Biker from Farmington, MO on 2/20/2009 12:06:36 PM:
Hi, Janet. I wish I could remember how much, exactly, my husband and I paid for last year's total trip. We paid more, because we stayed in hotels, and took advantage of the DNR shuttle from the trailhead/camping area to those hotels.
I want to say it was around $1,200 for both of us for the whole, well-choreographed shebang-- shuttle to the starting/ending place, T-shirt, water bottle, gift bags, orientation, hotel shuttles, bike/luggage/camping gear shuttles, sag stops every 10 miles or so (peanut butter, bananas, water, powerade), roving bike mechanics, breakfasts, dinners, evening entertainment, katy trail map/guidebook and ride info, trivia game, poker run-- there's a lot to it.
You might have to pay for lunches and evening entertainment away from the camp siteif you choose to do so, but really, you can even skate by just eating at the SAG areas and taking advantage of the post-dinner entertainment the DNR provides.
It's really special, and would provide a great overview of the trail for you in terms of terrain, history, amenities along the way, etc. Not to mention the fabulous people you can meet.