Me, I always think of the MKT trail as the Columbia connector to the Katy though I know it was all MKT as a railroad.

Here's a full Katy ride you might want to do next year: 2014 Katy Trail Ride | Missouri State Parks There's no page for 2015 yet but this will give you a good idea of what it's like. I did it with a friend this year and had a great time. It's *very* well organized by the Parks Dept., and pulled in riders from 39 states ranging from 7 - 85 years old. A really diverse group. The 2015 ride will be west to east (the preferred route by everyone, it seems, because of prevailing winds and the fact that it's ever so slightly downhill.)