RIDER INFORMATION FOR THE KATY
Big BAM on the Katy is a fully supported ride. That means there's hot coffee for you in the morning, water stops with cold water and sports drinks, and snacks along the route, SAG support if you need a lift, beer gardens, music, hotel or camping with hot showers, plus a variety of food vendors. All of that is included in your registration.
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Lodging
tent services
Big BAM arranges with a concierge tent service that will take the stress out of your camping setup with their rental tents. They will set up and take down a 63-square-foot tent each night of the ride, and they’ll place your luggage in the tent. All you have to do is find it. No worrying about tent poles or dragging your luggage to the tent.
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Riding with friends or a team? Your tents will be set up together, so you don't have to worry about finding a spot to accommodate all of you.
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Live large in a little PHAT Room, and you only unpack once on BBK! What's Included:
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Knotty pine interiors, laminate flooring. Mattresses, linens, blankets, and pillows provided. Outlets next to your bed. Switched lights at the head of each bed, and fans to circulate the air and provide white noise.
Interested in PHAT Room? Email info@bigbamride.com
Hotel Option
Stay in a nice hotel every night at these overnight towns: Clinton, Sedalia, Boonville, Jefferson City, Hermann, Augusta & St. Charles.
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Crossroads Bike Tours is our "Official Hotel Charter" offering Standard and Economy options.
All food is on your own, but for breakfast for campers and hotel guests who wish for something different, Big BAM will provide lists of nearby restaurants, a food truck, or a caterer. For lunches and dinners, you will also have a list of restaurant possibilities in towns we pass through and our overnight towns.
Food & Drink
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Safety is our biggest priority at Big BAM and staying safe means staying hydrated. Riders should be prepared and have a way to carry two of their own water bottles and top off at every trailhead.
Big BAM has always arranged a beer sponsor who provides a cold one to relax with at the end of your ride.
Showers & Luxury Services
Big BAM works with Pork Belly Venture, the biggest RAGBRAI charter service to provide a super-clean shower truck, cleaned between every shower. A clean towel is provided daily, so no need to pack one. The truck also provides shampoo and soap, and plenty of hot water.
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Showers include soap, shampoo, a towel, and plenty of hot water.
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Phone charging trailer
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Canopy-covered seating area
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Morning coffee
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Massages
Rider safety is our biggest priority. We have taken every precaution to make this ride of a lifetime as safe as possible for riders, performers, and our crew.
Riders
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
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Riders must follow Missouri laws while on public roads.
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The highway patrol or other law enforcement may write tickets if you ride illegally, and your bikes may be impounded. If your bikes are impounded, you may need proof of ownership to recover them.
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Be mindful of traffic coming from adjacent gravel roads because drivers may have difficulty seeing you. Even when you have the right-of-way, be aware that you might not be seen.
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When making a left turn, watch not only for oncoming traffic but also for traffic from behind that might be attempting to pass you. Use all proper hand signals when turning right or left or slowing or stopping.
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Ride to the right side of your lane.
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Make sure you carry water and have the right equipment and gear for a long, summertime ride.
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Carry a personal ID with you at all times.
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Retrieve your luggage by 8:00 pm every night. If any bags are not spoken for, we will alert safety personnel.
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Use reflective tape or lights on your bike, and on bags that might cover up your built-on bike reflectors. On-road rides, we recommend using a headlamp and flashing tail light.
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Please ask the Big BAM crew members or local volunteers if you have any questions–they will be wearing crew shirts.
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Do not count on cell service all along the route. There may be gaps in coverage.
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Stay along the designated route to ensure safety.
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Unlawful or disruptive behavior along the route or in the communities we are visiting will be reported.
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Ride in groups and have a “buddy system” in place.
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Beer garden operators reserve the right to refuse service to any riders they believe are unfit to bicycle.
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Use a flashing rear light in rainy or dark conditions
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Retrieve your luggage by 8:00 pm every night. If any bags are not spoken for, we will alert safety personnel. On the last day of the official ride or add-on days, claim your luggage by 3pm. If for any reason that’s not possible, simply call the SAG number provided, and we’ll come and get you.
SAG vehicles
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Each day there will be a lead vehicle and an end/support vehicle and other support vehicles in between. They will be able to help riders with basic bicycle repair, basic first aid, and transport to the next town or night stop if needed. Please call or text SAG if you need any help.
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Non-Cyclists Participating In The Event
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Supporters and private support vehicles are asked to take a different route than the cyclists.
Emergency Shelters
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Each community will have a designated shelter in case of emergencies.
What to do if caught in the open outdoors during a tornado
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Find shelter in the nearest sturdy building.
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Do not try to outrun a tornado.
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Avoid areas with a lot of trees.
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Stay away from overpasses or bridges.
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The safest place to be is in a flat location near the ground.
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Lie down in the lowest place you can find – typically a ditch is the best option. Lie flat, with your face towards the ground and cover your head with your arms.
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Avoid power lines and puddles with power lines nearby, or down power lines.
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Keep your group together and wait for emergency personnel to arrive if needed.
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Remain calm and listen for instructions from emergency personnel if they are on the scene.
What to do if caught in the open during a thunderstorm
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If you hear thunder, find the closest shelter. If none is in sight, get to the lowest elevation available.
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Avoid puddles and being close to water.
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Do not get close to isolated structures such as trees, fences, and telephone poles.
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Put distance between your metal bike and yourself.
