What can I say, this trail is 240 miles of awesome! The Katy trail runs nearly the full width of Missouri and is the longest continuous rail trail in the US. Though I didn't complete the entire trail, the 50 mile section I rode was beautiful! Once again, I started out in temps over 100 degrees in mid-July, but this trail was well worth it!
Parking around the old train station in Boonville was ample, and I had no trouble finding a spot in the nearly empty lot. Restrooms and trail information were available in several places around the area. In short, Boonville is a cute little town with lots of great murals, small shops and general trail activities. I felt completely safe at all points along the trail. And once again, perhaps because of the weather, the trail wasn't crowded, but there were enough people out that I felt comfortable, and avoided that "totally alone out here feeling" I so frequently encounter.
The Katy trail offers a mix of sun and shade - with far more sun than shade! And far more than I'd like on a 100 degree day! I saw no wildlife and had no trouble with mosquitoes, etc. The most scenic part of the trail is thought to be the area around Rocheport, so I headed out in that direction first. (Approximately 15 miles from Boonville, MO) After lunch, I retraced my steps and rode back past Boonville to Pilot Grove and then back to Boonville again. (I've long ago developed the habit of leaving the van in the middle of my ride, that way if anything goes wrong, I never have to walk the whole distance back to my vehicle. Walking 15 miles might be doable - walking 30 is clearly not.)
There is only one tunnel on the Katy trail, and I wanted to be sure to see it. Built in 1893 and lined with brick, mortar, dirt and stone, this tunnel was once featured in a Stephen King movie. Though I'm really not a fan of Stephen King, I am a fan of trail tunnels and this one did not disappoint. It's located just west of Rocheport, between mile marker 178 and 179 and spans approximately 245 feet. Not long enough to need a light, but definitely a great place to stop and cool off. (The temperature inside the tunnel was at least 15 degrees cooler than anywhere else.)
Just past the tunnel is a great stop for lunch: the Meriwether Cafe and Bike Shop, where colorful umbrellas adorn the outside seating area. This place was pretty packed with cyclist, and for good reason - the food was delicious!
In general the Katy trail is well worth the effort and I would love to come back and complete the entire 240 miles. If you've ever ridden the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) is "vibe" on the Katy is quite similar. Long stretches of woods, fields and rivers eventually merge into small towns with restaurants, wineries and AirB&B's. I felt completely safe and really enjoyed the section I rode.
Be sure not to miss the side trip to the Katy Bridge in Boonville. It's a short (but rather confusing) jaunt on trail and town roads just past the train station. The bridge is basically a dead end, but it's still really cool and a great lookout over the river.
And a word to the wise: Ride with tubeless tires or bring a spare tube and pump! I'm not sure exactly where, when or how it happened, but I ultimately ended up with multiple punctures (seriously over a dozen punctures) in both tires! By the time I got back to the car, I had Stan's tubeless tire goo all over my gear and frame. It's possible that I rode through glass on my side trek over Missouri River bridge (though I didn't see any), or perhaps the freshly cut prairie grass had left thorns scattered about. At any rate - I have never been so thankful to be riding tubeless! (And yay for Stan's Goo! That stuff is amazing!)
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