Katy Trail Forum

Please support our advertisers -
they help make this website possible

Page: 1 ... 396 397 398 ... 648

Training

Chris from St. Louis, Missouri on 10/10/2011 09:58 PM

My wife and I are interested in biking across the entire Katy Trail during Spring 2012. Both of us enjoy cycling, and are in good shape. However, we have no experience training for a long ride.

Does anybody have any training programs/tips for preparing to bike across the entire trail? Also, we would like to complete the trek in three days. Is this possible?

I look forward to hearing from everybody!

Kind regards,

Chris

kevin from Jefferson City on 10/11/2011 12:56 PM

If you are in good shape, you can do it in 3 days, but you're going to miss all the little gems along the way.

240 miles in three days is 80 miles a day, on crushed limestone. In spring, you may have more washouts and mushy trails if it has been raining.

Why not plan to take 4 or 5 days. If conditions are good and you feel up to it, you can finish in 3. Visit the small towns, take a side trip to Rocheport, Jeff City and Hermann. Don't be in a hurry.

The trail is flat, so for training all you really need to do is work up to back-to-back long rides. If you can do 100-mile rides on pavement, you can do 80 miles on the KATY with no problem.

Trek on 10/11/2011 01:17 PM

It may also be important to plan which three days of the week you choose to ride. When the weather is nice it can be pretty crowded around some of the more popular trailheads. Also, many places are closed on Mondays making food and water more difficult to find. You may wish to avoid weekends and Mondays.

We all ride for different reasons. For me riding the entire trail in three days sounds more like a production ride just to log miles. I'd rather be able to stop along the way and get that flat fixed while it was still light out. Otherwise, put the bike on the trainer, grab a cold one and log some miles!

morick from Springfield, MO on 10/11/2011 04:45 PM

Chris, I have to agree with the others. I hope to ride the entire trail next year as well. I would love to go as soon as possible but I may wait until the fall. Of course, next year's weather may not be the same as this year's but the fall riding weather has been awesome in Missouri and the Katy is beautiful this time of year. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Jim from St Thomas on 10/11/2011 08:27 PM

You can do it in three days but they will be long days on the saddle. Day 1 could be Clinton to Booneville, Day 2 could be Booneville to Bluffton and Day 3 could be Bluffton to St Charles or Machens. Like Kevin said work your way up to be able to do a couple of back-to-back 80 mile days and you'll be fine.

kc from nj on 10/12/2011 10:10 AM

As per training...I bicycle commute 5 days a week, 12 miles roundtrip. This basic fitness allows me to do long bike trips without any issues. It's just a matter of pace. If you start early and pace yourself, you should be fine. Long days in the saddle require more mental stamina than physical stamina. Equally important to accomplishing high mileage days are things like padded seats/shorts, clothing that doesn't chaffe, adequate liquid intake (diluted juice recommended) and lots of snacking. The biggest benefit to doing high mileage days is that dinner tastes extra delicious, showers are super enjoyable and sleep comes easy. Have fun!!!

Anonymous on 10/12/2011 04:19 PM

The only way to train to ride miles in the Saddle is to spend time for miles in the saddle. 80 miles a day is reasonable. What else are you going to do on the KATY but crank anyway.

howardhughesblues on 10/13/2011 07:12 AM

also it depends on how much weight you're carrying. If you have a sleeping bag, tent, stove--the works--it will slow you down a little.

Chris from St. Louis on 10/13/2011 07:00 PM

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I am going to keep all of these in mind as I begin training. Any advice on a good bike and equipment?

kc from nj on 10/14/2011 09:29 AM

I LOVE my Topeak trunkbag. Highly recommended.

kevin from Jefferson City on 10/14/2011 01:05 PM

Chris, almost any bike would do. I'd recommend a hybrid or a touring bike with wider tires, but I've seen people on mountain bikes and single speed bikes out there. The important thing is for the bike to feel comfortable while you put long hours in the saddle.

I prefer panniers to carry my stuff, but a single-wheel trailer would be a great alternative. A two-wheel trailer will straddle the tire tracks in the trail and slow you down.

