Last perfect day in KC? Redux

[Jim in KC]

Before the thread swirled into a digital black hole, Journeyman asked me to detail my loop through the city last Wednesday when the weather was so mild. It was more of a square, beginning at KCK, then east to the Bikestop at Sterling and I70 in Independence, down the Blue Ridge Cutoff to Bannister, west to Metcalf in Overland Park, then up Lamar to Argentine, to KS Ave, and through the bottoms.

KCK to Independence was my modification of the route I found at:

www.brenthugh.com/jacksoncountyroutes

East from downtown KCMO on 9th to Ewing, south to 12th, then east again to the T at 435, south to Truman, east on Truman's paved shoulder to Blue Ridge Blvd, then south/sw to Sterling. The Hugh map takes you down Stark off Truman. Stark is a series of roller coaster hills which I wanted to avoid on the new single-speed bike I was riding, at least until I have a feel for my stamina on it.

I'd never ridden this southwest corner of the city from Independence down through Raytown, so I took the direct route down Blue Ridge Cutoff. Here and on Bannister I was lucky to encounter light early afternoon traffic. The Redline bike's nearly-straight fork made it quick, and it's steel frame made it predictable. And there were no multiple gears to shift so riding it was pretty straightforward in traffic. I had no trouble with the cars around me. Still, Bannister wasn't the route I had intended to take. I was aiming for 87th which was closed. Next time I'll try 71st/Gregory.

Going north on Lamar was easy. At Merriam Dr. I jogged to catch 26th, then followed various streets north with my map to catch the Goddard viaduct to 26th again through the junkyards to KS Ave. It was a good ride, maybe 50-60 miles with the doubling back I did.

[showme]

Interesting route...quite the loop.

What a difference a week makes...or does it? Even in yesterdays snow storm I saw a rider go down the street through 8" of blowing snow...wasn't you was it?

[Jim in KC]

No, it wasn't me. I'm glad I had a chance to ride last week.

[ax0n]

What part of town was it in, showme? I was riding around downtown and Olathe all week except for friday.

[showme]

ax0n...This rider was in south KC around Gomers at 99th Street...about 3:30 Thursday.
At the height of the storm...I couldn't believe it and couldn't get to my camera fast enough.

[ax0n]

Nope. Know the area well, but I was riding around by Central Library about that same time. Then I went up next to the marriott waiting to catch the bus. That was about 4ish.

[Journeyman]

Thanks for posting your route Jim, that had to be an interesting ride? Once I get over my obsession to avoid cars and traffic, maybe I'll ride it. Makes me wonder, for the local road riders in KC & south KS, whats your favorite road ride?

jman

[Jim in KC]

jman, may I tag along on you joco route request? I'm looking for a route from 95th and Renner or Lamar to Olathe and from Olathe to south Lawrence (Broken Arrow Park). Last year my goal was to ride to Lawrence and back, which I managed in September by a route along K32, approaching Lawrence from the northeast. Next year my goal is to return by that route, but begin by dropping down through Johnson County via Lamar or Renner to Olathe, then from there to Lawrence, making a triangle. Thanks.

[ax0n]

From olathe, I think 143rd cuts all the way over to douglas county. It's called N 900th Rd once you hit douglas county, and then you can go a mile north to N 1000th Rd. Take it west until you get to E1300th Rd, then go north. It turns into Iowa in the city limits.

Those backroads *SHOULD* be pretty tame since all the action stays on K-10 for the most part. I haven't driven it, but given the road maps I have, that's how I would get to larrytown from here in Olathe.

[f0s_man]

jman, may I tag along on you joco route request? I'm looking for a route from 95th and Renner or Lamar to Olathe and from Olathe to south Lawrence (Broken Arrow Park). Last year my goal was to ride to Lawrence and back, which I managed in September by a route along K32, approaching Lawrence from the northeast. Next year my goal is to return by that route, but begin by dropping down through Johnson County via Lamar or Renner to Olathe, then from there to Lawrence, making a triangle. Thanks.

HI!!!
That's sooo cool! I'm actually reading that somebody has cycled from KC to Lawrence. I'm planning to bike from Lawrence to The Legends in KCK... don't dare to try it..

1. I've got a Trek 7.2 - not the best..
2. I've only gotten as far as Tongie - I take the US24/40
3. I've no idea how to get back... it'll be 70+ miles return...alone... not good...

[deanp]

If the weather holds out I am planning a ride of about 40 miles on New Year's day. From my place near 95th and Lackman I'll go out to Desoto then south to 135th, with a small detour by a co-workers new house and then on to Olathe and back to Lenexa. If anyone wants to join up they are certainly welcome.

[Jim in KC]

I'm planning to bike from Lawrence to The Legends in KCK... don't dare to try it...

f0s man, here's the roads I took from Lawrence to KC, then to the race track:

EAST on 15th St., SOUTH on E 1750 Rd, EAST on N 1400 Rd (10th St. in Eudora), NORTH on N 222th Rd (Main in Eudora), EAST on K32, NORTH on 121st St., NORTH on 118th St. (big hill).

