Thanks John. Your writeup of your transit was one of the first I looked for, when this trip was proposed.

Unlike you, I plan to have ideal conditions at all points and times. Sunny, dry, warm (but not hot ot humid) days, cool crisp nights. If it does rain, it can only do it when we're on a paved section.

All advertised restaurants and stores will be open when we need them, I'm sure. I *have* noted places where food could be scarce due to closures, and plan to carry enough food to cover up to three dinners or lunches, and a couple breakfasts. And coffee for every morning. It may be rural Missouri but there's no reason to be uncivilized.

Thanks for the tip on Kim's, though Windsor will be a pass-through town for us if we are on plan.

The Katy is a beautiful trail but it has a few drawbacks. First, being unpaved it messes up your bike's gears and brakes when it's wet.
Second, the services that are supposed to be available often aren't so prepare for closed restaurants and such. On the plus side there were a few places near the trail that weren't on any official trail literature. Go figure.
The Daniel Boone grave ain't worth the diversion.
Kim's Cabins in Windsor was a nice place to stay. Bikes go in the barn and there's a hose to spray them off with. Kim is a good egg.
Have fun.

Wil is already on CB. I'll encourage him to write a journal but no promises.

Maria's mostly doing day rides these days thanks to the combined impact of job and parenting but if I hear she's taking a tour you bet I'll encourage her to write about it.

Sounds like a great trip! Maybe you could get Wil and Maria to sign up with Cycleblaze to post some of their adventures?

Thanks- you do the same. It seems likely that we'll just miss one another, which is a shame. I enjoyed knowing that there were riders I knew heading my way, when I did my big trip in 2022.

You'll note from the POIs on my route overview map that there are a fair number of both camping and lodging opportunities. Camping is often available in city parks and the like rather than formal campgrounds. Some campsites are "primitive" - little more than a flat spot with possibly a picnic table and fire ring - while others have water, showers, restrooms, etc.

Have a gander at this website: https://bikekatytrail.com/ for what appears to be an excellent and comprehensive guide to what's available along the trail.

Have a great time on the Katy trail. I have not planned out my overnights on the Katy but will likely camp. There appears to be lots of camping opportunities, not sure if I need reservations now or can just do it day by day as I make my way west. I am guessing that hotels along the Katy are in need of reservations way ahead of time

Hi Dave

We expect to be actually riding the Katy from the 19th to the 23rd, most likely. If we take it a bit easier we could add a day, increasing the odds of crossing with you at the St Louis end, but I'm not sure that's a possibility.

Keith
As you know I am going to continue my cross country trip on May 17th in Sonora, KY. The Transamerica cuts across southern Missouri but I have friends in St. Louis area so I am cutting north to their house for a night then taking the Katy trail west to Clinton, MO then heading south again to reconnect to the Transamerica in Golden City, MO. I will be in St. Louis area on May 24th and heading west on the Katy on the 25th. When do you plan on being on the Katy trail?
Dave

Very inspiring, Keith. I’ll look forward to following along.