THURSDAY, December 1st, 8th and 15th - Show-And-Go rides from Embassy Suites - 9:00 AM Start

I was happy to get to ride Wednesday, November 23rd with a small group braving cold and windy conditions.  Thanksgiving break from teaching afforded me this opportunity for a weekday ride. My next chance will probably be over the Christmas break on Thursday, December 22nd.  For the next three Thursdays (Dec. 1st, 8th and 15th) I am continuing to announce a Show-And-Go ride in my absence.  The start time is changing to 9:00 AM.

If anybody wants to lead on any of these dates in December you can contact me and I can post your intentions (Start time and destination and even a route map if you have one).  Otherwise the group showing up can make a consensus decision and head out.

COMING SOON - Feb 25th, 2017

FREQUENT DESTINATIONS

Blue Bird Bistro	17th & Summit, KCMO	816-221-7559
City Diner	3rd&Grand, River Market	816-471-5121
Cook's Corner	Smithville	816-343-2118
Corner Cafe	Liberty	816-415-0050
Corner Cafe	Riverside	816-741-2570
Cracker Barrel	KC North	816-880-9171
Dearborn Cafe	Dearborn	816-992-0117
First Watch	NKC	816-842-7300
Genessee Royale	West Bottoms	816-474-7070
Ginger Sue's	Liberty	816-407-7707
Harmer's Cafe	Edgerton	816-790-3621
Happy Gillis	549 Gillis, KCMO	816-471-3663
Haye's Hamburgers	Vivion & N Antioch	816-453-5575
Kate's Kitchen	80th & N Oak	816-436-7200
Milwaukee Deli	9th & Baltimore	816-471-6900
Room 39	39th & Bell	816-753-3939
Roxanne's	Platte City	816-858-7027
Wabash BBQ	Excelsior Springs	816-630-7700

WEDNESDAY, November 23rd - Embassy Suites to Platte City - 9:30 Start

THIS IS A WEDNESDAY RIDE

I get a weekday break from teaching over Thanksgiving break.  I plan to ride to Roxanne's in Platte City going through Camden Point on the way up.  The route there is 24.5 miles; the return is about 15 miles; can decide to shorten this if need be

We will leave at 9:30 am.  Temps in the low to mid 40s .  There will be a few hills to warm us up along the way.  See you there?

THURSDAY, November 10th and 17th - Embassy Suites Show-And-Go - 8:30 START

For the next two Thursdays (Nov. 10 and 17) I am setting up a Show-And-Go ride in my absence.  Now that daylight savings time is turned off I think 8:30 AM will be OK for the start time.  I am planning to change this to 9:00 AM in December.  I also think I may be able to lead a Wednesday ride the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 23rd.

If anybody wants to lead either of these dates or other dates in December or January you can contact me and I can post your intentions (Start time and destination and even a route map if you have one).  Otherwise the group showing up can make a consensus decision and head out.  Thanks to Craig for leading last week.  He said the hills weren't that bad.

COMING SOON - November 19th

I am enjoying subbing but I am not quite used to the schedule.  I return home a little tired.  This is improving as I am adjusting to the routine.  I miss riding on weekdays but I have been able to get in a few miles in on the weekends.  My classes are generally comprised of pretty nice kids but OMG they are like "kids," totally!

FREQUENT DESTINATIONS

Blue Bird Bistro	17th & Summit, KCMO	816-221-7559
City Diner	3rd&Grand, River Market	816-471-5121
Cook's Corner	Smithville	816-343-2118
Corner Cafe	Liberty	816-415-0050
Corner Cafe	Riverside	816-741-2570
Cracker Barrel	KC North	816-880-9171
Dearborn Cafe	Dearborn	816-992-0117
First Watch	NKC	816-842-7300
Genessee Royale	West Bottoms	816-474-7070
Ginger Sue's	Liberty	816-407-7707
Harmer's Cafe	Edgerton	816-790-3621
Happy Gillis	549 Gillis, KCMO	816-471-3663
Haye's Hamburgers	Vivion & N Antioch	816-453-5575
Kate's Kitchen	80th & N Oak	816-436-7200
Milwaukee Deli	9th & Baltimore	816-471-6900
Room 39	39th & Bell	816-753-3939
Roxanne's	Platte City	816-858-7027
Wabash BBQ	Excelsior Springs	816-630-7700

THURSDAY, November 3, Embassy Suites to Weston - 9:00 AM START

Craig has offered to lead a ride to Weston thisThursday - by scooter.  The ride is around 21 miles out and 20 back with the ride to start at 9:00AM. Here is the map Craig sent.  I am aware that some stretches are hilly but this should be a beautiful route.

I am going to miss these rides for a while.  Have a good time and I hope to catch you all soon - maybe on a ride around Thanksgiving.

