Today was our last day riding the KATY for this year.
Despite a forecast that said rain was likely as we headed west, we managed to stay dry on our ride.
We were quite happy about that after yesterday. Today was basically the same ride as yesterday – only in reverse – Augusta to McKittrick, except once we got back to the McKittrick trailhead we had to ride a couple of miles on the highway, then cross the bridge over the Missouri river into Hermann where we would catch Amtrak to Sedalia and our car.
Today was a great day on the trail. It was in surprisingly good shape after yesterday’s monsoon.
I also felt better and stronger than the previous days and we made great time. That is how bike touring goes in my experience. You get stronger as the ride goes and the miles accumulate. Seems to be the case regardless of how much training I do to prepare.
Anyway, we were determined to beat the storm that was headed our way from the west so we rode hard and fairly fast (thank you tailwind) and made only quick stops.
We pedaled just 3.5 hours, basically the same distance in the rain yesterday that took us 4.5 hours. The difference was the trail surface. With the deluge, it had been like quicksand in many places yesterday and today we had the aforementioned glorious tailwind.
The still-fresh memory of yesterday’s slog motivated us to get to Hermann before the storm hit in the afternoon. Once we got close to the McKittrick trail head we did slow up to savor the last miles. They are some of the prettiest miles.
Once we crossed the bridge into Hermann we locked up our bikes and headed off in search of lunch. We had about three hours to kill before catching the train to Sedalia so we found a coffee shop, changed clothes, and hung out until it was time to head to the train station.
While we waited we talked with a woman from Iowa who was also taking the train to Sedalia where she would begin her bike ride on the KT.
Once the train arrived they quickly helped us load our bikes into one of the cars, literally threw our bags in behind us, and before we could say WTH the train was rolling. Our last train ride was in Italy, from Rome to Florence – sleek and fast – this one was – Not.
That’s okay, it got us where we needed to go. Once in Sedalia, we reloaded the bikes and rode the few miles to Maxine’s and our car. We stayed overnight in Clinton before heading home.
In five days of riding the bucolic Missouri KATY Trail, we rode a total of about 220 miles once we upload the data from the Garmin Edges we’ll know for sure not that it matters (at least to me) 🙂
Another post to follow once I’m home and can do it on my actual computer with its full-size keyboard. All other posts have been done on my phone. It worked pretty well and sure beat hauling my netbook with me.
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Was there a dedicated bike lane across the Missouri River at Hermann? I can’t remember if they have improved that bridge or not. Glad you had a great trip.
Yes, there is and it is a separate path from where cars travel and is nice and wide (see 3rd pic from bottom). Leading up to the bridge you have to ride on the shoulder but it is marked as a bike path. No problem getting through either area. We did, thanks! I envy you getting to ride the trail any time you want. 🙂