The Rock Island Trail

50th Birthday Ride

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sltex38 from Fredericksburg Virginia on 12/30/2005 10:44:01 AM:

I am planning to ride the entire Katy trail in July of 06 as a present for my 50th birthday. I have a plan and intend to take four days to make the trip. Along the way I will ride with my wife and children, but they will only commit to riding a piece at a time. I have been a bicycle nut for years and have had the opportunity to ride in Germany, Italy, and England along with many places in the US. I really like to ride here in the Washington DC area, but am looking to riding in my "home state" of Missouri. I hope everyone will wish me well and send any suggestions my way. Hope to see you in July.

Steve

frank from festus,mo on 12/30/2005 8:23:51 PM:

enjoy your ride. hope to do the same some day. only suggestions, just enjoy it.

savage24 from KC,MO on 12/31/2005 6:03:56 AM:

sltex38,
What are your plans for lodging? Camping, motels, or B&B's? One suggestion I can offer for riding the trail in July is to get up with the chickens and get on the trail early to get most of your miles in before the heat of the day. This might mean eating breakfast by yourself if your wife & kids aren't early risers.

Anonymous on 12/31/2005 7:45:18 PM:

I also spent my 50th birthday doing my first Katy trail ride. It's an awesome way to celebrate and set the tone for your next 50 years!

The Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 1/4/2006 10:22:30 AM:

Awesome!!!! It has got to be one of the best if not the best bicycle "cruises" available. You go F.O.G.!!! Regards..Mark of the Dalton Boys

dale nimmo from springfield missouri on 1/7/2006 11:40:32 AM:

i rode the trail last year
i turn 50 this year as well
and plan to do the trail again.
however, this year, i might not ride the whole thing round trip
maybe just one way

would you like a riding partner?

Mike from St. Charles on 1/7/2006 2:50:07 PM:

Just wanted to let you know that you should stop by Maryland Yards in St. Charles. They are located right on the Katy Trail and have a huge deck overlooking the trail. Good luck and have fun on your trip. Happy 50th.

Troy Ratliff from Jonesboro, AR on 1/8/2006 12:24:34 PM:

I agree with savage 24. The heat and humidity can be brutal in July in this area. I would ride early until 10:00 or so, then rest until late afternoon and then ride again.

bigdaddy35 from Hattiesburg, MS on 1/13/2006 5:14:32 PM:

Good luck on your trip! I did my first long distance ride last May, biking the Natchez Trace with 3 friends. I would suggest getting a guidebook. We had one on our ride and it was a huge help. I plan on riding the Katy Trail in May.

Brian L. from Wichita on 1/18/2006 4:45:08 PM:

Speaking of guidebooks, is there any particular one that y'all recommend? The bikekatytrail.com site is wonderful, but it would be nice to have something comprehensive & compact, too.

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 1/18/2006 9:53:38 PM:

The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur

http://www.pebblepublishing.com/complete_katy_trail_guidebook.htm

Brian L. from Wichita on 1/23/2006 10:21:41 PM:

Thanks for the tip - I ordered the Dufur book & it came today -- looks nice & complete & is the new 8th (2005) edition.

sltex38 from Fredericksburg Virginia on 2/6/2006 12:04:17 PM:

Wow, thanks for all the support and suggestions. I am going to play the heat by ear. I have ridden three Hotter n' Hell 100 rides as well as several MS150 rides in north Texas so I am well aware of the heat. The humid conditions in MO is my biggest concern so I am prepared to stop during mid day. I am not sure where I am going to stay, but I am thinking about trailer camping and letting my wife and kids take the camper ahead. I will decide more as I go. Thanks for everything so far.

TimG from Ozark, MO on 4/10/2006 1:06:15 PM:

Good luck and have a great ride!!My wife and I are riding the end of May for my 50th later this year. I can't think of a better present. Clean air, beautiful scenery and no phones. It can't get any better.

klr on 4/25/2006 2:29:36 PM:

Thanks for the fabulous suggestion. I've ridden the Katy many times in pieces and have ridden it once end to end. I am 50 TODAY! I plan on putting together a complete trail ride for myself and a few friends, or perhaps with my husband for a week in June. I really want to stop overnight in the winery towns to truly celebrate -- fresh air, great "pump", beautiful scenery, good wine and great companionship! What could be better!

sltex38 from Fredericksburg VA on 7/14/2006 3:24:55 PM:

I am finished! My son and I rode the entire trail 5-7 July and found it to be a challenge. We rode Clinton East and had the wind in our face the whole way. Not just a little wind, but a strong gale force wind (or so it seemed). We were on road bikes with 700x25 tires and did not have an single flat or problem. Our support vehicle met us at every stop for water up and pictures. Some trailhead locations are hard to find, but they did well. The trail is good from Clinton but gets worse as you go east, being very poor in some areas. We stayed at the Hampton in Clinton the night before departure (excellent), the Casino in Boonville (not great) and at the Doll House in Rhineland (excellent). We expected ugly weather, but could not have ordered three better days for riding. We are already putting plans in place to do it again in a couple years. Please let me know if you have questions or want information on any segment. Thanks for the support.

Steve

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