THURSDAY, December 19th - Embassy Suites to Dearborn - 9:00 AM start

It has been a while since I have posted a ride but it looks like we will have another rideable Thursday on the 19th.  It has been requested that we ride Interurban to Dearborn .  This is the flat northland route.  I hope you can make it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

THURSDAY, Nov. 21

Sorry - no ride this week.  It looks like a strong chance of rain Thursday morning anyway.  I'm subbing again this week as well as the first week of December (no ride on Dec. 5th).  Not sure what I'll do next week.  Stay tuned.

THURSDAY, November 14th - Embassy Suites to ? - Start NOON

I seldom do this but have decided to push the start of this week's ride to noon.  I thought we could decide the route together but I think heading south so that the return is with a tailwind (sounds reasonable to me).  I don't plan to make a meal stop on the route but socializing apres velo might be possible.

Here is what we (Dan, Mary and I) rode:

WEDNESDAY, November 6th - Embassy Suites to Platte City - 9:00 AM Start AND SATURDAY, November 9th - Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen to the Cinder Block - 9:00 AM Start

The forecast for Wednesday is a bit iffy; Thursday looks better but I've taken another substitute teaching job on Thursday.  My plan is to ride to the Country Cookin' Cafe in Platte City.  Below is the route (except for the extension in the NE corner) I plan to take but if weather conditions dictate we could shorten the route.

The Garmin Map for this ride is below:

SATURDAY, Nov. 9th : KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE - 9:00 AM

  The monthly Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen (80th and N. Oak) will be on Nov. 9th.

 

We will cross the Chouteau bridge on the way to Kate's and the Heart of America bridge on the return.  See this map for details.  This ride begins at 9:00 AM for a 17+ mile ride to Kate's for brunch.  The return is about 13 miles back to Knuckleheads where their weekly blues jam (no cover) begins around 1:00 PM.  On the return trip I plan to make a stop at the Cinder Block Taproom in NKC.

THURSDAY, October 24th: Embassy Suites to Parkville - START 9:00 AM

First of all:

NOTE THE NEW START TIME - 9:00 AM

  The temperature is forecast to be about 40 at the start and warming only a little during trhe ride.  Sunshine is called for as well.

Now the route:
  I am planning on riding to Parkville for breakfast at the French Bee.  The menu is limited but I'm sure you can find something tasty.  See their Facebook page.

I'm thinking of following the red route there and the blue to return.  There is an easily followed short-cut on the return trip which one could take if under time constraints.

Hope to see you there.

WEDNESDAY, October 16th - Embassy Suites to Dearborn - 8:00 AM start

Oops - Sorry for all the typos in the email announcement of this post.

The wind is forecast to be out of the NW at 10+ mph on Wednesday.  The morning temps are forecast to be in the mid 40's warming to the mid 50's by noon.  I thought we would head from Embassy Suites to Derarborn for breakfast at Cook's Corner.  It's been a while since we have ridden up Inturban.  THIS IS THE FLATTEST ROUTE I LEAD. The trip up shouldn't be too bad (cool with some wind).  The return should be warmer and fun wityh the predicted tailwind.

The google map for this ride is here. It is a little undder 20 miles each way.

My teaching job for Thursday, October 24th has been cancelled.  I will probably change back to Thursday that week and the following.  I sub again on November 7th (Thursday again) so I will likely go on the 6th that week.

SATURDAY, Oct 12th KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE - 9:00 AM weather permitting & WEDNESDAY, October 10th cancellation.

SATURDAY, OCT. 12th : KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE

  The monthly Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen (80th and N. Oak) will be on Oct. 12th.  I will follow the same route as last month.  This is slightly different than previou rides in that we will cross the Chouteau bridge on the way to Kate's and the Heart of America bridge on the return.  See this map for details.  This ride begins at 9:00 AM for a 17+ mile ride to Kate's for brunch.  The return is about 13 miles back to Knuckleheads where their weekly blues jam (no cover) begins around 1:00 PM.

