2003 Katy Trail Ride

Day 1 - June 23, 2003 - Clinton to Sedalia

The Clinton Benson Center provided breakfast, where riders enjoyed biscuits and gravy, apples, bananas, cereal, coffee and milk. After breakfast, the mayor of Clinton welcomed everyone and wished them well their first day on the trail. Sam Baugh, who holds the record for riding the trail the fastest (14 hours), also stopped by. Then it was off to the Katy Depot for a group photo. A rider from St. Louis, Peggy Morrison, wants to wish her husband, David, a happy 24th wedding anniversary today. Everyone said today was a great ride and perfect weather.

Dinner was provided by Giavanni’s, which included salad, garlic bread, fettuccini alfredo, mostaccioli, dessert pizza, lemonade and tea. Professor Farquar provided minstrel, musical entertainment and tales reminiscent of minstrel shows of long ago.

Passport questions and answers for today follow:

1. What town was nicknamed “jugtown?” Calhoun
2. What is significant about milepost 242.6? Highest point on the trail at 950 feet.
3. What is the purpose of using controlled fire along the trail in areas from Clinton to Green Bridge? To restore and maintain ancient prairie remnants of the past.

Day 2 - June 24, 2003 - Sedalia to Rocheport

Riders began the day with a hearty breakfast provided by the powerful pitcher of flapjacks-The Pancake Man! Along with pancakes, riders enjoyed sausage links, cereal, juice, milk, coffee and fresh fruit. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony in Sedalia to announce the opening of the newest section of the Katy Trail State Park in Sedalia from Boonville Street to Griessen Road, which is 1.5-mile section of the trail. After the riders left Sedalia, the weather started to heat up. Today’s high was 94 with heat index at 105.

SAG stops today were in Clifton City, Pilot Grove, and the Boonville Depot. The Hallar’s were generous enough to provide everyone with free sandwiches and drinks again this year on this very hot day.

The Passport Questions and answers for today follow:

1. Where is the only original tunnel on the Katy Trail? Rocheport
2. What trailhead is the farthest north? New Franklin
3. In 1932, which bridge along the MKT railroad was the longest lift-span bridge of its type in the United States? Boonville
4. What community was named after a focal point for early travelers crossing the prairie? Pilot Grove

Passport winners were Sandy Booker, who received a gift basket from the winery, and Todd Gerber, who answered all of his questions correct. Susan Maclintock from the Friends of Rocheport provided the giveaways for the perfect answers.

Some cyclists enjoyed lunch at the Trail Side Café in Rocheport, located near the trail. Others called it a day and liked the option of riding with Clarence and Amanda up the 1-mile hill to the vineyards. Les Bourgeois Vineyards provided dinner, which included salad, corn, potatoes, wild rice, pork and pasta. After the riders meeting, Jim Denny gave a very interesting presentation on the voyage of Lewis and Clark through the historic Manitou Bluffs region.

Day 3 - June 25, 2003 - Rocheport to Mokane

Wednesday began with a scrumptious breakfast with the Pancake Man trying a new idea -- French toast. He flipped French toast up stairs to some riders daring enough to catch their breakfast 15 feet up. Along with French toast, riders enjoyed scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, sausage links, cereal, milk and coffee. After breakfast, riders were off again to their next destination -- Mokane. Riders had SAG stops in Huntsdale, Hindman Junction, Wilton, Claysville and Wainwright. Today’s ride was a total of 54 miles and the high today was 95 F with humidity index in the 100s.

Wednesday was the poker run and prizes were given for the best and worst hands of cards. The winners were Joan Fromme (worst hand) and Tasha Evanoff, who had the best hand. The prizes were provided by the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Passport questions and answers for today follow:

1. At mile marker 174.4, look up and to the left of the cave entrance. On the bluff face, look for a pictograph (rock drawing) several hundred years old. What color is it? Draw the shape of the pictograph.  
2. You will pass a natural arch that once served as a landmark for historic Missouri River travelers. Commonly known as Pierced Rock, its correct name is_________. Roche Percée Natural Arch
3. The town you’ll be camping in tonight was originally called Smith’s Landing, but the name was changed when the railroad was developed. What was the name of the railroad that gave Mokane its name? Missouri Kansas and Eastern Railroad
4. Where is the only youth hostel along the trail located? Turner Katy Trail Shelter at Tebbetts

Dinner was provided by the Methodist Community Church in Mokane and served in the South Callaway Elementary School. Riders enjoyed a home-cooked meal consisting of BBQ pork steaks, baked potatos, cole slaw, green beans, bread, cherry or apple cobbler for dessert, tea and lemonade.

