A compendium of hand-picked bicycling-related news items from Kansas and neighboring states, for January 30, 2013:
Bicycling News from Kansas
Biking Across Kansas, the annual week-long supported tour across the Sunflower State, has announced their 2013 route across the southern tier of the state, from Johnson City in the west to Galena in the east, for a total of about 507 miles, June 8-15, 2013. Learn more at Biking Across Kansas 2013 Route Announced, or register at bak.org.- Leaders discuss Flint Hills future at governor’s meeting — “Governor Sam Brownback outlined ongoing activities in the Flint Hills, including efforts to enhance the Flint Hills Nature Trail so it will connect with the Katy Trail in Missouri and allow people to hike and bike from St. Louis to Herington.”
- El Dorado mayoral candidate John Grange “likes the bike paths around town because of the safe area it provides for people walking and riding bikes and would like to see those extended. ‘Those are just real nice amenities that our town has that maybe some others don’t have,’ he said.”
- In Hays, city commissioners unanimously approved the first phase of the Bike Hays Master Plan. “Identified as a goal in the city’s 1996 comprehensive plan, the idea of a city bike system had been a recurring theme. In 2007, an $11 million Hike and Bike Master Plan was developed,” but “was shelved due to cost at that point in time”.
- Sedgwick County supporting application for bike path funding — “Sedgwick County is supporting an application to the state for federal funding to build a new bike and walking path that would connect Wichita and Derby. The path would be called the Aviation Pathway because of its proximity to Spirit Aerosystems and McConnell Air Force Base.”
- In Paola, Walking school bus plans reviewed: “Community members, including city and school officials, met to discuss how to create a walking school bus and bicycle train program. The proposed idea would encourage students to walk or ride their bicycle with other students to and from school under the super-vision of a trained adult.”
- This morning in Topeka, “A man riding a bicycle the wrong way on an east-side street in snowy conditions early Wednesday was injured when he was struck by a car. Police said the bicycle’s rider didn’t have a headlight or rear reflector on the bicycle.” Hope you’re OK, wrong-way, no-lights-in-the-dark rider, but please, ride with traffic and get lit!
Regional Bicycling News
- North Little Rock, AR: North Little Rock launches bicycle passing awareness campaign — “This campaign is the first in Arkansas bringing attention to the 3-foot passing law.”
- Broomfield, CO: Broomfield looking at tapping in to trails network — “With 250 miles of trails for residents to use for cycling, running and walking, Broomfield’s trail systems connect to regional routes that take people through rolling open space and around area lakes. Those trail connections could become even more enhanced and interconnected with a proposed inter-governmental agreement with Boulder County and Lafayette.”
- Bettendorf, IA: New Bike Trail Possibilities In Bettendorf — “At an open house Monday, Bettendorf residents got a chance to see results from a recent study which looked at 30 corridors in the city. Results show what the possibilities are for future paths or connections.”
- Iowa: RAGBRAI 2013: Short, south, through Des Moines — “RAGBRAI is trading villages for some big cities in its 41st year, including a stop midway through Iowa that will have more than 10,000 bicyclists rolling into the state capital.”
- Kansas City, MO: New bike lanes, trails promote bicycling in KC — “Kansas City is pedaling toward a brighter future by offering more bike lanes and other cycling-related amenities. More trails have been extended in various parts of the city, too, giving bicycles more off-road places to safely ride.”
- Lincoln, NE: Bike rider hurt on city trail sues home owners — Homeowners discharged a sump pump onto a trail, where the constant flow of water allowed algae to form, making the trail slick and treacherous. A cyclist was injured ($100,000 in medical expenses), and has now sued the homeowners to recover damages.
- Tulsa, OK: Tulsa City Council, mayor prioritize goals for city — “The goals include ensuring that the city’s next Fix Our Streets package addresses all transportation-related needs and not just roads. Transportation topics discussed included creation of a pedestrian and cycling master plan.”
Upcoming Kansas Bicycling Events
Looking ahead to February, there are only two Kansas events on the calendar:
- Sunday, February 10, 2013 — Wintery Mix CX #2 — A cyclocross race at Mission Farms Shopping Center in Leawood, KS.
- Sunday, February 10, 2013 — Blanket Series: River Trail — The River Trail race in Great Bend, KS is part of the Blanket Series of mountain bike races.
Both of these races wrap up their respective series.
Elsewhere around the region, the BRR Ride offers a frozen-filled day of biking, games, prizes and entertainment in Perry, Iowa on February 2nd. On the same day, Chucky’s Challenge takes place out of historic Jamesport, Missouri. The Frosty Bike Ride rolls in Lincoln, Nebraska on the 3rd. And on the 17th, Stillwater, Oklahoma hosts the Chili-Bike ride. February 23rd sees the CIRREM (Central Iowa Rock Road Enduro Metric) gravel grinder near Des Moines, Iowa. And Columbia, Missouri hosts the annual Froze Toes winter road race on February 24th.
Also, registration is now open for the NUMB Ride (the Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger), which takes place June 22-26, starting at Norfolk, Nebraska, with stops at Oakland, Laurel, and Creighton before returning to Norfolk. NUMB has distributed over $600,000 for hunger projects in Nebraska and around the world. Ridership is limited to 135 cyclists.
See also: Kansas Ride Calendar, Regional Ride Calendar
The Latest Bicycling Resources at Kansas Cyclist
- Argonia River Park — Tent camping provided by the city of Argonia, Kansas, with restrooms, showers, and free WiFi, for only $5 per night.
- Wichita Bicycle Shop, Around 1910 — A vintage photo of an unknown bicycle shop in Wichita, Kansas, circa 1910 or so.
Personal Notes
We’ve had a few unseasonably warm days recently, including a 75°F day on January 28th. Couldn’t resist getting out for a road ride!
Of course, two days later, it’s 20-something and snow. Oh well, twas sweet while it lasted…
The Sunflower Cycling News is a periodic publication of Kansas Cyclist, featuring bicycling news from Kansas and neighboring states.
If you have a news item or upcoming event you’d like to share, please contact Kansas Cyclist with details.
