Messages

1

Routes / Parameter of Texas

« on: October 05, 2004, 09:19:03 pm »

Look in the "Features" of the "Library Archives" section of this website.  Feature #351 is a description of a perimiter tour of Texas that may be of interest and provide some useful information.

2

Routes / ROUTES FROM PILOT POINT, TX TO INDY

« on: July 01, 2004, 09:15:09 pm »

A few thoughts on routes to Indy:

The Tulsa to St. Louis alternative would involve never-ending short, steep hills from about Joplin, MO to St. Louis.  The one sane way to cross Missouri is via the Katy Trail, a great railtrail that runs west from Clinton to St. Charles (near St. Louis).  The web has lots of info on the Katy Trail.

I'ed ride north from Pilot Point, through OK, to about mid-Kansas, then angle northeast to Clinton.  With a slight detour to the west, you could follow an historic route by taking US-81 through OKL and KS.  That highway follows the Chislom Trail route the cattle herds took to Abline, KS.

From St. Louis, angling northeast across Illinois would avoid the very hilly part of Southern IL.  Once into the flatlands of IL, you'ed have clear sailing to Indianapolis.

3

General Discussion / Pilot Point, TX (Dallas) to Indianapolis routes

« on: July 01, 2004, 09:28:14 pm »

Hi again.  I just posted a reply to your question in the "Routes" section, then saw this posting.  The Katy trail is surfaced with limestone screenings, which provides a very good riding surface.  It's usually about as hard as concrete.  After rain, it can be a bit soft, but is rideable with a road bike.  I'd use at least 32 mm tires, 35-38 mm would be even better.  When the trail is dry, limestone dust will end up everywhere, but it's no big deal.

The Katy is a great route -- scenic, lots of history (Lewis & Clark, frontier, river boats, civil war, railroad), and pleasent riding with no traffic.