Kansas Cyclist - Kansas Bicycle Guide and Reference

Kansas City, Missouri, which last summer closed Cliff Drive, the only urban Scenic Byway in the state of Missouri, to motorized vehicles on weekends from May through October, has decided to expand the program:

Beginning this Friday at 2:00pm, Cliff Drive will be closed to motorized vehicles every weekend throughout the year. The gates will reopen each Monday at 8:00am.

The innovative Car Free Weekends pilot program, which took place every weekend from May to October 2008, was initiated to provide safe opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle-oriented activities that promote healthy lifestyles for all to enjoy. Based on the success of the 2008 summer program, the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners approved the expansion of the program to year round.

Impact of the 2008 Pilot Program:

• Residents reported an increase in visitation to the Northeast by bicyclists
• KCPD reported the number of 2008 calls/incidents specific to Cliff Drive decreased by 74% when compared to 2007
• The Kansas City Museum reported attendance increases even with the restoration of Corinthian Hall
• Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Operations staff reported fewer incidents of dumping, less litter and fewer incidents of vandalism

Laurie Chipman, Advocate for the Kansas City Bicycle Club, notes that “Here is a win-win low cost program. Crime is reduced because cars are shut off and there are “eyes on the street.” Some of this crime was no doubt dumping of trash. But, more visits to the neighborhood increases economic development opportunities. I would like to see this car-free route lengthened into areas where people can buy refreshments or some vendors set up stands there.”

Read more: Car Free Weekends on Cliff Drive Expand, Cliff Drive will extend pedestrian weekends, No Driving on Cliff Drive.

Coronado Heights is a landmark hill northwest of Lindsborg, Kansas. It is alleged to be the place where Francisco Vasquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and turned around to return to Mexico. The top of the 300-foot hill is capped by a park containing stone structures built by the Works Progress Administration in 1932, including a “castle”, stone picnic sites, and stone front gate. The view from the park is spectacular and people on the top can see for miles. A 3 mile mountain bicycle trail winds around the hill in a figure 8 loop, and draws cyclists from throughout the region.

On February 18th, Coronado Heights caught on fire, and with the dried grasses and brush of late winter, most of the hill was quickly consumed.

Mike Rodriquez of All the Pages Are My Days took some pictures of the fire in progress:

You can view the rest of Mike’s pictures at his Flickr site.

Mark Flynn of the Central Kansas Mountain Bike Club took some photos the next day:

This image is looking southeast over the top of the staircase with Lindsborg in the distance. You can view the rest of Mark’s photos for more details.

Brian Holdsworth, also of the CKMBC, provided this report on the state of the mountain bike trails at Coronado:

I’ve been out riding the past two days and the “trail” is in exactly the same condition it would be on any other day except that there’s practically nothing unburnt bordering approximately 70% percent of the trail. Heavily treed and shrubbed areas survived while grassy knolls with yucca and sumac made great fodder for the flames apparently. Pasture ground outside of the fence all the way around the north side (down some dozens of yards) and then all pasture from that radius and due south to the east and west are razed. Some areas in the Cemetery are also burned. In some cases the “trail” halted flames from spreading. Significant but not totally disastrous as the Hill may well regenerate beautifully in the long run. “Riding on the surface of the moon” comes to mind. It is an “uncanny” ride because the exposure level is a little alarming.

I think it’s significant to say then that the eyes will be on anyone riding out there. The amount of traffic to the hill has immediately increased mostly because people have heard about it and are curious. Coronado gets a lot of visitors anyway and we have certainly seen more families with children on the trail. We’ve seen people running the trail for training and there is “fairly regular” vehicle traffic as well. We’ve all seen some who are taking “liberties”. I’ve seen paint-ballers shooting the buildings and trash cans and people up there with 4WD’s that are generally tearing stuff up but, for the most part, people genuinely wish to enjoy the space. When need be I have expressed to any “violators” that the Hill is private property and that their tag number makes a good reference for me if I need to explain anything I’ve seen “going on” up there.

When riding I make a point of greeting people as cordially as possible (as I have slowed to “yield” the trail!). Most are pleased to step to the side to let “us” pass and I think it becomes a matter of appreciating the experience of the activity to be friendly to others who are there. I believe it’s in my best interest to interact with them and let them know that I respect their experience as well. We’re community. Coronado Heights is a very compact space, unlike most other trail systems and I, for one, feel very blessed to have it available to me. Simply a “get beyond myself” experience.