About 40 miles, I think. If you work up to it, on a decent day, you can do it.

[Jim in KC]

I'll go out to Desoto

deanp, I've been told it's illegal to ride a bike through Desoto. I know, it sounds demented, but I think it's their local law. Is my information wrong?

[deanp]

Wow, I don't know, I've never heard that. Currently on one of my normal weekend rides I go to the edge of town and turn back. I'll check into it.

[deanp]

Found the city website and many city ordinances, but none relating to bicycles. I'll keep checking.

[f0s_man]

f0s man, here's the roads I took from Lawrence to KC, then to the race track:

EAST on 15th St., SOUTH on E 1750 Rd, EAST on N 1400 Rd (10th St. in Eudora), NORTH on N 222th Rd (Main in Eudora), EAST on K32, NORTH on 121st St., NORTH on 118th St. (big hill).

About 40 miles, I think. If you work up to it, on a decent day, you can do it.

Hey Jim!
Thanks, i'll look into your route. I guess i can make the ONE way trip... the return leg will have my legs and back screaming bloody murder. Hell, 20 more miles and I would have completed a century! HAH...
I've done 35 miles - Lawrence, Tongie, Lawrence.... no fancy equipment/bike... had extra weight instead, cos i used a camelbak rather than waterbottles.
I'm planning to get pedals with straps (at least i "recycle" some of that energy), can't really afford a roadbike at the moment, neither can i get the shoes and the SPDs and whatnots.
Maybe when you guys come to Lawrence, let me know and i'll link up with you guys! HA HA.. of course you'll have to contend with a much slower hybrid

[deanp]

deanp, I've been told it's illegal to ride a bike through Desoto. I know, it sounds demented, but I think it's their local law. Is my information wrong?

A co-worker who was a KU student and rode in that area a lot said that one street or section of road is closed to cyclist's due to heavy truck traffic from a ready mix plant. He was going to find out which one it is.

[ax0n]

Maybe when you guys come to Lawrence, let me know and i'll link up with you guys! HA HA.. of course you'll have to contend with a much slower hybrid

I have done 20 miles in a sit with a full-on MTB with slicks. It's not that bad. I could probably go longer. I might take you guys up on your new year's trip but I'm out of shape and also have a hybrid (my Outlook) that I'd probably ride.

[dirty driver]

I just got back from a drive through DeSoto to confirm the section of road that is off-limits to non-motorized vehicles. Going west on 83rd street, the off-limits section begins at the top of Cedar Creek hill just east of the red house with the built-in lookout tower and extends west 2.5 miles to just east of the intersection of Kill Creek road near the Engineered Air manufacturing facility.

I only know of three ways to get around that section.
1. Go through Olathe and take Kill Creek north to get back to 83rd street.
2. Go through Bonner Springs taking Loring Road south to an intersection where Loring road turns right. Continue on Loring westbound to County Road 2. Turn left on County Road 2 and follow it south about 2-3 miles until you reach Wyandotte road. Wyandotte takes you south to the river bridge that crosses over into Desoto. You'll reach 83rd street in a couple of blocks.
3. About .5 miles before you reach the prohibited section of 83rd take Cedar Niles south. Then take a right at the second residential street and follow it west to Cedar Creek road. Turn left but beware, you'll have to ride a mile of gravel to get to the pavement where it turns into 95th street. Follow 95th to Kill Creek where you'll take a right to get back to 83rd.

You might Google these routes to clear up any confusion I've caused. I hope this helps.


DD

[deanp]

So basically 83rd is closed in non-motorized traffic from Cedar Creek to Kill Creek road? I was planning on taking 83rd into town to Kill Creek and then going south, but that doesn't sound like that will work.

[dirty driver]

You are correct. I read on a forum a while back that a DeSoto resident and biker had asked the city councel for a bike lane on that stretch of road and was turned down. I wouldn't look for a change in their thinking any time soon.

[ax0n]

beware, you'll have to ride a mile of gravel to get to the pavement where it turns into 95th street.

Hybrid bike for the win!!!

[dirty driver]

You have that right ax0n. My favorite bike of the three I own is the $600 hybrid. I hardly ride the other two.

[deanp]

I went and ran the DeSoto gauntlet toady. I went in on 83rd to Cedar Creek Road and headed south, that meant about .2 of a mile past the "No non-motorized vehicles" sign. After Cedar Creek Road winds south and goes under K-10 it becomes 95th Street and goes west. I took that to Kill Creek and then went south to my co-workers house on 119th. I backtracked to get home. Going west on 95th there is a pretty good climb. And then when you come back Cedar Creek Road is climbing when it joins 83rd and continues up to the red look out tower house. 41 miles round trip from my place, a good way to get the new year started.

I had orginally planned to go down to 135th and east to Olathe and back home from there. Has anyone ridden 135th west of Olathe, there are some really big hills out there. I chickened out after driving them.

[ax0n]

I've never ridden them but I've driven it. I could probably do it, but it would likely ruin any semblance of enjoyment I would have gotten from the ride.