What to take

I plan on riding the Katy from Sedalia to St. Charles on Oct 3,4,5. I'm looking for any advice on where to stay from what to take. Below is my plan so far:

The first day-Ride Amtrak from St Louis to Sedalia then stay the night. 2nd day-Sedalia to Rocheport, 3nd day-Rocheport to Hermann, 4th day-Hermann to St Charles.

What I plan to take:

Intense Tracer mountian bike w/ seatpost rack & bike bag
1 all in one tool
1 small knife
3 spare tubes
6 compressed air w/ dispenser
1 patch kit
3 tire levers
1 chain link
1 small roll of electrical tape(for emergency repairs)
4 tie wraps(for emergency repairs)
1 small tri flo(lube)
2 water bottles
1 lock & cable
1 tube of sunscreen
1 toothbrush and paste
1 helmet
1 pair bike shorts
2 jerseys
1 pair bike shoes
2 pair socks
1 rain jacket
4 bandanas
2 t shirts
1 pair sandles
1 pair reg. shorts
4 large zip lock bags(to keep everthing in because of dust)
phone & charger
wallet
sunglasses
small first aid kit
dog repellent?(also works somewhat on muggers I've heard)

I'm sure I can wash my jerseys, bike shorts, and socks daily at a motel or a B&B. This was all I was able to fit in my bike bag.

Any advice on my route,lodging, or list of items to take would be helpful. I have no reservations anywhere yet so I can make route adjustments if needed.

thanks, Paulie

The flames may come, but for me......I'd take a package of stick on patches and nix the kit, the three tubes and all the NOS. All that is overkill when you are cramped for space. In the event the tubes all turn to Swiss (very, very doubtfull), pick one up at the bike shop in Rocheport or Hartsburg.

You can gain space by using a small cargo net to strap a backpack or a camelback (if ya want more liquid) to the top of your trunk bag. I got one for just a few buck at Nashbar.com. (I know....support your local bike shop....).

Lots of places book in the Fall when the chlorophyll leaves the trees....you might wanna plan ahead on accomodations.

Sounds good. the only thing I would add is a small travel pak of Baby Wipes...they come in
handy...will remove chain grease from almost anything, for starters! I am a big believer in
carrying extra tubes and stuff to change out the tire. Changing out a tube is quick and easy
whereas patching is time consuming and not always very effective. Oh, and throw in some
small zip loc bags...put your cell phone in one, put your money in one. I sometimes have
blood sugar issues so I always carry some Gu or some such energy gel. Have a a great trip!
Sharon

I may end up leaving out a tube or two, space is becoming an issue. I can always pick up more at a bike shop if worse comes to worse. And thanks for the baby wipes suggestion,I definitly take some along.
I did also notice I left gloves of my list. 200 miles without gloves equals sore hands.

Thanks, Paulie

I would make room for the tubes. Wrap them around your seatpost and hold them on with a
rubber band if there isn't room in your bag. Bike shopes are not all that frequent along the
Trail and when you need a tube, you can't really pick one up at any of the bars along the
Trail. On the other hand, I have my current job because I stopped to help someone who
chose to carry cookies instead of spare tubes in his bag and was stuck with 2 flat
tires...fortunately, I had spare tubes to share, the cookies were good and I ended up with a
job out of the deal...which was good as I was about to be laid off at my old job! So, there you
go! Sharon

Apologies sbikes, but I've got to get to that dangling comic straight line...So in essence you were "networking" on the KATY Trail "network"? Sorry & Congratulations, it is funny how one finds stuff but rarely in the expected time or place. Regards.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

We are Lococo House ll, Bed & Breakfast just three blocks from the St. Charles trail head ----- we can provide transportations to Amtrak station or Sedalia and you can leave your car with us ----- accomadations are required for shuttle service ----let us know if we can be of help to you ---- Rhona Lococo -----www.lococohouse.com or call 636-946-0619

Worse than networking, I was fishing for clients. I was about to be laid off from my job and
so was going to hang out my shingle again (I'm a lawyer), so I told my friend I was riding with
I was going to hand out a business card to everyone I saw along the Trail...he ROLLED his
eyes when I told him and each time he saw me do it. So, we stopped to help these folks with
their flat tires, I handed my business card to one of them...she worked for the State with an
old friend of mine...and voila! I am now a state employee (the pay isn't great, but the perks
are good!)...so, you just never know what might happen along the Trail! Sharon

Also, I can't think of a better place to network...I love riding my bike and I love riding my bike
on the Trail...why not see who else you can meet who loves what you love? Maybe, just
maybe, true love can be found on the Trail...or some reasonable facsimile thereof! : )

note to self-

Ad biz cards to list of "things to take".

Paulie

Note to self----

Leave biz cards as well all the rest of the office stuff at work in the office. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the trail avoiding "networkers" out passin out biz cards and free tubes. And....beware there may be those out looking for some "reasonable facsimile thereof" of love along the trail. Not sure that one is allowed in Missouri state parks.

Easy there Trek Biker... I found sbikes story very enjoyable. As far as the topic "what to take", I find it easiest to just take my wife. I have your basics, patch kit, tools,plenty of water,and maybe a snack. My wife seems to have "anything" else one could need on the trail! :)

Sorry there J&K.....didn't mean to offend you. I'm glad you find sbikes stories very enjoyable.

By all means, take extra tubes!!! Just returned from a 4-day trip from Wilton to St. Charles with our Boy Scout troop. Had a GREAT TIME...but we unknowingly rode through some thorns near Tebbetts...didn't see them until we were digging them out of our flat tires... and spent most of the evening patching & changing MANY tires!!! Patching is very time consuming...changing tubes IS much quicker.