After dinner, a slide show as a salute to our veterans was shown in the school cafeteria.

Day 4 - June 26, 2003 - Mokane to Augusta

After the powerful storm came through Mokane Wednesday night, some riders moved into the school for dry sleeping while some brave souls stayed outside to tough it out. Although the riders were wet and tired, everyone was in good spirits early this morning. This was even after Amanda shuttled riders through high water on Highway 94 twice today before breakfast. The Mokane Methodist Church ladies served breakfast in the cafeteria and were hard at work fixing biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, homemade apple butter, ham, coffee, milk and juice. Wednesday’s high was 75 F and it was beautiful weather for a day on the Katy Trail.

SAG stops were in Portland, Rhineland, Gore, Peers and Dutzow.

The United Church of Christ in Augusta provided dinner Thursday night and served roast beef, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, bread, green beans, and homemade cakes from ladies of their church. After the riders’ meeting, Vick Brown, from the Augusta Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the riders. The night included a bonfire, wine tasting, and music by Alsop, Grossi, and Haley at the Historic American Legion Gazebo. Later, Anita M. Mallinckrodt, Ph.D., author of the “Augusta and Its Area” series, gave an entertaining program on the history of Augusta.

The passport questions and answers for today:

1. Yesterday, you passed through Wainwright, which was named after one of the original Missouri, Kansas and Eastern railroad investors. Today, you’ll be passing through more towns named after some of the investors. Name one of these towns. Steedman, McKittrick, Case, Gore
2. What waterfowl nest on the bluffs in Bluffton? Canada Geese
3. Originally, Augusta was founded as Mount Pleasant, but when the town applied for a post office, it discovered that there was already a Mount Pleasant, Mo., and they had to come up with a new name. Augusta was chosen. Who was Augusta? Wife of town’s founder, Leonard Harold
4. The Missouri River compares to what river in Germany? Which town is named after the river in Germany? Rhine River, Rhineland

St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Chamber of Commerce provided the gift baskets for today’s passport winners: - Pam Markey - Peggy Shroeder

Day 5 - June 27, 2003 - Augusta to St. Charles

Friday, the last day of the ride, began with the Pancake Man flipping fantastic flapjacks for breakfast at 6 a.m. He flipped pancakes to anyone who wanted to try to catch them on their plates. Along with pancakes, riders enjoyed scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, sausage links, cereal, milk and coffee.

After breakfast, riders were off again to their final destination – St. Charles. Riders had SAG stops in Weldon Spring and Greens Bottom. Today’s ride was a total of 27 miles and the high today was 86 F. The riders couldn’t have asked for a better riding day than today. On their ride into St. Charles, they could see historic downtown, home of First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site and many restaurants and antique stores.

The St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau provided lunch. Riders enjoyed their choice of roast beef, turkey, or veggie sandwiches, chips, cookies, fruit and soda. Katy Trail State Park pins were given to those riders that participated in the passport questions each day. Many riders appeared to enjoy the ride and were asking about next year.

Passport Questions for today:

1. How many times does the Katy Trail pass over or under Interstate 70 between Clinton to St. Charles? 3 (West of Boonville, East of Rocheport, West of St. Charles)
2. Why was the Lewis and Clark Boat House in St. Charles built? To display keelboats similar to those used by Lewis and Clark.

2003 Katy Trail Ride Statistics

Number of full tour riders:	349
Number of day riders:	13
Number of non-riders:	8
Number of volunteers:	49
Oldest rider:	John Becker, 79
Youngest rider:	Amanda Davis, 4
Average age of riders:	48
Number of states represented:	29
Greatest distance traveled:	Peter Schroeder- Seattle, Wash., and Chad and Kerri Hodge Bellevue, Wash.