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Sally from Florissant on 4/5/2013 8:05:00 AM:

Hi everyone,
My husband and I just bought new bikes and got a trailer to pull the kids behind. We are planning on taking them out for maybe an hour to hour and a half ride tomorrow. We are so excited! We won't hit the trail until about 4:00 because he has to work. Can someone please tell me where the best part of the trail would be to do this? We are close to St. Charles, but can drive a bit further if that's a better part of the trail.
Maybe it's all good! I just have no idea. This will be my first Katy experience.

Thanks for your help, everyone.
Sally

KT Advisor on 4/5/2013 10:46:23 AM:

We may need more information such as how far do you ride now? 1 hr. or 2 hrs? The construction outside of St. Charles near the bridge maybe choppy. St. Charles to Weldon Springs has some blind crossings. I would go to Defiance since it has a nice trailhead to start and go west to Augusta or Dutzow to get a easy feel for pulling the kids and come back to Defiance. Good start.

BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 4/5/2013 2:09:33 PM:

Sally, just remember to pad them a little more than you would on pavement, because in a trailer, the Katy is a monotonous rumble with the occasional bump. I know from experience that the Katy will throw up a lot of very fine limestone dust onto/into the trailer, so please seal it up well.

Since you are in Florissant, you might also consider doing one of the many loops over in Madison County (IL), which are mostly asphalt paved.

Sally from Florissant on 4/5/2013 3:48:58 PM:

Well, currently I do spin class one day a week, and run 5 miles 2-3 times/week. But actual bicycling? Well this is new! I'm thinking of knocking out like 20 miles.

Jim from St Thomas on 4/5/2013 7:36:17 PM:

I would also recommend the Defiance to Augusta loop. The trail in the St Charles area gets pretty congested on the weekends.

Hank from New Haven on 4/5/2013 9:20:01 PM:

Defiance to Augusta, no question. About 14 miles roundtrip but with a 4 p.m. start you won't want to go much longer. Stop at the Augusta brewery and buy a beer for yourself and a pretzel for the kids, then head back. All good.

Sally from Florissant on 4/6/2013 2:24:42 AM:

Thanks!!!

Hank from New Haven on 4/7/2013 12:15:32 PM:

How did it go Sally? We rode Dutzow to Augusta. Some pretty fierce wind at times but the Katy always makes me happy.

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