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Training
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Chris from St. Louis, Missouri on 10/10/2011 9:58:35 PM:
My wife and I are interested in biking across the entire Katy Trail during Spring 2012. Both of us enjoy cycling, and are in good shape. However, we have no experience training for a long ride.

Does anybody have any training programs/tips for preparing to bike across the entire trail? Also, we would like to complete the trek in three days. Is this possible?

I look forward to hearing from everybody!

Kind regards,

Chris
 
kevin from Jefferson City on 10/11/2011 12:56:29 PM:
If you are in good shape, you can do it in 3 days, but you're going to miss all the little gems along the way.

240 miles in three days is 80 miles a day, on crushed limestone. In spring, you may have more washouts and mushy trails if it has been raining.

Why not plan to take 4 or 5 days. If conditions are good and you feel up to it, you can finish in 3. Visit the small towns, take a side trip to Rocheport, Jeff City and Hermann. Don't be in a hurry.

The trail is flat, so for training all you really need to do is work up to back-to-back long rides. If you can do 100-mile rides on pavement, you can do 80 miles on the KATY with no problem.
 
Trek on 10/11/2011 1:17:04 PM:
It may also be important to plan which three days of the week you choose to ride. When the weather is nice it can be pretty crowded around some of the more popular trailheads. Also, many places are closed on Mondays making food and water more difficult to find. You may wish to avoid weekends and Mondays.

We all ride for different reasons. For me riding the entire trail in three days sounds more like a production ride just to log miles. I'd rather be able to stop along the way and get that flat fixed while it was still light out. Otherwise, put the bike on the trainer, grab a cold one and log some miles!
 
morick from Springfield, MO on 10/11/2011 4:45:37 PM:
Chris, I have to agree with the others. I hope to ride the entire trail next year as well. I would love to go as soon as possible but I may wait until the fall. Of course, next year's weather may not be the same as this year's but the fall riding weather has been awesome in Missouri and the Katy is beautiful this time of year. Good luck on whatever you decide.
 
Jim from St Thomas on 10/11/2011 8:27:24 PM:
You can do it in three days but they will be long days on the saddle. Day 1 could be Clinton to Booneville, Day 2 could be Booneville to Bluffton and Day 3 could be Bluffton to St Charles or Machens. Like Kevin said work your way up to be able to do a couple of back-to-back 80 mile days and you'll be fine.
 
kc from nj on 10/12/2011 10:10:24 AM:
As per training...I bicycle commute 5 days a week, 12 miles roundtrip. This basic fitness allows me to do long bike trips without any issues. It's just a matter of pace. If you start early and pace yourself, you should be fine. Long days in the saddle require more mental stamina than physical stamina. Equally important to accomplishing high mileage days are things like padded seats/shorts, clothing that doesn't chaffe, adequate liquid intake (diluted juice recommended) and lots of snacking. The biggest benefit to doing high mileage days is that dinner tastes extra delicious, showers are super enjoyable and sleep comes easy. Have fun!!!
 
Anonymous on 10/12/2011 4:19:45 PM:
The only way to train to ride miles in the Saddle is to spend time for miles in the saddle. 80 miles a day is reasonable. What else are you going to do on the KATY but crank anyway.
 
howardhughesblues on 10/13/2011 7:12:26 AM:
also it depends on how much weight you're carrying. If you have a sleeping bag, tent, stove--the works--it will slow you down a little.
 
Chris from St. Louis on 10/13/2011 7:00:24 PM:
Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I am going to keep all of these in mind as I begin training. Any advice on a good bike and equipment?
 
kc from nj on 10/14/2011 9:29:20 AM:
I LOVE my Topeak trunkbag. Highly recommended.
 
kevin from Jefferson City on 10/14/2011 1:05:22 PM:
Chris, almost any bike would do. I'd recommend a hybrid or a touring bike with wider tires, but I've seen people on mountain bikes and single speed bikes out there. The important thing is for the bike to feel comfortable while you put long hours in the saddle.

I prefer panniers to carry my stuff, but a single-wheel trailer would be a great alternative. A two-wheel trailer will straddle the tire tracks in the trail and slow you down.
 
Anonymous on 10/14/2011 2:27:34 PM:
I pull a two wheel trailer stuffed with camping equipment. I haven't experienced any problem with straddling tire tracks
 
Colorado Riders from Fruita, CO on 10/17/2011 8:33:38 PM:
Chris, my husband and I have used both panniers and Bob trailers on multi-day trips. Each has pros and cons. Whenever we've trained for a trip we generally load up the trailer/panniers and put in some miles just so that we have a good feel for the bike and build up the saddle time. DON'T just crank through the miles on KATY--meet people, drink something from the area, sample something yummy, and make some memories. Missouri has a great gem to be enjoyed.
 
Anonymous on 10/22/2011 11:08:00 AM:
I've pulled a Burly Nomad on the Katy and never noticed it slowing me down because the tires were straddling the tracks on the trail. When you get way off and hook a wheel on a tree limb on the shoulder, that will slow you down. While on the trail though, the additional weight being pulled is a far greater factor than having a wheel out of the track.
 
Sean from Mascutah Ill on 1/10/2012 8:57:57 PM:
I'm doing the Katy out and back starting in Stl, planning for 4 days out and 4 back probably the last week in Apr. Cross bikes and panniers on one, single wheeled trailer for the other.
 
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