Announcements and comments on bike rides led by Art Loepp (or a proxy) usually on Thursday mornings in the Northland area of Kansas City.
It is forecast to be pretty cool in the morning so I am going to call off the organized ride for Thursday. It may warm and get sunny later so I might get out in the afternoon.
I appreciate all of you who rode with me over the last year and before. I look forward to more riding in 2022 and I wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope to see you all soon.
I've Mapped out this route for a 37.6 mile round trip to Chicken N Pickle in NKC, about 21 miles there and 16.6 miles back. It looks to be relatively warm with some significant SW winds. Hope some of you can make it - to the rest I'll offer my Merry Christmas wishes now! Look for rides on January 1st (Kathy West led ride from Strange Days at noon) and 2nd (President's Ride by CKC at 2 PM from ther Hy Vee Arena).
The SANTA RAMPAGE was a lot of fun packed into 10 miles of riding.
THURSDAY (December 16th) RIDE
This Thursday (12-16-21) I will be leading a ride to Dearborn (brunch at the Dearborn Cafe) leaving Embassy Suites at 9:00 AM. We will follow this relative flat route. Over the approximate 40 mile round trip on this out-and-back route; below is a recycled (no pun intended) map. This is probably the flattest ride I lead in the Northland. BTW - We may not do the hilly wiggle you might notice on the southernmost part - we'll see.
I am leading the ride to The Ship for lunch in the West Bottoms this week. I'm hoping the juke box has been re-filled with their Christmas music. They always have the best music around (IMHO). The ride there is 20 miles and the return is 22+/- miles for about 42 miles total. I will post the weather soon but it looks pretty nice - start approaching 50 with a daytime high forecast in the mid 60s - winds from the S to SW at 11 mph. Sounds good to me.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I surely did and if you are reading this, thanks again to our gracious host.
This week I am planning 2 rides:
TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 30 - 9 AM START - 40 miles
Biscari Brothers Bike Shop in Liberty to the Wabash BBQ in Excelsior Springs
This ride is best when there is an ENE wind as is forecast so there is a tailwind for the hillier 15 mile return. The trip to the Wabash BBQ is slightly over 25 miles according to May My Ride (the route is here).
AND
THURSSDAY - DECEMBER 2 - 9 AM START - 34.6 miles
Embassy Suites to the 169 Cafe in Smithville, MO
This route is 34.6 miles total; 22.2 miles there and 12.4 short but hilly miles returning. Brunch at 169 Cafe (formerly Family Traditions).
Here is what I decided upon. This route gets us to the NW for brunch at Roxanne's about 18.6 miles there. This leg is against a west wind of 10-12 mph so a little work and a little cold. The return is only 12 miles and will take advantage of the increased 14 mph west wind as we head back to the SW. This made sense to me when I plotted this route but we will see - sometimes saving the headwind for the return means the cooling headwind occurs at the cooler part of the ride.
Here are the map and forecast:
It promises to be a sunny breezy day. I have us riding to Riverside for brunch at the Corner Cafe. It's about 19.4 miles there and 11.0 miles back via this route a total of 30.4 miles. Except for the finish west-bound segments are down hill or hilly (partially blocking the wind). The return starts up the Line Creek Trail (again) and out of the wind. Once we hit Barry Rd we should get the windiest section to finish.
Looks a little wet on Thursday so I'm cancelling and we'll try again next week. In the mean time please enjoy this video about riding in the rain (When you hear "horse" think "bike." When you hear "Arizona" think "Northland.").
I've been watching the weather and tweeking my route for the week. Here is what I have so far but I'm not sure I'm crazy about it so it may be altered or completely changed. I am thinking of going to Frank's in Parkville but it doesn't open till 11:00. Maybe we can make it work. I'm also planning around winds and cooler temps BUT we're on for a 9:00 AM Start.
This route would be 17.5 out and 15.0 back for around 32.5 miles total.
It's been a while and I need to give them a call but I'm thinking of riding to Ginger Sue's just off the square in Liberty. The route is 17.3 miles there and 21.9 miles back for 39.2 miles total.
Well back to Platte City and Roxanne's for brunch. This route is 15.16 miles up there and 19.27 miles back (according to Map-My-Ride) for a total of 34.43 miles.
Glad to be back and thanks to Bob for leading the last two rides.
This week I thought I'd be a little more ambitious with a hilly 40 miler to Smithville - breakfast at Family Tradition. The route is 18.16 miles there and 21.68 back for a total if 39.84 miles. One lap around the parking lot should round that up. The north edge of the route (after breakfast) has the most hills, along KK and Winan especially. We have a short section on 92 and there is a new (to me) trail from Smithville to the dam we could use.
