Katy Trail

[inclined to pedal]

My wife and I would like to join the Katy Trail Relaxed trip this June.  I have generated a few questions which I hope the experienced here can answer.

We ride Bacchetta Giro 20 (recumbents).  They have 16mm rims, which I expect will take 1.5" width tires.  I weigh about 200 lbs.  Will 1.5" tires be satisfactory for the Katy Trail surface, which is described as crushed limestone?

We would be arriving in St. Louis by Amtrak, with our bikes in Amtrak boxes (69x41x8.5").  Is it possible for us to be picked up at the Amtrak Station (or nearby)?  I notice that at the end of the trip the van will stop there.

Is it reasonable for the van to carry the empty boxes during the trip?

Arranging things through Amtrak is not easy.  We start in Portland, OR, have a layover in Chicago.  They take bikes, sometimes, on some routes, on some trains.  The trains run on some days.  Some stations carry the boxes.  So we are shipping the bikes through Amtrak Express, which will take from 5 to 7 days.

Thanks for comments about these plans.

-Denis

[MidSouth]

I can't answer your questions about Amtrak, but your 1.5" tires will be just fine.  I ride the KATY with 32c and the wife has 37c and I also weigh about 200lbs.  Here is a link to a site with lots of info and a forum just for the KATY Trail: www.bikekatytrail.com

[MrBent]

I agree with MidSouth.  1.5" tires will be great.  Although a bit dusty and slower than pavement, the packed limestone of the Katy is actually a pretty good riding surface.  I was able to cruise comfortably in the low/mid teens on a fully loaded SWB recumbent--an HPVelo Street Machine.  I suspect things can get interesting when it's really wet, however.

Scott

[MidSouth]

Denis, as far as your questions on the ACA shuttle from the Kirkwood Amtrak station and their van/luggage policies, I would email them at tours@adventurecycling.org.  They have been very prompt in answering inquires about my upcoming Colorado tour.

[inclined to pedal]

Denis, as far as your questions on the ACA shuttle from the Kirkwood Amtrak station and their van/luggage policies, I would email them at tours@adventurecycling.org.  They have been very prompt in answering inquires about my upcoming Colorado tour.

Thanks everybody for the advice.  It is not settled yet whether we can swing this--Amtrak is not an airline.  I will contact tours@... to see what they have to say.

-Denis