Training update

My goal was to have 500 miles in before doing the Katy Trail ride with my brother, John, and his friend Jean Maurice. Have biked 395 as of today including the last 54 with the bike fully loaded for touring. Feeling pretty good but I know riding a crushed limestone trail is a lot harder than the pavement miles I’ve been doing so far. Plus my longest training ride has only been 30 miles and each day on the tour we plan to do 50 to 60. A dry well packed trail will certainly help.

Testing my hammock camping setup for the first time this season. Was hoping to skip using the bug net tonight but I may have been overly optimistic.

Planning for the Rock Island/Katy Trail Ride

Been getting ready for the ride on the Rock Island/Katy Trail with my brother, John Cuff, and his friend, Jean Maurice Boyer. Had my Trek 520 In for a tuneup but unfortunately the parts they suggested replacing have not arrived yet.

Brought the bike back home yesterday and decided to chance it without the new parts. Not sure that’s a great idea, but my other bike isn’t set up for touring and not really ideal for crushed rock surfaces.

I’m going to have to check my panniers today and make sure I remember how to pack things.

Jean Maurice Has set up a pretty good plan and with good weather this should be a really enjoyable ride. Roughly 350 miles from Lee’s Summit, MO (near Kansas City) to St Louis, MO. I did a map using Google maps but I’m not sure everything is finished with that. I’ll put a link here when I get that updated.