Kansas Cyclist - Kansas Bicycle Guide and Reference

Olathe, Kansas is opening a new connector trail this weekend. The Heritage Trail is a 2.3-mile paved multi-use path that connects existing paths at Black Bob Park and Heritage Park.

Black Bob Park has a 1.4-mile gravel path, while Heritage Park contains about 3 miles of paved multi-use trails.

Olathe has a PDF map of the Heritage Trail (or just click the image on the right).

Unfortunately, there is no direct trail connection between the Heritage Trail and the popular Indian Creek Trail that passes nearby. The easiest way to get between the two is probably via the 143rd Street bike lanes.

Starting at 143rd (Sheridan St.) and Lindenwood Drive (where the Indian Creek Trail crosses 143rd), head east on 143rd, using the on-street bike lanes. Continue east about 1.5 miles and take a right on Darnell Street. Take Darnell south for 0.3 miles, then 146th Terrace east a block, then Alden Street south to Black Bob Park (the rear entrance is an unmarked sidewalk, which is a little hard to see unless you’re looking for it), then follow the gravel path around the park to the main entrance (watch out for soft spots and washouts on this trail). The Heritage Trail begins across 151st (use the traffic light, which does detect bicycles). [ view route ]

Here’s the announcement from the KC Star:

Olathe is opening a new 2-mile pedestrian trail on Labor Day.

The Heritage Trail will run from Heritage Park to Black Bob Park between 151st and 159th Streets.

It is currently 98 percent complete. A contractor was seeding along the trail this week and sodding will begin after Sept. 15.

Hikers, runners and bicyclists will be using the trail but motorized vehicle will not be allowed.

The entire trail has been asphalted and concrete approaches have been installed.

Michael Latka, project coordinator for the city’s parks and recreation department, said the trail cost $840,000 to construct. He said 80 percent of those dollars came from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Johnson County paid 10 percent of the cost and the city tax dollars paid for the remaining 10 percent.

Latka said the city already has constructed 23 miles of trails within the city limits, including trails within parks.

Another trail is under construction near 159th Street and Ridgeview Road and is currently about 45 percent complete. The South Indian Creek Trail is scheduled to be completed this November. The majority of the project will be finished at the end of this month.

Here are a few photos of the nearly-finished trail:

Here’s the trail at 151st and Mullen, across the street from Black Bob Park. At this point it runs along 151st for a few hundred feet as a wide sidewalk.

As the trail turns south, it transitions to an asphalt surface. Stay on the trail, as the sides are loose dirt, and there may be dirt and rocks on the trail itself in places, particularly after a rain.

At Manor Park, the trail passed through a wetland area on a nice boardwalk path.

The trail then passes through an open greenway behind some housing developments, as it approaches 159th Street.

Please be careful as the trail crosses 159th — motorists here tend to not stop before they reach the crosswalk, and in many cases don’t stop at all:

Once across 159th, the trail enters Heritage Park, where you can ride around the lake or take the trail across the dam and ride the trails on the south end of the park. Be sure to visit the landmark silo on “Blackbob Island”!

Miami County, Kansas has a lot to offer bicyclists: a rich history and scenic countryside with many low-traffic paved roads, hundreds of miles of gravel roads, mountain biking trails at Hillsdale Lake, and the unfinished-but-still-rideable Flint Hills Nature Trail out of Osawatomie.

But cyclists in Miami County haven’t had much of a social bicycling scene to be part of. If area cyclists wanted to ride with a group, they had to travel north to the Johnson County Bicycle Club or the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club. But suddenly, Miami County cyclists have not one, but two bike clubs close to home:

The Miami County Bicycle Club is a “recreational (non-racing) cycling club whose goal is to promote bicycling safety, advocacy, and fellowship.” The club launched in late March, and appears to be still in the process of setting up their club and web site.

Their web site is at miamicountybicycleclub.com, and they’re also on Facebook.

The Miami County Velo Cycling Club is focused not only on recreational cyclists, but also on competitive cycling and bicycles as transportation: “The mission of MiCo Velo Cycling Club is to promote bicycling as a sport, an alternative means of transportation, a safe and fun way to exercise in all of Miami County and its communities.”

Their web site is at micovelo.com, and they’re also on Facebook and Twitter.

The Miami County Velo Cycling Club debuted at the recent Roots Festival in Paola, as reported by the Louisburg Herald:

A group of Miami County cyclers have formed a new club to generate more awareness of their sport, and they kicked off their new organization with a ride throughout Miami County on Saturday morning.

