Day 16. On the Katy once more, Sedalia, MO

Happy Mother's Day!!  A great morning to ride NE on the Katy Trail to Sedalia. Storms were forecast so we wanted to get checked in before the afternoon.  We hooked up with old GE friends and cycling partners Bill Amos, Steve Richards and Bill Severson in Windsor as they were heading in the opposite direction to Clinton for an 80 mile round trip. They were traveling light as they had stayed at in Sedalia the night before and we'd meet there tonight. Breakfast in Windsor provided by Casey's again, no restaurants open on Mother's Day!! Later tonight we'll be joined by more GE friends Jimmy Dean whose riding the Amtrak into town from Sedalia and Dan Klenke who'll be shadowing our bicycling route on his vintage Indian motorcycle for the next 4 days as we cross Missouri. 

Dawn Patrol, heading off to the Katy Trail about 2 miles north, on our way to Sedalia, MO. Good bye Westbridge Inn and Clinton, MO. We had a nice down day here and are rested and ready to ride some more. 🚴

The end, or as Rick, the County Clerk in Clinton would say, the beginning of the Katy Trail, the longest Rail to Trail in the US and quite a gem for the state of Missiouri. 

Over 260 miles of mostly limestone gravel and fines makes a great trail surface for riding, running or walking, and no cars or trucks allowed.  The only downside is significant dust you pick up on everything on a daily basis. 

One of the "high points" of the trail, 955 ft. above sea level, between Windsor and Sedalia. 

There are hundreds of memorial benches along the trail to stop and rest and take in the sites and sounds of nature. This one was dedicated to Bill Morris. Thanks Bill for a place to sit and relax. 👍

12:30 and were checking into the historic Bothwell Hotel just off of the downtown square. It's a great old hotel with lots of charm and a great restaurant.  Off to hose the dust off ourselves, a brief rest and then wander the town a bit, and wait for the rest of the gang to arrive. 
 

The new riders on the Katy Trail: Right to Left:  

Jim Dean, retired GE, Kansas; Bill Severson, retired GE, Washington; Dan Klenke, retired GE,  Missouri; Bill Amos, retired GE, Missouri and Steve Richards, retired GE, Missouri and now at Manlinkrodt. Some guys just don't know when to call it quits!!  

Tomorrow we ride to Boonville. We'll likely be challenged by rain and thunderstorms. 🌧🌩