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Katy in April - beta


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Ned Netterville from North Carolina on 11/15/2007 5:57:01 PM:
Rode my EZ Racer Gold Rush recumbant solo pulling a Burley trailer from just east of the Continental Divide on Rt. 50 in Colorado to St. Charles, MO. Did the length of the Katy Trail across MO. Clinton Mower and Cycle in Clinton, MO, the western trail head for the Katy, is a damn fine bike store and the owner is an extreme-distant cyclist who trains on the Katy and has all the beta a rider could need. (He has ridden the full length of the trail (224 mi) in one day!!!) It took me four days, and I wouldn't want to do it any faster even if I could as there is too much to see and enjoy along the way to cut the trip short with speed. It is a good idea to take along a supply of tubes, particularly if you have 700 tires and presta valves 'cause bike stores are scarce and far between. I had lots of flats, which I attribute to riding off the gravel of the trail and picking up spikes from goat-head burrs. I liked the slighly hilly (easy grades) of the wester half of the trail slightly better than the almost dead-level eastern section for the scenery, but I wouldn't want to have missed any of it. My trip was Wednesday through Saturday in mid April, and I only say one other through rider on the western half. The only other people I saw were local bikers, joggers and walkers in the vicinity of the towns. I camped along the trai, which I guess is not permitted, but since I leave no trace I'm sure no one noticed. I am grateful I had the opportunity to flirt with Katy and I would recommend her to anhyone who loves to ride.