The new group is called the Miami County Velo Cycling Club, and it is being spearheaded by Paola residents Scott Dreiling and Joe Knecht.

The group’s website, www.micovelo.com, explains that “velo” is the French word for bike, and the club is all about biking and promoting it in the community.

“Over the past few years, we’ve noticed more and more bikes on the road and around the county. We’ve met a few riders on the road and trail from here. So, we wondered just how many more there were, and whether they (or you) would join a group and have a voice. With all these riders around, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to do something about making cycling a bigger part of our community?” the website states.

About 25 cyclists gathered in the parking lot behind El Tapatio at 8 a.m. Saturday morning for the club’s first group cycling event called Rock and Roll to Roots.

Some club members did a 10-mile loop around Lake Miola, while others chose to do a longer 20-mile ride down toward Block Corners and back to Paola.

Some cyclists, such as Rob White and Justin Benton, were practicing for the Midwest Meltdown Triathlon, which took place Sunday morning at Lake Miola. Others were simply enjoying the nice weather and good company while cycling with friends.

Scott and Christy Dreiling brought their children along and14-year-old Dillon, 10-year-old Nash and 6-year-old Cruz were all riding along with the other members of the club Saturday.

Joe and Steff Knecht also rode with their children, 10-year-old Jaden and 7-year-old Jordan.

The group hopes to have more rides in the future, but both Joe and Scott said they’d like to see club members get involved and post their own rides so more cyclists can start riding in groups.

The first official meeting of the new club is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2010 at 6:30 PM at the El Tapatio Restaurant in downtown Paola.

It’s great to see the new bike clubs get organized and help to spread the excitement about cycling opportunities in Miami County!

From Bike Topeka comes news of an opportunity to influence bicycle facility planning in Topeka, Kansas:

The City of Topeka, through grant funding from KDOT, is working toward building a bikeways master plan, including suggested bike routes, bike lanes, paths, and shared facilities.

The study will be a guide for future transportation development in Topeka.

Please take a moment to participate in this survey. The results may help determine the future of bicycling in Topeka.

Thank you for your participation.

The Topeka Bikeway Master Plan is being developed by RDG Planning & Design, which has created a web site for the project with news, information, and materials related to the development of the master plan.

One interesting document they’ve created is an Infrastructure Alternatives presentation, which provides a look at some existing Topeka streets and possible improvements from around the nation and the world.

The Topeka Bikeways Master Plan Survey asks questions about your current bicycle usage, asks for your comfort level with a number of current Topeka street configurations, and seeks your opinion on the improvements you’d like to see.

The survey is open to all (not just Topeka residents), so please take the time to complete the survey and get the Topeka Bikeway Master Plan kicked off right, and to help make bicycling a greater part of the city’s transportation future.

Here’s some info on this year’s Gorilla Century:

The 8th annual Gorilla Century in Pittsburg, KS will be Saturday September 4th. We’ll be keeping many of the great 2009 SAG’s like Simone’s Ristorante & The North Pole but using a modified course for 2010 that will allow for more SAG’s closer together. The Gorilla Century still claims the title of the flattest & fastest century you can do with only the wind to battle.

The 2010 Gorilla Century will be a fundraiser for two worthy groups. The Children’s Advocacy Center will get half of all ride proceeds while KanBikeWalk will get $1 for each registered rider.

The Children’s Advocacy Center is a safe house and advocate for abused children. The CAC mission is “Reduce the traumatic effects of abuse; protect children from maltreatment; seek justice for child victims; investigate abuse as a team and strengthen our community’s ability to nurture children, while keeping the comfort and safety of the child the first priority.”

KanBikeWalk is the statewide advocate for cycling and pedestrian safety and education. The mission of KBW is “Promoting a safe bicycling and walking environment for Kansans through education and advocacy”.

As cyclists we have a vested interest in supporting KBW; the CAC’s protection of abused children always deserves support. The Gorilla Century is proud to help support these groups to the limit of our ability.

Pittsburg’s Little Balkans Days festival takes place the same weekend as the Gorilla Century and gives any non-riding family members something really fun to do. With everything from hot air balloon rides, train rides, quilt shows, car shows, street dancing and a carnival plus dozens more activities there is something for everyone to do or see. If the festival isn’t enough there’s also a PSU home football game that begins at noon.

Lodging for 2010 is easier and less expensive. We’ve negotiated reduced rates at three local hotels to make the trip more affordable. You can find all the lodging info plus registration options, a restaurant guide, directions and more at the Gorilla Century http://www.tailwindcyclists.com/localevents/gorillacentury/gorilla.htm web page.

