You should experience cycling in all types of weather and on similar surface terrain as the Katy Trail. Two of us arrived several days early, which allowed time for visiting with family, for experiencing the stunning beauty of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and for becoming familiar with the charming town of St. Charles. Many offer special services; for example, some B&Bs that are not directly on the trail will pick up you and your bike … The section between Cooper County and St. Charles part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Today's 53 miles are nearly flat allowing you to just relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery! Cycling the Katy Trail is the definitive guide to a crown jewel in the American rail-trail system. Today's ride continues to explore the rural beauty of Missouri and we enjoy easy, mostly flat cycling with the exception of the 10 mile "washboard" with presents easy to moderate hills giving us just enough workout to earn dessert at dinner! June weather in Missouri is unpredictable. Cyclists, hikers and even horseback riders use the trail, enjoying the beauty of the state park and the intertwining Missouri river. Built along the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (K-T, … Now reborn as Missouri's KATY Trail State Park, the former rail line is renowned as the nation's most developed rail-trail for bicyclists. 10. With beautiful scenery, delicious meals and fun excursions out of the saddle, our 12 riders became a tight-knit group of new friends by the end of their adventure vacation! Cycling the Katy Trail is the definitive guide to a crown jewel in the American rail-trail system. Along these beautiful 240 miles you'll discover four fully restored railroad depots which will transport you to a bygone era. You can also visit the official Missouri State Parks Katy Trail State Park site. The trail certainly isn’t steep, but the ride (for us at least) was far from easy. There’s also the small detail of the Katy Trail Ice House, whose bike-up terrace has become legendary in the Dallas running and cycling community. The Katy Trail State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Missouri that contains the Katy Trail, the country's longest recreational rail trail. 8. Buying local (not off of the Internet) promotes community and maintains a cycling presence in the neighborhood Providing more than simply a list of milestones along the trail, this book shares the trail … Cycling the Katy Trail: A Tandem Sojourn Along Missouri’s Katy Trail provides useful data alongside a thoughtful narration of the author’s journey. We decided to take a short sunset ride to stretch our legs, taking the bridge across the Missouri River and heading out about seven miles east. We must raise over $1 million each year through memberships, events, and corporate donations to keep the Trail running in peak condition. Providing more than simply a list of milestones along the trail, this book shares the trail … Rock Island Trail and Katy Trail B&Bs Some of Missouri's finest Bed and Breakfast Inns can be found on or near the Katy Trail. I'm cycling across Missouri on the 240 mile Katy Trail State Park. Built on the former railroad corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad, the Katy Trail is the longest of the rails-to-trails routes. Bring a friend biking. I see the latest trail conditions state possible mudslides and a possible trail closing from Hartsburg to Mcbane if the river reaches predicted levels. The Katy Trail is a great place to take someone who hasn't been on a bike in a while. Friends of the Katy Trail is the nonprofit organization responsible for raising all funds needed to maintain and improve the Trail for the community to enjoy. The informative plaques and interpretive art and exhibits along the trail make this ride not only a amazingly fun adventure, but also an educational one! A thorough trail guide and description for the cyclist who plans to ride the Katy Trail, plus a journey story that magnifies the ride along the trail into a delightful tale of discovery that everyone will enjoy. From the moment you get on this amazing trail your are embedded in the rich history of the US railroads. The Katy trail is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad ( MKT or Katy ). We end our tour with a easy but super scenic 26 miles to Machens where the amazing Katy trail terminates. It was at about this point in our ride that we began to notice just how difficult it was to ride on the sandy path that is the Katy Trail. The section between Cooper County and St. Charles part of … Without Friends, the Katy Trail would go nowhere. Read what other readers think about Cycling on the Katy Trail, Click to buy Cycling the Katy Trail on Amazon. Neil’s fans will delight in his award-winning storytelling style as he and Christine meander along the trail on their tandem bicycle, exploring the quiet beauty of the Missouri backwoods and the remote serenity of a trail that runs along a river that helped to shape American history, wrestling with some difficult questions about the divide that seems to be growing between rural towns in the middle of America and the rest of the nation. it includes everything from hotels and a trip planner to Katy Trail T-shirts! If you’re on a mobile device it even allows you to get directions! Looking for more information on the Katy Trail, check out Bike Katy Trail, considered the best source available for cycling on the Katy Trail. It may be hot (in the 90s), humid, windy, rainy or cool at night. “A rich and nuanced perspective on the Katy Trail experience.” —Jim Sayer, Executive Director, Adventure Cycling Association “Neil continues his bike touring adventures, this time with his new wife on a tandem bicycle. We’ve collected some excerpts from Pilgrim Wheels for you to try on and see what you think. Closure Map This map is maintained by the Missouri State Parks and … Of final note: The Katy Trail uses the original mileage markers from the railroad days beginning with the current eastern terminuses at MM 26.9 (Machen) or MM 39.5 (St. Charles). A thorough trail guide and description for the cyclist who plans to ride the Katy Trail, plus a journey story that magnifies the ride along the trail into a delightful tale of discovery that everyone will enjoy. The scenery changes often: quaint midwestern towns, limestone bluffs, and leafy green forests are your companions on this 6-day journey through the “Show-Me State.” The KATY Trail travels through the most scenic areas of Missouri. Aside from being a popular destination for cyclists, the Katy Trail is also used by hikers and horseback riders, with its hard, flat surface covered in crushed limestone. Day 2 offers more gorgeous cycling