THURSDAY, May 14th Ride Pictures

 

THURSDAY, May 14 - Embassy Suites (Adjacent) To Kate's Kitchen - 8:30 Start

 I've planned a route to pick up a couple Parade of Hearts on the way to Kate's Kitchen (breakfast stop).  The ride will be about 20 miles there and a total of around 27 miles; so short coming back.

Map My Ride link

Garmin link

When the wind picks up we should have an assist on the way back to the NE.

THURSDAY, May 7th - Embassy Suites (Adjacent) to Platte City - 8:30 Start

 This one might be ambitious for me but I'm game to try.  There are a couple downhills I am not looking forward to - AND a couple climbs (not HH) and grass.

I've mapped a route to Roxanne's, our usual Plate City stop.  13.7 miles there and 12 miles back for 25.7 miles total.

Map My Ride

Garmin

Ride with GPS

There are two Parade of Hearts hearts on the way there,

The weather looks pretty good.  Cools at the start an wind speeds increasing.

THURSDAY, April 30, Embassy Suites to First Watch on Ambassador - 8:30 Start

I'm going to try the ride we aborted last week due to the accurate threat of rain; a short ride of around 19 miles passing by three of the Parade of Hearts hearts for photo ops.

I've been to 60 hearts so far of the 150 this year.

Here is the map of the route starting and ending at the Urgent Care parking lot adjacent to the Embassy Suites lot where we used to park.

Map My Ride

Garmin

The weather looks a little better than last week but still 15% chances after 10:00.

Morton Amphitheater Ride from Parkville (Pedal to the Party) 8:30 AM Start PLUS up to 5 Parade of Hearts Hearts

The ride will start in Parkville (English Landing Park) at 8:30 AM on Saturday, April 25th staging on Main Street on the river side of the train tracks away from the larger parking areas indicated by the red rectangle (park anywhere you can).

Click on map to enlarge.

 This ride starts in Parkville with the Choo Choo Chug Chug Heart -

- From there we head west on FF along the Missouri River  where we take a paved trail to the Char Bar Parkville where we find a second heart, In the Key of KC -

- Then on to the Morton Amphitheater for food and activities:

Click on poster to enlarge.

- As we pass through Parkville on the way to the amphitheater we will stop for the second heart in town, Lovebirds:

Two more hearts are nearby.  To Kansas City and Beyond is in Riverside adding a 7.63 mile addition (round trip).  Harmony Starts With The Smallest Act is in Briarcliff West and only adds an additional 2 miles (from the Riverside heart).

Click these hyperlinks below for Map-My-Ride enlargeable routes

Main Route to Char Bar back to Morton Amphitheater RED

to Riverside Heart PURPLE

to Briarcliff West Heart BLUE

Click these hyperlinks below for Garmin enlargeable routes

Main Route to Char Bar back to Morton Amphitheater RED

to Riverside Heart PURPLE

to Briarcliff West Heart BLUE

Click on map to enlarge.

Total Mileages

Just RED =21 miles

Add PURPLE = 29 miles

Add BLUE = 31 miles

 

- 

THURSDAY, April 23, Embassy Suites to First Watch on Ambassador - 8:30 Start

This is a short ride of around 19 miles partially due to increased winds but it does pass by three of the Parade of Hearts hearts for photo ops.

I've been to 34 hears so far of the 150 this year.

Here is the map of the route starting and ending at the Urgent Care parking lot adjacent to the Embassy Suites lot where we used to park.

Map My Ride

Garmin

I'm a little concerned about the wind and the precipitation chances.

