A newbie getting ready to bike a stretch of the Katy Trail. Need some advice/input.
07-14-14, 04:03 PM
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A newbie getting ready to bike a stretch of the Katy Trail. Need some advice/input.
Hey guys. So I'm planning my first overnight bike trip on the Katy Trail in Missouri towards the end of July. I'll be starting from St. Charles and biking to August or Dutzow and back in 2-3 days.
I'll be riding my Giant Roam 2 fitted with a Topeak Explorer rack and most likely a MTX Trunk Bag EXP.
In the trunk bag, I'm going to pack 2-3 days worth of clothing, 5 extra tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, multi bike took, bike chain lube, bike pump, water and some snack.
Based off that, I have a couple of questions for y'all:
Thanks for reading my long post and I appreciate any advice!
I'll be riding my Giant Roam 2 fitted with a Topeak Explorer rack and most likely a MTX Trunk Bag EXP.
In the trunk bag, I'm going to pack 2-3 days worth of clothing, 5 extra tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, multi bike took, bike chain lube, bike pump, water and some snack.
Based off that, I have a couple of questions for y'all:
- Is what I'm packing reasonable?
- What's the best method of hydration? Should I just use water bottles? Or opt for a Camelbak or similar hydration packs?
- What would be the best snack food to keep myself going and not exhaust myself during the ride?
- Finally, is there any other random tips/advice you could give me?
Thanks for reading my long post and I appreciate any advice!
07-14-14, 04:53 PM
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You don't need 5 tubes. Bring two at the most. If you have quality tires you probably don't need any. Just the patch kit. Don't worry about water. Each town has some at the depot stations. I wouldn't think you need more than two ( I brought one). You can wash clothes in a sink or faucet. I one had one other change of bike clothes and did the entire trail and back. Bring some music
07-14-14, 05:09 PM
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That's a great bike for the Katy Trail.
I concur with boomhauer that you don't need 5 tubes. I've done well over 1,400 miles on the Katy and never had a flat. One tube and a patch kit would be prudent.
Two 24 oz water bottles have been enough for me between trail heads and stores that had water. I could see using a something like a Camelbak though. Make sure to not drink just plain water. If it's hot, you'll need some sodium/salt plus carbs to keep you moving.
If space is an issue, compact food items such as Powerbars, Sport Beans, and GU gels work. Trail Mix is good.
An extra pair of cycling shorts, a couple pairs of socks, and a jersey or two will work. As boomhauer said, wash them out and hang dry. You'll also want some clothing to walk around in after riding.
Where will you be sleeping? I don't think there's anyplace in Dutzow; however, there are some B&Bs in Augusta.
St. Charles to Dutzow is only about 35 miles one way. You might want to stretch it to Marthasville which only added about 5 miles. More stuff there.
I concur with boomhauer that you don't need 5 tubes. I've done well over 1,400 miles on the Katy and never had a flat. One tube and a patch kit would be prudent.
Two 24 oz water bottles have been enough for me between trail heads and stores that had water. I could see using a something like a Camelbak though. Make sure to not drink just plain water. If it's hot, you'll need some sodium/salt plus carbs to keep you moving.
If space is an issue, compact food items such as Powerbars, Sport Beans, and GU gels work. Trail Mix is good.
An extra pair of cycling shorts, a couple pairs of socks, and a jersey or two will work. As boomhauer said, wash them out and hang dry. You'll also want some clothing to walk around in after riding.
Where will you be sleeping? I don't think there's anyplace in Dutzow; however, there are some B&Bs in Augusta.
St. Charles to Dutzow is only about 35 miles one way. You might want to stretch it to Marthasville which only added about 5 miles. More stuff there.
07-14-14, 05:11 PM
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All the above^^^^. The Katy is a very 'tame' trail with lots of services. Snicker bars, as needed, will keep you pedaling. The lighter your pack, the better.
