Katy Trail, January/February?

[velomatt]

Anyone ridden the Katy trail in late winter?

[riverfever]

I have not but my wife and I are likely going to be moving back to that area within the next year and I've been looking at an out and back in late fall. What are you wanting to know?

[velomatt]

Just wanting to know how the basics, what is the weather like? What are recommended places to start for an out and back ride?

[riverfever]

I don't recall January or February being very pleasant back in the Lou. It'll be cold and overcast. Typically there isn't much in the way of snow but the winters can be bone chilling (a lot like Oklahoma). Having said that...if you've got good gear and dig the cold you can start in quite a few places. I'd start at the beginning in St. Charles. There's tons of services there including good restaurants and I think multiple bike shops now. Defiance is the first spot that you'll really be able to get good services again and if I recall that's somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 miles. If memory serves me...you can also score good beer at the brewery/winery in Defiance as well as the next several towns that you'll come to (Augusta, Marthasville and one more I think). All these towns have plenty of stuff if you need to stop for anything such as getting warm. You should be totally good to go for 50 miles and be able to get anything you'll need besides the beer. So...with an out and back that would net you a hundy. How far do you wanna ride?