OLD NEWS RE Wednesday's ride

I'm afraid I'm out again this week.  I did something to my hip/back last week and have a physical therapy appointment on Wednesday - subbing on Thursday.  I do plan to add a Knuckleheads ride to this post for October 12th.

THURSDAY, October 3rd - No Ride this week

Riders - I am not going to be able to lead a ride this week.  The following three weeks I am occupied as well.  My plan is to lead rides those weeks on Wednesdays instead.  Weekday morning rides will be Oct. 9th, Oct 16th and Oct. 23.  I plan to switch back to Thursaday rides on Halloween.

Please also be aware that I plan another Knuckleheads ride on Saturday, Oct. 12th.  See this post for information about the last such ride on 9-21.

THURSDAY, September 26 - Embassy Suites to ? - Start at 8:00 AM

I've had a busy couple of days and haven't decided where but I'll lead a ride tomorrow (see date in the title) atr 8:00 AM to breakfast somewhere.  I'm open to suggestion.

See you there.

THURSDAY, Sept 19th - Embassy Suites to NKC - 8:00 AM Start _____ AND_____ SATURDAY, Sept. 21st - Knuckleheads Ride - 9:00 AM Start

This Thursday morning (8:00 AM Start) I plan to ride the route below to the NKC Cafe (this is the place with the TWA memorabilia) for breakfast.  We haven't been here in some time.  My breakfast pick is always the Mediterranean sandwich.

.

Click on "View Details" to expand the map.

SATURDAY, SEPT 21 : KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE

I am also announcing the monthly ride from Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen (80th and N. Oak) on the 21st.  I am making slight alterations to the route this time.  We will cross the Chouteau bridge on the way to Kate's and the Heart of America bridge on the return.  See this map for details.  This ride begins at 9:00 AM for a 16+ mile ride to Kate's for brunch.  The return is about 13 miles back to Knuckleheads where their weekly blues jam (no cover) begins around 1:00 PM.

THURSDAY, September 12th - Embassy Suites to Smithville : 8:00 AM Start

  It's been a little while since we have ridden to Smithville (breakfast at Lowman's).  Let's try that again this week.  The chances of rain are lessening.  I think we will be able to get this one in.

I have just returned from a week visiting my sister in Seattle with a very short side trip to Vancouver.  I rode a little in Seattle on a beautiful trail.  Vancouver was teeming with bikes and bike lanes.  It looded like a great place to ride.  Maybe next trip.
  I hope to see you on this Smithville ride.

THURSDAY, Sept 5: Sorry: No ride this week.

I expect to be able to lead a ride on Sept. 12.  More about that later.

THURSDAY, August 29: Embassy Suites to Edgerton, MO - 8:00 AM start

  I plan to travel to Edgerton this week for breakfast at Harmer's.  The map for this 36+ mile route is below:

I hope to see you there.

THURSDAY, August 22: Embassy Suites to Liberty : 8:00 AM start

This week I thought I would lead the ride to Liberty for breakfast at the Corner Cafe there.

What do you think?  Sere you there.

By the way - you can see in the right columns that I have tickets to 4 upcoming shows at Knuckleheads (green means tickets have been purchased).  Maybe I'll see some of you there as well.

THURSDAY, August 15th : Embassy Suites to Happy Gillis OR Room 39 (my 1st choice) - 8:00 AM start PLUS Knuckleheads Ride SATURDAY, August 17th.

Last week rain changed my intended route so this week I will do a similar route.  Below was last week's route to Happy Gillis.  This could still be our destination ...

...BUT...

...if our number of riders is sufficiently small I thought we might try Room 39 near the KU Med Center.  This route would be in excess of 40 miles - round trip.  Here is a link to the Google map of the outbound route (jpg below- expandable using link).  Prices are a little higher but the food is great.  Here is a link to their breakfast menu.

Route from Embassy Suites to Room 39

KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

  The Knuckleheads ride is on again for Saturday.  This ride begins at 9:00 AM from the parking lot at the corner of Montgall and Rochester (Knuckleheads).  We head out for brunch at Kate's Kitchen (16+ miles - 80th and N. Oak) and return to Knuckleheads for the 1:00 PM blues jam (no cover).

