Katy Trail

[vmabuck]

I tried to search for info here on the Katy Trail that spans the length of MO. I did not see any threads.

Does anyone have any personal experience on that trail? Me and a friend plan on doing it it in a couple legs this spring. It is not ADV riding by any means but it will be my first bike tour. To this day all I have done is daily riding or rides at places like Alafia in FL where you can ride and car camp.

If anyone has any first hand knowledge please let me know. I have a few questions about the ride...

[Mista Bone]

I believe there is a trail report (routes) on here about the Katy trail, includes cheap camping on a state fairgrounds. I know because of the ride report it is on my short list.

Mista Bone/Bonespec, the same me....

http://www.bikepacking.net/tripreports/by-gravel-and-rail-a-ride-on-the-katy-trail/

[Rehab]

I am planning a solo trip on the Katy in May 2015. I will be taking Amtrak from central Illinois where I live to Sedalia and then riding back to Machens.  From there, crossing the Mississippi at Grafton (Ferry), riding the trail to Pere Marquette sp for the last night.  Then a bike ride to Alton and Amtrak home.  Hoping to do this in a leisurely 7 days, weather permitting.

[vmabuck]

This is good stuff. Now I am thinking it might just be best to do this in one shot. Sounds like it could be Fairly easy for a five day ride from Clinton to St. Louis.

[woody]

Did it a few years back in May and they had some bad flooding and I had detours. Here's a link to a good website that has mileage charts. It's flat!

http://www.bikekatytrail.com/

[vmabuck]

I wonder if there are some local side routes that hit single track?

I'll have to dig through that site...

[Dmon]

Hey there. I live just down the road, about 4 miles, from Grafton. I've ridden a bunch of the Katy and it is super flat and fast. There is also a ton of single track off of the Katy!

Check out the GORC site here: http://gorctrails.com/trails/index.asp There is relatively easy access to all of the St. Charles area trails listed there. That general area is chock full of really great mtb trails!

You've probably already found this site but it is a good resource for the Katy: http://www.bikekatytrail.com/ Almost too good! It is designed for the casual tourist...

Don't attempt to ride ANY of the trails in Pere Marquette park though. It is in the works but the horse folks have a lock on that currently and the authorities have been known to confiscate bikes!

[Rehab]

Thanks Dmon,
Very interesting link about trails in the area.
Rehab

[Dmon]

Sure thing!

if I can help you in any way, while you are in the area, let me know

[Rehab]

I am really debating on tire width for this trip.  I could leave the standard 2.25 front and 2.00 rear MTB tires on or switch to some 700c x 32 Kenda's that I have.  I know if I go narrower, it would eliminate the option of riding some single track but the narrower tires would probably have a lot less resistance on the Katy.  Any thoughts?

[vmabuck]

I am going big.

Geax Evolution 29 x 1.9

[Dmon]

it kind of depends on what you end up doing. If you stay just on the Katy, I would go fast and skinny. There is absolutely no reason to go with anything like a mtb tire. If you intend to hit some of the side trails I would take something bigger for the fun factor and also I'd look into each trail you want to hit. I can't remember the name of it but there is one trail we ended up on briefly a couple of years ago on our cross bikes that we instantly got flats. Super rocky and sharp rocks at that. there is only one trail like that that I'm aware of though....

[Rehab]

Thanks for the quick replies vmabuck and Dmon.  I put the 32's on my X-Caliber and they work fine but look goofy.  Not sure what I'm going to do.  Not leaving until mid May so I think I will keep a close watch on the weather when closer and see how soft the conditions may be.  I've got to limit how many side trips I take as I only have a week which includes two days of Amtrak travel.

[Dmon]

Here is an option. Use the fast n' skinny's, and limit your side trip to Bangert IS. trail near the end in St. Charles. These are a super fun. Lots of twists and turns and can easily be done with cross tires. I used to ride there on my cross bike to ride them. Then you can put in real miles on the Katy and get a bit single track in too!

 If covering ground/distance is the thing then go with cross tires because you wont be riding much single track and, if you ride Bangert, you can have a lot of fun on skinny ones. It does sound like that is the way to go do to the fact that you are going to end up at the train in Alton!

Also, check the train station site. I was scheduling a trip and ran into the issue that not all routes accept bikes.

[Rehab]

Great advice Dmon, many thanks.  I will do just what you say. 
In regards to Amtrak, I have checked the schedule online and will confirm when I get a little closer to the trip date.
Rehab

[Dmon]

Sure thing, happy to asist. If I can help more just shoot me a PM! Be fun to see a trip report.

Also, if you like races at all, check out this one. it's only 115 miles but super fun group!

https://cedarcross.wordpress.com/about/

We are moving to Boise, ID in June so this will be my last spring in this area. Pretty stoked about that.

Cheers,
D

[Mista Bone]

Hoping I can get ride from Cincy to StL from a friend this summer of fall to ride the Katy, then figure out how to get back.

Yet to do my first over nighter, that will be soon.

[bigeyedfish]

I met a dad and his two boys on a four day trip on the Katy today. My daughter is only 5 months old, so that sort of thing is still a ways off for me, but I thought it was awesome.

Anyway, the trail conditions are great right now. Hard packed and really fast. If anyone is touring on it soon, the conditions will be just about perfect.