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FKT attempt on Friday Oct. 4

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Darin Schneidewind from Lyndon, KS on 9/9/2013 7:32:19 PM:

I am planning to make an attempt to ride the entire Katy Trail on Fridat Oct. 4th. I will be shooting for the Fastest Know Time of 14hrs 49sec. My plan is to start in Clinton at 5am and end in St. Charles. If things go well I will make an attempt to break the record. If not I still plan to ride the entire length and learn for this attempt for another attempt next year.

Doug from Bluffton on 9/9/2013 8:21:12 PM:

Darin this is not meant as "Rain on your parade" because anyone that can do the trail in a day is one heck of an athlete and I wish you GodSpeed; however, the first weekend of Octoberfest on a friday could quite possibly be extremely hazardous to both you and the throngs of newbies and day riders on the trail. This will be Especially true as you near the end exhausted and less able to focus, where it will be the most crowded. I wish you well though and offer a beer in toast to your success. Or in person if you get here and decide to hold up.

Trek girl on 9/9/2013 8:33:48 PM:

As a newbie who is riding with a group of people, we will be on the trail on that day so there will at least six people enjoying the trails between wineries in Octoberfest! I believe there is also a church group that is traveling on the trail that day as well! I admire your effort, but make sure you give us social riders the benefit of enjoying the ride!

Darin from Lyndon, KS on 9/10/2013 4:50:10 AM:

I did not know that there was something going on the trail that day. What days is this taking place? I do not want to make this attempt bother anyone. I can change the date to Monday Oct. 7th if that would be better.

Doug from Bluffton on 9/10/2013 7:11:13 AM:

Octoberfest is a month long tourist draw in mid Mo especially on weekends. Mondays tend to be a lot less crowded than Fridays. They also tend to be the day restaurant and bar owners take a day off, which most likely won't effect you. Stores and B&Bs still open though.

Darin Schneidewind from Lyndon, KS on 9/10/2013 7:44:19 PM:

OK I'm now going to attempt this on Thursday Oct. 3rd. I am exspecting to half to slow down for some traffic on the trail, but hopefully by doing it on Thursday it will minimize that. It's a long shot on the record for me anyway. And if I fall behind slowing down for others on the trail is not a big deal. I plan to use this if I fail to learn and take another shot in the spring of next year. I am a competitive ultra-runner who recently took up cycling, and have only done one bike race so far the Dirty Kanza 200 in wich I finished in 14:29 and felt good. Been doing my training for this on the Prairie Spirit trail in Kansas and have been averaging right around 16mph give or take (depending on wind) for 100 miles. And this is over double that. So everything would half to be in my favor to acomplish this on my first attempt. But I had to throw it out there in case I come close. My main goal it to ride the entire trail in one day anyway.

Anonymous on 9/10/2013 8:57:12 PM:

If you half to do it, don't go have as fast or it will take you twice as long. You may think that halfs to be in your favor butt you don't want to half to ride in the dark. Just my too sents.

MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 9/10/2013 9:40:03 PM:

More power to you! Good luck and may the wind be at your back :-)

El Toro on 9/10/2013 11:36:00 PM:

Good luck. Hope you have a great day and a great ride.

Don from Ellisville, MO on 9/11/2013 1:52:00 PM:

Darin, I admire your attempt as it is something I could never do. However, you must know that on Oct 3, the sun does not rise until 7:12 a.m. in Clinton. You can reliably ride at Civil Twilight, which is 30 minutes before (about 6:45 a.m.), but earlier than that and you will need strong flashlights. And technically, the park is not open until sunrise. Riding the Katy that fast in the dark is pretty dangerous. That's why one-day riders like to do it on June 21. Just thought you should know.

Darin from Lyndon, KS on 9/11/2013 2:07:17 PM:

Thanks, Don yes I realize that I will be starting in the dark and have a good headlight on my bike. I also have experience riding on rail trails in the dark with my headligh. However, I think I am changing the start time also to 6am. That will hopefully make me able to use ever second of daylight, and only have minimal time on the trail in the dark.

Pseudio on 9/11/2013 6:18:31 PM:

Darin, I do believe you will complete the ride. However if you read the Katy in a Day thread, there was a recent rider who completed the one day ride but really did not provide any objective evidence of his tremendous effort. So any trail evidence with time stamps or other witnesses would be helpful. Also if you continue to Machens you will be the first one day rider who has completed the entire KT. Good luck in the dark and may the trail weather spirits be with you.

Darin Schneidewind from Lyndon, KS on 9/11/2013 7:18:14 PM:

Pseuido, my plan is to ride to Machens. I will have a crew as witnesses official start time pictures and finish pictures. Along with that I will also have complete Garmin data to back that up. I'm really excited to be the first one to ride the entire trail, record or no record.

Don from Overland Park, KS on 9/12/2013 7:51:23 AM:

8 - 10 of us are horseback riding that Thursday morning just west of Sedalia.

maggie from kansas on 9/15/2013 1:00:14 AM:

Darin, you just can't get a break. So you guys know he's riding to set a record so give him the space!

Papa and Mimi from Springfield, Mo on 9/15/2013 10:21:12 AM:

Go Darin!! We will looking forward to reading about your ride. After you complete the ride hopefully you will ride the Katy again and just enjoy the beauty of the trail.

Papa and Mimi from Springfield, Mo on 9/27/2013 3:06:56 PM:

Darin, We were just wondering if next weekend is still a go? We are very excited to see how you do and wish you the best of luck!

Pseudio on 9/29/2013 7:34:27 AM:

8-10 horses for a few minutes is not a problem unless the ground is soft. Even then just a few hundred yards of bouncing. No big deal for Darin.
May you set a record and the Cards win the World Series again this year.

Anonymous on 9/29/2013 12:26:57 PM:

And may you fully document your trip and prove your every move so the village idiot doesn't try negating any glory or praise for a job well done.

Darin S. from Lyndon, KS on 9/29/2013 6:57:55 PM:

Yes this attempt is still on for Thursday Oct. 3rd. I will be starting in Clinton, MO at 5am on Thursday. I plan to post my entire plan with estimated times I will be coming thru some of the towns along the way. My crew is going to meet me in Sedalia, Boonville, Hartsburg, Portland, Mathasville, St Charles and Machens. With any luck I will finish in St. Charles by 7pm. So come out and see me, as I make this attempt. Stay tuned for more updates and my schedule for Thursday.

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