Here’s the flyer for the event:

Sounds like a great ride!

Sometimes, I wonder how important bike lanes are in the day-to-day business of getting around by bicycle.

Many of the roads I ride don’t have bike lanes or paved shoulders, and it’s generally not a problem. If a bike lane is available, I’ll use it, but it’s not necessary — I’ll ride pretty much any road required to get me to my destination, riding with traffic, sharing the road.

But I had an interesting experience the other day that perhaps highlights what the presence or absence of a bike lane can mean.

I was riding north through Olathe on Woodland Road, a two-lane street with a bike lane on each side of the road. No problems, even at intersections, where the bike lanes disappear, and I merged into the vehicular flow.

But as Woodland Road passes from Olathe into Lenexa, the bike lanes end, and the road becomes a four-lane street, with two lanes separated by a raised center island.

Just a quarter mile into Lenexa, a quarter mile after the bike lanes end, I get a pointer.

A woman in a car passes me, gesticulating aggressively, pointing towards the sidewalk. Her meaning was pretty clear: I belonged on the sidewalk, not the street.

Yeah, right. I smiled and waved, and she just pointed harder for a few seconds, scowling, before speeding off.

So was this just one misguided motorist, who believes that roads are only for cars? Probably.

But would it have even been an issue on a road with a bike lane? No.

Anecdotal evidence, but yeah, bike lanes do make a difference.

A difference in safety? Perhaps not. You could even argue that adding a bike lane just reinforces the prejudices of the motorists who are unwilling to share the road, who insist that bicycles and cars can’t safely co-exist.

But whatever. I’ll take ‘em if I can get ‘em. Bike lanes are appreciated.

Kansas Trail News for August 25, 2010 from Sunflower Recreational Trails:

TE Funds Awarded For Tonganoxie Trail

The City of Tonganoxie has received a federal TE grant through KDOT to build the second phase of the Tonganoxie Trail which will extend the current 10-foot wide pedestrian/bicycle trail from Chieftain Trail along Tonganoxie Drive to Laming Road and then east to the new post office. It would allow children to safely go under the highway.

The City’s required 20 percent local match is $200,000. The grant only pays for construction and the City is responsible for design, easement and any utility relocation. This project requires no easement acquisition.

Read more: KDOT selects Tonganoxie trails project for transportation enhancement grant

Trail At Pioneer Bluffs National Historic District Near Matfield Green

This 1859 ranch, one mile north of Matfield Green in the scenic central Flint Hills, is on the National Register as an historic district and contains an impressive stone house, many stone outbuildings, and an old rock fence. The large 30,000 square-foot garden is rich in fruits and vegetables feeding about 31 families, many of whom work for their food. The following excerpts are taken from their website: pioneerbluffs.org.

A sustainable and productive farm – modeled on the 1916 farm of Henry and Maud Rogler – provides healthy food for residents of Matfield Green and others within a 100-mile radius.

People live, play and work at Pioneer Bluffs. Simple, comfortable and accessible accommodations provide opportunities for long- and short-term stays. A technologically up-to-date Retreat Center and Bunkhouse draw groups of up to 25 people from Wichita, Kansas City and beyond. The Main Barn is renovated for use as an assembly space and welcome center. The Main House, restored to its 1916 condition, is available for weekly rental. A farm manager and family live upstairs in the Granary. Interns are accommodated at offsite housing in Matfield Green. A certified kitchen and small dining room provide delicious locally-raised food for visitors and staff.

A small store or gift shop features local crafts and food, including value-added products created in the Pioneer Bluffs certified kitchen.

A 1.5 mile public walking/biking trail (developed on easements provided to the Foundation by private landowners) along the west side of Highway 177 offers dramatic prairie views and facilitates access between Matfield Green and Pioneer Bluffs.

Pioneer Bluffs is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday through Monday.

Kansas Magazine Article About State’s Trails

The most recent Kansas Magazine (Fall 2010, pages 20-25) has an article entitled “Hit the Trails” by Doug Vance quoting Mike Goodwin of the Kansas Trails Council concerning recreational trails in Kansas. It features photography by Cathy Mores and mentions the Prairie Spirit Trail and the Flint Hills Nature Trail among others.

Clear Creek Trail In Shawnee Receives TE Grant

The following is an article which appeared in the KC Star:

Shawnee’s Clear Creek Trail on list for funding
By JIM SULLINGER
The Kansas City Star

August 17, 2010

Shawnee is one step closer to providing a three-mile long bicycle and pedestrian trail for residents of western Shawnee.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has placed the last mile of the Clear Creek Trail on its list of enhanced projects, which puts it in line for federal funding.