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If you are with many people, spread out! Keep a distance of at least 50-100 feet between each person.
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Get in the “lightning crouch” position. Assume a squatting position, with your head tucked towards your chest or in between your knees. Do not lie down on the ground, as this is more surface area for lightning to strike.
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Keep your eyes closed and cover your ears
Rider Safety
Shuttle information
Pre- and post-ride shuttle passes are $149. Riders can either park at the end location or the start location of the ride, depending on preference. Long-term parking will be available in both the beginning and ending towns. Long-term parking is included in the shuttle fee.
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The shuttle can transport bikes up to 60 pounds being transported on the shuttles. We can take up to two 50-pound bags (including tents) per person.
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Pre-ride Shuttle from St. Charles to Clinton
The pre-ride shuttle will begin loading at 11 a.m. and depart at 12:30 p.m. We'll let you know where to load and board and park. Times may change closer to the date.
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Post-ride Shuttle from St. Charles to Clinton
The post-ride shuttle will depart at 3 p.m. Shuttles will take riders to their cars at the Clinton Fairgrounds and Benson Center. Times may change closer to the date.
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I purchased tickets for the ride. What do I do now?Watch your emails! We will email details as we get closer to Big BAM and updates will be on the website. If you are not receiving emails let us know by emailing us at info@bigbamride.com.
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Who do I contact with questions or updates about my tickets?We are happy to help answer or resolve any problems that you might have! Please email us at info@bigbamride.com and we would be happy to help you out! You can edit and update your registration using the email you originally registered with.
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Where do I park my car during the ride?This information will be provided in an email to you.
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Is there a shuttle service before and after the ride?Yes. An optional shuttle service will be available for purchase. Please arrive early so that we have plenty of time to load your gear and bike. The gear truck will also be in this location. Pre- and post-ride shuttle passes are $149. Riders can either park at the end location or the start location of the ride, depending on preference. Long-term parking will be available near the campsite. Long-term parking is included in the shuttle fee, and you will receive a dashboard pass for parking and the address for parking in an email. The shuttle can transport bikes up to 60 pounds. We can take up to two 50-pound bags (including tents) per person. ​
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Who will be leading the ride?Whoever wants to be the first person to leave registration will be the leader! Big BAM will provide SAG and safety support from 6am to 5pm each day. We encourage you to stop often and enjoy the adventure. The people at the back have as good, if not better time, than those who race to the finish.
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Is it happening rain or shine?Rain or shine, the show will go on! But, of course, we’ll alert you to any safety concerns the weather may bring.
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Are campfires allowed at the overnight campsites?No campfires will be allowed at the designated overnight locations.
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Where will we be camping?Each overnight host town will have a designated camping area. These areas may be city parks, or school grounds or fairgrounds.
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Can I bring a tent?You bet. It just counts as one of your two allowed 50-pounds bag.
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Will there be showers available?Yes, we have arranged showers at facilities in cities or a shower truck. Clean towels daily are included in your registration fee.
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Where can I purchase food/beverages on the bike ride?There are small restaurants along the trail and in our overnight towns. Big BAM Event Organizers have made sure that the restaurants are aware of us coming and that they will be open and adequately staffed. Where there are "Food Deserts" we have arranged to bring in Food Trucks or Catered meals.
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How many bags can I bring on the transport service?We kindly request that you limit the number of bags that you bring on the event. Large tents are allowed, it just counts as one of your two allowed 50-pound bags.
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Will there be a SAG service in case we can't complete the bike ride?We will have a transport service for riders that will be traveling the route throughout the day. Riders who need a ride will need to keep an eye out for the SAG wagon and will be able to catch a ride to the overnight town. If you are unable to ride a certain day you will need to take the SAG wagon from the starting location and will be transported to the next overnight town as soon as the shuttle fills up. Please be aware that using the SAG wagon may involve long waits and not proceed directly to the overnight town. If it is not full, it may spend time waiting at each town stop along the way before it sets out on the next leg of the journey. Enjoy the towns along the way. The SAG number will be provided at the ride.
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Can I have my own personal SAG follow the ride?You bet. If you have your own SAG coming along we will provide a permit and safety guide.
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Are e-bikes allowed?Yes. And we provide Charging Stations in Camp. For those using the Hotel Option, Charging facilities are available in your Hotel.
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What's the best tire for the Katy Trail?You will see every kind of tire from road bikes to fat tires. In general, wider tires are better. If you're riding a mountain bike, hybrid, or comfort bike, your tires are fine. But many people ride road tires too. The crushed limestone packs down and gives you a solid surface, unless it's been raining a lot. But there are a few places where it's not packed as hard, or there may be slight ruts after recent rains, or where the trail crosses gravel roads, that require extra caution on road bikes.
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I'm no longer able to attend Big BAM. What do I do?See our refund policy here.
SAG SUPPORT
If you're feeling tired, running low on water, or you have a mechanical issue preventing you from riding further, we've got you covered.
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Our SAG support is included in your registration fee. They will be posted at water stops throughout the day waiting to shuttle you into camp, and if you're along the route and need a ride, they'll come and pick you up!
Our SAG support is included in your registration fee.
You will be given a SAG support phone number, and they monitor the road route and appear at trailheads along the way on the KATY. On the KATY, you will be followed by a mechanic, but you may have to wait and/or roll your bike to a trailhead as no vehicular traffic is allowed on the Katy Trail.