Don't forget these upcoming rides:

November 5th

November 19th

THURSDAY, October 27 - Embassy Suites to Edgerton - Start 8:30

ATTENTION - NEW INFO

My long-term sub job started Wednesday, October 26th - two weeks early.  I haven't heard about the new little chemist yet but I'm sure that if the birth hasn't happened yet it is imminent.  I'll have more about upcoming rides next week.
  This week I will leave Edgerton as the destination but it will be without a leader (follower in my case).  YOYO.  Have fun - see you next year (or perhaps on a holiday break.  It is not certain but I may be obligated until early February.

HARMER'S PHONE : 816-790-3621

I am thinking of riding to Edgerton - the ride I scheduled last week but altered due to weather threats.  We rode to Smithville last week instead.  This week: Edgerton with via this route -breakfast at Harmer's,

The forecast is calling for light winds swinging from the NE around to the South.  Temps range from around 50 at the ride start warming to th mid 60s. You are probably aware of the hills along the way - a few good climbs but the very beautiful ride makes it all worth while.

THURSDAY, November 20 - Embassy Suites to Edgerton - 8:30 Start

AS of Monday 1:00 PMN I am thinking of riding to Edgerton, breakfdast at Harmer's,  via this route:

The forecast is calling for significant wind from the NNW (mid teens) and high temps for the day in the low to mid 60s.  You are probably aware of the hills along the way - the wind will be a welcome assisting factor for the return.

TWIN CREEKS

LINEAR PARK

DESIGN COMPETITION

  You may be interested in attending the presentation of the three design winners' submissions to this design contest concerning this area in the Northland.  At this time I am planning on dropping by. 

Contest Winners' Design Presentations

Wed., Oct. 19th : 10:00 AM

Platte County Resource Center

11724 NW Plaza Circle

Kansas City, MO 64153

THURSDAY, Oct. 13th - Embassy Suites to Platte City - 9:00 AM Start

A little cooler this week but in February we would be happy with these conditions:

I plan to ride to Roxanne's in Platte City going through Camden Point on the way up.  The route there is 24.5 miles; the returnm is about 15 miles.  We can probably find 1/2 mile wankage if you want a 40 mile trip (I am considering the trail off of 136th back to Running Horse instead of what is mapped - that would probably do it).

We will leave at 9:00 am.  Temps in the low to mid 40s warming to the mid 50s.  There will be a few hills to warm us up along the way.  See you there?

FRIDAY, Oct. 7th - Embassy Suites to Smithville - 9:00 AM Start

With the high chances of rain during our usual ride time on Thursday I thought I'd cancel that ride.

I will try a ride on Friday this week.  The forecast is for dry weather but the start will be cooler (high 40s) than any recent ride and warming only to the low 60s.

I plan to ride to Smithville - Cook's Corner.  I need to check some roads before I post a route but the distances will be somewhere around 20 miles out and 15 miles back with hills.

I will start at 9:00 AM allowing the temps rise and giving a little more sleep/travel time especially for those driving or riding to the start from some distance.

We may arrive at Cook's Corner too late for breakfast so this could be an early lunch ride.

____________________________________________________

Update 10-6-16 1:15PM

I just called Clay County.  Virginia and 144th has been gravel for some time now.  I was told that wet weather has pushed plans back but as soon as the area is dry enough that half mile of gravel will be repaved in a 3 day process.  That was much better news than I was expecting.  You will note that my route below avoids that area.

Maybe reverse the intended route - 12.5 miles out (so we should be able to make breakfast) and 25.5 back for 38 miles total.  Here is the Map-My-Ride map.

Weather Forecast - Cool, a little windy but some Sumshine

THURSDAY, Sept. 29th - Embassy Suites to Liberty 8:00 AM Start - - - AND - - - SATURDAY, October 1st- Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen - 8:30 AM Start

PLEASE NOTE START TIMES
THURSDAY 8:00 AM START

  This week I am leading the ride to Liberty for breakfast at the Ginger Sue's.  This ride is 16.75 miles out and approximately 20 miles returning for around 36.75 miles total.  Some changes may be needed due to construction but the route link is here and the map below:

Temps will be cool starting in the mid 50s and warming only to the low 60s during the ride.

SATURDAY RIDE

PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME is 8:30

  The monthly Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen (80th and N. Oak) will be on Oct. 1st.  I will follow the same route as usual.  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. 

  The start time will be 8:30 AM for a 20 mile ride to Kate's for brunch.  The return is about 13 miles back (with a probable stop at the Cinder Block) to Knuckleheads where their weekly blues jam (no cover) begins around 1:00 PM.

THURSDAY, Sept. 22nd - Embassy Suites to Dearborn - 8:00 AM Start

PLEASE NOTE START TIME
8:00 AM START

  This week I am leading the ride to Dearborn for breakfast at the Dearborn Cafe. This is approximately 20 miles each way.

