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John Scanlan from Hilton Head Island, SC on 6/10/2021 3:50:04 PM:
In two weeks I'll be driving from coastal South Carolina out to Saint Charles, and then doing the Katy to Sedalia. Are there any last minute things that I need to know? I'm aware of the two trail closures. Thanks.

John

 
big mike from Hartsburg on 6/11/2021 10:52:05 AM:
Staying home would be good. It's supposed to be over 90 degrees and that means bad news to be outside.

 
Rides a Trike from Deltona Fl on 6/11/2021 11:36:50 AM:
My son and I tried riding the trail and camping last July. It was in the 90s. That was the only time he had off. We made it from Clinton to Hartsburg over 3 days. We couldnt drink enough water or gatorade to keep us hydrated even though we carried plenty. We both had light headedness and dizzy spells and knew that was not a good sign. I live in Florida where temps are routinely in 90s with high humidity. Try it if you must but I would wait for cooler weather.

 
Ron_S from Overland Park on 6/11/2021 6:01:36 PM:
I have a friend that said the second most humid and hottest place he had been was Bombay India. I asked him what was number 1. He said his home town, Columbia SC, so you are probably used to it. Gatorade, water and shade are your friends. The nice thing about later in the summer is that when the temps go over 100 the humidity goes away.


 
Deby from Dallas on 6/11/2021 6:11:36 PM:
It's like most physical challenges - if you are pretty well trained and aclimated you can do it. And if you call ahead to every place you plan to stop and make sure they are going to be open on the day you will be there. Do those things and you will be fine. Myself, my husband, and adult son did abot half the trail in 2007 - in August, and then Sedalia to St. Charles last month. Both times were fine but we took those precautions.

 
Ray (webmaster) on 6/11/2021 6:24:37 PM:
Regarding the heat, this is obvious but I'll say it anyway... start early in the morning. The afternoon high might be in the 90s, but its still in the 70s or low 80s at 8am, 9am, 10am.... You can get in a lot of miles before noon and then just lay low somewhere through the peak afternoon heat.

Also needless to say but bears repeating... Bring as much water as you think you'll need... and then double that amount.

And remember to drink. My problem is that I bring enough water but forget to keep drinking through the ride.

And one non weather issue to keep in mind: many of the small local restaurants are not open early in the week. If you're riding on a Monday/Tuesday, you may need to rely on convenience stores. Bet bet, call ahead if you're counting on any particular business.

Good luck and have fun!

 
Michael from London from Leamington Spa on 6/12/2021 4:30:12 AM:
I endorse all that good advice; we cycled the trail in October and it was HOT; but not too humid. We also found quite a bit of it was exposed with no tree cover either which really fried us. We did have plenty of water and only ran out once, just as we got to a Gaterade dispenser. It tasted soooo good, but don't bother reading the ingredients - you don't want to know.