Century Rides/Group Rides?

I'm curious if there are any Century Rides that take place on the Katy? Also, are there any groups rides that take place on a regular basis?

Thanks!

Don't see any officially organized century rides on the list of events. The DNR ride is a famous group ride that takes place on a regular basis, each June.

Thanks for the response, Trek. The Katy (in my opinion) would be a great place for such an event, being the grade of the trail (mostly flat). That said, I've never done a century and am itching to do one and the Katy would make for an easier ride.

I would be curious to hear others' opinions also but a century on the Katy would be about the equivalent in effort to 130 miles (or more) on a road bike ride on pavement due to the increased resistance and heavier bikes.

I have wondered if we could somehow get the "regulars" on this forum together for an informal day ride sometime. Rocheport East and back perhaps. I don't want to mention names as I would likely leave people out by mistake but it seems like a fun group. And of course anyone, forum user or not, would be welcomed.

My husband and I would be onboard with a one day ride starting in Rocheport. We have organized them with friends before who don't do much riding. Would love to do this and meet some of the others on this forum!

We rode a Century in 07 on the Katy. It took two attempts to do so.

On the first try the forcast was for 30% chance of rain. No big deal...we just forgot that we were doing this in Missouri. It was misting early morning at Rocheport and soon it was raining. We held up in Hartsburg waiting on the rain to stop. It didn't and neither did we. It was a very wet, gritty, dirty, tiring, and gritty day with 70 miles logged.

We tried again a few weeks later and made it. It was a very hot and tiring day, but we were thankfull that it wasn't raining and all gritty. The Frederick in Boonville was a very welcome sight at the end of the day.

The Katy may be easier because it is flat....but for us the ability to do 100 miles was somewhat deceiving. We normaly ride around 40 or so on rail trails and it's not uncommon to do 50 to 60. It's easy then to think that another 40 is very doable. But.....when the GPS says 80 and you're 20 miles out from the car it can make you start to rethink that logic.

If you plan a Century, make sure you're in shape to do it and that it is a realistic undertaking. Prior to the ride, eat well, keep hydrated and train for 100. During the ride take energy food and water with you....you'll probably deplete more than you can take in for the day.

I almost exclusively road bike, riding the KATY two or three times a year when I am in Columbia on business. I've done 4 or 5 normal centuries on the road. I agree with MLH, it takes a lot more effort to ride the KATY than pavement, even though there are no hills. I once rode the KATY 80 miles in one day from Sedalia to Columbia, and I was whipped when I finished.

Interesting...I guess when you factor things in such as the added rolling resistance, need to constantly pedal, etc. it would make for a tougher ride. Anyway, it's too bad there's not some kind of organized century/event. I'd definitely do it.

Anyway, if there's ever some kind of group ride organized here, I would love to join you guys.

Hi folks, newbie in this forum, long time Katy Trail rider. It's not quite a century unless you do a little extra riding, but one of my favorite rides is Jeff City to Sedalia on the trail, then Amtrak home. $22 for you and your bike. I usually ride from home to the North Jefferson trailhead, to Sedalia on the trail, wander around Sedalia a bit while I wait for the train, then ride home from the Jeff City Amtrak station and it comes out to right about 100 miles.

If anyone is interested in a group ride to Sedalia on Sept 11, 09, we are
sponsoring a ride "Tour Bound on the Katy". The Tour of Missouri Time Trials
are in Sedalia that day and we are organizing a rally and ride from the Katy
Depot Trailhead to the Sedalia Fairgrounds Trailhead. We supply a bike lock
up at the Fairgrounds for your bikes. If you choose to stay over in Sedalia
and have a tent, there will be free tent camping available in one of our City
Parks. For more info on this or to fill out the participation form go to
www.katydepotsedalia.com