Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home

Scroll down to see the discussion
All submissions are reviewed for appropriateness. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment that we consider incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate, at our sole discretion. Please remember that this is a family-friendly website.
Subject:
Reply to Tires
Your Name:

This does not have to be your real name. It could be a "screen name", your initials, or just leave blank.
Your Hometown:

Optional - it's just interesting to know where people are from
Email Address
Comment:
So we know you are a human, please answer this easy math quiz:
4 + 5 =
Joe from Springfield Oregon on 4/4/2018 5:15:02 PM:
I'm planning to ride the Katy Trail later in the fall 2018 and was concerned if 700/32 tires would be adequate? Is the whole trail crushed limestone or are there some paved areas? What is the normal distance one can assume to achieve on a daily basis considering if things, including weather, are somewhat normal?

 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 4/4/2018 5:51:32 PM:
I weigh around 215 lbs and my bike is around 35 lbs. I've found that 700x32 tires at around 70 psi are good even when the trail is wet.

About 98% of the trail is crushed limestone. Averaging 50 miles a day works for most people especially if you are going from Clinton to St. Charles. Often the wind is to your back going that way plus the downhill into Booneville is nice.

 
John from Pacific on 4/5/2018 5:54:49 AM:
I've ridden the trail end to end twice on 700X32 tires. They're fine unless the trail is sloppy wet. Then almost anything is a problem but you'll probably have great conditions in the fall. Crushed limestone has more rolling resistance than pavement so your mileage will be shorter than a normal day for you. I've done 60 mile days but prefer 45 to 50 miles. Younger more fit riders go much further.

 
Anonymous on 4/5/2018 7:40:50 AM:
I think when someone is inexperienced riding a limestone trail and wants to know distance they can ride, it is irresponsible to throw a mileage number out. There are too many variables and usually too little information provided to assume how far anyone can ride.

Under "normal" conditions you can ride on 28's, 32's, Fatties, etc. I've ridden 1,000's of limestone miles and have done 100 plus days and I've done 20 mile days, but that doesn't mean you can or will. And it doesn't matter what most people do.

Find a local limestone trail and find our what your normal distance is. If you can't do that, plan on riding an out and back or two when you hit the Katy. That way you can experience the trail and won't get suckered into having to make it 30 more miles to get to your destination.

 
BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 4/5/2018 7:47:23 AM:
I ride 700x38 tires, and I underinflate by 10 psi to make the ride more comfortable. I also have tire liners and thorn-resistant tubes in when I ride the Katy or Rock Island. Like Jerry, my bike weighs over 30 lbs. and is built for comfort, not speed.

Regarding the surface, I find that the effort to pedal on the finely crushed limestone is equivalent to one gear higher on your shifter.

Of highest importance is saddle comfort. You will be pedaling for 18-24 hours over several days. Practicing with several long rides on consecutive days is one of the best ways to prepare for the Katy.

 
from on 4/5/2018 10:08:55 AM:
Saddle Comfort--Don't go for "soft is better" and for sure don't use a gel pad. You slide and you get saddle sore. As the immortal Sheldon Brown said, "It is a saddle, not a seat". A good leather saddle like a Brooks is great on the trail. Also padded shorts and for sure some lube for you. Google Chamois Butt'r. This helps prevent chaffing. You can buy underwear with cycling pads that allows you to wear any other shorts over it. On tour I sometimes use these in conjunction with pants with zip off/on legs so I am prepared for most anything.

 
Anonymous on 4/7/2018 10:05:21 AM:
Ride Distance--Riders need to know a distance estimate to plan their stops. These are roughly 10 miles apart. I have told several to plan on 40 miles a day. If they find that easy, then go more the next day. If they find that strenuous then go less the next day. With Daylight Savings there are 12 hours to ride the 40 miles. Should not be difficult. Ride 10, rest a bit and have an energy bar or two. Ride 10 more and take an hour for lunch. Ride 10 and have an energy bar. Ride 10 more and finish for the day.

 
ArkyKenny on 4/8/2018 9:05:40 AM:
32s will work fine. That is what I spend most of my unloaded time in. For loaded riding, I refer 37s.

If you don't know how fast you will ride on crushed limestone and don't have any available, my experience is that I go about 2 mph slower on it than on asphalt (3 mph slower if loaded, as compared to unloaded asphalt).

I've also heard, and come to believe, that one can ride 3x as far as they train. To that I would add, count that in time, not distance, as you figure out our stops. If you constantly drink before you are thirsty, and eat before you are hungry, most folks can go further than they realize.

Finally, train on consecutive days--because you will be riding on consecutive days.