The Underground Rail Ride

The Underground Rail Ride is a family-friendly bicycle ride chronicling three sites on the Lane Trail, part of the Underground Railroad through Topeka, Kansas:

• Ritchie House, 1116 SE Madison -- In the 1850's the Ritchie stone house was known as a haven for those seeking freedom. After the Civil War, Ritchie made housing lots available to freed slaves and a neighborhood of African Americans sprang up near his home.
• Owen House, 3212 NW Rochester Rd. -- Abolitionist John Brown was a frequent visitor and Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman stayed there for a week before his service in the Civil War.
• Constitution Hall, 429 S Kansas Ave. -- In 1856, this was the "Quartermaster's Depot" for the Underground Railroad activities on the Lane Trail to freedom in the North and Canada.

The 13-mile route, which includes both city streets and the Shunga Trail, begins and ends at the Topeka Community Cycle Project, 423 S. Kansas Ave. in Topeka. The ride is free, but registration is required.

Registration Form