Originally Posted by
JerrySTL
I'm 220 lbs and have done the KATY end to end the last 3 years. I ride on 700x32 tires, but I'm riding unloaded. I can't remember the brand, but they are pretty smooth. You don't need much in the way of tread on the KATY. There were very few people getting flats on the ride, so belted protection for the Katy isn't a necessity; however, you're going to ride it elsewhere.
I'll probably be buying new tires before next spring so the answers of others will interest me.
If you can wait until June, I highly recommend this group. Below is the info for 2013. In 2014 we will be starting from St. Chuck and heading towards Clinton. Of course this group is only going one way, but that wouldn't stop you from riding back on your own.
Signups are suppose to begin on March 1, 2014. Last year the ride filled up in 4 days.
http://mostateparks.com/2013-katy-trail-ride
Oh! Don't forget to do the relatively new part from St. Charles to Machens.
ya the smooth thing is what I've read even on the katy trail forum... the problem I've found is that there is such a large cross section of people that ride it... a few go end to end in a day (in under 14 hrs I might add as I recall lol) others stop in and check out all the little towns and sleep at the B&Bs along way... some use road bikes, some CX and a lot of MTB or hybrids... I know there are at least a few on this forum that have done this trail so figured being that I'll be riding it in a similar fashion (loaded) I'd get a good answer here.
when my friend originally talked about it I assumed he was talking about the organised ride you linked to... I'm sure the supported ride would be a hoot but I'm looking forward to the self supported ride myself... we'll spend a bit more time riding (as we should as it's both ways)... his schedule is open in May so we'll be doing it then... prob be more fun anyway as we haven't seen each other in about 15 years outside of online stuff.