transportation to start for a larger group

HI,
I am planning a family bike trip on the Katy for next summer ( 2019)- We go with another family and when we did the GAP/C&O we had 13 riders total between our two families- so I think we will have at least 12 riders this time. I am wondering about transportation to Clinton from St Charles area. Our other family is from CT, and I think we will ride from West to East and have them leave their van in St Charles so the trip home would be shorter. I am wondering about getting them and their bikes to Clinton- I heard the Amtrak only goes to Sedalia and only takes 4 bikes? There would be 6-7 bikes and people. I am just beginning to look into shuttle services. Any suggestions? Thank you!

If you would like to do a supported ride, there should be the Katy Trail Ride 2019. Part of the package is a bus ride from St. Charles to Clinton plus they shuttle your bikes.

Here's the web site for 2017 when we rode from Clinton to St. Charles. It should be similar in 2019.

https://mostateparks.com/2017ktride

Just completed a group ride a few weeks ago with a group of 8 and will make a couple suggestions:

1)Ride in early June. We had some hot days, even starting @ 6AM.

2)Start planning now! Figure out how many miles you can do in one day and figure out lodging arrangements. Unless you want to camp, not all towns on the trail have lodging.

3)Finding food in the small towns can be challenging, especially on Monday or after noon.

4)Consider riding the new RIT from Pleasant Hill to Windsor (50 miles). You can get to Lee's Summit, MO on Amtrak and probably find a way to Pleasant Hill. Call the local bike shops for ideas.


5)Do not stay at the cycler's roost in Treloar or the Barn in Bluffton. Look in Hermann instead.


6)Don't bother riding to Machens, stop in St. Charles. The trail is rough, there's nothing to see and it literally just ends in the middle of nowhere.

7)The Bothwell hotel in Sedalia, school house in Rocheport, Cliff Manor BNB in Jeff City, Redbrick inn in Augusta and Country in in St. Charles are highly recommended places to stay.

You may have a challenge a couple nights finding a place for all 12 to sleep, so start planning & calling places now.

I've ridden the trail two years in a row now and hope to do it again in 2019. Maybe we'll see you out there!

Interesting, I have not had a group of 8 to stay here. I wonder if Cyclers Roost has either. Oh well, just another anonymous post.

Two comments: (1) We've only heard positive comments about Doug in Bluffton. (2) Globe Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Hartsburg can accommodate your large group; give us a call: (573) 657-4529.