Reply to Personal belongings

Thinking about doing the entire trail in August starting in St Charles. Question is, how do you suggest carrying your personal belongings from town to town. We plan on staying in bed and breakfasts so it would be just hygiene, a few clothes and extra emergency bike items. Backpack or bike rack? Backpack seems kinda hot. Ideas?

Rack and panniers. You will hate a backpack. You'll also be surprised how much you end up with. Remember a first aid kit, snacks, extra tube, minimal bike tools along with your bike clothes and evening clothes and shoes.

Agree with Jack. Panniers or frame or handle bar bags.

Backpacks are hot and can wear on your shoulders and back.

You can get a sturdy rack for $60.00 and under. You may already have one on your bikes. Go with a decent set of panniers but not necessarily top of the line. I put hefty trash bag as liners in mine in case it rains. Agree you will carry more than you may think even if just day tripping.

FWIW, I did a training ride prior to my cross Missouri ride which included Rock Island and Katy. Anyway, I wanted to be sure I could do back to back long days of riding. Call it a shakedown trip. I rode from Marysville, Kansas to Lincoln, Nebraska via the Blue River Rail trail and the Chief Standing Bear trails. They are very similar to the Katy, just with less businesses catering to trail users. The trail name changes a few times before reaching Lincoln and the one way distance is 77 miles. I used a rear rack and ortlieb brand waterproof panniers. They are a little bulky and you’ll need to be careful when you park your bike if using a kickstand. Occasionally when you’re riding you may stand upright to go up a hill, this is when you may notice the panniers throwing you side to side slightly. I normally don’t pack light, but I was careful to bring only essentials for my Katy trip, because stuff adds up quick. I didn’t camp, I “credit card camped” (Airbnb and hotel) so I would get good sleep/relaxation, have a shower and laundry so I could pack less. I’m including a Strava link to both my return ride to Marysville and my Katy trip. Don’t forget your water bottles like I did on my Lincoln trip. I also suggest something like LiquidIV for salt/electrolytes replacement perhaps every other water bottle. And a banana. Happy trails!

https://strava.app.link/Nfn0AG3GvBb

https://strava.app.link/k1QMu3PHvBb

Rear rack and some Roswheel panniers. You can buy it all for less than $100, and it will carry plenty.

Put a bunch of stuff in it and take a few training rides before you hit the trail for real.

There are lots of other great tips above.

Adam Lineberry from redeeming eden u-tube uses plastic kitty litter boxes for panniers. They are waterproof and if you have a cat they are free, He has a video showing how to mount them,