The trail already exists for about a mile between Kansas 7 and Monticello Road north of Shawnee Mission Parkway.

The second mile from Monticello to Woodland is under construction with completion scheduled for December.

The third segment from Woodland to the Gary L. Haller Trail, which runs north-south from Olathe to the Kansas River, is the last mile of the project and now waits federal funding.

The route follows Clear Creek. Each segment costs about $1.3 million.

The last section will go under the railroad tracks just west of the Haller trail. Officials hope to begin construction sometime next year. After that, the future plans calls for it to be extended west of K-7 to Clare Road.

See also: City Receives Grant

Buffalo Bill Visitor/cultural Center Receives Grant

KDOT has approved a federal Transportation Enhancements s grant to build a Buffalo Bill Visitor/Cultural Center near Oakley. That is where William Cody had a contest with another buffalo hunter to claim the moniker “Buffalo Bill”. Cody shot 69 and Bill Comstock shot 46 in one day. Cody killed buffalo for food and not hides. He was paid to obtain buffalo meat for railroad crews and the cavalry.

Perhaps, Abilene should obtain a grant to build a visitor/cultural center for Wild Bill Hickok. He was actually a more important and famous Old West figure than Buffalo Bill.

Active Community Transportation Act Of 2010

This bill (H.R. 4722) in the US House (now co-sponsored by 66 members) will, according to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (one of the primary backers of the bill), create:

“a competitive fund, which will invest in communities that best make the case for resources to shift large numbers of trips from driving to walking and bicycling. The two billion-dollar program, with funds set aside within the Surface Transportation Program, will allow dozens of communities nationally to improve their walking and bicycling networks.”

Editor’s note: If the bill isn’t acted upon by the end of the year, it will have to be reintroduced and cosponsors will have to sign on again.

Topeka Trails Network Progresses

Bill Riphahn of Topeka Parks & Recreation reports that bids are ready to be let out in a matter of days for building the Landon Nature Trail (from 25th south to 47th St.). Once a notice goes out, the City must wait for 30 days before awarding a contract.

The Shunga Trail to the East is nearing completion in a matter of weeks. Just one retaining wall remains to be completed, then the final walkways will be poured.

Property deeds have been secured from Ed Marling’s store to link the West Shunga Trail with SW McClure St. to the SW of Marling’s. Bids will probably go out next spring, but could be let this fall yet.
The same applies to the Deer Creek Trail bids from 6th to 12th Streets.

Kansas Trail News is published monthly by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Recreational Trails, P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people age 6 to 33. “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” focuses on reducing traffic fatalities by encouraging motorists to take extra precautions.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a national safety awareness campaign focused on reducing all types of traffic fatalities. Each state sponsors events and activities throughout the year to increase awareness, and numerous transportation partners in Kansas work together to help achieve this goal.

Last year, nearly 700 Kansas kids ages 5-13 participated in a safety poster contest with 18 kids receiving
regional and statewide recognition. This year, the poster contest is happening again. Kansas kids age 5 through 13 are invited to enter artwork representing their thoughts on “Put the Brakes on Fatalities.” Regional winners in the three age categories will be chosen. Then, three statewide winners will be selected from the 18 regional winners!

Put The Brakes On Fatalities 2010 Poster Contest Entry Form

Each regional winner will receive a new bicycle and helmet courtesy of: Wal-Mart statewide, and Safe Kids Kansas.

All entries must be postmarked by September 3, 2010. Winners will be announced on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, October 10, 2010.

You can learn more about the contest from the Kansas Department of Transportation: What is Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day? and Poster Contest Flier.

You can learn more about Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day at brakesonfatalities.org.

Kids, if you’re looking for some inspiration, check out some of the entries from 2008: Kids Advocate For Traffic Safety.

The Salina Journal is reporting that police in Salina, Kansas are cracking down on motorized bicycles:

Cole Rodenbeek says he and some friends who ride their bicycles to work are being eco-friendly and trying to save money on their daily commute to work.

But Salina police say he and his friends are breaking the law. It’s the motors on the bikes the Salinans ride that have drawn law officers’ attention.

Equipped with 49 cubic centimeter motors that get as much as 175 miles to the gallon of gas, their bikes can cruise at 20 miles an hour along the street or faster downhill.