THURSDAY, April 16th - Northland Ride to Kate's Kitchen - 8:30 Start

 I've mapped this ride to Kate's Kitchen for this week.  It's only 20 miles, roughly 10 miles each way.  I'm not sure how my stability will be but I'll give it a try.  I have made an attempt to keep things pretty flat (which seems to help).  Here is the usual stuff:

Weather looks pretty good

Map My Ride

Garmin

THURSDAY, April 9 - Embassy Suites (adjacent) Show - N - Go - 8:30 Start

 As some of you heard last Thursday at our breakfast gathering, I have a meeting with an insurance adjuster and a roofer following the hail storm of a while back so I am unable to make this ride.  Bob P. is leading again.  The weather promises to be great with very moderate wind speeds.

Have a great ride and I hope to see you all next week.

THURSDAY April 2 - Rain early and windy so Hy Vee for Breakfast

 It looks like unfavorable conditions (at least for me) this week.  Rains are forecast until maybe 7 to 9 AM but I think the roads may be wet.  Besides that the winds pick up to a speed that I'm not comfortable with.  

I propose an 8:30 meet-up at Hy Vee (St. Clair and Barry Rd) for breakfast.

THURSDAY, April 26, Embassy Suites (adjacent) to Scotts Kitchen : PLUS Sat, April 4th - Parade of Hearts

 I think we will do this ride in spite of the wind  Here are the deets:

This route is about 18.5 miles out and only 3 back for 21.5 total.  If you want more It would be easy to add on at the end.

Map My Ride

Garmin

AND

Ride from Prairie Village to the Parade of Hearts Kick-Off for the 2026 Parade

On Saturday, April 4th the Parade of Hearts for 2026 will be displaying all 150 Hearts at the Overland Park Convention Center.  

I am planning to lead a ride from the Prairie Village shops to this event leaving at 9:00 am.  My route there is only 7 miles and the event begins at 10:00 am - this will give us plenty of time but I want to be early and will probably want to stay there for a couple hours at least.

I have mapped a return trip that you will probably recognize if you ride to Best Regards.  The return route is about 10.5 miles and passes by the Mission Farms Martin City Pizza and Taproom for a possible lunch stop.  I expect the return group to fragment - leaving at different times.  I will eventually head back and will gladly show the way for anyone who stays as long as I do.  

I am showing my intended route below with links to a Map-My-Ride mapping and a Garmin route where details will be a little more clear.

THURSDAY, March 19th - Embassy Suites (adjacent) to Riverside - 9:00 AM Start

We will try this one more time:

  Thursday is looking like the best day we have had to ride in some time. I will use this route that I have had posted for the last 3 weeks - we leave at 9:00 from adjacent to Embassy Suites (Urgent Care lot).  I have us going to Riverside (Corner Cafe) again.  A little different and 30 miles if we go the entire route. 10.8 miles there, 19.2 miles back.

Here's the route:

Garmin

Map My Ride

I might be showing up at the start on my bike again.  I have a roof inspection scheduled but I should have time to have breakfast with you BUT I may have to scamper back directly.

THURSDAY, March 12 - Embassy Suites to Riverside (repeat of last week's cancelled plan) 9:00 AM (maybe)

  

I’m going to show up with my bike for the 9 o’clock ride. We’ll make a final decision at that point. It’s about 10 miles to breakfast, warming as we go and a tailwind for the return. Maybe we can make it work!

 I'm considering using the planned ride from last week and starting at 9:00 AM.   There looks to be cool at the start and wind picks up during the day.  I have mapped 30 miles if we go the entire route. 10.8 miles there, 19.2 miles back.  This could be trimmed.  Check in the morning to see if I've changed my mind about riding.

Here's the route:

Garmin

Map My Ride

THURSDAY, March 6th - Embassy Suites to Riverside - 9:00 AM Start

ROADS ARE STILL WET AT 7:30.  I'M CHANGING TO BREAKFAST AT HY VEE AT 9:00

RIDE BELOW IS CANCELLED

  Thursday is looking like a day to ride starting at 9:00 from adjacent to Embassy Suites (Urgent Care lot).  I have us going to Riverside (Corner Cafe) again.  A little different and 30 miles if we go the entire route. 10.8 miles there, 19.2 miles back.

