domain
- + I really like the idea of the Katy Trail however I live on the Missouri River across from Pelican Island and I have been told that the State can take 250 feet of my property to build a continuance of ...
Discussion started 11/28/2005 03:25 PM by PDPl - 1 reply (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 12/01/2005 07:04 AM)PDPl from North St. Louis County on 11/28/2005 03:25 PM
I really like the idea of the Katy Trail however I live on the Missouri River across from Pelican Island and I have been told that the State can take 250 feet of my property to build a continuance of the trail. Is that possible? It seems to me that it would be nice to take the extention over to Pelican Island and then to Suoix Passage Park and continue from there. I already have 150 feet of my property in the River as errosion has taken it over the years. Is this something I need to be concerned with? Thank you for your reply.
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 12/01/2005 07:04 AM
Unfortunately the short answer is yes, the state can claim right of eminent domain. The question of which route would be better aside, it is at the very least fortunate that you like the idea of the KATY, and that unlike one poor soul in Connecticut, that state claimed eminent domain to build a shopping mall. The basic premise of eminent domain supposedly manifests to the benefit of the "greater good" a.k.a. hospitals, city parks etc. In the case in the Northeast the state's case managed to mangle the greater good issue in favor of the shopping mall which I personaly don't see. Of course then there is the issue of right of eminent domain in its own right...the state or other government entity taking land from a landowner....sticky issue that. In closing, they can do it, you can fight it, and I'm happy for you that it will be the KATY and not a shopping mall. Regards.......Mark of the Dalton Boys
Katy Trail to Downtown St Louis Directions
- + Another way to avoid the hill climbing out of the park on Marine (which can be very dangerous with inattentive drivers) is to take Creve Coeur Mill Rd from the west side of the park. This will run so...
Discussion started 11/19/2005 06:27 PM by Jason - 5 replies (last reply by Nails at 11/30/2005 04:24 PM)Jason from St. Louis on 11/19/2005 06:27 PM
Another way to avoid the hill climbing out of the park on Marine (which can be very dangerous with inattentive drivers) is to take Creve Coeur Mill Rd from the west side of the park. This will run south to Olive and then east. Olive is commercial in that area, and you would have to cross the 270 overpass just east of the Creve Coeur Mill Rd/Olive intersection, so you should be comfy riding in city traffic and I wouldn't recommend large groups.
To go this route, turn east (right) at the circle when coming off of the Page extension trail into the park. The road directly in front of you is Creve Coeur Mill - turn left on it and ride to Olive. From there, you can follow from step 5 of the first route suggestion once you pass Craig - which is 3 or 4 quick lights past the 270 overpass.
Nails on 11/21/2005 12:38 PM
While I've never ridden on this stretch of Olive, IMHO, Olive would be more of a white knuckle ride than Marine. But if Marine scares you, consider what I did last time. As you suggest, take Creve Coeur Mill Rd to the South. It'll turn East then bend to the South again. In the middle of this bend, turn left. (Long story, but I can't describe what this area is.) You will come upon a chain across the road. After you pass the chain, you're on a residental street called Amoit Dr. A long steady uphill, but not as steep or busy as Marine. It will take you to Marine at its crest where it has widened. Make a right on Marine and continue as I posted before under Route Suggestion 4 at:
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/kirkwood.asp
. For an aerial photo of this portion of the ride, see:
http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=11&Z=15&X=1795&Y=10714&W=3
Jason from St. Louis on 11/21/2005 06:28 PM
I would not suggest rush hour for sure ;). It is a reasonable weekend/non-rush route if you ride fast enough and are ok with traffic. I have to say I've almost been nailed on Marine more than Olive - my daily commute is on Marine. I think drivers just get a little lazy on the busy "quiet side streets" like Marine...too many cell phones and stereos.
I have considered the route you describe to get back to where I live from the extension, but have not tried it yet. Is it a worthwhile bypass of the hill on Marine, or would you take your chances climbing the curves with no shoulder?
Nails on 11/23/2005 12:16 PM
It depends. Where are you going? What is your mode of transportation? If you're coming from St. Charles County, then yes. It'll add a mile or so, but the grade is about as third as steep (but three times as long) and a very calm route. If your in a car or coming from the north side of the lake, then no. The road is chained off at the bottom of the hill and it adds at least 2 miles to a ride from the north end of the lake. Note, the highest point on Marine and Amoit is 610'and 650', repsectively. You actually ride down to Marine on Amoit.
