KATY Trail 2018

June 3 - June 8, 2018
242 miles

Tom and Susan Weaver accompanied us on their tandem
Abby Weaver was our SAG

 At the end in Machens, Missouri

This was our third time to ride the KATY and Tom and Susan's first. We were very excited to introduce them to the trail. The last two times that Clay and I biked the KATY it was very hot and dry, just what you'd expect August to be. This time we planned our trip in June and I was looking forward to cooler weather and just prayed that we wouldn't have any rainy days. We were very fortunate and had near perfect weather. Most days I started with a wind jacket but discarded it after awhile. The two previous rides Clay and I would pedal, pedal, pedal as quickly as we could in the sunny parts and then coast through the shady areas. This time was just the opposite, quickly pedal through the shade and coast through the sunny parts!

We did have a few struggles. The first two days are slightly uphill and there is no coasting due to the crushed limestone trail. This takes a toll on the legs. As Clay so accurately put it - the first two days are the cake and then it's icing after that. Clay and I also had a few issues with our timing chain, which Clay had to repair in Marthasville. Yay for our SAG vehicle!

Repairing the timing chain

We met several interesting people/families/groups this week as we all were heading east on the trail. We would take turns passing each other depending on where we spent the night and where we took rest stops. It is always fun hearing someone else's story. 

We stayed in some really great places - old hotels, B&Bs and even a log cabin. The food we ate tasted so good! I think it has to do with all the cycling, somehow it makes the food delicious! And, I eat so much of it, I never lose weight when I bike the KATY Trail!

We had another great week riding the KATY. We are very fortunate to have this trail so close. I hope it lived up to the Weavers expectations and that it will hold a fond spot in their memories, I know it will in ours!

 One should always carry a selfie stick!

Having some fun in Sedalia!