After hearing about GITAP and RAGBRAI some of my cycling friends expressed interest in riding the Katy trail in Missouri. They dropped out for various reasons, and finally it was just Cynthia and I who made the trip.
The Katy trail was developed from some of the right of way of the old Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, nicknamed the Katy Line (for the initials of Kansas and Texas). It is the largest rails-to-trails conversion in the country, and currently measures about 225 miles. Development is still proceeding on the eastern end. For more information see the trail's web page.
We drove to Clinton on Sunday, October 14, and stayed overnight at the Hampton Inn.
Day 1, Clinton to Boonville.
 Our room-number plaque at the Hampton Inn, with appropriate illustration. |
 Clinton claims to have the largest town square in Missouri. |
 Preparing the bike after its long journey |
 Future westward extension of the trail in Clinton? |
 The actual beginning of the trail. |
 Ed rides off into the sunrise. |
About 0.2 miles later, the Clinton trailhead appeared. This is what most of the trailheads looked like. I took pictures of most of them, mainly so that I could tell what time I was there and remember the information on the signs.
Generally, each trailhead gives information on the location it's in, history of the town, a local map, information on local businesses, and what sights are in store on the next section of the trail. I have omitted most of those pictures from this presentation, but they are available on request.
 The trailhead at Clinton. |
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 A typical section of the trail. |
 View across the prairie. |
 My namesake town, now apparently defunct. |
 Typical bridge across a small creek. |
 Steel supports have been added to the trestle. |
 The creek under the bridge. |
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 In Calhoun there was a different mode of transportation. |
 The bicentennial MKT caboose. |
 Crossing another former railway. |
 Goats on a hillside. |
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 High point of the whole trail, 955 feet. |
 Another traveler on the trail, this one even slower than me. |
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 Many of the benches are dedicated to people. This one may have been a relative. |
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 A small park near Sedalia. |
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 The US 65 overpass in Sedalia. |
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 The Sedalia trailhead and restored station and museum. |
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 Artwork at the station. |
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 The first of three places where the trail leaves the original roadbed. |
 Typical section map in Clifton City. |
 Steel truss bridges span deeper creekbeds and riverbeds. This particular one is a Warren pony truss. |
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 The waterway beneath the bridge. |
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 The trail sometimes cuts through a rocky hill. |
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 Typical tree arch seen in forested areas. |
 Old and new bridges across the Lamine river. The old one is a modified Pratt through truss. |
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 The Lamine river. |
 Typical highway crossing. |
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 One of several steel culverts on the trail. |
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 Misnamed town of the day? |
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 The weather is starting to look grim. |
 From the bridge carrying the trail over Interstate 70 near Boonville. |
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 The Boonville trailhead, at the end of the first day. |
Day 2, Boonville to North Jefferson.
The route leaves the original roadbed to use the modern highway bridge, because the original lift-span rail bridge is no longer in use.
 Trailhead at Boonville. |
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 The Boonville visitor center. |
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 Big casino on the river |
 US40 bridge across the Missouri |
 Views from the south end of US40 bridge |
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 Views from the middle of the river |
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 The unused rail bridge |
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 Lots of Lewis and Clark info from here on |
 Rejoining the old railway trail |
 Typical history panel at a trailhead |
 We are also on part of the Santa Fe Trail |
 New Franklin trailhead |
 Interesting ceramic-tile grain silo |
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 Views from a road crossing |
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 Irrigation pump at Salt Creek |
 US40 bridge across Salt Creek and Katy Trail |
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 Nests under the US40 bridge |
 These signs delimit the state park boundaries. |
 First view of bluffs, near Rocheport |
 First and only tunnel, near Rocheport |
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 Side trail to a conservation area |
 Trailhead sign showing services available |
 Moniteau Creek |
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 Residence made from old boxcar |
 There must be a ferry somewhere near here |
 Treehouse Bed & Breakfast |
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 First of many contacts today with other cyclists |
 Donation box |
 Expanding a popular B&B |
 Tribute to two of the movers behind the trail |
 More local history |
 Some traces of color on the bluffs |
 River, trail, bluffs |
 Winery near Rocheport |
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 Very noisy Interstate 70 crossing |
 Typical wing dike |
 Eagle looking for fish |
 There are many benches at scenic sites |
 Explanation of cave and pictographs. I think the pictographs translate to "WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK". |
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 Lewis and Clark cave, with recent rockslide |
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 Towboat with barge |
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 Split Rock |
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 Woodchuck |
 Boatyard |
 Trail maintenance truck |
 Boathenge |
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 Bridge over Little Bonne Femme Creek |
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 Lunch stop at Cooper's Landing |
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 Hunting is popular here |
 Farmland between trail and bluffs |
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 Blue Heron on Bonne Femme Creek |
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 Sand dredge between Hartsburg and Jefferson City |
 I rode the last 10 miles with Dave, a retired machinist |
 View of state capitol from across the river |
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 Auxiliary parking at end of trail spur in North Jefferson |
Day 3, North Jefferson to Marthasville.
While getting to leave the motel we saw a bright flash, followed by a loud clap of thunder. After looking at the weather reports we decided this might be a good day to stay in the car and visit wineries.
 Radar image on computer screen |
 Just as I thought about riding from here, the rain started again. |
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 Interesting storefront in small town |
 Old jailhouse? |
 First sighting of weeds on trail |
 Car turnaround between trail and river |
 A few Fall colors |
 Deutschheim State Historic Site in Hermann |
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 Old bed inside historic house |
 Antique fruit press |
 Carved barrelhead in old winery |
 Weathervane atop church steeple |
 Still too rainy at Treloar |
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Day 4, Marthasville to St. Charles.
No rain in forecast, but strong winds instead.