through the rural countryside of Missouri as we make our way to Boonville and our first connection with the Missouri River. We must raise over $1 million each year through memberships, events, and corporate donations to keep the Trail running in peak condition. Whether you do not have the proper bike for the trail or simply would rather not pack your own, the folks below have you covered. The Katy Trail stretches for 237 miles across the most picturesque landscapes for a bike tour in Missouri. If you need to rent bikes as well, or perhaps you would appreciate having the reassurance of trail assistance if needed, check out the Bike Stop Café or Katy Bike Rental. The Katy trail is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy). We work hard to keep the listings current. Considered by many to be the crown jewel of North American rail-trail conversions, the Katy Trail will transport us through the heartland of America beside the Missouri River, along a corridor that’s also part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. I'm cycling across Missouri on the 240 mile Katy Trail State Park. Friends of the Katy Trail is the nonprofit organization responsible for raising all funds needed to maintain and improve the Trail for the community to enjoy. Take a cycling trip back to a time over a century ago when the M-K-T railroad was a lifeline to the many small communities that dotted the countryside along the Missouri River. Plan Your Next Bike Tour with Noble Invention. Good luck and fill us in ASAP. One date only - This tour sells out quickly. Getting Here:  Tour begins and ends in St. Louis, Mo. Our comprehensive bike tour vacation planning and exceptional customer service means you’ll have an unforgettable bike trip experience. Katy Trail Bike Rental. There are dozens to choose from, at locations all along the trail. The Missouri River can be seen … The Katy Trail is a 237 mile (386 km) trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri. Under normal conditions, we were told that riding the Katy Trail was much like riding on a regular paved road. Along these beautiful 240 miles you'll discover four fully restored railroad depots which will transport you to a bygone era. The trail passes through some of Missouri’s most scenic regions, including forests, valleys, wetlands and farms. 2018: Cycling the Katy Trail. Over half the trail's length follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead. Support your local bike shops. And that’s saying something. If you need to rent a bike for your Katy Trail journey, many options exist along the route. These local shops offer bicycles that are best suited for the trail. Welcome back to our 12 riders recently returned from the Wilderness Voyageurs Katy Trail Bike Tour!Starting in Clinton, MO, riders cycled east for six days on an inn-to-inn style bike tour. With today's ride we connect with the Missouri River which we'll follow for the remainder of the tour tracing in the famous steps of Lewis & Clark, and thanks to the informative plaques and interpretive exhibits, we get the opportunity for lots of historic education! In the morning you will cycle beneath towering limestone bluffs some of the highest on the trail. Weather conditions can make even the shortest days more challenging. Start 2021 out right and hit the gravel! While restrooms and water are limited, the trail is open. Jump on your bike and wind through some of the most scenic areas the state has to offer as you meander with the Missouri River through the rural and historic towns that once thrived along this railroad corridor. Updated January 16, 2021 Winter is an often overlooked but excellent time to traverse the Katy Trail. 7:00 PM  -  Welcome social and full trip orientation. Another tranquil day of cycling along beautiful Missouri River as we continue to explore the path of Lewis & Clark. An entertaining, thought-provoking, caffeine-fueled trip.” —David Buser, touring cyclist Cycling the Katy Trail is the definitive guide to a crown jewel in He and I grew up about 50 miles from the trail's midpoint, but back then we'd been too preoccupied by adolescence for long, multiday bike rides. 2021 Dates:  July 3 - 9     ***  One date only - This tour sells out quickly! Now in its 28th year, the Katy follows the Missouri River for 165 miles of its journey. It runs 240 miles (390 km), largely along the northern bank of the Missouri River, in the right-of-way of the former Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. 9. Located directly off of the pathway and across from the commemorative Katy Trail train car, it’s high on our list of fantastic places to rehydrate after a ride. Marilyn Monson writes: In October, three friends and I flew to Missouri to cycle on the Katy Trail. We begin our cycling at historic Clinton Station. The definitive guide to a crown jewel in the American rail-trail system, sharing the trail from the perspective of the touring cyclist. The Katy Trail is one of the longest rail trails in the country. A bicycle built for two The Katy Trail is a 240-mile-long recreational rail trail—the longest in the country! Without Friends, the Katy Trail would go nowhere. If you’re thirsty, Missouri Wine Country: St. Charles to Hermann has the details on America’s first wine district. Elevation Profile        (click for larger view). It’s a popular destination for both nature lovers and history buffs, with more than 25 scenic trailheads and … Noble Invention Bike Touring plans bike touring vacations across the US’s most scenic trails, like the Great Allegheny Passage, C&O Canal Towpath, and Katy Trail. This is final part of a 3-part series. Most of the journey finds us intertwined with the Missouri River. Last spring, I rode the Katy with my pal Zach. Support non-profit cycling fundraisers like Pedal the Cause or Tour De Cure. The Frederick caters to cyclists – even offering bike storage in their basement – and is located directly across the street from the Katy Trail. Today's shorter miles ensure that we have enough stamina for modest to moderate hills we'll tackle along the way. Cycling Day: 50 miles-Boonville to Jefferson City – Today is the longest section of your tour on the Katy Trail, 50 miles to Jefferson City. The surface of the Katy Trail is packed crushed limestone. I plan to start the Katy on the 29th from St. Charles and I want to know how badly washed out the trail is and how you coped with the conditions on your Bike Friday. The Katy Trail map below contains wineries, campsites, breweries, points of interest, restaurants, bike repair shops, and B&Bs. The definitive guide to a crown jewel in the American rail-trail system, sharing the trail from the perspective of the touring cyclist. 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