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Reply to Dutzow to Rocheport- Day trip
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l.c.m. from Union,Mo on 10/1/2013 3:39:49 AM:
I just finished a great KT day trip on Sept. 28th. I started early morning in Dutzow heading west with 59 degrees, heavy fog, and a light breeze...
I've always wanted to put in some serious miles on the Katy, so with agreement from my wife to meet me in Rocheport for dinner, I rode into the wind for nearly 9 hours. (7 hours of actual peddle time.)
Riding an old aluminum road bike converted to a gravel/cyclocross style bike, with knobby 700x32 tires, a 1x10 gear set up (42t up front), and a back-pack full of nutrition and tubes...I succeeded in pulling off a solo gravel century ride.
I had planned on breaking down the ride into sections to insure food and water intake, along with ample rest time, would be provided. The first 25 miles were relatively easy. Perfect weather, and the excitement of starting such an epic ride, led me into McKittrick in less than an hour and a half, with an 18.2 average speed. Stopping only once for a quick off-bike stretch at 13 miles in. I consumed a bit of road nutrition on the way, and constantly drank from my 100oz. Camelbak.
After heading west again,I planned the same rest stages for the next leg. Another 13 miles, a quick stretch near Bluffton, and a food stop in Mokane. I still managed a 16.8 average into Mokane, where I replenished food supplies at the little store just off the trail to the north. Not the friendliest atmosphere, but plenty of food/drink options.
Jefferson City was my next target, 20 miles away. I split the distance with another quick rest/stretch ten miles in, and another full break when I reached North Jefferson. 34 miles to go at this point. 70 miles in the books.
After another round of nutrition and supplements, I was peddling West again. Jeff to Hartsburg was one of the hardest sections of the day. Trail conditions were some of the roughest I had seen, the day was warming up, and fatigue was setting in. 10 miles, and I was off the bike resting, finally pulling into Hartsburg with a

 
l.c.m. from Union,Mo on 10/1/2013 3:43:24 AM:
(Part 2)
... pulling into Hartsburg with a 16.2 average.
From Hartsburg to Huntsdale the headwind picked up, and it seemed the mile markers were very few and far between. I took a fair amount of time at the Columbia trail branch, 96 miles in, to rest and gather some motivation...as well as lay on the cool shady concrete without my heavy pack strapped to me.
From this point West was some of the best trail, and best scenery. The river rolls right next to the trail on the left, and large bluffs line the right. The last 8 miles seemed to pick up, fueled by nearing completion of my days journey. I rolled into Rocheport with perfect timing, my wife with camera in-hand at the depot to greet me. Managed a 15.2mph moving average, which could be improved with better gearing. (A 50 or 53 tooth up front would have been great!) The tunnel at Rocheport is worth the few hundred feet walk to the West, it gave me some recovery time off the bike before dinner.
Abigail's is THE BEST food we have eaten in a long time. Highly recommend it. Plan on reservations for dinner. It's a small place. We narrowly made it in at 5:15, before the dinner menu started. Cost was what you expect from a nice cozy place.
Overall nearly 106 mile day of perfect riding. I wouldn't recommend this kind of trip unless you ride regularly, and you can put in the continual peddling needed to survive on the KT. These miles are different than 'road' miles. There aren't any downhills, there is no coasting. A Rigorous, yet spiritual trip.

Until next time.... ;)
-l.c.m.

 
Hank on 10/1/2013 5:40:32 AM:
Great report, thanks for posting.

I smiled at your experience at Mr. Grumpy's in Mokane. Love Abigails.

15.2 mph average is pretty sweet.