Anonymous on 10/14/2011 02:27 PM

I pull a two wheel trailer stuffed with camping equipment. I haven't experienced any problem with straddling tire tracks

Colorado Riders from Fruita, CO on 10/17/2011 08:33 PM

Chris, my husband and I have used both panniers and Bob trailers on multi-day trips. Each has pros and cons. Whenever we've trained for a trip we generally load up the trailer/panniers and put in some miles just so that we have a good feel for the bike and build up the saddle time. DON'T just crank through the miles on KATY--meet people, drink something from the area, sample something yummy, and make some memories. Missouri has a great gem to be enjoyed.

Anonymous on 10/22/2011 11:08 AM

I've pulled a Burly Nomad on the Katy and never noticed it slowing me down because the tires were straddling the tracks on the trail. When you get way off and hook a wheel on a tree limb on the shoulder, that will slow you down. While on the trail though, the additional weight being pulled is a far greater factor than having a wheel out of the track.

Sean from Mascutah Ill on 01/10/2012 08:57 PM

I'm doing the Katy out and back starting in Stl, planning for 4 days out and 4 back probably the last week in Apr. Cross bikes and panniers on one, single wheeled trailer for the other.

Add your Comment to Training

share this thread

German migration

Theron from Akron, Ohio on 01/08/2012 03:44 PM

Just watched a special on TV about German migration to Missouri. coming over on ships, travel up the Mississippi River & then up the Missouri River. I'm thinking I've been to all those towns. They brought grape vines & started vineyards etc. They had problems with floods way back then too.

German descendant on 01/09/2012 10:02 AM

Hey Theron, what was the name of the program you watched? My great-grandfather was one of those that came over and settled along the Missouri near Boonville. I would love to see that program. Thx.

Theron from Akron, Ohio on 01/09/2012 07:49 PM

It was on a PBS station here in Akron. Didn't get any other info. Just started watching it. Sorry!

German descendant from Edwardsville, IL on 01/09/2012 09:54 PM

Thanks for the lead... could it have been "Destination America"?

Theron from Akron, Ohio on 01/10/2012 06:42 AM

That seems to ring a bell in the old brain! :)

Add your Comment to German migration

share this thread

Steamboat Junction Campground in Bluffton

Gary from Manchester, MO on 01/06/2012 01:02 AM

My brother-in-law and I stayed here one night the end of September, 2011. This is the model that all Katy Trail campgrounds should emulate. Along with the extraodinarilly clean facilities, I especially liked the lack of area lighting and the sounds of the owls and other wildlife at night.

Anonymous on 01/09/2012 11:31 AM

I agree. One of the best there is.

Add your Comment to Steamboat Junction Campground in Bluffton

share this thread

Tagged: Steamboat Junction Campground

Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia

Connor from St. Louis on 11/03/2011 02:07 PM

Don't Stay any place else when you ride the Trail. It was great. The staff were so helpful and the bed was wonderful. The Hotel is about 3 blocks from the Katy Depot

craig p from fort madison Iowa on 01/03/2012 02:01 PM

My wife and I stayed here last year and found it to be a nice hotel with friendly staff. This place has character, we stayed here because it was on the 10 most haunted list from AAA travel or something similar. There was no room 1408 so we took what they had. The allowed us to put the tandem in the coffee shop overnight since it would not fit in the elevator to go to bike storage in the basement. I recommend this hotel even though I did not see any ghosts.

Add your Comment to Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia

share this thread

Tagged: Hotel Bothwell

Peers Store in Peers

Clayton, Denise, Frank, Mickie from Archie on 01/03/2012 12:29 PM

May 2011: Once again Barb proved out to be a positive part of the KATY Trail. We had a hard soggy ride from Washington which I do not reccomend for anyone to do. I will not do it again! The traffic is heavy and the bridge is super narrow.. Anyway Peers store is a must stop for anyone. Thank you again Barb for being there. You are truely a wonderful hostess.

Add your Comment to Peers Store in Peers

share this thread

Tagged: Peers Store

Lazy Brush Ranch B&B for sale

Ravena from Steedman on 01/02/2012 01:51 PM

Just a little over a mile from the Katy trail. 77 acres of beautiful hills, trails, and pasture. You can find more details at http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/03473
According to my customers, there is a big need for a B&B in this area. To see my B&B website go to www.byravena.com/lbr.html.

