Early in A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson talks about the hiker who overpacked and started throwing things from his pack as he hiked, tossing items out to the side of the trail. The Katy is definitely not the Appalachian Trail in terrain, nor difficulty, but one does find many things along the side of the trail: a spoon, some socks, apples, and cans of chickpeas. The spoon and socks were probably lost and will be missed, the apples we were told were just “too heavy” and the cans of chickpeas?!?!?!
Of the riders on the trail, there are 4 categories. There are the “through hikers” who carry camping equipment. Next up are the “hotel hikers” who are going from town to town staying in the many B&Bs. Then there are folk like us who are too lazy to carry their own bags and have van support and rest stops. And, finally, the “day hikers” who are doing an out-and-back for the day.
But, riding every day, you start to recognize riders. Conversations start one day and then you pick them up the next day. In our cohort of riders travelling the Katy, we have, of course, us riders with Timberline. But there is a second touring group that is making almost the same stops as us, both overnight and on the trail.
Then there is “Texas”, a couple from the Houston area who are just loving this “cool weather” (it is 90 and blazingly hot in the sun, btw, and anyone not from Houston is dripping wet). They are a happy couple and always fun to chat with.
Then we have groups of friends….well, they started as friends, but we’re not sure they’re going to end as friends. Three women from Ohio, one was really flagging coming into Boonville. She rolls into the museum parking lot convinced that the last stretch of trail was all up hill. Oops….that was Lard Hill, a 2% downward gradient. Can’t say she’s looking much better several days later but she perseveres.
There is a second group of three guys. One is very fit and very friendly. The other two….well…coming into Boonville, laden with panniers, one had front panniers and the other rear. They were a few miles behind their friend. One was trying to coast on the trail…ouch…this is limestone, coasting doesn’t happen. The next day we saw them take off. The fit guy now had his bikepacking setup as well as front and rear panniers while the two friends bike’s had none. We haven’t seen them since, but curious none the less.
And then there is the assortment of people of all shapes, sizes and ages. Everyone is chatty. Everyone has a story to tell. The Katy may be flat and some might think not challenging (they’d be wrong) but trail camaraderie is part of the experience.
Travels With Edwina 