Due to the widespread flooding along the Missouri River, Missouri State Parks and the Missouri State Park Foundation are canceling the 2019 Katy Trail Ride.
The five-day, 240-mile ride annual ride, which takes travelers through many of Missouri’s rural communities, along open fields and between the Missouri River and its bordering bluffs, usually draws some 350 bicyclists from across the nation and overseas.
Currently, nearly 100 miles of Katy Trail State Park are closed due to flooding from Boonville east to St. Charles.
While the Missouri is predicted to crest at near record levels early next week, it will take days to weeks for it recede from some parts of the trail. At that point, state parks staff will assess the damage to the trail and form a plan to begin rebuilding the trail.
Based on the damage encountered from the 1993 flood, staff anticipates scour holes, washouts, bridge damage, downed trees, debris, silt accumulation and inconsistent trail surfacing.
Missouri State Park officials said they are committed to reopening the trail as soon as possible and have it ready to host the 20th annual Katy Ride in June 2020, in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Katy Trail State Park. Information for the 2020 ride will be posted on the Missouri State Parks website in January at mostateparks.com.
For more information about the 2019 Katy Trail Ride, visit mostateparks.com/2019ktride, email [email protected] or call Missouri State Parks toll-free at 800-334-6946.