Kansas Cyclist - Kansas Bicycle Guide and Reference

This June, Andrew Henrichs begins an extraordinary journey. He’s planning to ride his bicycle to, and then climb, Colorado’s “fourteeners” — 54 mountain peaks, each at least 14,000 feet high.

Andrew will ride an Xtracycle-equipped mountain bike to the trailhead of each peak, and then climb to the summit on foot. This completely human-powered journey will entail biking over 1,400 miles and hiking over 350 miles. He hopes to accomplish this feat in 52 days.

Andrew is undertaking this project to raise funds for World Bicycle Relief’s Project Zambia, which provides bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia.

Each bike provided by World Bicycle Relief costs $109, and Andrew’s goal is to raise enough money to buy two bikes for each of the 54 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado, a total of $11,772. You can support this cause by making a donation on Andrew’s web site.

Andrew is an athletic trainer for Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado, and he plans to begin in Carbondale and heading west toward Minturn. From there, he’ll travel south down the Sawatch Range, then up through Breckenridge and on to peaks along the Front Range. He’ll then turn south to the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range before traveling through Alamosa and the San Juan Mountains before finishing with the Elk Range.

Read more: Man plans to ride to, climb Colorado’s fourteeners for cause from Summit Daily, Biking to and climbing Colorado’s “fourteeners” from Biking Bis.

As part of its plan to install approximately 1,000 bicycle spaces downtown, Columbia, Missouri is replacing an automobile parking spot with a “bike corral”, but keeping the parking meter, hoping that cyclists will chip in a few coins to help offset the income from the “lost” parking space.

The bike corral marks the first time the city has replaced car parking with bike parking. No fines will be handed out if the meter expires, but contributions to the meter will influence future decisions on providing bicycle parking downtown.

“It’s a vote for bike parking is what I would call it,” Ted Curtis, senior planner for Columbia’s Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program said. “We don’t know if people will donate. We’re just asking.”

Fred Schmidt, 49, was on hand while city workers attempted to secure the corral into the ground on Thursday afternoon. Although his bike wasn’t locked to the corral yet, Schmidt still obeyed the sign hanging on the meter that reads, “Donate your change for more bicycle parking in the future!”

“I was very proud to put in the first quarter. It was a historic occasion,” Schmidt said. “My quarter is a small payment for what the city is doing for me.”

Read more: New downtown bike corrals ask for voluntary meter payments from the Columbia Missourian.

Bicycling-related news from here and there around the heartland:

Kansas:

• Salina bicyclist Giang Ta of Salina, Kansas was hit by a car and injured on May 2nd. The motorist was ticketed for inattentive driving.
• The El Dorodo Times has coverage of last weekend’s Great Escape Bike Ride.
• Micah learned that Hills make you strong, wind makes you mean, and gravel makes you patient.
• An editorial in the Topeka Capital-Journal asks drivers to watch out for bicycles.

Arkansas:

• The National Trails Symposium is coming to Little Rock in November, and organizers are looking for volunteers to help make the event a success for the state.

Colorado:

• A motorist-cyclist conflict in Woody Creek, Colorado leads to a disorderly conduct charge for the cyclist, and an unsafe passing citation for the motorist.
• Allen Overton suffers from multiple sclerosis, but that doesn’t stop him. He’s riding his recumbent three-wheeled hand cycle from Longmont, Colorado to Illinois, planning to cycle 100 miles every day. “If you have MS, it doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy,” he said.
• Bicycling is dangerous in Greeley, Colorado, “home to hundreds, if not thousands, of the 8-mile-per-gallon behemoths we call Chevy Suburbans or Ford F-350s. Biking in Greeley is dangerous because nearly no one — outside of basic transportation necessity — does it.”
• Tim Blumenthal hopes to showcase bicycling at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August.
• The death of Denver cyclist Shahram Moghadamnia, who was killed on April 19th, is leading to calls for improvements to West 32nd in Denver, a popular route for cyclists heading to Lookout Mountain and other rides in the Golden area.
• TransAmerica cyclists helping Ordway, Colorado “Trail Angel” Gillian Hoggard after her home was destroyed by a wildfire in April.

Iowa:

• A group Iowa cyclists is raising money for clean water in their Waters of Hope tour around the state.
• The Des Moines Register features a profile of bike shop owner Kyle Robinson of Kyle’s Bikes in Ankeny, Iowa.

Missouri:

• Bikes, Buses and Feet - How to Make Alternatives to the Car Work for Kansas City from CampKC.
• Columbia, Missouri cyclist Judy Knudson travels to New York to ride as a marshal in the Five Boro Bike Tour. Knudson is one of the founders of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week in Columbia.
• In Columbia, Missouri, GetAboutColumbia gives away 100 free bicycles at the 7th annual Cycle Recycle.

