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"Swindle" Windle from soon to be Sedalia on 7/17/2009 11:54:51 PM:

I'm moving to Sedalia in the near future and want to ride the trail from start to finish over the course of a week. Probably early September time frame. Does anyone have any recommended training to get me ready? I'm not a professional cyclist and not really an amateur one either. I've been using the stationary bikes at the gym and am capable of 35 miles in 90 minutes on a level 10. I'm averaging 95 rpms as well, if any of this helps. I could easily continue to 50 or more miles at that pace if I didn't have other obligations to get to.
Anyway, back to the point. Any recommended training or am I good to go? Thanks to all who reply.

Cathy from Jefferson City on 7/18/2009 4:38:00 PM:

It sounds like you're in good shape to do the Katy Trail. I'm over 50 (too close to 60 to admit it) and my daughter and I biked from Rocheport to St. Charles in 4 days. Sounds like you won't have a problem doing the whole trail in a week. My training consisted of getting on the trail for 3-4 hours twice a week from early May. With that little amount of conditioning I was able to handle riding the Katy Trail 4-5 hours a day for four days. Other posts on this forum have a lot of good suggestions, like getting out early, have plenty of water and some energy replenishing snacks (some trailheads only have vending machines). The Tour of Missouri will be 9/7-9/13/09, so that might impact availability of places to stay in Jefferson City and Sedalia. Google Tour of Missouri to see the dates and when the race will be in those areas. If you plan on staying at B & Bs or even camping, call ahead now to reserve a room, or get information about camping. If you don't already have a copy, get "The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook" by Brett Dufur. Between the book and this website you'll have a ton of helpful information about what's available along the trail. Enjoy your ride.

Anonymous on 7/18/2009 6:21:28 PM:

If you aren't doing it already, you need to get out on a real bike and hit the road or trail. You need to condition your body for spending hours in the saddle. Plus the additional demands of balancing and controlling a bike for long periods. Also you need to practice carrying your supplies, drinking while riding, etc.

If you've already made plans for your average distance per day, try working up to that distance and see how you feel (on the road, not at the gym).

Also anticipate going a little slower on the trail. The trail seems to take a couple miles-per-hour out of your usual on the road traveling speed.

When I did an end-to-end (plus a few extra miles) trip in 7 days, I trained by averaging 125 miles a week on local roads and sometimes the trail. I tried to get in a 50 mile plus ride during the weekend, often times carrying my full load of camping supplies. I also did a couple overnight practice trips.

Best of luck!

Anonymous on 7/18/2009 6:27:11 PM:

OOPS. I may have overstated the amount of riding you would need to do. My 2004 ride was an end-to-end and back in 7 days. I did an end-to-end ride in 2007, with someone else carrying my supplies, in 5 days based on less than 100 miles a week and felt fine. I bet I could do the 225 miles in 7 days on 60 to 75 miles a week if I paced myself.

newbiker from Chesterfield on 7/21/2009 1:59:46 PM:

I was wondering how realistic it is to plan on going 30-40 miles a day in August. Granted, we are having wonderfully cool weather in July, but it's bound to warm up. Are there any recs on how to deal with sweltering weather?

Trek on 7/21/2009 2:26:22 PM:

When it's really hot out keep the water bottles full and carry extra water in a camel if you have one. And, don't pass on a chance to refill the bottles....you should drink more than you think you can and you don't want to run out.

Use the shade along the trail to cool down in....that's what it's there for.

And invest in a ChillyPad. It's a great little towel that's always cool and works wonders in the heat. I think mine came from REI. Or check out froggtoggs dot com.

Diane from Scott AFB, Illinois on 7/21/2009 2:43:42 PM:

Trek...thanks for the heads-up on the Chilly Pad...REI does not carry it but you can order it online from froggtoggs. I've been looking for something to help keep me cool on the trail.

troy ratliff from jonesboro, ar on 7/21/2009 4:22:15 PM:

I agree with the poster who said get on a real bike some. I bike between 4000 and 6000 road miles a year. In the winter I also ride a stationary bike and there's just no comparison between the two. I'll be stunned if you are able to ride comfortably on the trail for a week not having ridden a real bike some in training.

Terry from Festus on 7/21/2009 11:39:26 PM:

I found the Chill Pads close to the registers at a Dick's store. Sounds like a good product for some of those trailside merchants to carry. They work great.

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