The Rock Island Trail

Has anyone rode the trail full circle.

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Scotty from Gladstone on 7/12/2006 4:04:17 AM:

I am planning on riding the trail from Clinton to ST.Charles, and then turning around and doing it in reverse next July. I will be allowing myself 8 days to for this round trip and all self supported. Does anyone have any advice? I will be riding my Kona Mtn bike with 1.5" kevlar tires, semi aggresive tread pattern. Also will be tent camping entire way. Thank you, Scotty.

sbikes from Kansas City on 7/12/2006 6:01:15 AM:

Have a great time! I would suggest inch tires with less tread...you don't need the wide
knobby tires and they will slow you down...kevlar belt is good, though! Sharon KCMO

Mark from Iowa on 7/12/2006 9:10:47 AM:

1.5 inch tires are fine, especially if heavy rain occours the trail can get a little too soft for tires that are very narrow, especially with the load you will be carrying. Not much tread is necessary, slicks or semi-slicks roll much better.Make sure you are using kevlar belted tires, not folding tires with a kevlar bead, as many people do not know the difference. I rode the entire trail from west to east last week in four days with this set up on a cyclocross bike with no flats or problems...enjoy the peace and solitude of the Katy....

Nails on 7/12/2006 12:32:49 PM:

About 5 years ago, I met a group of 4 guys attemptnig a round trip in 9 days. They had just turned back East from Clinton. One of them had not done his saddle time and you could tell he was in some serious hurt. I have no idea what happened to them.

sbikes from Kansas City on 7/12/2006 10:23:46 PM:

Do a few day trips on the Trail to get used to the riding surface and decide what will work
best for you in the tire category. I am a roadie at heart and like to cut down on rolling
resistance as much as I can, but still have a stable ride. I would never take my road bike on
the Trail. I ride a Trek mountain bike that I have put 1 inch tires on (Panaracer Messenger)
and find them to be the perfect blend of good stable support and fast! : )

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 7/12/2006 10:37:17 PM:

Just out of curiosity sbikes.....what is considered "fast" on the Katy?

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 7/12/2006 10:37:43 PM:

Just out of curiosity sbikes.....what is considered "fast" on the Katy?

Anonymous on 7/13/2006 7:27:46 PM:

I just got done with my first visit yesterday too the Katy Trail. My only suggestion is don`t do it in July , it is to hot. When I was out there it was close to 100 Degrees and very very Humid. I think the spring or fall would be much better for doing the milage you are talking about.

sbikes from Kansas City on 7/16/2006 7:03:52 PM:

When I used to ride the Trail a lot (before rotator cuff surgery) I would average oh, 15-20
mph...fastest I ever rode on the trail was probably around 30 mph and would have gone
faster, but ran out of gears on my mountain bike! : )

brad wilson from st louis on 7/20/2006 3:24:11 PM:

here's a link to a description of my 7-day trip on the Katy. St. Louis-Katy-Clinton and back.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=66178&highlight=katy+trail+548

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