Going east of west?

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Jeroen Dorrestein from Kansas City MO on 4/26/2012 7:31:35 PM:

I intend to ride the Katy Trail end to end in a couple of days, late June early July.
I'm trying to find some information on prevailing wind directions, I'd like to ride with the wind, rather then going against it.

Any thoughts, suggestions? Many thanks

Jeroen

Jersey John from Jersey Shore on 4/26/2012 8:02:19 PM:

Looks like west to east. check out this link http://www.bikekatytrail.com/weather.aspx
west to east is also more downhill

Jersey John from Jersey Shore on 4/26/2012 8:05:31 PM:

This is the link for the trail elevations.
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/elevations.aspx

Anonymous on 4/27/2012 8:57:02 AM:

Having ridden it both ways...I will always choose west to east in the future. More often than not, the wind during that time of year, is out of the south/southwest.

Enjoy!

Silvia from NJ on 4/29/2012 8:32:01 PM:

Anyone have information about prevailing winds in mid-September?

BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 4/30/2012 7:18:33 AM:

You really can't call the winds in MO "prevailing" because they can change direction many times in a week. In the past 4 days, they came strong out of the North, South, Southeast, Southwest, East-Northeast, and Northwest. This is because we are in a boundary where the moisture coming from the Gulf meets cooler air coming from the West, creating lots of turbulence. Good news is that most of the Katy is tree-lined, so the wind is not as much a factor as open-road riding.

Another Anonymous on 4/30/2012 6:31:16 PM:

KC an Jersey, If you are worried about winds and elevation on the Katy you need more training. How about Rte 94 doing 60+ mile days for a few months?

Silvia from NJ on 4/30/2012 9:00:43 PM:

Thanks. Just asking because I have people in my group asking whether we should start in St. Charles or shuttle to Clinton and ride back because of the wind. I'm not worried .. I rode cross-country in 2000 :-)

Not Just Otro Do Mas on 4/30/2012 10:19:59 PM:

So if I'd rather not ride into the wind, I need to train more? And it's assumed that I'm worried about it because I'd rather not do it??

Train for what? I'm hard pressed to believe that some that just want an easy peaceful ride are in need of training on the highway for over 60 miles a day for several months.

Cathy from Jefferson City on 5/1/2012 12:26:34 AM:

A lot of people seem to think it is best going from west to east. As a previous person said the winds do change a llot in Missouri.

I hope you and your group have a great time on the Katy Trail.

Another Anonymous on 5/12/2012 8:37:46 PM:

In response to Silvia an Mr. Espany, my comments were made to those that have minor concerns about wind and elevation on the Katy which was built on a less than 5% incline for the trains. If for those who want a easy peaceful ride encounter gusts, just stop and have a chardonnay or 2 or 3. Then the wind is of less concern. West to east is the easiest for most especially for groups and newbies.

Anonymous on 5/12/2012 9:11:20 PM:

More often than not (there are always exceptions!!) WEST to EAST is more pleasant for anyone in my opinion, unless they love to ride into headwind. It has very little - if anything - to do with groups or experience

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