We will be looking at the trails, in their unique state, to make some new decisions about what we hope to achieve this year to improve the trail. We’ll certainly accept offers of assistance and will try to post any dates/times for organized work days.

Thanks all for the pictures and descriptions of the fire.

Renniks Carrier Systems is located in Waverly, Nebraska and manufactures and sells an interesting line of bicycle carriers for all types of vehicles, called the “BikeTote”.

They specialize in racks for pickups and SUVs, but also offer carriers for recreational vehicles (RVs) and even boats. The carriers come completely assembled and ready to use, and most require no drilling of holes to install, and none require maintenance.

One product of theirs that caught my eye was the “Answer Trailer”. This lightweight aluminum trailer can be towed behind a car or truck, and features a large cargo bay with a flat lid that contains a flat-top deck lid with racks for up to 4 bikes. It seems like this would be a good solution for a family camping trip, or for a racing team to carry all their gear and bikes to an event.

TV station KOLN in Lincoln recently did a piece on the company, and how the economic downturn is hurting the business:

While Rennik’s sells directly to bike stores and over the Internet, most of its clients are from these states feeling the pinch of the economy and as a result, Rennik’s sales numbers are taking a hit, especially Internet sales. “You really wouldn’t think that bike racks would be affected but it is affecting us for a number of reasons,” said the entrepreneur.

Skinner says a lot of people right now simply don’t have the money to buy the products his company is selling. “You can get a long without a bike rack if you have to, so the economy is kind of hurting us in that area.”

And although business has slowed, Skinner is not planning on closing up shop anytime soon. In fact, he’s banking on past trends of tight economic times to turn business around. “Historically, when times get rough, people do go back to outdoor activities and activities close to home, like camping, bicycling and canoeing,” said Skinner.

Read more: Economy Up-Hill Battle For Bicycle Company. There’s also a short video interview with Gail Skinner, owner of the business.

Learn more about BikeTotes at biketote.com.

The Highway 71 Classic is an annual ride held on US scenic Highway 71 in Northwest Arkansas, starting in Fayetteville. This year’s edition of the ride takes place on Sunday March 1st, 2009.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recently ran a feature on the ride:

Begun about eight years ago, the Highway 71 Classic is an early-season road-cycling tour that allows riders to test their fitness on the hilly pavement between Fayetteville and Mountainburg.

“The ride has historically been early [in the year] so as to avoid conflicting with an already-packed cycling calendar in Northwest Arkansas,” said Laura Kelly, chairman of the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks, the group organizing the event.

There are two out-and-back routes. The first is 36 miles and takes riders 18 miles to Brentwood before they turn around and head back.

The second route is about 75 miles, running up and over the slopes of Mount Gaylor then down into Mountainburg before sending riders on a lung-burning spin back over the mountain for the return trip.

It’s a challenging task, Kelly said.

“Most of the Mount Gaylor climb is about 3 percent [grade], with a short section of 8 percent climbing.”

So riders who haven’t tested their legs much over the winter may be in for a rude and painful awakening as the road tilts upward.

There is a payoff, however.

“The descent is thrilling, to say the least,” she added.

Riders of varying skill levels participate, and about 100 are expected to take part.

Read more: Scenic cycling tour is already a classic

The Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks is a non-profit group working to create a more bicycle-friendly community in Northwest Arkansas. “We devote almost all our energies into educating young cyclists on lawful roadway etiquette and the importance of visible, predictable cycling techniques,” Kelly said. “Cycling offers such a wide range of benefits, from increased health to big cost savings, that we wish to share the benefits with more people.”

According to the Wichita Eagle, more than $45 million of the federal economic stimulus package will go to the Wichita area for transportation projects.

About $6.6 million of that is earmarked for transit projects, which Wichita plans to use to buy replacement buses, add bicycle racks to buses, and build new bus shelters.

Up to now, Wichita, the largest city in the state, has had no bike racks on its metro buses. Most other large bus systems in the state — Lawrence, Topeka, Johnson County — all have had bike racks for some time.

While this is may seem like it’s a small step forward, it can make a big difference in people’s lives, making a multi-mode commute possible — using a bicycle to get to a bus stop, and riding the bike to your destination at the end — greatly extending the range and speed of a bicycle commute.