  Below is the map of a simple route there and back.  We could modify this if we feel spunky and the weather holds.  One possible thought is to add a 15 mile loop to Faucett.

  The weather looks pretty good showing a 11-12 mph headwind for the return trip as the temps rise to the mid 80s.

THURSDAY, September 15th - Embassy Suites Figure 8 - 8:00 AM Start

I have waited till now to see what the weather is forecast to do.  The last I saw on the Weather Channel App there is a pretty good chance that rain may develop as we ride.

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.

WEDNESDAY, September 7th - Embassy Suites to the South - 8:00 AM Start

I am not going to be able to lead a ride Thursday so I will offer one on Wednesday.  I haven't decided exactly where but there will be a south wind in the mid teens (mph) and chances of rain increasing in the early afternoon.  My thinking is to head south so as to have a push back after breakfast.

Maybe something like this.  Map-My-Ride here.  This is about 18 miles to the Corner Cafe in Riverside and roughly the same returning.

Hope to see you there.

THURSDAY, Sept 1st - Biscari Bros (Liberty) to Excelsior Springs - 9:00 AM Start

Hey,
This week, Thursday, September 1st, LET'S TRY AGAIN!

• We ride from Biscari Brothers' Bicycles, 852 State Route 291, Liberty, MO 64068
• We start at 9:00 AM.
• We ride to Excelsior Springs.
• We "do" lunch at the Wabash BBQ (menu) there.

  The route is approximately 40 miles total, 23 and a fraction out.  The outbound route goes through Missouri City on 210 and Old 210 before turning north on N into Ex. Springs.  The return is on H all the way back to Liberty.

DIRECTIONS TO START

From I-35 to Biscari Brothers (all turns at traffic lights):

• Exit I-35 on 152 / Kansas Ave and head East about 0.7 miles
• Turn right on 291 heading South about 0.6 miles.
• Turn right on Withers Rd (N Liberty Dr) heading South to the next light
• Turn left into parking area.  Biscari Bros is on your right as you enter the lot.

Biscari Brothers Bicycle
Map from I-35

Last 2 turns from 291 to Withers to Parking Lot

THURSDAY, August 25th - CANCELLED.

CANCELLATION FOR THIS WEEK
High percentages for rain so the ride is a no-no. 
Meet at Embassy Suites at 8:00 for breakfast at Crackerbarrel. 

OLD PLANS : MAYBE SOON BUT NOT THIS WEEK

Hey,
This week, Thursday, August 25th, I plan this ride.

• We ride from Biscari Brothers' Bicycles, 852 State Route 291, Liberty, MO 64068
• We start at 9:00 AM.
• We ride to Excelsior Springs.
• We "do" lunch at the Wabash BBQ (menu) there.

  The route is approximately 40 miles total, 23 and a fraction out.  The outbound route goes through Missouri City on 210 and Old 210 before turning north on N into Ex. Springs.  The return is on H all the way back to Liberty.

DIRECTIONS TO START

From I-35 to Biscari Brothers (all turns at traffic lights):

• Exit I-35 on 152 / Kansas Ave and head East about 0.7 miles
• Turn right on 291 heading South about 0.6 miles.
• Turn right on Withers Rd (N Liberty Dr) heading South to the next light
• Turn left into parking area.  Biscari Bros is on your right as you enter the lot.

Biscari Brothers Bicycle
Map from I-35

Last 2 turns from 291 to Withers to Parking Lot

THURSDAY, August 18th - Embassy Suites to Edgerton - 8:00 AM Start

We haven't been to Edgerton in a while.  Let's go there.  This route is about 39 miles round trip.  What I have mapped is a little under 19 on the way up and a little over 20 returning.  There are a few hills including two that I am not particularly fond of but the rural beauty makes it worthwhile.

We will have a tailwind going out and a moderate (cooling) headwind returning.  Temps are forecast to warm to the high 80s in the early afternoon.  See you there?

THURSDAY, August 11th - Embassy Suites to Smithville - 8:00 AM Start

This week the ride heads to Smithville and breakfast at Cook's Corner.  This ride is 22.5 miles out and a short but hilly 13 miles returning.  I hope to see you there.  Here is the link to the route mapped below:

Weather forecast (as of Tuesday evening):

THURSDAY, Aug. 4th - Embassy Suites to Liberty - 8:00 AM Start

This week I have a 32 mile route (about 16 each way) to the Corner Cafe in Liberty. I've been having trouble with my usual Map-My-Ride maps so the link takes you to a Garmin course.  I hope that works for you.  Below is a screen capture of the route:

RAGBRAI was a good time until our trip home when a bike rack fail damaged 4 bikes including my Trek.  I'm not sure of the extent of the damage but I think my bike can be salvaged with a set of new wheels and possibly a rear deraileur.  Here's a shot of the front wheel:

Hope to see you this week.