PS

  There are a few great acts coming to Knuckleheads.  I am planning to buy tickets for 4 shows while I am there.  See my Knuckleheads list at the top of the right column (full web version, not mobile).

THURSDAY, Aug. 8th: Embassy Suites to NKC (or Happy Gillis) - 8:00 AM Start

I hesitated to announce a ride for Thursday due to weather forecasts.  The latest weather.com forecast shows hope for a dry ride so lets give it a try.  We will head to NKC and possibly cross trhe HOA bridge to Happy Gillis for our breakfast stop; something like this:

We could shorten this to breakfast at the NKC Cafe if bad weather threatens.

KNUCKLEHEADS RIDE SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

  I'm looking to lead the Knuckleheads ride again on 8-17.  This ride begins at 9:00 AM for breakfast at Kate's Kitchen and returns to Knuckleheads for the 1:00 PM blues jam (no cover).  

THURSDAY, Aug. 1st: Embassy Suites to Platte City - 8:00 AM Start

EILEN JEWELL at Knuckleheads Wednesday, July 31.  Should be a great show!

I'm back from RAGBRAI and ready to try Platte City (Country Cookin' Cafe for breakfast) this week ala this route:

Come join us if you will.  8:00 AM will be the shove-off time.  See you then.

THURSDAY, July 18th - Embassy Suites to Parkville - 8:00 AM Start

This week I plan a ride to Roxanne's for breakfast in Parkville.  The outbound route is about 14.75 miles and the return is 22.75 miles (with options to shorten if heat becomes a problem).  You can find the route here.

Another topic: Kathy and I plan to see Eilen Jewell at Knuckleheads on July 31st (see right column).  We've seen her twice and have really enjoyed her and her band both times.  I'm looking forward to this show.

Thursday, July 11th - Embassy Suites to Dearborn - 8:00 AM start

   This Thursday (7-11-13) I will be leading a ride to Dearborn (breakfast at Cook's Corner) leaving Embassy Suites at 8:00 AM.  We will follow this relative flat route.  Over the approximate 40 mile round trip there is less that 800 ft of elevation gain.  The map can be found here.

SATURDAY, JULY 13th RIDE

I am going lead the Knuckleheads ride again on Saturday, July 13th.  We will leave from Knuckleheads (corner of Montgall and Rochester) at 9:00 AM and ride to Kate's Kitchen for brunch.  Then we return to Knuckleheads to listen to their 1:00 PM  blues jam session (no cover).  The map for this ride is below:

Thursday - July 4th - Happy Independence Day - Embassy Suites to Liberty - 8:00 AM Start

    For those driving to Embassy Suites from the south I would suggest this detour to avoid construction work.
    From I-29 take the Barry Road exit.  Turn right (East) on Barry approximately 1/2 mile or less to Ambassador (2nd light at the bottom of a hill).  Turn left (North) on Ambassador under 152, across Tiffany Springs Road, around a traffic circle to Polo Drive (just before Embassy Suites).  Turn right and then an immediate left passing in front of Embassy Suites to our usual parking spots in the Northwest corner of their lot.  Click this map to enlarge.

THIS WEEK'S RIDE

     This week I will lead the ride to Liberty following this route (from our June 6th ride).  Be ready to ride by 8:00 AM.  Breakfast will be at the Corner Cafe at 152 and Flintlock.

SATURDAY, JULY 13th RIDE

I am going lead the Knuckleheads ride again on Saturday, July 13th.  We will leave from Knuckleheads (corner of Montgall and Rochester) at 9:00 AM and ride to Kate's Kitchen for brunch.  Then we return to Knuckleheads to listen to their 1:00 PM  blues jam session (no cover).  The map for this ride is below:

FOR JANO
Here is one way to get to Embassy Suites from the Fairfax Bridge.  About 13 miles and does travel along Hwy 9 from Horizon Drive (?) to Parkville.

