Katy Trail 2025-Day 3, Oct 21

A 10am start into a bright, sunny morning.  It was below 50 degrees cool with a stiff wind from the west.  

Angela and I mostly brought up the rear today, and I’m usually behind her.  I must have been feeling frisky at this point.  We had a nice breakfast break in Rocheport shortly after this.  

We all gather for a photo op at the infamous Boathenge just before taking a short break at Cooper’s Landing. 

Around lunchtime we were passing just south of Columbia, home of the University of Missouri.  No lunch today, we’re over halfway to Jefferson City. 

John Garrett and Bill Amos joined us in Jeff City and will be riding back to St. Charles with us!  After “end of ride” beverages at Red Wheel Bike Shop we checked into the Doubletree and then gorges ourselves on Arris Pizza, just down the street from our hotel.  

Katy Trail 2025-Day 2, Oct 20

Off like a herd of turtles at 9:20 as we start our journey to Boonville.  That’s Buck on the right, Steve’s long time friend, who joined us in Sedalia for the rest of the ride.  Another clear but windy day. 

We had lots more varied terrain today, like this cut-a-way though the rocks, and more hills but none too steep. That’s Shelley motoring up the grade behind Angela up front.  

We had a nice breakfast at the Bothwell this morning and they even gave us fruit bags to take with us.  Angela force feeds me the good stuff to get through the day at a short morning stop near Clifton City.  

It was a scary day at times today with unsavory and dodgy characters like Shelley, no I meant to say that skeleton over there!!   Shelley’s friendly with everyone, regardless of their life status.  

Arriving in Boonville at 1:30 for the night, once again way too much time to drink beer before dinner! Oh my…

But it was a great day of riding and even got a little warm in the afternoon.  

We gathered at the nearby Isle of Capri Casino for drinks and appetizers then mosied our way up Main Street to Maggie’s, a very local bar for more hydration and food.  Angela was focused on feeding the koi in the moat around the casino.  

Katy Trail 2025-Day 1, Oct 19

Shelley, Steve, Angela, Mike and I starting off ar 9am on a chilly but sunny morning from the Westbridge Inn in Clinton, MO.  We rode steadily through clear skies, a brisk wind (mostly a crosswind, yea that) about 40 miles to Sedalia. Our first day of 5 on the Katy Trial. 

A classic Katy view through the tunnel of trees on a path of crushed granite covered in leaves (and sticks, snakes, turtles (two today) and giant walnuts). Got to be careful as you glide along the trail.  

Meet Sebastian and his riding buddy, Juanita, as he and several friends ride west on the Katy.  Apparently his lucky day, he found “Juanita” along the trail and she seems to fit handily on his handle bars.  I hope picking up women against their will doesn’t become a bad habit for Sebastian. 

Shelley and Mike in Windsor, close to our halfway point for the day. 

Casey’s are our go-to for rest and refreshment.  Mike just wanted to warm up in the sun!

Angela celebrates the highpoint of our day, and the trail, the Katy Highpoint, 955’ above sea level. 

Mike tinkles the keys at the end of our cycling day in the Cradle of Ragtime, and Scott Joplin, Sedalia, MO. We check-in at the historical Hotel Bothwell around 2pm then head to Fitters, just across the town square, for beer hydration therapy and food.