For the 17th year, bikers gathered to kick off the annual Katy Trail Ride sponsored by the Missouri State Parks and the Missouri State Parks Foundation.More than 340 bicyclists met in Clinton Sunday, June 18, to begin a 232-mile journey along the Katy Trail. The ride ended Friday, June 23, at Frontier Park in St. Charles.Each year the starting place alternates between Clinton and St. Charles, and the camping locations also change. This year, the Marthasville Community Club hosted the riders on its ballfields and at Wessel Park after riding 65 miles from Jefferson City.The cyclists, from age 12 to 88, began arriving in Marthasville between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Nearly 30 states were represented on the challenging ride.Participating on the ride for her third time was retired schoolteacher Beth Vonderahe, of Pilot Grove. This year was special for her because she celebrated her 60th birthday with fellow teammates while she was in Marthasville.“I’ve been a cyclist since I was a kid,” said Vonderahe. “On my 16th birthday, I didn’t care much about the driver’s license. I wanted a new three-speed bike.”For 28 years, Vonderahe taught kindergarten. She thoroughly enjoys packing up her bike and camping gear for the Katy Trail Ride. This year a group of cousins and friends from Kansas, Texas and Missouri joined together as team “Tawanda” to motivate each other through the taxing ride.“Bikers are nice people,” she said. “Our team will be celebrating my birthday tonight.”Vonderahe said her trip has been easier this year due to the new bike she received for Mother’s Day and her birthday.“I can bike 9 mph now, versus 6,” she said.The registration fee covers breakfast and dinner for each rider. Snacks are provided along the trip by SAG vehicles trailing the ride. Sponsors suggest only intermediate cyclists tackle the annual ride. Cyclists will cover from 38 to 68 miles per day.World Bird Sanctuary stopped by Thursday evening in Marthasville to provide a little entertainment. Area eateries were open to provide local fare.For more information on the annual Katy Trail Ride, visit katytrailstatepark.com.

After completing 67 miles, participants of the 17th annual Katy Trail Ride camped in Marthasville Thursday, June 22. They packed up and headed to St. Charles the next morning, completing the 232-mile journey. Record photo/ Cindy Gladden.

Berth Vonderahe, a retired Kindergarten teacher from Pilot Grove, celebrated her 60th birthday during her stay in Marthasville Thursday, June 22. Vonderahe was one of 342 cyclists tackling the annual Katy Trail Ride from Clinton to St. Charles. Record photo/ Cindy Gladden.