Terry Whaley of Ozark Greenways sent the following announcement:
William (Bill) Sharples, 45, of Springfield, Missouri broke the long standing one day record for riding a bicycle the entire length of Missouri’s Katy Trail on June 22nd, 2007.
The 230 mile Katy trail is the nation’s longest “rails to trails” project. It is a gravel railroad bed that stretches from Clinton, Missouri, in the central part of the state, to St. Charles, Missouri, near St. Louis, following the Missouri River much of the way.
Bill was aided by two friends: William (Billy) Graff of Sarcoxie, Missouri, and John Moody of Battlefield, Missouri. Billy and John acted as SAG (support and gear), driving ahead meeting Mr. Sharples at each trailhead, supplying him with food and water.
The previous record was set by Sam Baugh of Clinton, Missouri, who on June 21, 2001, recorded an elapsed time of 15 hours, 45 minutes. Bill Sharples left the trailhead at Clinton at 5:00 a.m. and arrived in St. Charles 231 miles away, a few seconds after 7:00 p.m. with an elapsed time of 14 hours, 49 seconds. Bill only took a total of 20 minutes of breaks for the entire day.
“It was the hardest thing I have ever done and there is no way I could have done it without the help of my friends” said Mr. Sharples. When asked it he plans to attempt the one day ride again, he responded, “Every year on the Friday closest to June 21st (the longest day of the year) as long as I am physically able. I may never break or hold the record again but it is awesome to have done it once and we are blessed to have such an incredible trail right here in our back yard.”
Mr. Sharples added. “If you ever get a chance to go hike or bike the trail do not pass it up. It is some of the most beautiful scenery you will see.
