Pilot Point, TX (Dallas) to Indianapolis routes

[bloom1naz]

Hello,

I am brand new to touring, and I have special interest in cycling from Pilot Point, TX to Indy next summer.  
QUESTIONS.

Would any experienced cyclists have any suggestions as to route?

Is the Katy Trail in MO compatible with road bikes?  I've been on the I&M Canal trail in IL when its wet, and it was rough going even on a mountain bike.

I will have a support vehicle, so I won't need to be fully loaded.  With this in mind, should I try to avoid the Ozarks or head straight through?

I'm trying to make the trip in 12-13 days.

Thank you for any help you can offer!

My email is sherwood@1stnaz.com

--Scott.

[wettack]

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.