The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail

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Beetle from St Jacob, IL on 1/14/2016 9:08:27 PM:

Will two full days be sufficient to ride the trail one way from the western most point to St Charles? This will be a solo ride.

Beetle from St Jacob on 1/14/2016 9:41:57 PM:

Obviously 120 miles or so a day is doable but I've never ridden the Katy Trail and do not know the number of grades/terrain etc.

ArkyKenny on 1/14/2016 10:03:50 PM:

Your are likely to ride about 2 mph slower on the Katy than on a hard surface. Yes, it can be done in 2 days (it has been done in 1), but that will mean some pretty long days in the saddle---even if you are a very strong rider, you will probably not average more than 14-15 mph.. If you are carrying panniers, you may only average 12-13 mph. Most people take 4 or 5 days for a complete ride. 80 miles on the Katy is roughly the same as a century (IMO) on asphalt. It is both easier, and tougher than a hard surface: The soft surface creates a constant rolling resistance, and because there are no hills, there is no coasting down hills--so the only rest you get is when you stop.

So if you can do 2 150 mile days back to back on asphalt carrying the load you are going to carry, and if that it your idea of fun, your can do it (but that doesn't sound fun to me). Otherwise, take longer, drink some beer, eat some food, and enjoy the ride.

Beetle from St Jacob on 1/14/2016 10:08:13 PM:

ArkyKenny, THANKS! I think I will have to add a day. I'm also going to be doing it on a 21 speed recumbent trike. I think I may cut it down to 75 miles a day. If I have time I may actually add another day and really try to see the sights since this will be my first time on the KATY.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 1/14/2016 10:16:07 PM:

Beetle, you first have to ask yourself, "what is the longest day I've done so far" then ask yourself, "was that fun". Even 75 miles day after day can be a grind. Your tires should be fine. I normally use a 700x32 touring tire or a 700x40 gravel tire, you will not need anything with knobs or deep tread. When looking at your daily mileage you also need to look at the mileage chart and services available to see if there is suitable lodging available at those distances.

Beetle from St Jacob on 1/14/2016 10:22:57 PM:

Thanks MidSouth!

jim from St Thomas on 1/15/2016 8:00:12 AM:

We did a 2 day ride a few years ago. first day was Clinton to Jeff City which is around 120 miles then the second day was a little over a hundred into St Charles.

Jerry Whittle from Belleville, Illinois on 1/15/2016 8:29:02 AM:

I do a 5-day group ride of the Katy every year and know that I could easily do it in 4 days. With some effort, I could do it in 3 days. I've done some double-centuries including 3 that went through St. Jacob. But that was years ago. From Clinton to Booneville is hilly, but that's rails-to-trails hilly with only a few places having a 5% grade. I bet that your bike will have good enough gearing.

Anonymous on 1/17/2016 9:26:31 AM:

Beetle, if you haven't ridden a trike, new trike, KT or more than a few hours on any of the aforementioned, add 3 days to your ride.

Don from Ellisville, MO on 1/17/2016 1:44:32 PM:

IMHO, if you really want to see any sights on the Katy, you should plan for a 4-day ride at a minimum.

Anonymous on 1/17/2016 5:13:31 PM:

As noted earlier....depends on your background and purpose.

Personally, I like 3 days:

Clinton to Boonville - about 75

Boonville
to Rocheport - about 90

Rocheport to Clinton - about 65

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 1/17/2016 8:25:07 PM:

Something about those mileages doesn't seem right...

Jeerry Whittle from Belleville on 1/18/2016 7:45:48 AM:

I think it's the second Clinton. ;-)

jim from St Thomas on 1/18/2016 7:56:01 AM:

Not to mention the 90 miles between Boonville and Rocheport.

steve k from saint louis on 1/18/2016 10:22:34 AM:

Not interested in the 90 mile route between Boonville and Rocheport, but need more info on the shortcut 65 mile route between Rocheport and Clinton.

Anonymous on 1/19/2016 5:52:22 AM:

Should have been day 3 = Rhineland to St. Charles.

Anonymous on 1/19/2016 5:57:40 AM:

Day 2 = Boonville to Rhineland = 90 miles.

Tired or drunk with original post.... Ha.

Try again...

Day 1-70 miles Clinton to Boonville
Day 2-90 miles Boonville to Rhineland
Day 3-65 miles Rhineland to St. Charles

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 1/19/2016 1:49:57 PM:

I thought you might have got drunk on the trail and started in Clinton and on day three ended back in Clinton instead of St. Charles...LOL

We were riding the trail one year west to east and stopped in Mokane for breakfast. That year the DNR ride was going east to west and had Mokane as an overnight stop. As we left Mokane and got back on the trail heading east I noticed a group of about 10 riders behind us. We stopped at Portland for a "natural" break and when they pulled up we started chatting with them and found they were in the DNR group going to Clinton...Here's Your Sign...LOL

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 1/19/2016 1:54:57 PM:

I did Clinton to Rocheport one day, 86 miles. That was a very, very long day for me. The 68 miles between Tebbets and Augusta is long enough for me!

Anonymous on 1/24/2016 4:47:55 PM:

Beetle, thanks for turning on the regulars. It is like sitting at a bar and listening to fishing stories. They (mileage) grow every time you hear them. Or something else not mentioned.

Kevin from Jefferson City on 2/5/2016 1:58:42 PM:

Beetle, one of the nicest things about the KATY is that you can spin for hours on it (but there's no coasting), or you can stop at dozens of little towns, shops, wineries, and attractions.

I don't consider myself that strong a rider, but I've been able to bang out a 100+ mile day from St. Peters (Weldon Springs) to Jeff City. I've also gone from Jeff City to Columbia and back in a day (about 90 miles).

While I like the idea of spending more time visiting along the way, when I get on the trail I'm usually using it as a roadway to get somewhere; St. Louis, Chicago, etc., so I find myself grinding it out. It is not the best way to enjoy the trail.

Allen from Shawnee on 2/5/2016 3:44:14 PM:

I have ridden the trail many times and one of the biggest enjoyments I get is interaction with other people riders, locals, fellow campers. I have a neighbor who is a devout roadie, he did it in 3 days with some of his friends. Whenever we talk about it he wants to do it again slower to see more. I guess it really depends on what you are going for. I always envision it as a vacation, some see it as a training ride or endurance ride.
Good luck and have fun with whatever you do.
Allen

Anonymous on 2/9/2016 12:56:38 PM:

St. Charles is not the end or the beginning of the trail, so if you've ridden from Clinton to St. Charles or visa versa, you still have not ridden the full Katy. Take the sticker off of your Subaru.

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