Reply to Day trips on the KATY

This spring I biked the entire GAP and C&O, end to end, day after day. While I'm glad I did it, I'm not up to doing the same on the KATY. What I'd like to do is some out and back day trips: pick an overnight stop, cycle one way one day and cycle the other way another day. Right now I'm thinking Boonville will be good base but are there other good towns to use as bases? I hope to do this in May of 2017. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I personally don't find the trail west of Boonville to be as scenic as I do the trail east of Boonville. That's just one opinion. I know others who differ.

Wherever you set up as a base, I would make sure to ride the 25 miles between Rocheport and Hartsburg. That's my favorite 25 miles of the whole trail.

Hermann would not be a bad "base" either...but you probably won't want to be there in October. They have a TON of Oktoberfest related things going on which (while interesting) make the hotel situation "tight" and more expensive.

Jeff City is another "base" option that I would consider.

You'll love it - no matter which way you go. I've ridden both C&O/GAP and KATY this year...and while different....I love them both.

ENJOY...

You didn't give us enough info: How far do you plan to ride each day? Camping or staying at B&B/hotel?

My favorites on the Katy
--downtown Sedalia: it looks like 1925
--the tree tunnels between Sedalia and Booneville
-- Hotel Frederick in Booneville, and the old Victorian houses up the hill from it
--The tunnel in Rocheport
-- The big oak tree in Huntsdale. You gotta say you saw it.
-- Going up to Columbia and drinking beer at Flat Branch (good food too)
-- Tai Food and music at Coopers Landing near Easley. Possible hula dancers.
-- Staying at the shelter in Tebbetts
-- The bar in Mokane (everything a rural bar in Mo should be)
-- The 5 miles west of Bluffton (tree tunnels by the river)
-- The old Catholic Church and shrine at Starkenbug (2 miles up the hill from Rhineland)
--The entire stretch from McKittrick to Treolar (my favorite, period. Rural on the river)
-- The bar at Treolar. Also a nice little rural Mo bar
-- Pizza in Marthasville
--Daniel Boone's grave, 1 mile off the trail near Dutzo. I think he is still there and they took the wrong guy to Kentucky
--The bars in Defiance. Pick one.
-- Hanging out in St Charles. Again, just pick a place. Bike Stop Cafe has good and different food.

The trip planner will let you find appropriate lodging at the base you choose. The grand part about out and back rides is that you don't have to be plan specific. Turn around when you feel like it for a long or short ride.

Off topic but Arkys list of favs is interesting. My favorites on the Katy are:
— indigo buntings
— buckeye trees
— skinks
— green dragon in the fall
— jack in the pulpit
— wahoo
— persimmon
— bittersweet
— petroglyphs
— friendly riders
— sun and shade
— cool morning air
— limestone bluffs
— river views

Marki, I just did this. Stayed at The Bluffton Barn in the loft. Great time! Went west the first day and on the second into Hermann for some sightseeing and tourist fun. The loft has a complete kitchen and you can cook if you like or if you have a car, drive to town to eat. Bonfire and folk music at night! Way fun and very relaxing spot. By spring the owner will have a lot more finished as he is working full time on it to get it done.