Recently, one of the riders was stopped by a patrol officer and given a ticket for riding an unregistered vehicle on a city street. The fine in Salina Municipal Court for driving an unregistered vehicle is $50, and court costs are $50.

Officers aren’t against saving fuel. But the law says that any vehicle driven on a street has to be registered and have a license tag, said Lt. Russ Lamer, traffic unit commander.

A motorized bicycle doesn’t have a vehicle identification number, so it can’t be registered, Lamer said. The same holds true for golf carts, which also are illegal to operate on Salina streets, he said. Mopeds have VINs, so they can be registered.

Bicycles powered by electric motors also would not be legal to drive on city streets, Lamer said. [Read more]

Here are the Kansas Bicycle Laws and Statutes related to motorized bicycles:

8-1592a. Application of 8-1586 to 8-1592 (bicycle-specific statutes) to motorized bicycles.

The provisions of K.S.A. 8-1586 to 8-1592, inclusive, shall be applicable to motorized bicycles, and every person operating a motorized bicycle shall be subject to the provisions thereof.

8-1592b. Electric-assisted bicycles; traffic law application; no registration or driver’s license required.

Vehicle registration and driver’s license shall not be required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle. Traffic regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply to electric-assisted bicycles, except tricycles with no brake horsepower.

8-1439a. “Motorized bicycle” defined.

“Motorized bicycle” means every device having two tandem wheels or three wheels which may be propelled by either human power or helper motor, or by both, and which has:

(a) A motor which produces not more than 3.5 brake horsepower;

(b) a cylinder capacity of not more than 130 cubic centimeters;

(c) an automatic transmission; and

(d) the capability of a maximum design speed of no more than 30 miles per hour except a low power cycle.

8-1489. “Electric-assisted bicycle” defined.

“Electric-assisted bicycle” means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle’s electric motor must have a power output of no more than 1,000 watts, be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground and incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device beyond 20 miles per hour.

Here’s what the Kansas Highway Patrol says about motorized bicycles (and Mopeds):

“Motorized bicycle” means every device having two tandem wheels or three wheels, which may be propelled by either human power, helper motor, or by both and which has:

• A motor which produces not more than 3.5 brake horsepower;
• A cylinder capacity of not more than 130 cubic centimeters;
• An automatic transmission; and
• The capability of a maximum design speed of no more than 30 miles per hour except a low power cycle.

* The operator must possess a valid driver’s license for any class of motor vehicle, or a driver’s license specifically for the operation of a motorized bicycle per KSA 8-235. [read more]

And here’s what the Kansas Department of Revenue says:

A motorized bicycle manufactured in 1980 or after must have a seventeen (17) digit VIN conforming to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration requirements. There must also be a decal or plate attached with a statement that the motorized bicycle meets the Federal Safety Standards. If the motorized bicycle does not meet these requirements, it more than likely will be considered a “toy vehicle” which will not be titled or registered in Kansas and cannot be operated on public roadways within Kansas.

In addition, a motorized bicycle must meet the following requirements: have two tandem wheels or three wheels which may be propelled by either human power or helper motor, or by both, and which has all of the following:
(a) A motor which produces not more than 3.5 brake horsepower*;
(b) a cylinder capacity of not more than 130 cubic centimeters;
(c) an automatic transmission; and
(d) the capability of a maximum design speed of no more than 30 miles per hour.

If the vehicle does not have every one of these requirements, it will not be titled or registered in Kansas. If the vehicle exceeds any of the number values or has a manual transmission, it will be considered a motorcycle and will be titled and registered as such.

How do I get a license to operate a Motorized bicycle (Moped)?
Provide acceptable proof of identity. Pass a vision test and written test.

Seems like there’s some degree of fuzziness and inconsistency among the various agencies. Add in the possibility that different municipalities may have different statutes, and the situation is pretty confusing all around.

But it appears that Lt. Russ Lamer with the Salina Police Department is correct: Motorized bicycles (powered by an internal combustion engine) need to be licensed and registered. And since bicycles don’s have a VIN (apparently the bicycler serial number doesn’t suffice), they can’t be registered.

But his second statement, that “Bicycles powered by electric motors also would not be legal to drive on city streets”, seems to be contradicted by state statute 8-1592b which clearly states that “no registration or driver’s license required” (as long as it can’t go faster than 20 MPH).

The bottom line: Motorized bicycles are (probably) not street-legal in Kansas!

So just ride a normal (human-powered) bicycle and avoid the whole issue. Pedal bicycles do not require license or registration (except in a few communities). Plus, they’re far less expensive, and much better for your physical and mental health!