THURSDAY, July 28th - Embassy Suites SHOW AND GO - 8:00 AM Start

  RAGBRAI beckons me this Thursday so Bob (with one "O") says he will investigate routes and have something when you show up for the 8:00 AM start from Embassy Suites.  I imagine this will be a breakfast ride as usual.  Last I heard Bob was going to check the possibility of riding to Dearborn so long as construction near Camden Pt doesn't completely block the route.

  I hope you have a great ride and I plan on being back to lead a ride on August 4th as usual.  Until then -

Art

This panorama pic was taken in Monroe on 1992 RAGBRAI.  The photographer was on a crane.  A friend of mine found a print at a camera show in Omaha a few months after that ride and got it for me.  The actual print is about 1 ft tall and 4 ft wide.  In the blow-up below (clicking on picture might enlarge it) you can see me in the lower right (hands in pockets wearing a blue jacket) and "Waldo" is in the lower left!

THURSDAY, July 21 - Embassy Suites to Platte City --- AND --- SATURDAY, July 23 - Knuckleheads to Kates Kitchen

PLEASE NOTE START TIMES

THURSDAY 8:00 AM START

  This week I am leading the ride to Platte City to breakfast at Roxanne's following this route.

Temps are forecast to be in the low 80s when we start and increase to the low to mid 90s by the time we return.  This route is around 18 miles out and 15 miles returning with short-cut options on the return if the heat becomes opressive.

  Here is Russell's picture of the group that rode to the City Diner last week:

SATURDAY RIDE

PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME is 8:00

  At one time I was considering a ride from Liberty to Excelsior Springs but because of the forecast highs for Saturday I thought I'd save that ride for a cooler day.

  The monthly Knuckleheads to Kate's Kitchen (80th and N. Oak) will be on July 23th.  I will follow the same route as usual.  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. 

  The start time will be 8:00 AM for a 20 mile ride to Kate's for brunch.  The return is about 13 miles back (with a probable stop at the Cinder Block) to Knuckleheads where their weekly blues jam (no cover) begins around 1:00 PM.

THURSDAY, July 14th - Embassy Suites to the City Diner in River Market - 8:00 AM Start

TRY AGAIN

Last week this was cancelled due to rain.  Let's try again this week.  I just checked weateher and it looks ok.  If necessary we could shorten the return.

I have this route to the City Diner in the River Market (3rd and Grand) mapped for tomorrow.  This is 19 miles out and 22 back the way it is mapped.  The route can be shortened for the return if necessary.

THURSDAY, June 30th - Cosentino's New Mark Sunfresh Grocery (102nd & N. Oak) to Smithville - 8:00 AM Start

ROUTE FOR JUNE 30th

Craig has sent this map for the June 30th ride.  START LOCATION is the Cosentino's New Mark Sunfresh Grocery Store on N. Oak (10255 North Oak Trafficway). The satellite view below shows the start location just east of 169 between the 96th street and 108th street exits'

The green is a 31.5 mile outbound route to Cook's Corner.  The red is the 10 mile return.  I'm sorry I'm going to miss this one.

THURSDAY, June 23rd - Embassy Suites to Platte City - 8:00 AM Start ...AND... THURSDAY, June 30th - Cosentino's New Mark Sunfresh Grocery Store to Smithville - 8:00 AM Start

ROUTE FOR JUNE 23rd

Craig is going to lead this ride in my absence.  He has mapped this route to Platte City, breakfast at Roxanne's.

  Green is the outbound route of about 15 miles.  You will note the run north on Bethel to HH and on into Platte City.  Bethel will have a great down hill and you probably know the pay-back on HH into town.

  Red is the return of about 17.5 miles using the trail system, Brightwell, Hampton Rd etc. as we have done several times before.

  I was surprised when I looked up the forecast for Thursday.  It looks like temps will stay out of the 90s while you are riding and there will possibly be some cloud cover as well.  

Thanks for Craig for taking over for a couple weeks.  I'm not sure how easy it will be for me to update this site for next week's ride.  You might want save the accompanying email to communicate plans using "reply-all."  

I THINK "REPLY" WORKS (not "Reply All")

See you in a couple weeks.

ROUTE FOR JUNE 30th

Craig has also sent a map for the June 30th ride.  START LOCATION is the Cosentino's New Mark Sunfresh Grocery Store on N. Oak (10255 North Oak Trafficway). The satellite view below shows the start location just east of 169 between the 96th street and 108th street exits'

The green is a 31.5 mile outbound route to Cook's Corner.  The red is the 10 mile return.  I'm sorry I'm going to miss this one.