Here's the route:

Garmin

Map My Ride

BTW - you will find a slideshow of the black squirrels of Marysville, KS right column.

The Parade of Hearts locations have been mentioned.  They are 

s  p  r  e  a  d    o  u  t

this year.

 

THURSDAY, February 26 - Embassy Suites to Camden Point (back to Scotts)

 Sorry this is so late but I discussed the possible late posting with some riders last week.  I've been out of town getting my my craving for hearts sated with collecting selfies of the squirrel statues in Marysville, KS.

This week we will ride to Camden Point and return to Scott's Hanger for brunch before returning to the start - adjacent to Embassy Suites.  A total distance of about 30 miles.

Since I am so slow you can drop me on the way up and pick me up on the way back.  My pace may be reasonable since there are no drastic downhills where I am still a bit unsure.

Weather looks good.  No router or Garmin map this week since the route is so simple.

THURSDAY, February 19th - Northland Bike Ride to Riverside - 9:00 AM Start

I'm Planning on leaving from the usual spot at 9:00AM and heading to the Corner Cafe in Riverside. 

 We had a roof leak the night of the rain last week and we have a roofer coming today so I won't be able to ride the entire route.  I plan on riding from home to the start - skipping breakfast and riding home via the Route #1.  I offer that 20 mile route and the longer Route #2 of 30 miles if you prefer that distance. 

See you there

 Route #1 Map My Ride 20 miles

Route #2 Map My Ride 30 miles

Garmin #1

Garmin #2

THURSDAY, February 12th - Embassy Suites to Kate's Kitchen - 9:00 Start

 Well we might get this ride in.  I've been riding but I'm still pretty slow and careful.  I've mapped this 26 miler to Kate's Kitchen starting at 9:00 AM (39 degrees but warming to the 50s; single digit South winds and partial sum).  

Map My Ride

Garmin

THURSDAY, February 5th - Cold in the Morning so Breakfast (AGAIN) at 8:30 - Hy Vee (Barry Rd and St Clair)

 The weather is getting closer to being rideable but maybe not in the morning with that wind.

SO - we will meet for breakfast again.  I will be able to make breakfast but wouldn't have been able to ride due to appointments made when I was certain that the weather would be restrictive.  I guess it worked out but I am getting eager to be back riding.

THURSDAY, January 29th - Breakfast once again + ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW - Breakfast at Hy Vee at 8:30

Breakfast again for any takers - 8:30 at the Hy Vee at Barry Rd and St Clair.

FYI - MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - 6PM

You may be interested in attending this meeting concerning planning the extension of Line Creek Parkway from Barry Road to 68th Street (and developments in this area) and how it may affect the Line Creek Trail.

 Here is the link to the Facebook Site for this event!

Line Creek Loudmouth Facebook Site (Wes Minder)

THURSDAY, January 22 - Cold in the Morning so Breakfast (AGAIN) at 8:30 - Hy Vee

   The weather hates Thursday rides.  That's all I can figure.  It's still too cold for me so let's meet again at 8:30  (Hy Vee at Barry & St Clair).

THURSDAY, January 15 - Cold in the Morning so Breakfast at 8:30 - Hy Vee

 The January weather and Thursdays don't seem to get along.  Let's do breakfast at 8:30 again (at Hy Vee - Barry Rd and St Clair).  One topic of discussion could be the possibility and interest in Wheeler Airport laps in the afternoon.  I'm not sure conditions will make that very tempting but I'm willing to listen if there is interest.

THURSDAY, January 8 (Elvis' Birthday) - Rain Likely so Breakfast at 8:30 - Hy Vee

 The plan is to meet tomorrow for breakfast at the Barry Rd and St Clair Hy Vee for a breakfast gathering in lieu of a ride. [I was able to get a 24 mile ride in today (Wed.).  I'm still slow but if felt good].  

If the forecast were to change dramatically we could alter plans.