Add your Comment to Lazy Brush Ranch B&B for sale

share this thread

Mokane Market in Mokane

KW from Lenexa, Kansas on 10/07/2011 11:34 AM

9-29-2011. At the store lady behind counter said to eat my big sandwich and drink soda. Before I paid, because I looked hot. Big sandwich made from meat counter, $3.50. Got water from bathroom sink.

ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 01/02/2012 12:11 AM

My experience at teh Mokane Market has always been great. Was last there in Sept 2011. Good sandwich. Nice lady working behind the counter who gave us our money's worth and more (plus filled our bottles with water). I'm happy they were there! Be sure to check out the old wooden staircase in the back of the store--very cool. The lady working there also said that in the 1993 flood, water came up to the front entrance step, but not in the store. Be sure to stand there on the front step and imagine how much water that was. Incredible.

Add your Comment to Mokane Market in Mokane

share this thread

Tagged: Mokane Market

miles per day

Eric from Kansas City on 01/01/2012 06:41 AM

For a medium speed ride, not too fast and enjoying myself, how many miles per day is usual?

Darrell from Jefferson City, MO. on 01/01/2012 07:59 AM

For me, medium speed is about 10 or 11 mph, 40 to 50 miles is a nice pace to spread out over the day. Have done many more miles in a day, but it is too much work.

For you, there is no way to know, depends on what your medium speed and fitness level is.

You may want to figure how many hours you want to ride at roughly 10 mph. At that pace where there are other people riding, you will pass some and you will get passed by some, so maybe that is a medium speed.

El Toro on 01/01/2012 08:37 PM

The previous comment connects with my experience as well. In my experience, my pace on the KATY is 2-3 mph slower than on the road. I usually run about 15-17 mph for a long ride (60-125 miles) on the road. 12-14 mph for a 50-80 mile ride on the KATY. Also remember there are not real recovery hills on the KATY. If you're moving forward - you are pedaling. Hope that helps a bit.

ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 01/01/2012 09:44 PM

I agree with previous posts. I typically ride an average of 12-13 mph on the Katy when on the bike. Rain, wind,and other things effect that. Drafting and pace lines is really not something I have ever done on the Katy, and don't think I have any reason to do. So, then the question becomes, "How long do you want to be on the bike? How many stops? How long for lunch? etc. You can make a full day on the trail by going 50 miles, and you could do a century, or more, but 60-70 miles on the trail is typically a full, but enjoyable day for me. FYI, I am a 47 yo male roadie who typically rides 16-18 mph average on the road. On the Katy, I ride a drop bar hybrid with 700 x 37c tires with 65# air pressure--that is a pretty fast rig, and much faster than a mountain bike--so you bike choice would effect that too. I always carry a bag with food, wather, supplies, and often 10-15# of clothing (for credit card touring). All that to say that there are many factors to consider, but the short answer for me is 60-70 miles a day makes for a good ride.

Add your Comment to miles per day

share this thread

old year out, new one in.

Anonymous on 12/31/2011 07:32 PM

a happy new year to all on the bike katy trail website. hope it is a safe, healthy, God filled new year for all. thanx to ray for creating such a great place. be safe on the trail everyone.

Add your Comment to old year out, new one in.

share this thread

Tagged: A+ Victory Shuttle

Klondike Park in Augusta

Anonymous on 12/28/2011 12:24 AM

me and my friend climbed a 100+ foot rock face right next to the no rock climbing sign. LOL

Jim from St Thomas on 12/28/2011 10:47 AM

Just goes to show that natural selection doesn't always work. Besides.....I didn't know trolls were into rock climbing.

Add your Comment to Klondike Park in Augusta

share this thread

Tagged: Klondike Park

Appropriate bikes

Andy from St Louis on 10/05/2011 04:55 PM

I've talked to a lot of people and gotten a pretty even split on this issue: is my road bike appropriate for the Katy or not? I have a MTB that I'm not opposed to riding, but would prefer to take my road bike if at all possible. Thoughts?