Nebraska:

• 22-year-old Bryan Backhaus, co-owner of Bike Pedalers in Lincoln, died suddenly after experiencing flu-like symptoms. Bryan’s mysterious death leaves behind a grieving family and many unanswered questions. Friends from the shop are putting together a Ride for Bryan.
• Newly bicycle-friendly Omaha, Nebraska is adding bike racks to Metro Area Transit buses.

Oklahoma:

• John Paul Miller, the caretaker at Ron Stephens Stadium in Lawton, Oklahoma, rebuilds bicycles in his spare time, and has given away hundreds of them, mostly to children.

The Oklahoma FreeWheel is Oklahoma’s premier bicycle touring event. It starts June 8th at Marietta near the Texas border, and ends at Caldwell, Kansas on the 14th. This year will be the Oklahoma FreeWheel’s 30th anniversary.

Along the way the tour passes through numerous small towns, and with over 1000 cyclists, as well as hundreds of support people, the tour creates a major impact in the communities it passes through.

For most of the towns, FreeWheel is the biggest event they have each year, FreeWheel’s director, Ellen Proctor, said. “We have many towns that request us to come because we’re a huge economic boost to some of these little towns. We probably come in with about 1,200 to 1,300 people to their town, and eat and fuel vehicles. They’re going to spend money,” Proctor said.

“It’s a week with nature and good people; it’s the best way to see Oklahoma. This is how you can meet the wonderful people of Oklahoma. This is like the best-kept secret of 30 years you’ve never heard of — it’s a great family vacation, great entertainment, and that’s what we want it to be for everyone who takes part.”

Read more: Bicyclists bring a boost from Tulsa World.

David Lee Harrison of Enid, Oklahoma was killed after being struck from behind by a car.

Harrison, 46, was riding his Allez Elite Vittoria bicycle when he was hit by a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by Duard Spleth, 84, of Waukomis. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, the cause of the accident was listed as “distraction inside vehicle”. Spleth said that he looked down to adjust the air conditioning controls on the steering wheel and hit Harrison’s bicycle from behind.

The accident is under investigation, according to the OHP, but charges have not yet been filed.

The collision occurred on Tuesday, April 29th, at at 5:40 p.m. and Harrison, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and admitted in critical condition with head and trunk injuries. He died about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Harrison worked as a physician’s assistant in the emergency department at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center under Dr. Michael Ogle, who said “He didn’t make a fuss out of caring for the patient. He worked 55 hours a week for me, he was a hard worker. It will take two people to fill that hole.” David leaves behind a wife and 2 boys.

Read more: Bicyclist is critical and Man killed in bicycle wreck remembered from The Enid News & Eagle, and Bicyclist Dies After Wreck from KSBI-TV in Oklahoma City.

The family of Cheramara Motley is mourning the loss of the 5-year old girl, and praying for her brother, 14-year old Greg Womack, who is in critical but stable condition at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.

The two children were critically injured in St. Louis on Monday, April 28th, when they were hit by an SUV while riding their bicycle, the impact of which threw them into the path of a Metro bus coming from the opposite direction.

Greg had picked up his sister from a Head Start program, and they were headed home, with Greg pedaling the bike as Cheramara stood on the “pegs” of the back wheel.

The driver of the SUV has admitted to inattention, according to police. “He was traveling southbound on Sarah, when he looked up the kids were in front of him on the bicycle,” said Lt. Col. Reggie Harris of the St. Louis Police Department. The only skid marks on the street appeared to be from the bus.

Police investigators are looking into the incident, and no charges have been filed. Harris said the accident reconstruction team would be reviewing video from the bus’ on-board camera. Some reports indicate that the police are leaning toward declaring it “just a tragic accident.”

Members of the community gathered at the scene of the tragedy for a vigil on Wednesday evening, and the family thanked people for their support and asked for prayers. Cheramara and Greg’s mother, Carrie Motley, led the crowd in a song to remember her five year old daughter, and candles were lit in Cheramara’s honor.

“Just keep my baby in your heart and your mind and in your prayers, and keep them going up for my son,” said Motley. “For those parents out there that have babies, cherish them,” she said. “Because you never know.”

Read more: Crash kills girl on bike, injures brother, Girl Killed, Boy In Critical Condition After Being Struck By SUV, Prayer Vigil For 5 Year Old Killed In Tragic Crash, Mother of Children Hit by Car and Bus Speaks Out, Crowd prays for children struck by car.

Image courtesy KSDK.

With Spring finally in full swing, cyclists in the midwest have plenty of rides to choose from this weekend:

Kansas:

• Tour northern Miami County, just south of the Kansas City metro, May 3rd at the Bull Creek Bike Bash starting in Spring Hill, Kansas.
• The Kansas Fat Tire Festival takes place May 3rd and 4th on the picturesque trails at Lake Wilson’s Hell Creek State Park near Hays, Kansas.
• Also occurring in Hays on May 3rd is the Rope ‘em Ride, which showcases the historical cathedrals in the area with routes from 5 to 100 miles.
• Cycle the beautiful Flint Hills on May 4th with The Great Escape, a ride to benefit the Spiritual Life Center at El Dorado Correctional Facility near El Dorado, Kansas.