Read more …

I don’t usually write much about myself here at Kansas Cyclist — the focus of the site is on you, not me, and I have a blog for personal stuff — but in this case, I’ll make an exception.

The following was written by Julie Cirlincuina, author of Kansas Outdoor Treasures, a 240-page paperback guide to outdoor recreation at natural areas, trails and scenic byways in Kansas. It covers 65 Natural Areas including 23 State Parks and 185 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Julie also publishes the Kansas Trailhead Newsletter, a quarterly electronic publication (with monthly updates) that features seasonal travel ideas, exposes undiscovered corners of Kansas and events that appeal to the outdoor enthusiast. She featured a short write-up on me in the February 2009 update:

Rasa’s Road to Cycling

“I think Kansas has great potential to be a destination for cyclo-tourism,” says Randy Rasa whose mission is to get people exploring the beauty and diversity of Kansas from a bicycle. A year ago, Rasa launched a website dedicated to this mission. The site, www.kansascyclist.com, extensively covers cycling in Kansas and neighboring states with directories of bike trails, bike clubs, shops and events.

When asked whether he is a mountain biker or road biker, Rasa says both. “I’m primarily a road biker, though the types of roads I like best are remote, rugged, scenic roads. My cycling progression has been kind of unusual. When I found my way back into biking a few years ago, putting pressure on my hands was painful due to Repetitive Stress Injury,” he explains. “I purchased a recumbent but then realized that it didn’t work very well for gravel roads or trails, so I bought a mountain bike. After learning to love the upright riding style, I purchased a road-touring bike. That sequence is backward from what most folks experience.”

The road that Randy chose affords him experience in mountain biking and road biking. His directory of trails includes railtrails, mountain bike paths, gravel and paved roads. He also posts an extensive list of organized rides and events for both styles of biking. Even in the winter, cyclists are honing their craft and staying fit for the upcoming season. Kansas Cyclist posts an event aptly named the Blanket Race Series.

Randy Rasa lives in Olathe, but you may spot him on roads anywhere across the state. If you see him on the road, thank him for all he does to make Kansas look so good!

You can purchase both Kansas Outdoor Treasures and a subscription to the Kansas Trailhead Newsletter from Julie’s web site, TrailsOfKansas.com. I’ve purchased both, and found them an extremely valuable resource for exploring Kansas.

Osage City, Kansas is building a short segment of the Flint Hills Nature Trail, and some of the funding for the project could come from the federal economic stimulus package.

From the Osage County Herald-Chronicle:

The Rails to Trails project in Osage City is back on track with actions taken by the Osage City Council at its regular meeting Feb. 10.

Osage City Manager Nick Hernandez presented the council with updated estimates for the project after receiving additional information from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) that the project could not be completed in phases.

Information presented last week included a base project that includes construction of a crushed limestone trail from 17th to 13th streets and a concrete trail from 13th to Ninth streets.

Also presented were multiple alternate bids that could be added to the trail, including construction material (limestone versus concrete), lighting and landscaping. Alternate bids for extensions of the trail were also presented, including extending the trail down Holliday to Fifth Street, then south to the school and from Holliday north on Fifth Street to the railroad line then to the west edge of the city.

The council approved a motion for Hernandez to request bids on the base project as outlined. The council also approved a motion to allow Hernandez to begin lease negotiations with the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

At this time, the city has 20 percent of the project funds set aside. Hernandez said KDOT had informed him the project had been forwarded to be included as part of the potential federal economic stimulus package, which might further reduce the city’s financial responsibility.

Hernandez said the base bid project will give residents in the northeast area of town a safe walking and biking route into the city while avoiding the highway. Read more

The two-mile pathway will enable Osage City residents to travel east and west through town while avoiding heavy traffic on US 56, with easy access to downtown on a connecting pathway. The Osage City segment of the Flint Hills Nature Trail is being leased from the Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy. Osage City has also received a federal Transportation Enhancement grant from KDOT to build the path.

The 23rd Street Trails in Pittsburg, Kansas have been a local tradition for years, although something of a well-kept secret. The trails, known locally as “The Dumps”, are located on the site of an abandoned coal mine, and grew organically over the years, all very unofficial and off-the-map.

