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Reply to Work started on Machens extension
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Curtis W. from Siloam Springs Arkansas on 10/11/2010 4:01:40 PM:
I just finished riding the Katy. Although I rode west to east I finished by riding east to west
from Machens to Weldon Springs. The approximate 3 miles of unfinished trail was rideable
even with my street bike with street tires.
Within this section they are cutting a path(maybe a half mile or more) alongside the actual
original rail-bed through a green belt. There were several bulldozers parked at each end
and signs about spending stimulus money to complete the trail. I rode on Saturday Oct. 9,
2010 and it looked like the dozers had been working the day before. The ground was soft
and damp with hugh roots sticking out of the freshly bulldozed section so I stayed on the
original rail bed and rode outside of the green belt.
The dozers had been using the rail bed so the grass was pulverized and wasn't a problem
however there were dozer tracks everywhere and I rode extremely slow to avoid being
jarred to death. After about 2 miles the dozer tracks ended and the grass was maybe 6 to
8 inches high and still wet at mid-morning. There were also occasional tire ruts to avoid.
Riding the 3 miles of unfinished trail was more of a little adventure rather than a problem.
However it could be a problem finding the Machens trailhead. There are no signs to direct
you to the trailhead and it is completely hidden from view from any road. I had printed out
its location using goggle satellite and thus found it pretty easily. I didn't want to take the
chance of my wife not being able to locate this trailhead and me ending up being stuck so
we first located the trailhead and then I rode east to west.
The signs at Machens have also been removed and the restrooms were locked. Except for
the unfinished section the trail is in excellent condition. Although the trail around St.
Charles was very busy I met no one on my ride from Machens through the unfinished
section.