Arkansas:

• In Mountain Home, Arkansas, the Syllamo’s Revenge Mountain Bike Challenge lets you test your skills and endurance on a 50-mile course in the rugged Ozark Mountains on May 3rd.

Missouri:

• The Trail to a Cure takes place May 4th on the Katy Trail at Rocheport, Missouri to benefit AIDS research.

Oklahoma:

• Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Tour de Tulsa has been a spring cycling fixture for over 20 years. It rolls on May 3rd.
• The Valley Rally Bicycle Tour takes place in south-central Oklahoma’s Pauls Valley on May 3rd.

This is one of the busiest cycling weekends of the year so far, so saddle up and hit the road (or trail)!

• Chris from Olathe is ticked off because his son was hit by a car while riding his bike to school, and the driver took off (the boy’s OK, thankfully).
• Greg French, a rider for the SKC Racing Team, was hit by a pickup while on a team training ride.
• Steve Tilford is sticking to the sheets.
• Eric Rogers is enjoying his new Dahon folding bike.
• About 80 college students built hiking and biking trails at Melvern Lake as part of a new “Kansas Corps” program that uses student volunteers to serve the state of Kansas.
• Sockrider from Lincoln, Nebraska wants drivers to stop talking on cell phones and pay attention!
• “Trail Angel” Gillian Hoggard’s home was destroyed by fire in Ordway, Colorado. Gillian opened her home for touring bicyclists on the TransAmerica Bicycle Route, and was honored with a Trail Angel award in 2006.
• Tom Ezell from Arkansas discusses why he wears a helmet.
• Voters in Maryville, Missouri approved a bond for developing a network of trails.
• Kansas City, Missouri is running a contest to name the new citywide trail system and design a logo.
• One child killed, another injured in St. Louis, Missouri after the two children were hit by an SUV and then thrown into the path of a metro bus. More from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MyFox St. Louis.
• In Norman, Oklahoma, students from the University of Oklahoma parked their bikes in metered parking spots for a full day in an effort to raise awareness of bicycles as a viable form of transportation.

It’s hard to surpass springtime on Missouri’s Katy Trail, particularly near the historic and scenic town of Rocheport. You can enjoy beauty, and help to raise money for HIV/AIDS research and services in Mid-Missouri, on the Trail to a Cure, a ride/walk/run event that takes place on May 4th, starting at the Katy Trail State Park trailhead in Rocheport.

You can choose to ride from Rocheport to McBaine, a round-trip of 18 miles, or from Rocheport to Easley, a round-trip of 32 miles. There is also a 10K walk, a 10K run, and an 18-mile run. The starts for the various activities are staggered so that everyone gets back to the trailhead by about 2pm, where all participants can partake in a post-event celebration with their friends and family at the Les Bourgeois Winery.

The event is a fundraising benefit for two AIDS-related organizations: amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and Rain of Central Missouri. 100% of the funds raised by participants are passed along to the beneficiaries.

amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.

Rain of Central Missouri is the region’s leading STD prevention resource focused on education, early detection and compassionate care facilitation. In addition to high quality education and prevention services, Rain offers compassionate case management to persons with HIV/STD and HCV in the form of counseling, physician referrals, housing, social services, nutritional planning, risk reduction counseling, and treatment adherence counseling.

The event is organized by Larry Horning, owner of the Trailside Cafe & Bike Shop, located right across the street from the trailhead in Rocheport.

Learn more: New AIDS Benefit in Missouri To Depend on Pedal Power from CampKC.com

Joplin, Missouri is planning to expand the city’s trail system this summer, adding six miles of walking and biking trails to the existing 3.5 miles of the Frisco Greenway Trail.

The city has scheduled an open house to allow residents to view plans, offer comments and ask questions about the new trails, which are being built starting in July and August. 80 percent of the cost of the trails is being paid for with federal matching grant money, while the city is supplying 20% of the funds.

The new projects include trails that extend from downtown to the east and then northwest through Landreth Park across Main Street and along the Murphy Boulevard corridor. Other trails will extend from the Frisco Greenway Trail’s west trailhead and fork to provide trails to Ewert Park downtown, and Joe Becker Stadium. A trail in the southern portion of Joplin will connect to an existing trail of the Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center and travel along the south banks of Shoal Creek.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation reports that “Joplin is becoming one of the most progressive cities in the state for having the vision to extend its trails plan to all parts of the city.”

Read more: Open house scheduled for Joplin’s trail plans from the Joplin Globe, and Joplin to build several trails throughout city from MoBikeFed