But now, the trails appear to have the official sanction of the city, and there are hopes to build the site into an attraction that would draw riders not only from the Pittsburg area, but from around the region and even further:

What’s been done covertly for decades in an unused section of green space on 23rd Street now is legal and could prove to be an eventual tourism draw for Southeast Kansas.

On Tuesday night, the City Commission unanimously approved a request by Jeff Wilbert, director of parks and recreation, to allow an organized group of residents to upgrade existing mountain-bike trails on city property adjacent to the railroad tracks at the 23rd Street overpass.

Local residents have formed an organization called Kansas Overhill Racing to spearhead the effort. The group provided the commissioners — most of whom said they never knew the trails existed — detailed packets and aerial maps outlining their plans.

The groups will rely on volunteer labor, donated equipment, and support form local businesses to build and maintain the bike park. The group also hopes to procure private grants to help offset costs.

The work at the bike park is envisioned as two phases, the first being cleaning up the area — removing thorn bushes and fallen trees — restoring the existing trails, bringing them up to IMBA standards for sustainability, and providing signage.

Once the trails are rehabilitated, the group would like to begin a second phase of work to construct designated skill areas composed of obstacles for multiple ability levels. The group hopes to eventually hold organized races and clinics at the park, which could be a tourism draw for Southeast Kansas:

Group members said the closest similar venue for riding mountain bikes is Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike/BMX and Freeride Park in Bentonville, Ark., a destination to which Harrison and other local riders frequently travel. They said it could serve as a model for the 23rd Street park.

“We see this as a way to keep local riders here on the weekends, and probably bring in others from other areas who will be spending their dollars and time in our area,” Harrison said after the meeting.

Lomshek said the park would appeal to people of many ages and abilities. He said he is thrilled that the Pittsburg area will have a place for young people, in particular, to get physical.

“In Arkansas, it’s a huge draw, where tons of locals go every weekend to ride, with moms and dads walking on the trails and teens getting out and enjoying the outdoors,” he said. “This could make Pittsburg a destination for adventure. It’s a great place to go play.”

Now that the project has received approval from the Pittsburg City Commission, the group hopes to begin work before Spring. The first official work day is scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd.

Read more at the Joplin Globe, and at the group’s web site, 23rdStreetBikePark.com.

A recent comment in the Wichita Eagle Opinion Line:

A bike path could actually lower the quality of life in a neighborhood. Whom do you want rolling through your neighborhood?

If you’re concerned about a “bad element” entering your neighborhood via a bike path and doing mischief, isn’t it more likely that any criminals would come by car, where they can carry more stuff, be hidden from view, and get away faster?

Sure, bike paths are not immune from crime. But they’re certainly no more likely to facilitate criminal activity than are streets or sidewalks.

So why would a bike path lower the quality of life in a neighborhood?

Or is the commenter saying that only scum use bike paths? That doesn’t make much sense, either…

Additional reading on the topic:

• The Trails-Bring-Crime Myth
• Bike Path Phobia: Selling Skeptics On Urban Greenway Bike Path Safety
• Bicycle Paths: Safety Concerns and Property Values
• NIMBYs Fear Bicycle Path

North Little Rock, Arkansas is to be among the first communities in the state to add the shared lane markings known as “sharrows” to some of their streets:

A new pavement marking that bicyclists hope drives home the message that motorists must share the road with them is on its way to central Arkansas.

It is known as the shared lane marking, or sharrow.

The marking, intended initially for qualified roadways popular with bicyclists, is chiefly designed to alert motorists that bicyclists may be on the road and signal to bicyclists their proper place on the road, said Casey Covington, an official with Metroplan, the long-range transportation agency for central Arkansas.

“Sharrows have been used on lower-speed urban roadways throughout the United States and have generally been accepted by bicyclists throughout the United States, and those in the engineering profession,” he said.

“It looks like they are trying to conform to what will become or hope to become a national standard,” said Jim Britt, president of the Arkansas Bicycle Club. “It’s the beginning of recognition that bicyclists are out there. We’re just trying to make use of the streets and get somewhere [just like motorists]. “We still get people who don’t think bicycles are supposed to be on city streets.”

Britt sees the sharrows as a less expensive alternative for communities that have planned bicycle lanes. “They are a fairly easy and cheap thing for local governments to do,” he said. “City planners think we need dedicated bike lanes. It’s difficult to come up with that extra space.”

Read more from NWANews.