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Burke on Bike from San Diego, CA on 11/24/2024 8:28:41 PM:

Any advise on the best time of year to bike the entire trail from St. Louis to KC?

patrick from Overland park ks on 11/25/2024 7:39:31 AM:

mid october

Scotty Mac from OKC on 11/25/2024 7:50:34 AM:

Indeed, I've ridden the Katy twice, both in mid to late October. Beautiful weather. During the last few days of the end of October ride in '23 we did get a little rain and it got a little chilly. But, overall, it was great weather.

Jerry Whittle from O'Fallon Illinois on 11/25/2024 9:28:48 AM:

I've ridden the trail 11 times end-to-end. June mostly and it was hot and sometimes wet.

Mid-October was OK except it was wet and one morning there was frost on the tent.

The one time that I rode in September, there was one morning that was cool and very foggy. Other than that, perfect. Of course YMMV.

Deby Elliott from Dallas on 11/26/2024 6:21:03 AM:

For my, September (or May) is better than October, but of course every year varies. The problem with waiting until October - well there's a couple of problems. First and foremost is once the leaves really start falling they cover the trail entirely. If there is any moisture they get a little slick. But the worst part is they cover the inevitable cracks and ridges in the trail, so you are riding blind to the surface you are on. I found this messed tremendously with my confidence as a rider. The other main reason is that Octoberfest time brings in so many people, and I prefer a quieter rather than party like atmosphere.

Bill R. from Wentzville on 11/26/2024 6:56:12 AM:

Deby, You are spot on. If you're trying to maintain a pace, then it can affect that a lot. I find myself slowing markedly when I can't see the actual trail surface. Hitting a layer of wet leaves can easily dump your bike thus ruining your ride by either injury or bike damage or both. I don't mind the heat so I ride all season long. Happy trails.

Burke on Bike from San Diego,CA on 11/26/2024 3:26:48 PM:

Thank you everyone for your replies! Sounds like Sept or early Oct is best. May sounds like a viable choice as well. I'm planning the trip for next year and so will probably go in May since I don't want to wait till the fall for my annual bike trip.

Cathy from Churchill from Churchill, PA on 11/27/2024 12:20:38 AM:

Another thing about riding the Katy Trail in September and October is that if you are planning to stay in B&Bs, Air B&Bs in local towns or hotels in the vicinity of Columbia you might be competing with people coming in for football games. And if there is a big game the same weekend as Oktober Fest or the Hartsburg Pumpkin Fest, then it's even more challenging to find a place to stay.

May is good. There can be some rainy weather, and even temperatures in the 50s and 60s. But if you wear layers and have rain gear you'll be fine. There won't be as many people on the Katy, and the leaf problem others mentioned won't be an issue.

Enjoy planning your ride, and doing your ride. It's a wonderful trail, the best I've ridden.

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