Bicycle riding

[MadDog]

JV, I did the Prairie Spirit Trail a couple of years ago from Ottawa to Garnett. I was hoping to get it done again this fall, but not sure it’s going to work out this time. It definitely is a great day trip, but you’ll need two bike carrying vehicles to pull it off. As I recall the path was very similar to the part ot the Redbud east of Andover. I rode it on my road bike and did ok.

Last year rode part of the rail trail from Vassar to Council Grove, also on the road bike. That didn’t go so well as I blew out a tire in Miller KS which ended the fun about halfway through the ride. Surface was very harsh, very similar to the Redbud between Woodlawn and K-96. I’d kind of like to try that one again on the gravel bike and start in Council Grove where I understand the path is crushed limestone.

Shaka, I hope you can find a way to retirement soon. Thankfully it sounds like you get in your share of bike riding even with that job of yours!

Another 28,000 step, 338 floors of elevation change on the hike today. This summer of bike riding has been great training for the hiking, but unfortunately doesn’t simulate the pounding your feet take on the trails. I’m going to have to make a shoe change to get through the rest of the week.

[revenge_of_shocka_khan]

JV, yes, I would say 150 miles sounds about right. I think it goes from Dillon to Glenwood Springs. This time of year it looks way cooler than the YouTube video you posted. The colors in that valley are gorgeous right now. Here’s a picture right outside of Glenwood Springs. These pictures don’t do it justice either. Huffy and I decided we have got to come back and ride this next year.

I have nothing but a trip to Dallas (if my employer gives me the time off) scheduled for vacation this year. If I'm really lucky, maybe I can to to Lake Charles or the Lucky Buzzard casino. :)

Enjoy your vacation, looks like you are having a great time!

[revenge_of_shocka_khan]

22.5 in an hour and 25 last night. Discovered an inefficiency in my mechanics and I fixed on it. Yet another benefit of putting a lot of time in the seat.

[pogo]

The guys (Rick Stephens and the two Harrison Brothers) reached Eads Colorado yesterday and will be in Limon tonight. Will reach Mt Trelease on Saturday morning.

[JVShocker]

That youtube vid looks pretty cool to me along I70 in Glenwood. I'm sure you're correct in the assessment that the LIVE picture is better than any photograph you could take or youtube video to be watched. Lately I keep watching vids of the Prairie Spirit Trail near Ottawa, KS and there's a decent 50 mile that might be worth a day trip. And then I keep seeing posts on youtube about Dirty Kanza, and while they look like fun, I'm guessing the 208 mile bike ride through the flint hills would take me between 16 and 19 hours depending on stops, breaks, and mechanicals. SO I don't know if I feel like sitting on a bike seat for that long, so I might try and look at the Dirty Kanza100. They're all kind of "lottery based" so I don't even know that I could get in.

Another ride tonight but got cut short at 18.82 miles ( 1 hour 25 minutes) because one light died and the other had the CHARGE ME light come on. Was glad to make it home before it died. The light came on at the first picture, which is still almost 10 miles from home depending on the route I take. Funny thing about that picture (taken just north of Warren East theater), is that its usually dark when I get there and its 8-9 miles straight line to home, but I usually venture off to the north (or right) down Greenwich.

Oh, and Maddog, they FINALLY poured some concrete to the bridge (last photo) on the west side of redbud from 127th street. I didn't dare ride back there tonight (they were working) to get a better look.

[MadDog]

JV, yes, I would say 150 miles sounds about right. I think it goes from Dillon to Glenwood Springs. This time of year it looks way cooler than the YouTube video you posted. The colors in that valley are gorgeous right now. Here’s a picture right outside of Glenwood Springs. These pictures don’t do it justice either. Huffy and I decided we have got to come back and ride this next year.

[atlwsu]

Hey Altwsu, we did the same thing at the Grand Canyon. Down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel. Except we didn’t camp, just down and out in a day. Then, many years later when were 51 years old, we did it again. Judging from these first two hikes this week, not sure there is a third time in the cards to do that down and out again for me anyway!

My son and I did a lot.of hiking in the Smokies. Most were 4 to 5 miles. Longest was 8+. Most are loops. On one we were the farthest from the start/end as possible, probably 3or 4miles or so, when ran across a beware of bear poster. We were kinda nervous for the rest of the hike. I think the most we did was 2,000 feet in elevation change. Cannot do it now.

[JVShocker]

Survived day 2 of hiking. Another 9 miles of moderate to difficult rated hiking. Feet hurt, but everything else ok.

on a biking note, there is a really nice bike path that runs parallel to I70. Not sure how long it is, or where it starts and ends, but easily over 100 miles. No road crossings or intersections with streets that I could tell. It would be a dream to ride something like that. Wish I had my bike with me!

I found sme info on this. Its 150 miles long. I found a youtube video of a 14 mile paved section near Glenwood Canyon. Just remarkable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIKWL-TYTM8

[MadDog]

Hey Altwsu, we did the same thing at the Grand Canyon. Down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel. Except we didn’t camp, just down and out in a day. Then, many years later when were 51 years old, we did it again. Judging from these first two hikes this week, not sure there is a third time in the cards to do that down and out again for me anyway!

[MadDog]

Survived day 2 of hiking. Another 9 miles of moderate to difficult rated hiking. Feet hurt, but everything else ok.

on a biking note, there is a really nice bike path that runs parallel to I70. Not sure how long it is, or where it starts and ends, but easily over 100 miles. No road crossings or intersections with streets that I could tell. It would be a dream to ride something like that. Wish I had my bike with me!

[JVShocker]

28.21 miles tonight. 2 hrs 11 minutes. The trees lining some of the redbud are glowing red. Gonna have to take a camera tomorrow. And I saw a fox. Running alongside me out near Andover, turned its head and ran across the path in front of me about 3 feet off the front wheel. At least he looked before he crossed.

[MoValley John]

I rode 25 yesterday. None today, will ride tomorrow and Wednesday. My wife wants to do 70 on Friday, she's really starting to kill it out there.

[revenge_of_shocka_khan]

I rode 48 miles over the weekend, which gave me 107 for the week. Weather is real nice down here. Got my light on Saturday, but I'm not using it until Tuesday, as I need to take the day off.

[revenge_of_shocka_khan]

Just finished the first hike. It was around Idaho Springs and would be the starting point for someone hiking to Mt Evans (14er). The stats according to my Fitbit were a little over 11 miles and elevation gain of 232 flights of steps. I know we were up around 12,000 feet at the turnaround point of our hike. Perfect weather. Lots of young people, dogs, and probably 50% of hikers wearing face masks! My buddy (the dude who rides his Huffy with me) and I were the only 60+ hikers I saw today. 28,000+ steps according to Fitbit. I’m beat! Betting I’ll be asleep by 8:00 pm tonight.

We’re in Dillon now and will be getting up early to do it all again tomorrow! I think the first few days are along the I70 corridor then we head south. Best news of the day is feet and knees in good shape! Ready for tomorrow!

Congratulations and enjoy!

[atlwsu]

Well Huffy, being the great guy he is sent me some of his pics. BTW, Huffy and MadDog are celebrating our 44th year of hiking together. It all started with our senior class trip to go down and out of the Grand Canyon in April ‘76.

Friend of mine, he went to Sterling, and I hiked down the Grand Canyon in Aug 70. Camped at the bottom and hiked up the following day. Kaibab trail down and Bright Angle trail up.