Announcements and comments on bike rides led by Art Loepp (or a proxy) usually on Thursday mornings in the Northland area of Kansas City.
CaddyShack (approx. 3rd and Cherry - Southeast end of HOA Bridge) was a hit last time - I thought we'd go again. Pizza's are their specialty I'd say. Last time I split a large 3 ways and had more than enough, just sayin'.
Weather is supposed to be great:
Here I am! When last I looked there was a chance of winter precipitation in the forecast. Lately that has changes, at least on the APP I use. I have trouble bringing myself to watch local weather on the news for fear that I might be exposed to collateral political news - ew!
I am deciding to change this week's ride to Friday. Thursday's wind is the main factor for this alteration. 20 mph winds would be a little rough. The temps are slightly cooler on Friday but still in the 50s.
I thought we would travel to Dearborn so as to have a tailwind on the return. Possible meal locations in are in the process of changing hours of operation so I decided to avoid that problem all together by doing another ride without a meal stop. Again bring a snack for an extended stop in Dearborn as we did recently (Oct 1 I think).
This route is roughly a 40 mile round trip.
This week - another trip to NKC where there are several outdoor places for our stop. I am trying to be a little creative about changing up the routes. CAVEAT - I may get myself lost along the way. Here is what I am thinking for November 12th. 16 miles there, 17 back for a total of 33 miles.
The weather looks tolerable.
Back by popular demand - we will have a lunch ride to the Velo Garage and Tap House in NKC. I am trying to vary routes and I plan to ride part of this Wednesday to check it out. This route is only 17.75 miles there (we may have to meander and stall to get there at or after 11 when they open). The return is 24.9 miles for 42.65 miles total.
Because of early morning rain chances, diminishing North winds and increasing sunshine forecasted I am moving the start time this week to noon. My current plan is to ride to the North (perhaps across the Fairfax Bridge) at first then return (without a major stop) perhaps using the trail if the wind speeds stay elevated. If I decide on a particular route I'll update this post. I may just make the route up as we go.
I forgot to mention last week that I will be unable to lead a ride this coming Thursday. I contacted Bob Papreck about guiding a Show & Go ride leaving Embassy Suites on October 22nd, 9AM. The extended forecast I have seen shows a high temperature in the 80s with some pretty strong winds.
Have a good ride in my absence and I look forward to re-joining the group on the 29th.
Art
UPDATE - (posted Wednesday 8:00 PM) Let's decide Thursday morning at 9AM. Several ideas have crossed my mind but I haven't been able to decide so we can decide together.
See you in the morning.
Art
I'm working on a route and a possible stop. I have a ride this morning (Thursday 10-14) so I will try to update this post this afternoon but count on a 9 AM start from Embassy Suites Thursday. You might bring a snack in caser we just make an extended pause instead of a meal stop. I'm considering possible locations, wind and temperature. If nothing else we can make this a show-and-go this week.
If you're on my email blast list you will get another email if and when I update this site.
Here is the plan for this week. We will ride to the Lunch Box just across the HOA Bridge. The might have outdoor seating - there is an outdoor area and I think they will have chairs where we can hold plates on our laps. This is eventually going to be an outdoor venue but they have not been able to manage that yet - still I think it's worth a try.
The route measures 17.3 miles there and 20.2 miles returning for 37.5 miles total.
I've mapped this route to the Velo Garage for lunch. They are serving pizzas now from 11-2 on Thursdays & Fridays. The Velo Garage has added an outdoor seating area as well.
20.4 miles there and 16.1 miles back for 36.5 miles total. The weather looks cool and we have a headwind for our return. I have mapped using the Line Creek Trail to block some wind.
We start at 9 from Embassy Suites. I suggest some warm clothing for the trip and lunch.
This week I have a 31+ mile loop around KCI. Map for this route below. No planned food stop so maybe bring a snack for the road.
Let's try again - this time with a stop at the Iron District in NKC (16th and Iron). I'm showing off a couple new routes (for me). One route runs the risk of delay for train crossing.
My planned route is 21.5 miles to the Iron District; 14.7 miles back for a total of 36.2 miles. Some alterations may be made on the fly.
The Iron District has outdoor seating - masks required when up and about. There is a possibility of getting food, coffee - even a Bloody Mary if you want. Service has been slow but we can make a stop or not.
Chances of rain look pretty high for Thursday plus I have a very slight wrist malady which could stand another day off. Perhaps next week. Happy riding in the mean time.
Well - How are you all doing? I hope everyone is staying safe.
It's been 26 weeks and nearly 3800 miles of mostly solo riding (for me) since I led a ride from Embassy Suites. I thought I'd give it another try with modifications - start time 8:30 AM, Thursday, Sept. 3.
I plan to ride a simple route from Embassy Suites toward (or even to) Dearborn. This is essentially an out-and-back ride so it would be possible to turn around at any point along the way. It should be easy to retrace your route to Embassy Suites without guidance - there only a few turns on the entire route. Dearborn and back would be a little under 40 miles. Turning back at Camden Point would be approximately 30 miles.
Here's the route mapped out only. The return will be on the same line. You might want to bring a snack for the trip and plenty of water.
