Katy Trail- Wk of 7/15/06
 

Last night I decided I'm going to take a week off and ride the Katy Trail. So far my plan is Sedalia-St. Charles and back. Fast cruise on the way out to get the lay of the land and some sight-seeing on the way back. I'm going to rough it and camp, but might spend a couple nights in a motel.

My research so far has me leaning towards my Townie for this trip with it's wider tires and greater stability on loose terrain.

I don't mind rolling solo, but if anyone wants to join up with me for all or part of this trip, shoot me a PM or mail me at "worldpax at gmail dot com".

I'm finding plenty of good info, but any tips would be helpful from those with experience. This will be my first "Tour". I searched the forum, so I'm up on what's already here and have been to the main Katy trail homepage.

brgds,

Pax
Tulsa, OK

While I am no expert on the trail, I can offer a couple tips from 3 trips from Clinton to St Charles.

Best bike? What you are comfortable on. I have done it on a full suspension Santa Cruz Blur-modified and a Surly LHT. Even though these are very different bikes, both worked out well. A cyclocross bike would bode well too. I wouldn't worry about too much rough riding. Unless there is some construction going on, the trail should be in decent repair this far into the warm season.

It will be hot, so make sure you can carry plenty of water. There are stations/towns every 10-15 miles, but not all of them have water.

I used a Bob trailer for all my trips. It worked nicely. Just remember to bring a tube and tire to fit it in case of a flat.

There are a couple pictures on my website from the trips. I can recommend a good B&B near Hermann, but I will have to get the info. I forgot what it is called.

If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to email me.

Have a great trip!

blm

The Turner Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbetts is a good place to stop for a nite, and the Katy goes right thru a campground Called Coopers Landing (and I mean right Thru,you won't miss it!) about 15 miles east of Colombia Mo that is one of the BEST local hangouts in Mo...Live music,Bar,Camping (10 bucks a nite) a Great place to meet some of the local folk.
Booneville has a really good (but kinda spendy) coffee shop Trailside
Rocheport is a tourist trap,But the Rocheport Tunnel at MM178.9 is cool!
In Sedalia The Katy takes a road detour thru town(Follow arrows painted on pavement)
Check out the MKT explosives bunker at MM177.5
Lewis and Clark Cave Pictograph at MM174.4

Its 6 am and im fried after 14 3/4 hours at work...wish I could do it again...Enjoy the ride,Its a good one!