Trek on 10/05/2011 08:28 PM

Probably more appropriate than a mountain bike. We ride Trek hybrids that are fitting for the Katy. The Santana tandem road bike is very appropriate also. The main thing is to keep in the track out of the loose chat. That's the case with any bike I think, but is more critical when on the longbike.

kc from nj on 10/06/2011 09:16 AM

I vote MTB if you are planning a long ride on the trail. It will be much more relaxing. With a road bike, you will have to be on guard all day with your eyes 100% on the trail vs. the scenery. Also, I imagine that on a road bike you will be tense from constantly making adjustments to stay on track and from the lack of shock absorption. If it rains, skinny tires will probably sink into the trail surface. However, you don't need big knobbies. So take the MTB with slick or light to medium knobbies. My humble opinion.........

bikegal from Grand Marais, MN on 10/11/2011 02:59 PM

Just returned from a 7day tour/camping on the Katy. Fully loaded and on a road bike with 700x32c cyclecross tires. No problem with scenery viewing, just remember to get off your saddle at the road crossings, that's where most of the rough areas are. Great trail, great site!

David on 10/11/2011 03:02 PM

Or ride some "Urban" tires that are wider and can run lower pressures (50-80psi). If you are more comfortable on your road bike than your mountain bike, this is the way to do it on the katy. You don't need a suspension fork on this trail.

morick from Springfield, MO on 10/11/2011 04:41 PM

On our 50 mile bike ride we had 4 flats. Two happened to mtbs and 2 happened to the same tire on a hybrid. I think the road bike tires would be more susceptible to flats than the mtb. That would be my only concern.

merkin4 from St. Peters MO on 10/12/2011 02:11 PM

Spend the extra bucks and get those tires as bulletproof as you can make them. I've opted for heavy-duty tubes, heavy-duty semi-slick wide tires, and a kevlar belt between the tire and the tube. I finally reached my goal of doing 50 miles in one day this fall - and I've been training long and hard to pull that off. With those tires (and a triple-wall rim back wheel), I've not had a flat all year. And that's with 125-150 miles per week.

Anonymous on 10/12/2011 04:15 PM

I ride my road bike on the KATY all the time and haven't had any problems.

zbiker on 10/15/2011 08:23 PM

I ride a hybrid with 700x35 tires, have ridden end to end, not flats, just make sure I have good tires in good shape.

Having said that, I have seen a lot of road bikes on the trail, though without panniers or bags so I am guessing those are short riders.

justssayin from kcmo on 10/15/2011 09:54 PM

I disagree. I think that your average road bike rider is taller than the average human.

Anonymous on 10/16/2011 09:47 AM

I ride an old road bike frame, converted to single-speed, fixed gear with fairly heavy, but "bullet-proof" 28mm tires. I think that is a great set up for the KATY...and I HATE changing flats. Haven't had one in several hundred miles on the KATY. (Will probably jinx myself by saying that.) Most of my rides are in the 60-100 mile range.

Shayne S. from Wentzville MO on 10/24/2011 05:22 AM

I just rode my first century on the 22nd. I did it on my Gary Fisher Mamba 29er. Didn't have any problems at all took 7hrs and 32mins. I have never ridden a road bike. So I say MTB all the way!

Miguel from Rogers,Ar on 12/22/2011 10:04 AM

I rode this trail twice in my dedicated touring bike with 700x35 continental travel contac regulars tubes and no flats.I cant see myself riding Katy Trail in any other kind of bike.With my down handle bars(like regular road bike) Ive more hands positions than a flat handle bars on a MTB or Hybrid bicycle.

ArkyKenny from Farmington, AR on 12/23/2011 10:20 PM

How far? How much weight are you carrying? etc? I don't recommend mountain bikes with knobby tires, and I don't recommend road bike with road tires of less than 32mm wide no matter what you are doing. I think that 700c x 38's with some light tread and some puncture protection would meet most people's needs. If you ride a mountain bike, I'd look at getting some 1.5" semi slick tires with puncture protection. After than, whether you go drop bars, straght bar, or anything else is up to you, and how you plan to ride. You do not need suspension systems of any kind in my opinion: Just some good shorts and gloves.

Add your Comment to Appropriate bikes

Page: 1 ... 396 397 398 ... 648

+ Start a new discussion

Please support our advertisers -
they help make this website possible