Due to incessant flooding, the June 16-21 Katy Trail bicycle ride has been cancelled.
The ride, which includes the southern Callaway County section of the trail, usually draws 350 cyclists.
Currently, nearly 100 miles of Katy Trail State Park are closed due to flooding from Boonville east to St. Charles.
The five-day, 240-mile annual ride is an economic boost to communities on the trail or near trailheads. Callaway County towns affected include Tebbetts, Mokane and Portland, plus North Jefferson City.
While the Missouri River is forecasted 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, Missouri State Parks staff will assess the damage to the trail and form a plan to begin rebuilding the trail, officials said.
Based on the damage encountered from the 1993 Missouri River flood, staff anticipates scour holes, washouts, bridge damage, downed trees, debris, silt accumulation and inconsistent trail surfacing.
Missouri State Parks officials said they are committed to reopening the trail as soon as possible and to hosting 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 cancelation, visit mostateparks.com/2019ktride, email [email protected] or call Missouri State Parks toll-free at 800-334-6946.