Rolla Public Works Director turns to bicycling--and rides the entire Katy Trail

The Rolla Daily News is covering the city's Public Works Director's recent turn to bicycling--including a four-day adventure riding the Katy Trail:

When Steve Hargis, City of Rolla's director of public works, found out that he had a handful of vacation days left to "burn" before year's end, he knew what he wanted to do ... bike ride the Katy Trail from start to finish.

It was the latest chapter in the 60-year-old's journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

"I had a lot of health issues," Hargis said. "So over the last few years I have been trying to get in shape and lead a healthier life."

A year ago he took up bike riding. This past summer he completed his first triathlon.

His wife and biggest supporter, Traci Hargis, told the Daily News that she wasn't sure what to make of her husband's latest brainstorm.

"I wasn't surprised," she said. "I knew it was ambitious, but I knew he could do it. "

Katy Trail State Park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad (better known as the Katy). It provides a scenic hiking and biking trail of more than 200 miles across Missouri.

Traci dropped her husband off in Clinton in Henry County and four days later picked him up in Machens in St Charles County.

MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri envisions the creation of a world-class, connected, and safe bicycle, pedestrian, and trails system across the state and in every community. It envisions extending the Katy Trail network to become a truly statewide trail network, with trail connections to every part of Missouri. Your membership and support helps turn our Vision into reality!