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Jürgen on 11/17/2021 10:51:07 AM:
Hallo meine freunde! Has anyone here done a solo ride from Sedalia back to St. Charles over 2.5 days? I am looking into the logistics. I am curious if anyone knows about the cell reception along the trail so that I can let family track me via GPS or if anyone has any other suggestions for a solo trip and the safety of such trips? Thank you!

 
Mr Bump from Columbia on 11/17/2021 11:10:06 AM:
Cell reception is ok, except where the trail is very close to the limestone bluffs. The trail is safe. Most people overestimate the distance they can bike in a day, as the trail surface is finely crushed limestone, which is much slower than pavement, and gets worse when it rains. Expect 25km/hr on your tour bike.

 
John on 11/17/2021 12:01:39 PM:
We've done several Sedalia to St. Charles rides, and 2.5 days is a good idea. Sedalia to Jefferson City is a good haul, but doable in a day. There's a bike lane on the bridge so you can get to town now, but many shuttles are also available. From there it's a nice half day ride to Hermann which is an easy ride up from the trail at McKittrick. That leaves you less than 70 miles on day 3. The other option is to start in Clinton and ride to Sedalia on the afternoon of day 1. Sedalia to Hermann is a 100 miler on day two then the last 70 or so on day 3. Cell reception is only spotty in places. Your family will be able to track you most of the time.

 
Doug from Bluffton on 11/17/2021 4:10:32 PM:
Is the half day you ride going to be your first day of riding or your last day?

 
Michael from mountains from London on 11/18/2021 4:42:08 AM:
Morgen Jürgen; we cycled Sedalia to St Charles in late September 2019 - the last time we were allowed out of the UK! Mobile phone signals were ok generally. We were shuttled out by Todd at Katy Shuttles (no idea if he is still in business) from Defiance just west of St Charles who also hired us bikes (not very good ones).Then we took a full six days to cycle back, stopping to smell the roses, talk to people, find our way around the wash-outs, get lost on some of the highway sections (we don't mind small bits on the road) and fix a few punctures.30 to 40 miles a day seemed enoughfor us, and it was hot, very hot. It all depends on whether you want a steady enjoyable saunter, or a wizz-bang 100 miles a day race. But as Mr Bump rightly points out, it is easy to overestimate the distance you can ride. Get lost, get a couple of punctures, and you'll end up riding in the dusk or the dark unless it's mid-summer. I can post more information about where we stayed - we go for small bed and breakfasts or cheap hotels.

 
Jerry from Belleville on 11/18/2021 7:50:19 AM:
Many businesses along the trail are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the smaller towns. So you might want to plan your trip around that.

2.5 days is doable for a strong rider. I suggest wider tires instead of skinny road tires.

Cell reception is good but not perfect. Sometimes it depends on which cell phone company you use.

 
Jürgen on 11/29/2021 1:04:24 PM:
Thank you all for the help. Half day ride would be the first day (start in the late afternoon). Planning on waiting until the time change again to buy some more daylight.

 
Michael from mountains from London on 11/30/2021 3:49:20 AM:
Good decision; enjoy the ride!

 
Doug from Bluffton on 12/3/2021 7:46:00 PM:
Depending on what time of day you are able to leave Sedalia, Boonville or possibly Rocheport would make a good half day. Your second day could make Bluffton, McKittrick or Hermann and then the third day into St.Charles. If You are going to get rooms each night that should not be too difficult of a ride. Camping will of course add both time and complexity. There are very few sections of the trail that you would not have cell reception at least once an hour or so. Please feel free to call me at Bluffton Barn for more detailed information.