I will be unavailable each of the next two Thursdays so Deputy Bob Papreck will take the reins and lead y'all on your adventures. You will find the destinations as you arrive each week but arrest (continuing with the "Deputy," "reins," "and "y'all" theme) assured the route will probably longer, hillier, and covered a a higher pace than usual. Be forewarned. See you again on the 23rd.
I'm planning a ride to Banksia (their menu) at 9th and Baltimore via this route. Banksia has a small outside area. I'm hoping that it will be available for our group when we arrive. It's 17.2 miles there and 19.4 miles back for a total of 36.6 miles. I'm also hoping you're not tired of the Line Creek Trail.
I know we were at the Corner Cafe recently but I'm planning to go back to keep the ride fairly short to beat the heat. Here is the route - there are a few differences from normal. I think its about 12 miles to the Corner Cafe and about 14 miles back for just under 26 miles total.
This week I think we'll go to Dearborn (breakfast at the Dearborn Cafe) again. This is approximately 20 miles each way predominantly on Interurban (see the history here)..
I don't think the Dearborn Cafe has outdoor seating but the interior is spacious and usually it has been just us at the time we arrive. Bring masks.
Below is a recycled (no pun intended) map of a simple route there and back. This is probably the flattest ride I lead in the Northland. BTW - We may not do the hilly wiggle you might notice on the map - we'll see.
This week I plan a relatively short 25.28 mile ride to Parkville but it does have a few hills. This route is 14.45 miles to the In Cahoots Coffee Shop and a little under 11 miles back.
I am not planning on a full breakfast stop so we can complete the ride before the heat of the day hits. I thought we could grab a coffee (iced maybe) or tea and a pastry (they have had donuts before and have promised other pastries - the other coffee shop may provide greater choices). There is both outdoor and indoor seating.
This route to Platte City (14.2 miles) and back (17.4 miles for 31.6 miles total) has its share of hills. I haven't ridden HH from Interurban in quite a while.
Roxanne's has an outdoor area that I will request. We have had our breakfast there before. I am going to be trying to find us outdoor areas when I can.
I was looking for something fairly short because of the heat forecast for Thursday. Here is the route from Embassy Suites that I came up with:
You will note I am employing the shade of the Line Creek Trail on the return part of the route. It's 13.7 miles to the Corner Restaurant in Riverside and 11.4 miles back for a total of just over 25 miles.
NOTE THE START TIME IS MOVED UP TO 8:00 AM
I don't think the heat will be obnoxious until after we have finished (I hope).
I am planning this route to the First Watch near Liberty for Thursday, July 22nd. We will leave Embassy Suites at 8:30 AM for the 14.5 mile trip there. The return is 17 miles (31.73 miles total according to Map My Ride) and is similar to the route we did on June 3rd.
Weather forecasts suggest a high probability that our riding would be wet so I am calling off the ride for today. We will try again next week.
Original Post:
Firstly - the forecast for Thursday is iffy but it may work.
Secondly - My road bike is in the shop with shifting issues. I will be on my heavier and slower bike.
As long as the rain stays away I will show for a ride but I thought you should be aware that I will be slower than usual and will probably do a ride of somewhere around 30 miles. I am still considering routes and destinations but I'm sure we can come up with something.
See you Thursday - sorry for the late posting.
My plan this week is to take this route to the Corner Cafe in Riverside. The distance there is about 15 miles and the return is only 11 miles with an option for more.
I've been watching the weather forecasts hoping to be able to get a ride in this week. It looks like maybe! Here's the plan:
I will amend this plan Thursday morning via this blog and the email blast if necessary.
We will follow this route to Kate's Kitchen. The trip there is a little under 12 miles. The total trip is nearly 27 miles. I have us crossing 169 on Barry Road where there is some construction. We will need to take particular care at that point.
This is a beautiful route and a little something different. I lead this a couple times a year. Be adventurous and give this one a try.
TUESDAY June 22nd
I have another conflict for this Thursday so, once again, Bob Papreck will lead in my stead. The start time will be 8:30AM and I'd expect some of those hills that Bob finds out there. Have a good ride and I plan to be back next week.
BY THE WAY - I made an attempt to update rides at the bottom right of this page. If you know of additions or corrections please let me know.
You might look ahead to this ride. Here is a link to a Facebook post. I'm not sure if the link will work for everyone. The info in the graphic should be enough to get you there. If more info becomes available I will update this:
Here is the route I've planned for Thursday. It is 18.4 miles to the Family Traditions Cafe in Smithville and about that far back as routed for 36+ miles for the round trip. I have us leaving from the usual location.