Finally, a decision on the case of the Race Across America Cyclist Struck By Car in Kansas near Wichita back in June … unfortunately, one that’s sure to disturb and infuriate anyone who cares about justice.

From KAKE in Wichita:

The man who hit a Spanish cyclist who was riding in the Race Across America in June will not face criminal charges.

The driver was cited for inattentive driving and given a ticket, but police could not determine if there was anything illegal being done to cause the driver to drive onto the shoulder of K-254 Highway. Police checked cell phone records and could not find any evidence that the driver had been using it when he hit the cyclist.

Diego Ballesteros is in a rehabilitation hospital in Barcelona, Spain, after cycling enthusiast Ben Sciortino and his wife loaned him $21,000 to return home last month. Sciortino says Ballesteros’ friends and family have already reimbursed him but that Ballesteros will still need help.

“Diego had already forgiven the driver of the car that hit him,” Sciortino said. “He is in good spirits even though doctors in Spain have told him he will be paralyzed from the ribcage down.”

“He is still in the hospital and will be for quite some time,” Sciortino continued. “When the paralysis is as high as it is, he will not have use of his back muscles but will still have use of his arms.”

Ballesteros trying to put the accident behind him and look to the future. He hopes to continue his bicycling next year with the use of a bicycle that is specially-built for paraplegics that allows the rider to pedal with their hands.

Right now, Ballesteros’ need is financial. He will never be able to walk again and his apartment in his hometown of Barbastro is a 4th floor walk-up. He will always need help getting into and out of his wheelchair.

Friends in Wichita have set up the Diego Ballesteros Benefit Fund at the Carson Bank at 4641 East Douglas Avenue. Those funds are being forwarded to Ballesteros in Spain. [read more]

The driver was Keith J. Swoverland, age 22, of Wichita. Diego Ballesteros Cucurull was participating in the Race Across America (RAAM) as part of the 4-person COANFI Desafio ASPANOA relay team, which withdrew from the event when Diego was injured.

Here’s an interview with Diego, from KWCH:

Best wishes for your recovery, Diego.

From Eric Benjamin at Adventure Monkey comes news of something he calls the Adventure Monkey Flint Hills Photo-Cycling Tour:

Adventure Monkey Flint Hills Photo-Cycling Tours are meant for people that:

• Want to learn more about digital photography and post-processing of images
• Want to experience the beauty and remoteness of the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas
• Want to experience a challenging cycling trip through the Flint Hills

Friday September 10 we meet at High Gear Cyclery in Emporia, KS (520 Commercial) at 1 PM. We take our cars to a drop off point and ride our bikes to Camp Wood (support vehicle will take your supplies to camp ahead of us). Photography class that night, Mostly riding and shooting all day Saturday. Saturday night is for the anticipated post-processing class where I will show you how I squeeze all the juicy colors and details out of my shots in Adobe LR and PS. All secrets revealed! Sunday breakfast, eat, clean up and ride back to Emporia, goodbye hugs will ensue.

This will be a great time! We will get in at least 100 miles over the weekend, but that all depends on the ability of the participants (that means we may be able to get more miles in). Keep in mind, this is a PHOTO-cycling tour. That means when we want to stop to shoot a picture or discuss the “best” way to shoot something we will. No mileage pressure. That being said, it IS the Flint Hills of Eastern Kansas, the home of the Dirty Kanza 200 and the Flint Hills Death Ride both of which make cyclists cry and give up. I intend it to be challenging. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t be showing you the Flint Hills very well. If you are cycling regularly, you will be able to handle this. Also, a mountain bike or CX bike with meaty mountain bike tires are necessary unless you want a weekend of changing flats. I know I don’t. All this should cost a bundle right? I mean I AM giving away some of my secrets after all. Let me break it down for you:

You get 5 meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast), a cabin to sleep in, photography tutelage, some sweet riding in the Flint Hills and a weekend with Lelan and I! Wow, it doesn’t get much better than that! How much? Since this is our first event and we really want you to come to critique it, it will only be $75 for cabin and $45 for tent camping. That’s a steal. I can’t wait to see you there!

I am trying to help you with this tour. Help you do what you ask? There’s a little monkey inside you, He craves adventure. It’s time to … Feed Your Monkey!

Download the registration form for complete details, or visit the Adventure Monkey Blog for examples of some of the scenery you’ll experience on this trip (and some of Eric’s stunning images).

It ought to be a really fun and informative weekend. Hope to see you there. (Yes, Kansas Cyclist is planning to be there, too!)