View Untitled in a larger map

THURSDAY, June 27 - Embassy Suites to Happy GIllis - 8:00 AM start

First - My contacts in my iPhone disappeared.  I have reentered several that I recognized from text messages but am missing quite a few.  If you know how and don't mind being on my phone could you text your contact to 816-699-1498. 

    For those driving to Embassy Suites from the south I would suggest a detour to Embassy Suite.
From I-29 take the Barry Road exit.  Turn right (East) on Barry approximately 1/2 mill or less to Ambassador (2nd light at the bottom of a hill).  Turn left (North) on Ambassador under 152, across Tiffany Springs Road, around a traffic circle to Polo Drive (just before Embassy Suites).  Turn right and then an immediate left to our usual parking spots.  Click yhis map to enlarge.

     My thought for the ride is to go to Happy Gillis (as long as our number is not too large - otherwise NKC Cafe or First Watch).  Im thinking of following this route counterclockwise:

THURSDAY, June 20 - Embassy Suites to ? - Start 8:00 AM

I have waited till now to see what the weather is forecast to do.  The last I heard there is a pretty good chance that the rain may miss us.

Due to these chances of rain I have selected the figure 8 ride (Google map here) which keeps us nearer the start with a breakfast stop at the Cracker Barrel just across I-29 from Embassy Suites.  The first loop, approximately 18.5 milees, is the blue route above cycled essentially counterclockwise.  You can see that we travel most of the perimeter of Weatherby Lake.  After breakfast we can cycle the red route, again counterclockwise) for another 15+ miles.

THURSDAY, June 13 - Embassy Suites to Edgerton - 8:00 AM start

Let's ride to Edgerton this week.  The mileage is similar to the Dearborn trip (~20 up and 20 back) but the terrain is considerably hillier.  This is a beautiful route - rural almost the entire way.  Don't let the hills scare you.  Here is the route link. I'm changing the start time this week to 8:00 AM,  This will allow for the possibility of longer rides and still be able to make the breakfast cut-off at more resteraunts.

Here is the Garmin map from our July ride to Edgerton.

SATURDAY RIDE

I am going to give the Knuckleheads ride a try again this Saturday, June 15th.  We will leave from Knuckleheads (corner of Montgall and Rochester) at 9:00 AM and ride to Kate's Kitchen for brunch.  Then we return to Knuckleheads to listen to their 1:00 PM  blues jam session (no cover).  The map for this ride is below:

Here is the actual route.  I forgot to shut off my Garmin so I clocked my drive hoe as well - hence the google map link instead.

View Knuckleheads Ride 6-15-13 in a larger map

THURSDAY, June 6th - Embassy Suites to Liberty - 8:30 Start

     This week I will lead the ride to Liberty following this route:

     I am leaving the start time at 8:30 AM since the daytime highs are forecast to be only in the mid 70s.  I hope you can make it.

     You may also note I have posted a list of upcoming Knuckleheads shows that have caught my eye.  I won't be able to make several of these due to conflicts.  I already have tickets for the June 29th show and hope to make many of the others (the first two will be good but I have conflicts).

     It looks like I may be leading another Knuckleheads ride on Saturday, June 15th.  Details about that ride can be found on this previous post here.

THURSDAY, May 23rd- Embassy to Dearborn - 8:30 AM Start

Finally a good forecast and I'm not subbing so I'll be able to lead a ride this Thursday.  I thought I'd pick a relatively flat route.  I've been doing some hills lately and I'm ready for more gentle terrain.   

I am considering the possibility of adding the 15 mile additional loop to Faucett and back to Dearborn.  You could chose (and I may choose) to skip this loop and return directly.  There is a 9 mph North wind forecast for Thursday.  This will aid our return trip.  See you Thursday.

WEDNESDAY, May 1st - Embassy Suites to Platte City - 8:30 start

There is an increased chance of rain on Thursday so I thought I'd offer a Wednesday ride this week.  We will ride to Platte city for breakfast at the Country Cookin' Cafe.

THURSDAY April 25th - Embassy Suites to Happy Gillis - 8:30 start

This week I thought we would follow this route to Happy Gillis:

The weather looks to be great.  I hope to see you there.  Please note the 8:30 start so we can make the breakfast cut-off.