Mike from Saint peters on 11/30/2005 12:54 PM
If you don't like going up Marine Avenue at the hill just outside of the park, then I suggest you walk your bike up the staircase or fire road right next to Marine Avenue. Both will take you up into Creve Couer Memorial park, which will take you to the top of the hill where Marine picks up a sidewalk and a shoulder of sorts.
Nails on 11/30/2005 04:24 PM
Are you talking about the trail on the East side of Marine that starts just as Marine enters the trees and goes to (as near as I can tell) Parkland Woods Dr? Then you take Parkland Woods Dr to Dorsett and back West to Marine?
additions to the trail
- + I have been hearing all of this stuff about extending the trail into st.peters and making the trail longer pn both ends. Does anyone have a clue of what it is that they are going to be doing and when...
Discussion started 11/26/2005 11:33 AM by Jared - 3 replies (last reply by The Dalton Boys at 11/29/2005 03:53 PM)Jared from St.Charles on 11/26/2005 11:33 AM
I have been hearing all of this stuff about extending the trail into st.peters and making the trail longer pn both ends. Does anyone have a clue of what it is that they are going to be doing and when all of this will happen?
frank from festus,mo on 11/26/2005 09:25 PM
jared, there is some talk of extending the trail from clinton to kansas city on the west end and from st. charles to machens on the east end. when and if it will happens, only heaven knows. hopefully it will.
Mike from O'Fallon, MO on 11/26/2005 11:48 PM
To learn about trail work around St. Louis to complete the Great River Greenway (including the St. Peters connection) see - http://greatrivers.info/
The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 11/29/2005 03:53 PM
Actually the KATY used to end in Machens until some soil/trail composition issues happened and made that last part impassable. So on the east end the trail has gone "to the river". On the west side there are three route proposals largely spearheaded by K.C. rider, and neighborhood entities. All they have now is a group but that is a start. Will it get done soon (1-3 years) maybe not, but at least there is some gumption about it, and in the meantime send an e-mail to the DNR and just tell them simply that you want the KATY to go "end-to-end",or not but exercise your right to express yourself. On the east side the Confluence Trail System has some interesting ideas for continuing on to Illinois via the Chain of Rocks bike/pedestrian bridge. Enjoy the Voyage all.
Type of bike tires
- + My dad and i rode the trail oer the summer on touring bikes. The tires on those are very skinny and and tire will work on there. There are some little bumps on the trail but nothing that you wont fe...
Discussion started 11/26/2005 11:47 AM by Jared - 1 reply (last reply by MLH at 11/26/2005 08:58 PM)Jared from St.Charles on 11/26/2005 11:47 AM
My dad and i rode the trail oer the summer on touring bikes. The tires on those are very skinny and and tire will work on there. There are some little bumps on the trail but nothing that you wont feel on a mountain bike. The katy trail is normally cleaned up very quickly and whenever they find something wrong they will normally fix it immediatly. When my dad and i rode the trail the first day there was a horrible storm and everything was beeing blown and there were trees all over the trail and we stopped in augusta and they next day the path was fine so they do take very good care of the trail so you will not need to worry about what kind of tires to use. Also if you do take a mountain bike the whole way on the trail you will be very tired because those tires are just so much fatter and it will slow you down alot.
MLH from Overland Park KS on 11/26/2005 08:58 PM
Indeed the great job they do in keeping the trail clean amazes me at times, especially on the western section. Regarding tires, note that a "touring" bike in its true sense has a longer wheelbase and thus a wider chainstay width and will often fit tires up to 42mm in width, which is significant as IMO 700 x 32-38mm tires of the correct type are ideal for the KATY and these will not fit most other bikes with drop bars.They will fit most hybrids. For regular long distance riders/tourers, the narrower tires (25mm or less) seem to be annoyingly vibration and puncture prone. Also, don't discount the use of a MTB. A relatively lightweight hardtail with the proper (narrow) tire choice inflated appropriately makes for a great relative worry-free choice for rides of up to about 50 miles or so.