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Westbound Route in June


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Sam Cummins from Cottleville, MO on 2/9/2021 9:50:56 PM:
My daughter (10) and I are planning to ride the trail on our tandem bike in June. Here is our planned route. We are both planning to use our camping hammocks. I would love any feedback/ideas that you have!

Machens to Marthasville
51 Miles; Camp at Marthasville Community Club; Hammock in Pavilion

Marthasville to Mokane
47 Miles; Camp at Lions Club Park

Mokane to New Franklin
63 Miles; Camp at Katy Round House

New Franklin to Sedalia
45 Miles--Stay at Lazy Liz Campground (I found out that Sedalia Fair Grounds will not allow hammocks and I heard that it is noisy there)

Sedalia to Clinton
35.5 Miles
 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 2/10/2021 9:06:12 AM:
What size tires on the tandem? My wife and I did the Katy last year on a tandem with 26x2.125 tires with no issues. We stayed in hotels and B&Bs though.

You might want to consider starting in Clinton as it's slightly more downhill that direction plus more likely to have a tail wind. The only real downside is having the sun in your eyes if you start riding early in the morning.

Ticks and mosquitoes can be an issue so be prepared.
 
Terry Fitzgerald from Baltimore, MD on 2/10/2021 10:19:22 PM:
You might consider starting in St Charles rather than Machens. Many people consider St Charles to be the actual eastern terminus of the trail, since there is nothing at Machens (unless something has been added recently).
 
Anonymous on 2/11/2021 12:23:16 PM:
Same about Clinton...not much between Sedalia and Clinton. Many omit Clinton to Sedalia because of.

700 x 28 works fine on the Santana. Most folks work their way into riding a tandem and it's not a first bike for them. Ride what you got for tires, but you probably know that.
 
Bill in Houston from Houston on 2/11/2021 12:25:00 PM:
The trail disappears betwenn Machens and St Charles in several places, doesn't it? I heard that the floods destroyed a few parts in that section.
 
Deron from Boonville on 2/11/2021 1:20:41 PM:
My wife and I have ridden the St Charles to Machens section a couple times since the 2019 flooding. First, while there is nothing more than a pavilion and outhouse at Machens (the same for Black Walnut), the route from St Charles to Machens is unlike the rest of the trail. More like riding through Iowa. Huge flat farmland all around. For us, it is a nice change of scenery that marks the official end of the trail (even if many folks to stop at St Charles).

Right after the flood there was a short impassible section with no known detours just outside of St Charles. That has since dried out and has been repaired. To the best of our knowledge there is still one open section of the trail just a couple miles from the end. However, there is a well worn path that skirts around the 10 yards of washed out trail. You might have to walk your bike 100yds (we have always been able to ride it).

A quick check with Google Earth (imagery from 7/13/2020) shows the section in question just south by southwest from Machens trailhead. Check it out and decide for yourself. Seems a shame to ride all that trail and miss out on the unique views the last section offers :-)
 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 2/12/2021 7:34:00 AM:
The flood damage near Machens was repaired last summer. We rode it on our tandem. It was a little mushy but not bad. There is one area near mile 35 that is very close to the river. If there's flooding or recent flooding, then it can be impassible. This little section near mile 35 is rather unique for the Katy Trail as it's not flat. It's a little technical even.

Since you live in Cottleville, my recommendation is to ride St. Charles to Machens and back a few days before your tour. It's about 25 miles total and could be a good shakedown ride to make sure that your bike and you are ready. That's what my wife and I did last year. That would make a first day of St. Charles to Marthasville more like 38 miles.
 
John Hutchins from Pacific on 2/12/2021 12:04:04 PM:
I'd ride past Mokane to Tebbitts and stay at the Turner Shelter. Evens out the days rides a bit and gives you a place to stay where you can get a shower for an inexpensive donation.
 
Bill in Houston from Houston on 2/12/2021 1:11:41 PM:
Thank you for the update, Jerry and Deron.
 
Sam from Cottleville, MO on 2/15/2021 4:25:33 AM:
Thank you to each of you!
 
Sam from Cottleville, MO on 6/2/2021 9:32:38 PM:
Hello all! I am coming back to let the community know that my daughter (10) and I will be starting out on our Tandem bike a week from tomorrow, on June 10. If you see us on our blue tandem, please send some encouragement. It will be my daughter's first long ride. Thanks!
 
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