Katy Trail D.9

Today will be my final day on the trail. The last leg will take me 39 miles from Marthasville to St. Charles and my car.

After a somewhat restless night I got up and took another shower (because I could). As I was packing up my gear I made a pan of Norwegian Kokekaffe (steeped coffee) just to ensure that I got a good cup of coffee this morning. I also love the full flavor of this style of brew. It is similar to cowboy coffee except that it is not boiled. That helps to prevent any bitterness from over heated water. Being the coffee is not filtered in anyway you also get to enjoy the added flavor and smoothness of the coffee bean oils. I think it also makes marginal grocery store ground coffee better than if it is brewed. I love using this method.

I got my bike ready and sat on the front porch of the bunk house enjoying the last of my coffee. I also had to think about breakfast.

The previous day just as coming into Marthasville I stopped at the K-T Cafe. It is a little outdoor cafe run out of an old repurposed railroad caboose. While I was there I noticed that breakfast items were on the menu and so I thought I'd go there to get some. When I arrived the place didn't appear open although the front door for the kitchen was a bit ajar. As I walked by the owner poked his head out. I asked if he was open and he said they didn't open until 10am. Yesterday when I stopped he was quite chatty and the same was true today. After telling me where I could get something to eat, he began telling me about a book he was reading. He followed that with a story about how he ended up moving from the east coast to get away from people who's only concern was getting ahead. That was followed by a discussion about his views about politics, income/housing inequality, relationships and a few other topics. He was certainly an interesting personality to run into in rural Missouri. I'm glad I spent some time with him.

The spot the owner of the K-T Cafe suggested was on the other end of Marthasville across from the Co-Op. It is called the Outpost and also sports a bar and lodging too. I headed through town and had no trouble finding the place in this town of 1258 people.

I noticed on my way in that they had seating on the porch and I asked the waitress if that was available. When I stop at places while riding I like to be close to my bike to keep an eye on it. Even if I were to lock it, a lock only discourages passers-by or slows down thiefs.

The waitress seated me outside next to my rig and asked if I wanted anything to drink. I asked her if the coffee was good and strong and she said "she thought it tasted good". I ordered a cup and she promptly brought me a cup and took my food order. I ordered eggs, biscuits & gravy, fried potatoes and two strips of bacon. After she left, I took a sip of the coffee and it immediately reminded of the steeped aluminum they call coffee in North Dakota. Luckily my bike was nearby along with my touring pantry. I went and got my bottle of instant espresso and doctored up the coffee as best I could.

Shortly, my breakfast came and it looked like it could keep me going most of the day. The preparation wasn't a good as I would have liked but it would get the job done.

While I was eating, a couple that were through riding the trail stopped for breakfast as well. I noticed when they arrived that their bikes were set-up in what is the rage right now; bike packing rigs. Bike packing set-ups use packs that get strapped wherever is easiest on the bike without using much if any kind of rack system. The wife of the pair led a discussion with the attentive husband while critiquing my bike. She could obviously see the advantages in storage, balance, and organization that a true touring arrangement like mine offered. All of the reasons she was talking about were exactly why I bought a touring bike! I didn't want the bike packing set-up every bike salesperson I talked to thought I should buy and she could see why.

I finished my breakfast and headed two blocks to the trailhead in town.

This would be my seventh day on trail and as is typical toward the end of adventure you begin to make the end the goal rather than the experience itself. I had to remind myself several times on this day to slow down and enjoy the ride. That and persistent wind worked to slow me down some. As it would turn out, water was a concern today. Back home earlier this summer one of our local coffee crew questioned my bike having three water bottles mounted on it. It is precisely for days like today. Even at that I had to ration my water and experienced some dehydration from not getting as much as I really needed. Between the wind, 90°F temperature and fewer facilities with water on this segment I should have started the day with extra water.

In addition to being on the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery Trail this area also has a history with Daniel Boone. That meant that there would be opportunity to briefly study some more American history today.

Some of the trail would be in the open today as it crossed river bottom land that is now in primarily corn or bean production. It also offers some expansive views of the area and opportunities to see eagles and vultures soaring above.

There is also an endless assortment of local grain elevators along here from when the railroad was active. The one below is a even part of a old homestead.

I had mentioned it earlier about how towns along this trail embrace having the trail part of their community. It is amazing how being part of the trail has led to tourist spending money in these towns as opposed to how the people of Wisconsin view trails and the people that use them. Almost all the towns have businesses along the trail that make cyclists feel welcomed and able to get food, beverages, lodging, free or low cost camping, gifts, bike service & parts. To top it off, Missouri doesn't have permits or fees for trail users. And it is adding another 144 miles this trail system. Soon it will provide a 450 mile loop between St. Louis and Kansas City.

Along the Katy Trail you also find private land owners that have pride in the trail and are doing things to enhance the users experience on it. They're adding artwork and whimsey along trail sections. This set of silos had just had artwork finished on it as I was passing through. It is next to a huge sunflower field on the opposite side of the trail.

At this point I was getting closer to St. Louis and the number of local cyclists, walkers and runners increased steadily. There was also a marked change in the character of the trail. It was loosing its rural feel and was becoming more urban. More roads, overpasses, industry, people, and noise. Before to long I'd be back where my trip began.

After riding 39 miles for the day I made my way into the St. Charles Frontier Park and across the street to the Bike Stop Cafe where I started my Katy Trail trip with a shuttle ride west to Clinton MO. It felt good to complete the ride but I already knew I was ready for another. I went into the cafe and thanked them for the excellent shuttle service. I ordered a sandwich just as I had before the shuttle ride but this time with a beer rather than a coffee.

Just as before, the sandwich was excellent. The beer was refreshing and both gave me a chance to think about where next?

Would it be The Erie Canal Trail in NY, the Gitchi-Gami Trail in MN, the GAP Trail in PA, the C&O in MD, the Ohio to Erie in OH, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, the High Trestle Trail in IA, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in ID, the George S. Mickelson in SD? Any body up for a cycling adventure?

Thanks for reading and check back for a after trip report.