07-14-14, 08:50 PM
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You don't need 5 tubes. Bring two at the most. If you have quality tires you probably don't need any. Just the patch kit. Don't worry about water. Each town has some at the depot stations. I wouldn't think you need more than two ( I brought one). You can wash clothes in a sink or faucet. I one had one other change of bike clothes and did the entire trail and back. Bring some music
That's a great bike for the Katy Trail.
I concur with boomhauer that you don't need 5 tubes. I've done well over 1,400 miles on the Katy and never had a flat. One tube and a patch kit would be prudent.
Two 24 oz water bottles have been enough for me between trail heads and stores that had water. I could see using a something like a Camelbak though. Make sure to not drink just plain water. If it's hot, you'll need some sodium/salt plus carbs to keep you moving.
If space is an issue, compact food items such as Powerbars, Sport Beans, and GU gels work. Trail Mix is good.
An extra pair of cycling shorts, a couple pairs of socks, and a jersey or two will work. As boomhauer said, wash them out and hang dry. You'll also want some clothing to walk around in after riding.
Where will you be sleeping? I don't think there's anyplace in Dutzow; however, there are some B&Bs in Augusta.
St. Charles to Dutzow is only about 35 miles one way. You might want to stretch it to Marthasville which only added about 5 miles. More stuff there.
I concur with boomhauer that you don't need 5 tubes. I've done well over 1,400 miles on the Katy and never had a flat. One tube and a patch kit would be prudent.
Two 24 oz water bottles have been enough for me between trail heads and stores that had water. I could see using a something like a Camelbak though. Make sure to not drink just plain water. If it's hot, you'll need some sodium/salt plus carbs to keep you moving.
If space is an issue, compact food items such as Powerbars, Sport Beans, and GU gels work. Trail Mix is good.
An extra pair of cycling shorts, a couple pairs of socks, and a jersey or two will work. As boomhauer said, wash them out and hang dry. You'll also want some clothing to walk around in after riding.
Where will you be sleeping? I don't think there's anyplace in Dutzow; however, there are some B&Bs in Augusta.
St. Charles to Dutzow is only about 35 miles one way. You might want to stretch it to Marthasville which only added about 5 miles. More stuff there.
Hmm, now that you mention it, there doesn't seem to be any accommodations in Dutzow. So now I guess I'll have to choose between Augusta or Marthasville.
I've seen a few time people recommending Snickers bars instead of an energy bar and I was wondering if there was a big difference between the two nutritionally. I guess Snickers bars will have all that chocolate melting when it's hot outside though...
07-15-14, 07:11 AM
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Gatorade or something like it would be great as they have carbs plus electrolytes. I buy powdered sports drinks and usually dilute them as they are too strong when warm at full strength.
There are Marathon bars that are somewhat of a cross between a Powerbar and Snickers. Melting chocolate is a problem with Snickers. Not so much with products made for sports.
The wife and I love Augusta. We often walk about 3.5 miles on the Katy to the Augusta Brewery which is right off the trail; eat lunch with a beer or wine; then walk 3.5 miles back to the car. Marthasville is nice also. I guess it might depend on the number of miles you want to do and the availability of accommodations. I'd recommend making reservations.
There are Marathon bars that are somewhat of a cross between a Powerbar and Snickers. Melting chocolate is a problem with Snickers. Not so much with products made for sports.
The wife and I love Augusta. We often walk about 3.5 miles on the Katy to the Augusta Brewery which is right off the trail; eat lunch with a beer or wine; then walk 3.5 miles back to the car. Marthasville is nice also. I guess it might depend on the number of miles you want to do and the availability of accommodations. I'd recommend making reservations.
07-15-14, 07:38 AM
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I only put water in my water bottles. I don't want to have to wash them or have lingering flavors from gatorade etc. I get my electrolyte replacement from salty snacks, nuts, etc. I also wouldn't be adverse to taking an electrolyte pill on particularly hot days now and then.
07-15-14, 08:46 AM
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After I had a tube fail where the valve stem meets the tubing rubber, I starting carrying two tubes, not one. That is something a patch kit can't fix.
