Big BAM prepping for Katy Trail trek

Friday, September 17, 2021 | Rocheport, MO –The next edition of Missouri Life Magazine’s Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri) is just three weeks away, with more than 100 cyclists already registered and plenty of room for more to join the cross-state trek on the Katy Trail.

The recreational autumn ride takes place Oct. 11-15. Day 1 is 36 miles from Clinton to Sedalia, Day 2 is 36 miles from Sedalia to Boonville, Day 3 is 48 miles from Boonville to Jefferson City, Day 4 is 44 miles from Jefferson City to Hermann, and Day 5 is 44 miles from Hermann to Defiance. A shuttle is available from Defiance to Clinton on Oct. 10 for those who wish to leave their vehicles in Defiance. Cyclists may also leave their vehicles in Clinton if they have a ride back at the end of the ride.

“We’ll be enjoying crisp fall air, amazing scenery, and great company,” says Greg Wood, Big BAM director. He also promised small towns; history; delicious food; and wineries, distilleries, and breweries, “not to mention the Katy Trail, which is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year.”

For more information and to register, visit https://www.bigbamride.com/bam-on-the-katy.

Greg is also publisher of the event sponsor, Missouri Life magazine, which is the state’s largest paid circulation travel and lifestyle magazine. He says cyclists will stop at restaurants and other establishments along the ride, supporting local businesses.

Big BAM is a fully supported ride, which includes a camping area each night, gear transport, hot showers, water and relief stations every 10 to 15 miles, SAG support, and bicycle mechanics.

Sue DiPiano of Foristell is making her fifth cross-state Katy Trail ride with the upcoming Big BAM.

“I just love the organized rides,” she explains. “Different people come from all over. It’s a little community just moving down the trail, so it’s a lot of fun.” She adds, “It’s definitely not a race.”

Sue is planning to get her ride started a day or so earlier with a roughly 60-mile ride from Pleasant Hill to Clinton on a completed section of the Rock Island Trail.

Her advice for ride veterans and newbies alike is to “be flexible and go with the flow.”

Sue says she is already looking forward to evening time together with other cyclists, revisiting some favorite places along the route, and discovering new spots.

“I just enjoy coming into camp and sitting around, talking to everybody,” she adds. Sue also encourages her fellow cyclists not to be deterred by Mother Nature noting, “That’s part of the fun.”

Her gear will include two duffle bags, a tent and sleeping bags, and “enough clothes for the weather.”

Greg says the necessary gear also includes water bottles to refill, spares tubes and a pump, sunscreen, batteries for e-bikes, and a spare charger or power bank for mobile devices.

For more details, call Greg at 660-537-2521, email at [email protected], or visit https://www.bigbamride.com/bam-on-the-katy.

Read more about the BAM experience here.