Thursday April 4 - No Ride This Week

Sorry - See you next week.  Cycle Zydeco!

SATURDAY, March 30 - Knuckleheads Ride -9:30 AM start

SATURDAY RIDE

I am going to give the Knuckleheads ride a try again this Saturday, March 30th.  We will leave from Knuckleheads (corner of Montgall and Rochester) at 9:30 AM and ride to Kate's Kitchen for brunch.  Then we return to Knuckleheads to listen to their 1:00 PM  blues jam session (no cover).  The map for this ride is below:

 See you there.

THURSDAY, March 28th, Destination Unknown (for now) - 9:00 AM start from Embassy Suites

I plan to lead a ride Thursday, March 28th.  I will update when I think of a route OR it may just be a show and go in the morning.  We will leave Embassy Suites at 9:00 AM.  There may be a few sloppy spots along the way but I'm ready to get out again.  It's been too long since I've ridden.  See ya.

Added later:

Here is my thought - Smithville; breakfast at Lowman's.  There are a couple options for shortening the the outbound 22 mile route if we need to.  The return route is only 12 miles.

 

THURSDAY, March 21st - No Ride

Sorry - I will not be able to lead a ride this week.  A Saturday Knuckleheads ride may happen.  Stay tuned.

THURSDAY, March 14th: Embassy Suites to Liberty (Corner Cafe): 9:00 AM Start

Thursday looks like a good day to ride- 9AM temps in the low 40s warming to near 60 by noon.  Winds in the single digits out of the SSW to SW (all according to weather.com).  My plan is to ride to Liberty following this:

This is about a 34 mile ride round trip.  The Google map is here.  I hope you can join me for this one.

THURSDAY, March 7- Embassy Suites to NKC - 9:00 AM Start

  Maybe this week!  I haven't ridden in nearly a month.  It looks like the temperatures might be OK for a ride on Thursday.  I thought we would ride from Embassy Suites to North Kansas City for breakfast at the NKC Cafe or First Watch depending on the number of riders.  I thought I would basically follow this route:

Some additional mileage will be required because of road conditions but the ride will be close to this route.

SATURDAY RIDE

I am going to give the Knuckleheads ride a try again this Saturday, March 9th.  We will leave from Knuckleheads at 9:30 AM and ride to Kate's Kitchen for brunch.  Then we return to Knuckleheads to listen to their 1:00 PM  blues jam session (no cover).  The map for this ride is below:

I hope you can make one or both of these.  See you there.

WEDNESDAY, February 13th: Embassy Suites to Platte City 9:00 AM Start

  Sorry for the late notice (again).  I will lead a ride Wednesday to Platte City - breakfast at the Country Cookin' Cafe.  This is a 32 mile round trip with a little climbing.
  Weather.com has the 9:00 AM temperature at 36 warming to near 50 by the time we return.  Wind speeds are single digit out of the WNW so there should be an assist on the return.

What do you say?

WEDNESDAY, February 6th: Embassy Suites to Dearborn - 9:00 AM Start

A discussion during Tuesday's Prairie Village ride of the weather prospects lead me to this last minute announcement of a ride tomorrow, Feb. 6th from Embassy Suites to Dearborn, MO. This ride is slightly under 40 miles (20 out to breakfast at Cook's Corner; 20 back).  Below is the Garmin map from last August when we rode this ride I hope you can join us.  Conditions are forecast to be pretty good.  38 degrees at 9:00 warming to the mid 50s.  We will have a moderate headwind for the return.  Dust off that bike and I'll see you there.

FRIDAY, January 11th - Embassy Suites to Riverside - 9:00 AM Start

     The Thursday forecast is calling for rain so I thought for the first Northland Morning ride of the new year we would change to Friday.  We will ride from Embassy Suites (departing at 9 AM) for the Corner Cafe in Riverside.

     You may also notice there is a new listing of rides for 2013 at the bottom right of this blog.

     The route I have in mind is something like this:

     I hope to see you Friday