Amtrak-Katy Trail Ride

Remembering the  Amtrak - Katy Trail Ride   from a few years ago... 

Kansas City to Jefferson City MO and back !

Amtrak passenger trains and the Katy Trail along the Missouri River open up the possibilities for this bicycle adventurer on a two night, spring-time jaunt in Missouri.

Accommodations: A bed and breakfast and a historic hotel.
Distance: Two days of fifty-mile rides.
Bonus: Amtrak’s walk-on bicycle service and the Katy Trail along the Missouri River.
Weather: Occasional rain.
The Route: One hundred miles along the Katy Trail, point to point, from Jefferson City to Sedalia with an overnight in Rocheport, using Amtrak passenger trains for the “shuttle.”

The trip starts in the famous Union Station in Kansas City.  Using the "roll-on bicycle service" on the Amtrak Train.  The train leaves the station in the early morning.

A rail worker flagged me to my car and I pushed the bicycle onto the train and placed it in the train car and secured it in the proper space.  I took a seat right beside the bicycle!  

This was a huge change from the days of putting your bike in a Bike-Box and having the freight workers load it in a Amtrak Baggage car then having to re-assemble it... like I had done on other trips.

Box Bike - not good!

   < how I did it before.

I quickly took out my iPhone and sent a message to Amtrak and expressed my appreciation of having this roll-on option!  

I enjoyed the ride to Jefferson City, MO relaxed and hoping the forecasted rain might hold off today.    

When we passed Sedalia, MO, I took notice of the depot.  In two days, I would be boarding the train at that depot for the return trip to Kansas City... if everything went well.

We rolled into Jefferson City, MO about noon.  The Jefferson City Depot is just a few blocks from the State Capital.  I 'unloaded' my bicycle off of the train.  They want you to unload quickly to keep the train on-time.  As the train was rolling into Jefferson City, I got my bicycle ready to go. A rail worker helped me navigate the bicycle off the stairs of the train.   

I was raining just a little.

I was prepared.  

I rode by the Capitol following the route to the Katy Trail.  I passed a bicycle shop and stopped in to confirm my route. 


I also bought a new pair of bicycle gloves and some shop stickers.

I followed the route to get to the Katy Trail and soon
was making a turn to cross
the Missouri River.

a short ride later

I found the 

Katy Trail
and the
North Jefferson, MO
Trailhead

There are so many beautiful spots along the Katy Trail. 
I was heading to Rocheport, MO where I would be staying the night. 
I wasn't able to make great time riding.  It wasn't because of the trail surface.  

There was just too many pictures that needed to be taken. 

I was comfortable averaging about 12mph.

I eventually made it to Coopers Landing!
A great view at Coopers and the FOOD is exceptional.

I then continued riding on the Katy Trail on my way to Rocheport.  

Suddenly I felt my rear tire beginning to lose air.
Yes, the rear tire.

I hate it when it is the rear tire. 
Yes, after a long day and only about 8 or so miles to go.

I decided to just keep putting air in it every couple of miles.
I would repair or replace
 the tube when I arrived at Rocheport. 

I easily found the location of my nights lodging. 
I was able to use the lodging facilities bicycle repair shed to repair my tube.

I grabbed something to eat and got a great nights sleep.

Day Two

I woke early ready for the next days ride into Sedalia, MO.  I had reservations at the Historic Bothwell Hotel in downtown Sedalia.  A little over 50 miles again today but I had a little more time today.
 Once again there was rain in the forecast. 

I got on the Katy Trail and headed out of the cute little town of Rocheport, MO. 
At the edge of town there is a great tunnel, requiring a picture ! 

The Ride from Rocheport to Booneville, MO is very nice. 
So many birds chirping and little animals scurrying around.  So far, no rain! 

... more interesting sites on the ride to Booneville ...

The Tile Silo is really a site to see! 

In Booneville, I stopped at a downtown Cafe for breakfast.
Then I was back on the Katy Trail headed to my next stop, Pilot Grove.  
The ride from Booneville to Pilot Grove is one of my favorite rides. The scenery is lovely and the trail has an overpass and a tunnel. It is a bit more hilly then many sections of the Katy Trail.

And there is a little place in Pilot Grove that has great PIE! 

At the Pilot Grove Trail Head, I found a 'workstation' for bicycles which is a very nice touch.
I took the opportunity to check the tire pressure on both wheels.

(then I went for that piece of pie)

The next section of the trail is a bit more remote.  

But there are some very interesting opportunities to take pictures.  

One of my favorite items is the old train signal. 

Soon after the old train signal was passed, the rain started and stayed with me until I rode into Sedalia.  I made my way to downtown, which is a very short ride. I found the Historic Bothwell Hotel. It was right down in the old downtown area.  There is a wonderful old building across the street from the Bothwell Hotel being renovated. I had to get a picture of that building. 

I was able to bring my bicycle into the Historic Lobby at check-in.
The Hotel Staff took my bicycle to the basement storage area for the night.

The Historic Hotel was wonderful.  The room was comfortable.
I decided to dine at the Hotel Restaurant for dinner... a very wise choice!

The Historic Hotel is very special. 

Day Three

The next morning, I woke early and went downstair to checkout.  The staff retrieved my bicycle and I went the few blocks to find the train station that I had seen from the train as I came through.  I had time before my train arrived.  I went to a small shop for pastry and coffee.  I returned to the train station and waited for the train that would take me back into Kansas City.  It was on time, and when it pulled in, a rail worker wave to me to use a specific car.  He help me lift the bicycle into the train car and I secured the bike as before.  I took a seat next to the bicycle and set back and enjoyed to trip back into 

Kansas City.