St. Charles to Clinton

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Dogg on 4/1/2013 1:07:37 PM:

Myself and 2 friends are going to do a one-way trip from St Charles to Clinton in 3.5 days of riding this Fall. Does 70ish miles/day seem crazy? We all 3 ride a lot (>3,000 miles/yr). Thoughts?

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 4/1/2013 1:28:44 PM:

Crazy? Sure it is, but lots of us do it anyway! I did the trip at about 70mpd last May, but this May I'm going to slow it down a bit and take more pictures and eat more fried food.

Jim from St Thomas on 4/1/2013 6:30:26 PM:

If you ride 3000+ miles a year you shouldn't have any problems doing 70 mile days on the Katy. That being said I think doing 70 miles on the KATY is close to doing 80+ on hard surface.

ArkyKenny on 4/1/2013 10:18:25 PM:

70 a day is easy for someone in shape. All other things being equal, I think 70 on the Katy is easier than a hilly century ride--even loaded with stuff for camping. I ride 12-14mph, so nothing crazy.

May I also suggest you consider "long" and "easy" days instead of 70 mile days. Ride like crazy one day; then eat, drink, take pictures, take side trips, lay in a hammock, or do what makes you happy; then hammer down again. I once did Clinton to St Charles and back in 5 days that way, and it was fun (2 hard days, 1 easy, 1 hard, and 1 easy and home). You could also let Amtrak take you part of the way home for additional adventure.

Dogg on 4/2/2013 11:50:01 AM:

Thanks for the responses! I really like the idea of riding hard 1 day and taking it easy the next.

Paul K from Florissant,MO on 4/2/2013 2:53:26 PM:

A friend and I rode the Katy out and back from Machens last summer. We did five days out and four days back averaging 50 miles per day and 11 mph. We had a relaxing trip enjoying all the Katy has to offer. Our longest day was 68 miles and we still stopped to smell the roses. Enjoy!

zbiker from Boonville on 4/3/2013 4:27:22 AM:

When planning your ride, be aware that places to eat are not plentiful along the trail. East side out to Augusta will be fine, after that, not so many. Also, if riding after November 1 most, if not all, trailheads have water turned off. So, plan ahead, carry plenty water and snacks/food.

Dave from Overland Park, KS on 4/6/2013 11:04:38 AM:

My daughter and I did Clinton to Machens in 3 days and the thought of the task was much tougher than the task itself. It is so flat. We decided to do our longer ride on day one and shortest on day three given the cumulative wear you might feel everyday. It also allowed us to sleep a little later each day maximizing recuperation time. It was a great ride!

KT Advisor on 4/7/2013 7:34:35 AM:

Dogg, as most say push hard the first two days, Hermann (or further), then Boonville, then coast the last days. But have plenty of water, snacks and good beds (no sleeping on the ground for me). Use kevlar or other tire protection. But I would go west to east instead. Have fun.

Jim from St Thomas on 4/7/2013 6:51:24 PM:

The problem with doing east to west is you're saving the hardest part of your ride (elevation wise) for the end.

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