Give me the scoop on Katy Trail 3rd week of July
03-04-24, 11:04 AM
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Give me the scoop on Katy Trail 3rd week of July
I am thinking of doing the Katy trail 3rd week of July. Anyone in the know give me the 'executive summary?
03-04-24, 01:25 PM
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I am guessing, it will be busy on the Eastern (St Louis) 50 mile stitch and OK everywhere else.
03-04-24, 01:38 PM
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I'd further guess it'll be hot and humid. Quite possibly with lots of mosquitos if you should stop or slow down.
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03-04-24, 02:08 PM
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does it have resupply points and what is the average interval in miles to hit a store along the way?
03-04-24, 03:53 PM
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Lots of resupply points. Generally a town or settlement every fifteen miles or so. There are free maps at many of the stops. It's about the most accommodating tour I can think of.
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03-04-24, 03:56 PM
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It'll be HOT....too hot to ride in my experience. Was down there to ride it in early June a couple years ago. Temps in the mid-90s+..nope. Riding should be enjoyable. Nothing enjoyable about 45-60 miles a day at 95 degrees. We drove home and re-planned the trip for September. Had great weather then. We took the train from Kirkwood to Lees Summit. Then rode the Rock Island and Katy back to Kirkwood. There's inexpensive long term parking across the street from the train station.
See the Services link on top of the page..everything you need to know.
https://bikekatytrail.com/
See the Services link on top of the page..everything you need to know.
https://bikekatytrail.com/
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03-04-24, 08:56 PM
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This will be my third year riding RAGBRAI and I was thinking that the week before RAGBRAI I could ride Katy trail .
04-19-24, 08:04 AM
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It'll be HOT....
Then rode the Rock Island and Katy back to Kirkwood. There's inexpensive long term parking across the street from the train station.
https://bikekatytrail.com/
Then rode the Rock Island and Katy back to Kirkwood. There's inexpensive long term parking across the street from the train station.
https://bikekatytrail.com/
I've always parked in St. Charles. You let the police know you are leaving your car there.
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04-19-24, 10:25 AM
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It's very well-compacted cinders. Unpaved, but very well maintained.
04-20-24, 08:37 AM
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My wife and I rode it a few years ago. It was great! Smooth hard packed crushed limestone, well maintained, and very scenic. We were also there in the summer, but just after a cold front had gone through, so it was nice weather. For overnight stays, we used B&Bs and hotels, but there are also frequent campgrounds if you want to bike camp.
We saw people riding in on road bikes with skinny tires, but we were on hybrids which we thought were perfect. Enjoy!
We saw people riding in on road bikes with skinny tires, but we were on hybrids which we thought were perfect. Enjoy!
04-21-24, 01:39 AM
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I did Katy in 2010, Oct and Nov, we did not have any heat problems, but it was below freezing one morning. That said, my memory of a week that was over 13 years ago is poor.
04-21-24, 03:29 AM
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Here's my experience with the Katy, The Rock Island trail has been opened to KC since then: Simply Cycle: Old home, old friends and the Katy Trail
Marc
Marc
04-21-24, 04:08 AM
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Come to think of it, this thread has given me an idea. My wife and I will be riding in the northwest Arkansas area in early May, so re-riding the KATY trail right after that sounds like fun! Thanks for the idea, OP!
Does anyone have any suggestions for RV campgrounds along the KATY trail? The last time we rode it, we were bikes only, but this time we will be leap frogging along the trail with the RV. Thanks in advance for any campground tips!
Does anyone have any suggestions for RV campgrounds along the KATY trail? The last time we rode it, we were bikes only, but this time we will be leap frogging along the trail with the RV. Thanks in advance for any campground tips!
04-21-24, 06:43 AM
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Right. It bonds in place after a while and is an easy ride. But watch the weather. If you hit it before it sets (big storm occurs in the preceding days and the trail maintenance people are quickly on it), it can be very difficult riding. Bring a GPS in case you need to detour. For dry conditions, you'll collect a lime dust coating on everything. Bring a paintbrush to use as a duster, as well as whatever you need to keep the transmission clean. Riding the KATY is worth the effort.
04-21-24, 06:54 AM
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Does anyone have any suggestions for RV campgrounds along the KATY trail? The last time we rode it, we were bikes only, but this time we will be leap frogging along the trail with the RV. Thanks in advance for any campground tips!
https://bikekatytrail.com/katy-trail-camping.aspx
https://bikekatytrail.com/katy-trail-camping.aspx
04-21-24, 07:06 AM
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Right. It bonds in place after a while and is an easy ride. But watch the weather. If you hit it before it sets (big storm occurs in the preceding days and the trail maintenance people are quickly on it), it can be very difficult riding. Bring a GPS in case you need to detour. For dry conditions, you'll collect a lime dust coating on everything. Bring a paintbrush to use as a duster, as well as whatever you need to keep the transmission clean. Riding the KATY is worth the effort.
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04-21-24, 09:32 AM
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Wow! I didn't know about the Rock Island trail. When did it open?
Thanks Thulsadoom! Also a cool planning tool!
Thanks Thulsadoom! Also a cool planning tool!
Last edited by rv_biker; 04-21-24 at 09:36 AM.
04-21-24, 08:16 PM
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Many years ago we did the Katy around the 4th of July and it was brutal, so hot (and humid) that it made for uncomfortable camping and sleeping at night. If I were to ride it again at that time of year, which I won't, it would be hotels and B & B's the whole way. Late September, October and early November have been much more enjoyable.
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