Retro Grouch 

Already hearing queries about the Katy Trail Social so I guess it's not too soon to start planning. The RAGBRAI promoters have asked to shift our date forward a week to minimize our impact on them.

Saturday's ride starts at 8:00 in St Charles for the long riders and at 10:00 for the for the short riders.
Sunday's ride will start at 9:00 at the Madison County trailhead office.

Can't promise the same photographer as last year, but we can hope.

It would be nice to have a feel for how many folks are planning to come, but I'll ride on July 12 if I have to do it by myself.

irwin7638

I've figured out the logistics for the trip, but I was planning on the 19th and 20th. One Helluva Ride in Ann Arbor should be scheduled for the 12th also. Damn, now I have a decision to make.

Marc

flyfisherbob

Sounds like fun - as a local, I will definitely try to make this one!

Dan Burkhart 

OK, I'm 5'9, does that qualify me as a long rider or a short rider?

billydonn

I'm a definite maybe... Been wanting to get down there. More than 50pct chance of me coming.

Jackmen

What is the normal pace for you guys doing this Katy trail long term ride? 11-13 MPH? How long are you looking at riding on each day for the short riders and the long riders? I have ridden Katy quite often but not real long distances.

Retro Grouch 

It's called "The Katy Trail Social" for a reason.

1. I'm going to guess that 11-13 MPH is about the speed that we've traveled in the past.
2. Long riders start early and do an eastward out-and-back. Then they meet the rest of the riders for a westward out-and back. Long route is roughly 50 miles, short course is about 25 miles.

JerrySTL

I'll be right across the Missouri River from St. Charles on July 11th for the Journey and Steve Miller concert at the Verizon Amphitheater. Heck I even have a hotel room for the night so I won't even have to drive very far.

But there's a problem - what to do with my wife! If I drop her off in St. Charles to do some shopping, the credit card will probably melt! My son doesn't live too far from there so maybe he will pick her up so that she can visit the grandson.

Sunday may also be a problem even though I live very close to Madison County trailhead. I have tickets for the Muny Theater on Saturday night and might have problems getting my rump out of bed on Sunday morning.

I'll try my best to make both of them.

butlerkid

New to this forum....and I still need to replace my 25 year old bike! But, hey, small details!

I live in Tennessee, but I do know where St. Charles is! Have a friend living in the area, too. I just started to Google the Katy Trail. For the short ride, can you tell me what surface and what climbs might be involved? Might be a great trip to plan for: buy a bike and get toughened up for the event. Hubby would love it....

BTW - I currently play tennis, so I'm not totally out of shape....

We would hope to stay in our 5th wheel at Lakeside Park in St. Peters....would this be an OK spot to set up during our visit?

JerrySTL

No climbs at all unless you get off the trail. The surface is crushed limestone and usually in great shape. Hybrid bikes are about perfect for it. Road bike with 700x28 tires or wider are fine. A mountain bike would be overkill, but still work. I usually ride my touring bike with 700x32 tires.

I don't know about Lakeside Park; however, I do know there's a place for RVs near downtown St. Charles that you can see from the Katy Trail.

butlerkid

Excellent! I'll check out the RV park in St. Charles. Last night I read up a little on the Katy. Looks like a great place to ride! And I posted a thread in the Hybrid forum asking for advice about a new bike.

Retro Grouch 

The St Charles RV park is adjacent to the Katy Trail about 1 mile from the trail head where we start. There's even a trail access ramp. Lakeside Park in St Peters is a little nicer because it has more space and a 3 mile paved trail around the lake but it's at least 5 or 6 miles from the Katy.

Dudelsack 

Another vote for it sounds like fun.

Retro Grouch 

I'll keep this thread bumped up every month or so. I don't think this is the type of ride that you'd plan your whole year around but, to get folks from out of town, I think it's important to provide some advance notice.

butlerkid

I've just look into the Sundermeier RV Park....It looks great! Thanks for the info

I am thinking hubby and I, plus another couple would plan to join you. I'll need to gather more info....about the Katy and talk to two other couples. AND mention this to hubby! Can you tentatively plan for 6 of us?

Dudelsack 

Why go there when we can give you solid information here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Comfort-Bikes

butlerkid

Hi! I did read that thread...after I posted my request for advice! I'm new here and since I've been considering a hybrid, I ended up posting in the Hybrid forum....hope that doesn't mean you and other folks won't respond! LOL! Should I ask the mods to move it?

Retro Grouch 

No,no,no,no,no,no! Some of us have been fighting with the mods for some time over the movement of threads. I want to discourage that.

butlerkid

You REALLY don't have to explain that one to me! LOL! I'm a mod on a photography forum, you wouldn't BELIEVE the angst about moving threads!

Thanks!

Retro Grouch 

50+ is a kind of special place. Every single thread here could be logically fit into a different forum.

Oh - and we're taking auditions for "Official Katy Trail Social Photographer," but it's a pretty high bar.

butlerkid

Well, I'm already liking it here in the 50+ forum!

JerrySTL

Without a doubt my biggest regret in 2013 was neglecting to get the 2013 Official Photographer to pose with us.

freedomrider1

duh!

Retro Grouch 

In that case I'm thinking you had a pretty darn good 2013.

goldfinch

Let me know what you decide for an RV park. I might decide to come down with our RV for the ride and then glom on to wherever you are staying.