(Many Thanks to BikeKatyTrail.com - Many of the travel links above go straight to their site since it had the most comprehensive information on some of the smaller towns along the trail.)

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Because we could not use the freeway our bicycle trip covered the equivalent mileage of a freeway trip from Kansas City to  Springfield Illinois. or From Kansas City to Sioux Falls South Dakota.

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(*1)Trail Time - 47.5 Hours

(*2)Saddle Time - 30.5 Hours

(*3)Total Miles - 346.02

Average speed -11.3 mph  (Miles / Saddle Time)

Miles in the rain - 61  (40 of that was in a heck of a storm where we averaged less than 5 mph due to wind)

(*1)Trail Time - We define this as the time between leaving a hotel or campsite and arriving at the next one. I did not subtract time spent in eating establishments, restrooms or filling water bottles on the way.(*2)Saddle Time - Our cyclo-computers kept track of this.- this is time actually in the saddle and peddling.(*3)Mileage - Our cyclo-computers kept this for us to. - This is the total distance covered.

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 Cost of the trip -

Train Fare for us and the bikes     $70

Lodging and Camping                  $215 (including Thurs. Night in St. Louis)

Souvenirs for the family                $40

Food, Drink, Laundry, Misc.        $174 (includes $50 in the hotel restaurant)

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Grand Total                                  $499.00

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If you read this far here's a fact that might interest you.  I GAINED 5 lbs on this trip.

I lost it within a week after getting home and back on my diet but it was none the less interesting

that I could bicycle 346 miles and gain not loose weight. Of course that medium pizza John and I

polished off in Lexington by ourselves might have had something to do with it......LOL

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LESSONS LEARNED - WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENT NEXT TIME.

1. Take more pictures.  I would have loved a picture of the people and places we stopped. everybody was so nice they really made the trip.

2. Take more time.  Trying to complete the trip in 3 days was pushing the limit.  There was a lot to see in St. Louis we did not take the time to see and I could have spent a very enjoyable day in St. Charles just meandering around.

3. Plan early. We could have saved 50% on the hotel in St. Louis if I had shopped earlier.

4. Padded cycle pants. - I'm still healing and it's been a week.

5. Almost as bad as the need for padded pants - Padding on the handlebars.  I think foam pipe insulation over the areas you normally grip if your riding a road bike.  We had padded gloves but found ourselves stuffing them full of napkins at every stop to cushion the handlebars.

6. I probably would maintain some semblance of a diet next time although I'd have to try it to see if its possible.

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WHAT DID WE DO RIGHT.

1. The ride in general was great. We plan to do the Katy again come fall when the leaves are changing.

2. Sun screen and bug repellant we took along a squeeze bottle of Off Skintastic bug repellant (10% DEET) with  Sunscreen (SPF 30) we purchased at Cabelas.  John and I both had a pretty good tan anyway so results of the sunscreen may vary but the combination worked well for us.

3. We had no flats on the trip but had we had one we were prepared with extra tubes and ways to air them up. It's an average of 15 Miles between stops on the Katy and not every stop has a bike shop so be prepared.

4. We took a first aid kit and kept plenty of water at all times.  100oz of water each was overkill at some points and not enough at others.  The first aid kit was real handy when John left the trail unexpectedly and skinned knee's and elbows.  Triple Antibiotic Ointment,  Antibacterial Toilettes,  Med Tape, and 4 inch non-stick gauze, were all used.

5. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen were a god send during the last 40 miles of the trip.  140+ miles the last day and 40+ of it in a storm was really pushing the limit.  Without the Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen the last 40 miles would have been much more difficult.

6. Desitin this is the greatest stuff for treating heat. I know TMI but take it along if your going to ride hard. You'll be glad you did.

7. Hydration pak - We used Camelbak brand and they worked great for us. These are not required for casual riders water bottle especially the Polar Freeze work quite well but the Camelbak did give us a way to store the extra water we needed and if you ride hard you will appreciate the advantage of not having to reach for a bottle all the time to get a drink.  For roadies they have a new Hi Viz Camelbak that John and I will be upgrading to in the very near future. they are available at www.safetyglassesusa.com for under $50 and hold 70oz of water. They are bright yellow/green or hunters orange (your choice) with reflective strips for High Visibility both day and night.

8. WEAR A HELMET - We passed more than fifty other cyclists in three days not wearing helmets including three traveling from Boston to San Diego.  Folks, again on this trip a helmet very likely saved John from serious injury when he crashed.  This is the 5th time in less than a year that a helmet has played a part in turning what could have been a very serious injury into a minor first aid event. I have two children, Janna 18 and John 16. The three of us have totaled 5 major spills since Aug of 2004. At least one of these, MINE, would have likely ended in extremely severe injury or fatality had I not been wearing a helmet.  If you ride with me YOU WILL WEAR A HELMET.  The Katy State Park rules posted along the trail stop just short of making it mandatory in the park. Not wearing a helmet while bicycling is akin to saying "It won't happen to me" and MORE FAMOUS LAST WORDS WERE NEVER SPOKEN.  Buy it! Wear it! you will be glad you did!

9. Clean the bike as soon as you get home.  The Katy is a lime and crushed limestone trail. This is the equivalent of sand paper mixed with concrete to your bike. When you get home wash it thoroughly according to the manufacturers instructions and re-lube everything.  For those of you close to Kansas City The Wheel Cyclery has treated me very well and provided me the best customer service of any retailer I've visited anywhere and while I'm plugging I have never owned a bike as sturdy and reliable as my Giant Bicycles OCR Touring.  The OCR Touring has been discontinued and what's a good bike for me may not be a good bike for you.  But the Giant name spells quality.  Visit Heather and the team at The Wheel Cyclery and let her help you select the right bike for you!